THE SHORT VERDICT:

Show has its cheeky side, but honestly, that cheeky side doesn’t show up all that much, once we get into the meat of our story.

Rather than a story about a business involving lingerie and adult accessories, this is a story about our core characters’ personal journeys, and their relationships with one another.

I do think that Show is a little uneven in terms of how engaging it manages to be, but it is heartwarming in general, and does deliver on some very heartfelt moments which I genuinely enjoyed.

A reasonably solid and enjoyable watch, on balance.

THE LONG VERDICT:

Honestly, Show blew me away with its first two episodes, which I found as funny as they were poignant. 🥲

I was thoroughly primed to love this show, and I think that’s why I didn’t really notice, when my enthusiasm for it started to wane, bit by little bit, as I got deeper into my watch.

I still liked it very well, but it wasn’t grabbing me as hard as it had, at first.

On hindsight, I think it’s because Show doesn’t delve as deeply into the relationships as I would have liked, and I also think it’s because I would have preferred if Show had chosen different supporting narrative arcs to add interest to our story (more on all of that later).

In the end, I still like what Show served up, but I can’t help feeling a little wistful at what could have been, y’know? 🥲

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Here’s the OST album, in case you’d like to listen to it while reading the review.

Honestly, when it came to picking a favorite, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Track 8, Clumsy, even though I don’t really remember hearing it during my watch, though I’m sure it was played. 😅

I just really like the breezy vibe; it makes me feel like our characters are basking in spring sunshine. 🥰

Here it is on its own as well, in case you’d prefer to listen to it on repeat. Just right-click on the video and select “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about stuff I liked and didn’t like so much, before I give the spotlight to selected characters and relationships, in a separate section. Finally, I spend some time talking about my thoughts on the penultimate and finale episodes.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are some things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. This is not romance-forward

Yes, there is some romance in this, but they honestly don’t take up a lot of screen time, and even in the screen time that they do take up, it doesn’t feel like Show is all that interested in delving into the ins and outs of the relationships themselves.

Adjusting your expectations around that helps.

2. This is more about personal journey and community

Honestly, I think this is the lens that would be most helpful, in approaching this show.

Yes, there’s a central lingerie and adult accessories business at the center of our story, but this isn’t so much about the business, as it is about the people involved in that business, and their personal stories of growth.

Adjusting your expectations around this helps too.

STUFF I LIKED

Show’s focus on a core female cast

While watching this show, I suddenly remembered that interview where I think it was Kim Sun Young who’d remarked that good roles were hard to come by, and I felt so glad and relieved and gratified, to see her eating up this role so well. 🥲🥲

And then I found myself feeling glad that this show was made in the first place, because it’s so rare that relatively older actresses like Kim Sun Young and Kim Sung Ryung get to play such central characters, and have so much room to flex their acting range.

So yes, I was glad to have a core female cast, but I was also glad that this core female cast didn’t appear to have an age limit. 🥲

The initial hilarity

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you’d likely know that k-humor doesn’t typically work for me, so much, so I was happily shocked to find myself laughing out loud on more than a few occasions, in Show’s opening episodes.

Honestly, coming into this show, I’d been a little afraid, that with Show might lean into humor that was more crass, given our subject matter, but instead, I found the humor almost.. elegant, in the way it deals with all the bedroom talk and such.

Here’s a quick spotlight on the various things that tickled me, in our first couple of episodes.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Some of the scenes in these two episodes were hysterically funny, making for a watch experience that’s just bursting with various feels.

The first gathering that they organize at Geum Hui’s (Kim Sung Ryung) home, where everyone’s scandalized at the vibrator, and tossing it around the living room like it’s some kind of hot potato, was laugh-out-loud funny, and I actually had to pause the episode, just to have a good laugh. 😁

I also thought things got distinctly cuter, once Jeong Suk (Kim So Yeon) gets the idea from Ju Ri (Lee Se Hee), that she ought to be testing out the lingerie and toys, in order to better sell them.

The scene where Geum Hui translates the write-up about the “magic stick” leading users to a “fantastic world” was really funny, and I honestly just love the curiosity that our main group has, in terms of their “research” coz it all seems so pure and innocent. 🤭

Their decision to test the vibrators at home as “self-study” was very funny too, and the visual, of fireworks going off in Jeong Suk’s bedroom, as she tests the “magic stick” was hilariously perfect.

I also love the enthusiastic sharing session that they have the next day, where Jeong Suk and Yeong Bok (Kim Sun Young) report back on how their research at home has gone. 🤭

And then there’s the way Jeong Suk is inspired by that tea ceremony recording, to guide their sales sessions in a similarly elegant manner, even talking about Cleopatra and all.

