Welcome to the Open Thread, everyone! Can you believe that we’re so near the end of our watch? I’m already feeling wistful about saying goodbye to our characters, Young Shin and Jung Hoo in particular. 🥲
SOME IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS, before we begin:
ZERO SPOILER POLICY
1. We will be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, except for events that have happened in the show, up to this point.
We don’t want to spoil anyone’s watch experience with spoilers. The spoiler tags don’t work in email notifications, therefore, please take note that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD. ANY AND ALL SPOILERS WILL BE REDACTED to protect first-time viewers in our midst (although, I’d appreciate it if you would save me the trouble of having to redact spoilers, heh 😅).
This includes, but is not limited to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later in the show.
We need to protect the innocent! 😉
SPOILER ZONE
2. HOWEVER!! If you’d like to discuss spoilers from a rewatcher’s point of view, I’ve created a SPOILER ZONE for you, where you can discuss all the spoilers you’d like, without the need for spoiler warnings. You can find it here!
Without further ado, here are my reactions to this set of episodes; have fun in the Open Thread, everyone! ❤️
Healer OST – What The Eyes Say
I realize that this is one of my favorite tracks on the OST, and I just really wanted to share it, before we get to the end of our group watch.
I love the soul in this, I love the groove of the song, and I love the lyrics as well. I realize that over the years, I understand so much more of the lyrics now, compared to when I first heard the song, back when Show first aired.
To listen to this on repeat, just right click on the video and select “Loop.”
My thoughts
Episode 17
My first watch of this show is faded enough in my memory, that I genuinely didn’t know what to expect, coming into this episode. All in all, I hafta say, this worked out to be a pretty great episode, given where we left off, last episode.
I’d been worried about the consequences of Jung Hoo being seen in a compromising position, in relation to Park Dong Chul, both by the police, and by Young Shin.
And while both Young Shin and Jung Hoo do angst over this for a bit, this episode, it doesn’t turn out to be a huge deal, after all. Just as we’ve seen before, Young Shin shows that she trusts Jung Hoo, and has faith in him.
Sure, I did feel a tad frustrated that Jung Hoo and Young Shin don’t speak on the phone, and that they miss doing so, by mere seconds, because Young Shin had hesitated to answer the call – and then she hadn’t called Jung Hoo back.
At first glance, this is such a simple problem to fix: you missed the call? Just call him back.
On further thought, though, I rationalize that this is a pretty complicated situation, and I’m sure that even though Young Shin trusts Jung Hoo, there’s always that off-chance, that Jung Hoo might have been responsible for Park Dong Chul’s death.
Given that possibility, I can imagine that Young Shin might be in a bit of hypothetical denial; as in, on the off-chance that this might be true, she doesn’t actually want to hear about it, and confirm her worst fears.
In that sense, I feel like Young Shin refraining from calling Jung Hoo back, has to do with her wanting to preserve her positive image of Jung Hoo – just in case it gets shattered.
As for Jung Hoo, I rationalize that he’s not all that good with this interpersonal relational stuff, and therefore, he takes it that Young Shin not picking up the call, equates that she doesn’t want to talk to him – or at least, isn’t ready to talk to him.
Backtracking a little bit, I’m actually kinda glad that Young Shin gets nudged by Moon Ho into telling Dad about the fact that Young Shin now knows who her bio mom is.
Even though I was a touch peeved at Moon Ho for pushing Young Shin into talking about it when she wasn’t sure that she was ready, the resulting hug between Dad and Young Shin is the sweetest, most tender thing, and I very quickly decided that it’s great that Young Shin tells him.
Gosh, I love Dad. His father’s heart is just so clear to see, and his gentleness and tenderheartedness towards Young Shin is the most precious thing. ❤️
I already luffed Dad, but now I luff him even more. LUFF.
On Jung Hoo’s side of things, I respect the fact that he chose to go to Park Dong Chul’s rented room, not because he thought he’d find the tape there, but because he wanted to pay his last respects to him, since he believed that this happened to Park Dong Chul because of him.
It’s awkward-bittercute, the way Ahjumma talks Jung Hoo through how to pour the soju, because even though this is common knowledge for most, Jung Hoo’s been so isolated most of his life, that he’s never actually had to do this before.