I thought it was cute, and I loved that they had a successful session, and followed that with a girls’ night out, just the four of them.

Honestly, I’d wondered how Geum Hui would manage to join the group, since her stuffy husband (Kim Won Hae) is so against it, and I’m very, very tickled by how Show solves that, in episode.

I love that he basically gets cowed by the very lingerie that he’d been so against, and becomes a docile whipped puppy the next morning, hahahaha.

It’s hilarious to me that when Stuffy Hubs asks why the breakfast table is so simple, Geum Hui “explains” that other women put out a spread for their husbands the morning after, in order to enable their husbands to do better next time.

And because he’s “naturally gifted” in that area, there’s no need for her to do so. HAHAHAHA THAT’S FREAKING BRILLIANT. 😂😂😂

I couldn’t help but crack up at Stuffy Hubs’ enthusiastic endorsement of the bare table, saying that if she fed him too much, she wouldn’t be able to get a wink of sleep.

And then how about that moment when he gobbles up the bundle of bracken that Geum Hui feeds him, and assures her that his “cucumber will stay rock solid”???

Wheeze. That’s something that only Kim Won Hae could pull off, that’s for sure. 😂😂

Well played, Geum Hui. Well played indeed. 😁😁

[END SPOILER]

The emotional heft

I really like that Show manages to have emotional heft, despite its branding being on the more hilarious side of things.

I laughed a lot while watching episodes 1 & 2, but at the same time, there were also definite notes of pathos, particularly in the personal situations of our key characters.

We quickly see that things aren’t so simple or easy for the women in our story, and that all our main players have their own difficulties.

Show does work to serve up emotional heft through its entire run, but I’d say that my favorite scenes, in this regard, came from episodes 3 & 4.

I found the heart in these episodes particularly compelling.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. Last week, we saw some glimmers of the local townsfolk coming around, a little bit, to the adult nature of the ladies’ new business.

However, this week, the reality is a lot harsher, as more people come forward in force, to establish that they absolutely do not support the business, which they consider rude and disgusting.

I do think that Jeong Suk’s hit the hardest by all this, and I think the hardest part about it, is how many of these people had been so kind and friendly over the years – until this turning point came about.

I really think this is not too dissimilar from how people who come out to their families, about being LGTBQ+, for example, and get rejected for it, might feel, or go through.

My heart really went out to Jeong Suk, particularly with how her mom (Kang Ae Shim) reacts to the fact that her daughter is now in the business of selling lingerie and adult toys.

I spent much of episode 3 thinking that Mom was being way too harsh on Jeong Suk, and not having any empathy for her daughter, who’s clearly going through a lot, particularly with the reveal, that her husband had cheated on her.

Truly, some of the stuff Mom says is really harsh, and that moment, when Mom slaps Jeong Suk, while Jeong Suk is distraught over the fact that her son Min Ho is missing, was really shocking to me.

Like, GASP, what kind of heartless mother are you?!?

BUT THEN. Show reveals Mom’s backstory, through that gutting scene, where she tells Jeong Suk everything while they sit at the open-air bench in the rain, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Mom, too.

I mean, UGH, how horrible, that Dad had gone to Seoul to make money for the family, and had brought back a new lover, on his return.

It blows my mind that someone would do something like this, but.. according to Mom, this actually wasn’t uncommon, back in the day??

I’m guessing that the poor wives put up with it because they needed the financial support of their husbands??

In which case, kudos to Mom for choosing to walk out (well, eventually), and for taking her children with her.

With that backstory in place, I can understand a lot better why lingerie is such a sore point with Mom, and why Mom would have this visceral, strong reaction, of NOT wanting Jeong Suk to have anything to do with the lingerie business.

At the same time, I’m glad that Show doesn’t condone Mom’s cruel words or actions, and we hear Mom admit that she knew that she’d hurt Jeong Suk.

Yes, thank you Show, for toeing the fine line between allowing us to understand Mom, and condoning her behavior.

Through it all, I appreciate that Jeong Suk continues to have a heart for Mom, even though Mom withdrawing her support meant that things got really difficult for Jeong Suk.

The fact that she bought Mom that blouse with her first paycheck was really touching, and I’m glad that Mom felt touched by the gesture.

That scene, where Mom holds the blouse up to herself and tears up while looking the mirror, was nothing short of arresting.

I thought that was really powerfully played; Mom doesn’t say a word, but her tearful gaze says everything about her complicated feelings, now that she has this little luxury for herself, after all the years of living hard, and feeling lonely.

I really found Jeong Suk’s voiceover at the end of episode 3 very affecting, where she says that she’d wanted to believe Mom when Mom had said, all those years ago, that the burden she’d been carrying, wasn’t heavy – but now, as a mother herself, she’s so heartbroken by the hardship and loneliness that Mom must have suffered.

Augh. That really just hit me in the heart; it’s so very poignant. 😭

[END SPOILER]

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

Show’s selected supporting arcs 

When I think about it, I honestly feel like Show could have made some better narrative choices.

With some tweaks in terms of where Show spent its screen time, I feel like we could have gotten a much more satisfying watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

The key arc that I feel we could have done without, is the kidnapping case, which we see Do Hyeon investigating, and which eventually blows up when Do Hyeon gets drugged and gagged, and the whole place gets set on fire.

I thought that this was way too much unnecessary drama, particularly since the kidnapping case turns out to have nothing to do with Do Hyeon’s own adoption.

That felt like a lot of fuss over what turned out to be a dead end, y’know?

I would have much preferred if we could have done without the kidnapping case, and have Show lead Do Hyeon to find his mother, in other ways.

I’m also not super keen on the ex-con who’s introduced in episodes 7 & 8, but I feel less strongly about him, than the kidnapping arc.

What I would have liked, is for Show to have delved deeper into threads that had felt relevant to our characters’ journeys, but which weirdly got dropped, somewhere along the way.

The biggest example that comes to mind, is the whole thing with Jeong Suk’s ex-husband Seong Su (Choi Jae Rim), her ex-friend Mi Hwa (Hong Ji Hee) and Mi Hwa’s husband In Tae (Shim Wan Joon).

After the divorce, Seong Su just.. disappears, and I can buy that he left Geumje to find work elsewhere, but then what about Mi Hwa being pregnant, quite possibly with Seong Su’s baby, since In Tae’s fertility test results not being great?

I can understand writer-nim wanting Jeong Suk to look ahead without being bogged down by these things, but I do think that this would have been more relevant to Jeong Suk’s development as a person, and brought more value to our narrative, than that dead end of a kidnapping arc.

Other things that I think Show could have spent screen time on, include the personal lives of secondary characters like Yeong Ja, and the group of gossipy ladies.

This way, we could have come to know them better, and felt more connected to them, as characters.

As it is, I feel like they’re more throwaway than anything else; when Show needs them, the gossipy ladies get trotted out, and then when they’re not needed, they seem disappear to the extent that you could forget that they even existed.

In particular, I thought there was a lot of potential to explore, with that thing that Show introduces in episodes 5-6, where Yeong Ja’s husband rejects her even though she’s put on that sexy slip to show him, and then goes out to flirt with some other woman.

The way Yeong Ja tells that story about how her husband had loved it and couldn’t keep his hands off her, makes me feel like she must be very lonely, on the inside.

I would have liked Show to have spent screen time delving into that, and improving things for Yeong Ja and her husband.

[END SPOILER]

When Show doesn’t choose emotional depth

I know this does sound like a contradiction to what I said earlier, about Show serving up emotional heft.

Let me try to explain.

What I mean is, Show seems to.. skim the surface, moving from plot point to plot point, more or less, instead of diving in deeper, to explore character and relationship development in a more.. thorough fashion, for lack of a better term.

So there are moments of emotional heft, but Show doesn’t seem to want to dig deeper.

[SPOILER ALERT]

For example, I was completely moved, when Show touches on Jeong Suk’s relationship with Mom, in episode 3, and I found the ending of episode 3, extremely affecting.

The thing is, Show then seems to put aside this mother-daughter relationship, like it assumes that it’s been fixed now, and it’s time to focus on other things.

We see Mom helping to take care of Min Ho again, but there isn’t any more screen time spent on deepening the mother-daughter relationship, and the healing that should be taking place as a continuous sort of thing.

I think it would have made everything pop so much more, if we’d gotten to see Mom being supportive of Jeong Suk, aside from helping to care for Min Ho.

Like being proud of Jeong Suk, when Jeong Suk got that promotion to Branch Manager; I thought that was a huge missed opportunity there, for Show to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.

Another example would be how Show seems to gloss over things like PTSD.

When Jeong Suk gets attacked by Geong Sik in episodes 7 & 8, it’s extremely terrifying, and I would expect that Jeong Suk would suffer from some measure of PTSD, as a result.

I’m not sure how believable I find it, that she would get over it, from a moment of empowerment, after which she hits Geong Sik in the head, at the police station.