It feels so apt, somehow, that Ahjumma be the one to guide him through this basic etiquette lesson. I think I kinda see her as a mother figure to Jung Hoo, even though she says she doesn’t want to think of him as a son.
I really loved seeing Young Shin meet Myung Hee; that was a very lovely to witness, although I do wish that Myung Hee could have known that this was Ji An, whom she was talking to.
It feels so unfair to Myung Hee, that she should be denied the knowledge that she’s meeting with the daughter whom she’s been longing for, all these years.
Yet, Myung Hee’s gentle, welcoming manner feels no less diluted, for the fact that she doesn’t realize that Young Shin is actually Ji An.
The way Myung Hee holds Young Shin’s hands is so motherly and so loving, that I feel as if this is how she would act too, if she had known this was her Ji An.
And, Young Shin’s instinctive tearful response to Myung Hee, is so beautifully heart-pinching. Guh. I just want this mother-daughter pair to get a proper reunion, and soon. 🥲
Not gonna lie; even though I know Jung Hoo’s being a bit reckless, in running to Moon Sik’s residence the moment he realizes that Young Shin’s headed there, I got a fair bit of a thrill, just knowing that Young Shin is that important to him.
The other thrill I got, is from Jung Hoo acting all intimidating towards Secretary Oh.
I mean, Secretary Oh is SUCH a weasel type of character – the way he smirked at Detective Yoon this episode was SO purposefully taunting! – that I actually WANT Jung Hoo to threaten him, and make him feel worried and frightened, for a change.
I don’t think Jung Hoo would have killed Secretary Oh if Ahjumma hadn’t stopped him, because Jung Hoo’s not the killing kind.
I feel like if Ahjumma hadn’t stepped in to intervene, perhaps Jung Hoo might have beaten Secretary Oh to within an inch of his life – and then stopped himself from actually killing him. At least, that’s how it goes in my head.
I’m so glad that Myung Hee tells Young Shin about what had happened that day that she’d gotten separated from Ji An.
And I’m so glad, that the first person Young Shin tells this to, is Jung Hoo, when she meets him on her way home from Moon Sik’s house.
It feels like such a huge and momentous thing, for Young Shin to finally realize that she hadn’t been abandoned by her mother – that she’d been lost, instead – and it feels quite perfect, that it would be Jung Hoo who’d get to hear this truth first.
It also feels like such a revelation, that Young Shin now realizes that the likely reason she’d stopped talking for a season, is because the last thing her mom had said to her, before leaving her, was to keep quiet and not make a sound.
Guh. That’s pretty heartbreaking, to think that scared little Young Shin, had been trying so hard, to abide by Mom’s last words to her. 😭💔
I’m glad that Young Shin asks Jung Hoo the big question that’s been on her mind – whether he’s ever killed anyone – and I’m glad that Jung Hoo answers her so readily, that he hasn’t. Even better, is how Young Shin remarks that it’s just as she’d guessed.
Aw. Jung Hoo’s pleased little smile, at her trust in him, is so precious.
I kinda love the fact that there’s no preamble to this deep, soul-baring conversation between Young Shin and Jung Hoo. No “Why didn’t you answer my call?” or “Why didn’t you call me back?”
They both dive straight into the most important things, and as they talk and listen, it’s really great, to see that they start walking closer to each other.
Also, it feels excellent and very fitting, that as Jung Hoo tells Young Shin about the things that he has to do next, like finding out who had framed him for murder, Young Shin simply tells him that she’ll help him.
YES. I love that they’ve re-established that she’s on his side, and they’re on the same side, even though it’s technically never changed.
I wasn’t completely clear at first, on the direction of the group mission at the close of the episode, but I was very clear, that I loved the idea of the entire group working together, and being connected on the same call.
It was very thrilling to me, that Ahjumma, Jung Hoo, Young Shin and Moon Ho are working in direct partnership now, to make things happen. What a team! 🤩
In the midst of the heist-like operation, I did really like the poignance of Jung Hoo introducing Young Shin to his dad, at the charnel house. I love how Show manages to give us these heartfelt beats, in the midst of the bigger action.
In the end, I love-love-LOVE how everything comes together, and Jung Hoo’s act, to get an audience with Elder, turns into Elder’s face being broadcast live, on Some Day’s big exposé episode.
The mysterious and elusive Elder, with his face revealed for all to see? What a coup! 🤩
Of course, now I’m a little worried about how Elder is going to respond to this, and what might happen to Jung Hoo, but I’m keeping the faith, that Healer will have the plan and the skills, to keep himself safe. 🤞🏻
Episode 18
We start this episode with a look at how Team Healer worked their magic, and I’m pleased to see Dae Yong play a key role, in getting that tape to Moon Ho, and placing a decoy in its place, for Jung Hoo and Young Shin to retrieve, as part of their diversion “show.”
I like Dae Yong, and it’s just nice to see her do something important and momentous, for once, instead of just being a bit of comic relief, and occasionally being useful to Healer &/or Ahjumma, but paling in comparison to her sunbae.
What a reveal, that Jung Hoo’s father hadn’t actually been a murder suspect, but a witness to Gil Han’s murder!
Gah. The truth is really pretty horrible, once it comes together as Show lays everything out. I hate that Moon Sik had been persuaded to made a false testimony against Jung Hoo’s father Joon Seok, in order to create a cover-up for Elder.
I mean, I understand that Moon Sik had been coerced into it, and the wounds on his face indicate that he’d been beaten up pretty badly, as part of that coercion.
Plus, Show had indicated to us before, that one of the key reasons he’d agreed, was because he’d wanted to do something to save Myung Hee.
It’s still horrible though, and it’s pretty disturbing to see that the more Moon Sik had made his false testimony, the more he’d come to believe it, over time. It’s as Moon Ho has said; Moon Sik’s mind is so sick, that he literally doesn’t realize that his version of the truth is warped.
This does make me feel somewhat sorry for Moon Sik, because honestly, Elder never really gave him much of a choice. If Moon Sik had persisted in saying no, I’m guessing that Elder would have had him disposed of too, for being an inconvenient witness.
Put in that position, where he has the choice of lying, and getting to live, and getting to give Myung Hee the best medical care possible, or telling the truth, and dying, and leaving Myung Hee all alone and vulnerable in the world, I can actually see why Moon Sik had said yes.
Certainly, that doesn’t excuse all the terrible things he’s done. I just.. feel like I understand him better, on this viewing.
Importantly, I really like the moment where Jung Hoo and Young Shin hear from Moon Ho, that Jung Hoo’s dad had definitively had nothing to do with Young Shin’s death. You can literally see a load lift from their shoulders.
I mean, I don’t think that either of them believed that Jung Hoo’s dad had killed Young Shin’s dad, but I suppose there’s always the shadow of a doubt, that just maybe, that horrible thing could be true.
The way they look at each other, as the truth sinks in, feels so quietly joyful and relieved, and so free. I love it.
On the other hand, I have to say that compared to the lead-up to Jung Hoo coming face to face with Elder, the actual meeting between them wasn’t very exciting.
I find it a bit hard to believe that Elder would go so easy on Jung Hoo, after Jung Hoo has revealed Elder’s face on live broadcast. Or.. hm.. maybe that IS the reason Elder went easy on Jung Hoo?
Coz if something had happened to Jung Hoo after meeting with Elder like this, everything would point to Elder as being the culprit? Ok, I’ll buy that.
I’ll also buy the idea that Elder is interested enough in Jung Hoo’s talent as Healer, to actually have a genuine desire to have Healer on his side. That could be another reason why Elder goes easy on Jung Hoo.
On my first two watches, I have to say, I was very uncomfortable at the sight of Jung Hoo sleeping in Elder’s house, and I desperately wanted Young Shin to just get him out of there, instead of just sitting with him in such a relaxed fashion.
On this viewing, however, I realized that first of all, Elder’s vacated the house, and wouldn’t be in a hurry to come back, for fear of revealing his identity to more people. In that sense, the house itself is not a danger zone, at this moment.
The other thing is, Jung Hoo’s been drugged, and because those police officers conveniently disappear from the scene, Young Shin can’t actually lug Jung Hoo out of there, on her own.
Sure, Show could have had the police officers assist Young Shin to get Jung Hoo outta there, but I guess the whole reason writer-nim had them disappear, was so that we could have that scene of Young Shin comforting a sleepy Jung Hoo. Which, ok, is pretty sweet.
Also, it’s a pretty important milestone moment, that Jung Hoo articulates that he’s finished his “homework,” with regards to Sabu, his father, and Young Shin, and can now start thinking about living like a normal person.
The way he asks Young Shin if she’ll be there with him, as he tries to do that, and the way he only needs Young Shin’s confirmation that she will be there with him, to then nestle back down contentedly, is really endearing.
I love-love-love the scene where Young Shin shares that cookie that she took from Myung Hee’s kitchen, with Dad.
I mean, I know that Young Shin took that cookie without asking, but I am no doubt that Myung Hee would have given Young Shin that cookie – plus 10 more other treats – if Young Shin had thought to ask.
Plus, all of those treats were always meant for Young Shin anyway. I think it would have made Myung Hee really happy to know that her daughter had gotten to eat the cookie that she’d baked for her.
The way Young Shin and Dad treat the cookie so preciously, and speak in such awed tones about the cookie itself, and Myung Hee’s prowess in the kitchen, is just the sweetest thing.
I love that Dad is so supportive about Young Shin getting to know her mother, and that there’s no trace of jealousy or possessiveness, in him.
Also, HAHA, that Dad goes on and on about how his idea of an ideal mate for Young Shin was always someone stronger, and Bong Soo is too much of a weakling to protect her. The way Young Shin can’t help but burst into laughter, is pretty much how I feel about this.
If Dad only knew, that Bong Soo is more than capable of taking down a crowd of baddies, all on his own. 🤩
Show leans into the analogy of Jung Hoo as jungle cat a lot this episode, and at first glance, it feels rather heavy-handed, in the sense that Jung Hoo had never napped in the office like this before, while acting as Bong Soo.
However, I rationalize that as the time Jung Hoo’s spent trying to live like a normal person wears on, that it all starts to wear on him too. Which is why we see him behaving like a jungle cat, and napping at his desk in broad daylight.
The funniest part of this, to me, though, is how Jung Hoo thinks it’s natural to enter Young Shin’s bedroom via the window, and just lie in wait for her, for cozy-times.
I do think it’s played mostly for comedy, but I get the point, that Jung Hoo probably has a longer way to go in terms of human socialization, that we might first realize.
The very fact that Jung Hoo ends up giving that tracker necklace to Young Shin pings my drama senses, that Young Shin will soon be in trouble and actually need said tracker necklace, gah. I’m not looking forward to that, not gonna lie. 🙈
In the meantime, though, I like that she’s so pleased that it’s Jung Hoo’s first gift to her, and asks him to help her put it on, right away.
I’m also suitably tickled at how Jung Hoo nervously presents himself to Dad for his formal first meeting, and then gets into trouble right away, when he answers Dad’s trick question about the pollack stew. That was very shrewd questioning, Dad! (Dad’s a true lawyer, isn’t he? 😁)
I also really liked the scene that we get, of Young Shin telling Myung Hee about her “friend” who’s really Jung Hoo.
Even though Myung Hee doesn’t yet know that Young Shin is her long-lost daughter, it feels like a sight for sore eyes, for Young Shin to be able to tell her mom, about the boy that she likes. That feels so precious, and I just wish Myung Hee could fully appreciate this moment.
Gah. If only she knew! 😭
I hate that Moon Sik’s playing dirty and doing things like stealing those radio tapes and claiming that they’re evidence of his passion for freedom of the press, and even having Some Day’s offices audited by the National Tax Administration.
However, as perplexed as I am that he’s doing this, I’m not exactly surprised. After all, we’ve known for a long time, that Moon Sik will do whatever he deems necessary, in order to achieve his goals.
At the same time, I don’t think that Moon Sik’s behind Moon Ho’s kidnapping.
That’s clearly Elder’s doing, because Moon Sik wouldn’t go so far as to hurt Moon Ho, even though they’ve been circling each other as opponents for a long time.
It’s Elder who wants to get rid of Moon Sik’s weaknesses, and as Moon Sik himself has stated in an earlier episode, those weaknesses include Moon Ho and Ji An.
I hate the fact that where we end the episode, Jung Hoo’s following a decoy, who’s got Moon Ho’s phone, which means that he’s not on Moon Ho’s tail like he thinks he is.
What’s even worse, is that Young Shin’s all alone, with Secretary Oh, who clearly has nefarious designs on her. UGH. I wish I could wipe that smirk off his weasel-y face!
I have no idea how Show is going to resolve this and keep both Young Shin and Moon Ho safe, but I’m pretty darn sure that that tracker necklace is going to come in handy, for when Ahjumma needs to locate Young Shin for Jung Hoo.
Gooo Team Healer! I know you can do eet!
Sheesh, after reading the recap, I am totally shipping Dad and Myung-hee.
@j3ffc, Ha! That would be something! 🙂 He does like her cookies.
@The_sweetroad *gasp!*
Naughty-naughty. 😆
Wait, I really was just talking about the actual cookies. What are you thinking about @beez?!!!
You’ve got it bad, Trent. The tendency to ship every single character. I’ve been there.
Hey! That’s j3ffc responsible for that particular ship! Although…I can kind of see it, maybe? They’re both cool characters, at least.
Of course, they haven’t even met yet! Time’s a-wastin’….
@j3ffc Ooh, I rather like this ship!! 🤩🤩 My brain’s constructing a happy family picture now, with Mom, Dad and Young Shin living happily together.. AWWW 😍😍
i always felt that ahjumma is watching healer’s back not just as his boss or business partner, but kind of like a surrogate mother, carrying about his actions (not just while at a job), his emotions, and in general his understanding of the outer world in general and trying to direct him. it also seems that she was in constant communication with teacher in regards to healer (it feels to me like two parents discussing their child), and when he started to develop an interest in a woman, she kind of discussed with teacher like “what do we do now with this unruly child?” at this point it is even more clear, that even that teacher was not physically there for healer, he did care about him and was involved in his life from afar. that does not mean that i approve him leaving healer in such a cruel way.
so i totally agree with kfg that ahjuma plays the role of his mother, and i think i did mention it in one of my comments a while ago.
healer napping at his desk at the job, like a jungle cat after a hunt. but now i remember and connect this to another incident, right after the ss gang attack on ys, healer sits on the roof and contemplates that this weak woman (ys) is behaving like that wild cat that was injured but would still fight with a pack of hyenas, even that there was no chance of this cat winning. and he notes that this woman is different, and has this spirit of a wild cat in the jungle, who he admired. he sensed already then a kindred spirit connection with ys – that was really the beginning.
watching these last episodes we are dwelling on, i had some questions and on my rewatches these questions remain unresolved in my head. so here they are:
1.the first interview of ys with mh. mh is telling her that nobody ever asked her about the incident and the tragedy, although she might have been a witness, and know more than anybody else. why? how come nobody till today asked, and how come she never volunteered to provide information. yes, she’s sick, but she’s still in her right mind and has an understanding of events, from her perspective.
2.another thing i find strange, mh heard and knows about the “farmers” and has a pretty clear understanding of what they do. didn’t she know that her husband is one of them and believes in that crap? she used to be a journalist, she has it in her, no matter how damaged she is, how come she did not know, or… she did not want to know? and was quiet about it? did she become that indifferent to all? that jaded? or what? that’s my second question.
3.healer at elder’s place. seems like the incense is the drug that made him sleepy. but elder is right in front of it either. how come it did not effect the elder? how is that possible?
4.and finally, does anybody know, what does it mean that the weasel-secretary oh has this gesture that he puts his hand to his lips with an evil mischievous smile, (we see it quite a few times) does it have some kind of secret meaning? what is behind it, except may be being his private joke or saying “i am winning, see”. or is there more to it, like a communication to somebody?
@eda
1) and 2) Moon shik (and The Elder) had the power and influence to make sure no one asked her (the same way they blocked reporters from asking their political candidates certain questions) and also Myung hee sleeps 20 hours a day. I can only assume the relating 4 are didn’t grieving her loss. Plus no one knew anything had happened other than The Elder &associates, Moon shik, and the two police detectives who lost their jobs.
3) that incense is strange. But the way I reconcile it in my mind is that Healer is not the first person The Elder has put to sleep in this way and had probably designed the ventilation in the room to suck the smoke one way. Plus (in my mind) The Elder’s group has existed throughout centuries. (I even equate them in my mind with a similar group from Six Flying Dragons that was run by the same actor that plays the Elder. 😆) So ancient ways to be an assassin would surely be known and practices I’ve heard of in the ancient east such as poisoning one half of a blade and cutting fruit to give to your enemy that was touched by only the poisonous side of the knife. (As you can see, I am determined to make this story fit. 😆)
4) Everyone can take The Weasel’s smile for however they want it to mean. To me, it’s him being smug and menacing at the same time. He reminds me of Peter Lorre whom comedians used to always imitate as Dr. Frankenstein’s evil assistant that enjoyed gathering body parts from the dead. That’s probably the only way The Weasel knows how to smile with his obviously repressed personality. I could see The Weasel anticipating torturing someone with that smile. Very macabre.
@eda – a short scene of actor Peter Lorre. This voice is what I hear every time The Weasel speaks.
https://youtu.be/tWf1MAE6Y7o
wow, how did you even come up with this? but i kind of see the connection. it was interesting.
@eda – Peter Lorre was a very famous character actor. I wish I could’ve found a video of him with hair. But his voice was so distinctive, and creepy, that he was often imitated.
Oh, I love Peter Lorre. What a distinctive actor. I always think of his line from Casablanca (paraphrasing): “I know you despise me, Rick. That’s why I trust you.”
beez, i hear you, i know all this, i acknowledge all this… and yet… the questions are just lurking in my mind and not ready to just let her, let this situation get of that easily. so let’s say she was in a coma one year, let’s even give her two years. then she wakes up, let’s say she’s alert for only 15 min. a day, not 4 hours. first questions she would ask: where am i? what exactly happened? where is ji an? moon shik, who looked for her, did YOU look for her? how did it happen, where? if she’s dead, did YOU SEE the body, did YOU put her to rest? if not you, WHO? i want to see her place of resting, take me there, no matter how. my husband is dead? how? details, YOU were there. did MY best friend kill MY husband? how? did YOU see it? i can’t believe it. i knew these guys. what happened next? i want to talk to the police and the detective. o, i can’t? WHY, WHY, WHY? there is a boss, who? (from their research as journalists they knew about the “farmers”, and healer’s dad was reporting about it to the police. mh was part of this research.) her next question would be WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS RESEARCH? who’s the evil boss that does not allow you or me ask questions. what do you mean “just trust me!”, i lost my daughter, my husband, my best friend. where is my best friends child? where is his wife? i want to talk to them.
she lived for years with moon shick, you want to tell me those questions never came up? she just baked cookies and cakes? to think that is kind of insulting to the intelligence of this woman, who had one time courage to go against the government to bring truth to light. that is character. yes, she’s sick, but she still has her brain, may be limited, but she did not loose the capacity to think. there is also moon ho, why didn’t she bug him, what does he know. he is this big shot reporter, wouldn’t she ask him to look into it?
and only now, when everything started to explode, she is finally ready to initiate an interview. why now? where is the bad big boss who would not let her talk, where is he now? she’s not afraid any longer?
this issue makes me sad and mad. it smells fishy, and it should have smelled fishy for our heroine.
Show never said that she didn’t ask. She said no one asked her.
Myung hee only just stopped sleeping all day after she stopped taking all her meds which was after, and because, she saw Jung hoo (dressed as Healer) and heard the fishyness of Moon shik’s reaction to hearing her say that the young man looked like Jung hoo’s dad. And it was implied by Teacher and Moon ho that Moonshik was purposely keeping her doped up.
And it depends on your perspective. My next question would NOT BE “where is the research?” I wouldn’t give a flying fig about any research or anything else after my daughter’s death. And because she loves Moon ho, and she knows how dangerous the people are, so she wouldn’t want to put him in danger (that’s if she were alert enough but I accept that she wasn’t).
Moon ho was not part of the research. Moon ho was a kid.
I can’t argue about her sudden turn around and lack of fear now though. Other than to propose that maybe knowing that Moon shik has power now and won’t hurt her or Moon ho. So now that she’s awake and now that Moon ho is taking action, that strengthens are resolve to come forward.
beez,
you don’t have to be asked, if you want to know, YOU ASK. i believe that if she would have asked, we would have heard about it. and some things are more important, danger or no danger, she could have asked moon ho. their research? it was all connected, so if you need to find answers, you start to dig about everything. she’s asleep a lot, but she’s not a “mummy”, she does have experience with digging being a journalist. based on her character, i believe she would have done all that and more to find the truth. that’s why this whole issue is hard for me to comprehend and accept.
beez,
no one knew anything had happened other than The Elder &associates, Moon shik,
sorry, not convinced. moon shik IS her husband and supposedly, in her mind, her best friend left. don’t you think he would be the first one on her list to push, to ask, to demand… and wouldn’t she ask about the teacher? he is still alive, although in prison, and she knows it because he was arrested while they were still doing the pirate broadcasting. he might not know all details, but even not a visit? he IS her friend too. he’s smart, they could have visited and put their heads together. how would moon shik get out of teachers questions? she could have pushed for a visit to a friend in prison, why didn’t she? she seems a compassionate person. but seems like she didn’t even TRY.
too many questions, really.
she’s grieving, yes, but she didn’t give up on life, and life must include the ones she loved, let’s say apart from moon shik, even if she does consider him still a close friend.
this reply is in the wrong place, but i do not how to move it. anyway, you’ll know what i am replying to.
@eda – you have very valid points except I know that different people grieve different ways and shutting down and shutting out can be one of them. In my opinion, Myung hee did give up on life. And as we see her reaction at the mention that Jian could be alive and she doesn’t know it “while [she] continues eat, sleep, and breathe” is what causes the reaction we see. Because just because you’re afraid to kill yourself/stop existing doesn’t mean you haven’t given up on life.
@Eda
he sensed already then a kindred spirit connection with ys – that was really the beginning.
Totally agree. That was the beginning.
And ahjumma was like a surrogate mother, she especially stepped up after Healer got involved in the YS case (with all the consequences).
I have a question though: every time Healer tries to analyze a situation, she always tells him ”I told you not to think”.
What was that about? Was she afraid that once he starts thinking, he would think all the way to the discovery of his father and his friends’ story? Or was it something else? Discouraging him to think seems a strange way to guide and to parent someone.
well, it seems strange to us, and i also thought about “don’t think” direction. again, like many times we can only speculate, and i think may be she was concerned about his explosive/aggressive nature, or a tendency that she sensed that he can dive into a deep depression if he starts thinking and analyzing,(he’s a very intelligent guy), he might get to a dead end and do damage to himself. to me it seems that it was a protective defense system she’s trying to install in him, at least for now. just think about it, there is so much PRUE DARKNESS surrounding his history and him. it would be natural for a mother to try to protect him in any way possible, even that way. and we might disagree, but i think that might have been her way.
I have a question though: every time Healer tries to analyze a situation, she always tells him ”I told you not to think”.
What was that about?
Excellent question. I agree with Eda, maybe ahjumma had seen him go around and around in circles before and fall into depression or start questioning the existence of man. Or it could be a professional thing – where she had trained him not to think too much about the job he was doing and why a client needed to have a particular task done or package sent. When he started to try to protect that first guy (in Ep 1), he got a bit rattled, didn’t he?
But yes, it’s a bit disturbing. You’d think a thinking Healer (being as clever as he already was) would be even stronger and more successful at what he set himself to do, than an unthinking Healer.
I think you guys are taking that too literal. Healer and Ahjumma hurl tiny playful insults at each other. Of course he has to think and be quick witted. It’s more like – “I don’t agree with what you’re thinking of doing” and that’s her way of saying, probably not for the first time when she doesn’t agree with something hecs about to do. Haven’t you ever teased a friend like “I’ll do the thinking around here”? Or “Alright Frank, just sit back and let Jesse rob the train”?
I do believe she meant it but she framed it in a way that’s just a cool way of saying things because she knew he was going to do it anyway. C’mon you guys all have talked about, and you know how quick thinking Healer, is so in that light look at what Ahjumma is saying.
Haven’t you ever teased a friend like “I’ll do the thinking around here”? Or “Alright Frank, just sit back and let Jesse rob the train”?
Uh. No. I’ve never even heard of the second one!
But I catch your drift. Maybe she just says it when she’s tired of listening to him wax reflective. Although, it seems to endear him to her as well, when he’s just talking out loud.
But I do feel like she’s said, “I told you not to think” in serious moments where it seemed like she meant it. Those scenes escape me right now, though.
She did mean it! But she also knew it wasn’t going to change his mind.
He is a tough employee!!!
@beez,
it also might be a possibility, i can see it that way.
I’m not sure I’m remembering this correctly, but didn’t Ahjumma say “not to think” when Healer was thinking about Young shin and why he should continue to stay around her while Ahjumma was saying “stop hanging around her”?
@beez
Ahjumma said it more than once. Enough for me to notice and get curious.
And she told him “I told you not to think”, meaning it’d happened before, and most likely more than once.
I would’ve understood her, if she told Healer not to think, because he developed a habit of stopping in the middle of fights, so he could “think a little”. Or if he got into hours-long philosophizing.
But to tell him that, when they are just discussing the situation they are in, doesn’t make much sense to me. Wouldn’t you rather say ”Think what you are about to do?”
Yes, having fighting skills is important. But “thinking” skills are also a part of a survivor’s kit.
Besides, Ahjumma couldn’t expect Healer to stay Healer forever.
Yes, Healer is already smart by nature. Still, I somehow doubt that encouraging him not to think is the best way to protect him. Not thinking people can get in all kind of trouble.
Also, it’s not like he is 14. Who tells a grown man not to think?
Don’t forget, he’s not considered an adult in the same way that we in the west think of an adult. Plus it’s just a way of saying to your partner/friend when you don’t think what they’re planning is a bright idea – “Hey, remember, I’m the brains of the outfit. Let me do the thinking!” Even if you’re not recognized as the leader/brains, this is a common way of saying “not a good idea”.
KFG, I had many of the same thoughts and emotions as you when I first watched Healer about a year ago, to now! 🙂 For example, the first time I watched it I wondered why there wasn’t more urgency to get Jung Hoo out of the Elder’s house. Hadn’t all of the Elder’s baddies been after him this whole time after all? And on this watch, I could see that they had been informed the police were there, so they all fled and left YS and JH alone in the house. But the first time I watched I thought it was just a filler scene :).
Myung Hee and Young Shin’s scenes were so moving, too. Found myself crying a lot even this time around. And I’m like you, KFG, in that I just wish Myung Hee could know the truth.
And Moon Shik really was caught up in a bad place. I’m glad to see he wasn’t involved with the Elder until after Gil Han was killed…but still, the ease with which he falsely testified, the more he did it, was chilling. There’s a reason there’s a biblical commandment against bearing false witness against your neighbor, and Moon Shik shows us what awful things can happen when it’s allowed! ☹️
I love the reveal in the beginning of Ep 18 as to what actually happened at the columbarium. That Dae Yong went early and got the real tape, and that YS and Healer fooled everyone else, was brilliant. The payoff – to get Elder’s face on camera – was unexpected for the viewer but you realized the Team knew what they were doing the entire time.
Anyone else think Healer’s endless coat pockets are hilarious? Thumbtack boxes, muscle spray, Ace bandage….where did that all come from and how did he know he would need it all?
Getting pretty exciting as we accelerate toward the end!
Not gonna lie, legit some of my very favorite scenes in the whole show are the scenes of Young-shin and Myung-hee interacting in these last few episodes. So so great…🥰
Oh yes, the scenes between Young Shin and Myung Hee were such precious highlights!! I’d love to see more of them together! 🤩🥰