My gut says that there’s likely more to it than that, but Show doesn’t actually go there, which makes the treatment of the entire incident land as pretty shallow, to my eyes.

[END SPOILER]

SPOTLIGHT ON SELECTED CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS

Kim So Yeon as Jeong Suk

I can say that Show had me feeling sorry for Jeong Suk pretty much from the get-go.

[BROAD SPOILERS]

Mainly that has to do with how awful her husband Seong Su is, and how much she has to struggle, just to make ends meet – because he’s not only not helping, but is actively making things harder for her, than they actually need to be.

[END SPOILERS]

Jeong Suk’s personal journey has everything to do with her becoming bolder and more resilient – or rather, discovering how resilient she really is, in the face of challenges and obstacles.

It’s not an easy or straightforward journey, but Jeong Suk manages to triumph over each hurdle that comes across her path, and it really feels like we’re seeing all of those wins stack up, to become a stronger version of herself, who owns the conviction that she truly has nothing to be ashamed of.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. My favorite Jeong Suk moment, is when she decides that she wants a divorce.

It was aggravating to see Seong Su come back to town and act like he’d done nothing wrong; I wanted to throttle him, so many times, while watching these episodes.

The gall of him, to stay at In Tae and Mi Hwa’s house, when he’d been sleeping with Mi Hwa, and the gall of him, too, to talk to Jeong Suk like that, and insinuate that she’s the one in the wrong, for making such a big deal out of his mistake.

UGH. The nerve of him. Grrr. 😤

I was worried for a hot minute there, because it did look like perhaps Jeong Suk would choose to live with him again, since it made Min Ho happy when the family was together.

Plus, there’s that beat, where Jeong Suk looks over at Min Ho at the game machines, and then makes up a story pretending that everything’s ok to those nosy ladies, made me think that Jeong Suk might choose to take Seong Su back, if only to protect Min Ho from all the gossip.

I can’t tell you how glad and relieved I was, to see that Jeong Suk had decided to protect Min Ho’s happiness, by first protecting her own happiness.

What wisdom and insight, to understand that her own genuine happiness is the thing that would transfer happiness to Min Ho, and not a fake happiness, which would be all that she would have, if she chose to live with Seong Su again.

Yessss! To Jeong Suk being true to herself, and not feeling guilty about it! 🥂

[END SPOILER]

Kim Sung Ryung as Geum Hui

Geum Hui is the most well-off among our core crew, being well-educated and coming from a well-to-do background.

Her husband owns a pharmacy, and she doesn’t have anything to worry about, in terms of making ends meet, unlike the other ladies in our core crew.

And yet, Show makes sure to let us in on the fact that Geum Hui’s life isn’t as easy as it seems, and that she has her own frustrations and struggles too; that you can still feel like you want more direction or meaning in life, when you don’t have actual financial worries.

Geum Hui’s journey is one of self-discovery, where she finds joy and fulfillment in independence, and meaning in the relationships that she forms with her newfound friends, in the process.

I personally felt that her addition to the core crew was an important one, because it helped to demonstrate that there is meaning in work, not just for those who are in need of the money.

Kim Sun Young as Yeong Bok

I love-love-loved Yeong Bok, for her cheerful, optimistic, open-minded nature.

Life is difficult for her because her husband Jong Seon doesn’t have a steady job, and they have four kids to feed, including a babe in arms.

That’s a big burden on her, and yet, she has a cheerful, positive, can’t-get-me-down aura that I really like.

I love that she’s easygoing and quick to make friends, and I honestly think that without her friendliness and her infectious, adventurous spirit, Jeong Suk would have never seriously considered joining the lingeries sales business.

Honestly, just from Yeong Bok’s daily life, looking after 4 kids and being the main breadwinner of her family, you can see how resilient Yeong Bok is, managing to be so cheerful, positive and goodhearted through it all, and I couldn’t help but admire her. 🥲

Lee Se Hee as Ju Ri

I love Ju Ri’s positive and cheerful nature, and I also love how open-minded and helpful she is, about the new lingerie business that Jeong Suk and Yeong Bok undertake.

When everyone else is acting all grossed out and disgusted at the fact that Jeong Suk and Yeong Bok are selling lingerie and adult toys, Ju Ri’s all enthusiasm and curiosity.

I love that quality of hers, and her curiosity and enthusiasm manages to come across as very cute and wholesome, which I love.

Considering that she’s a single mom who bears the burden of taking care of her son all by herself without help, and considering that there’s a great deal of stigma around being a single mom, it’s honestly amazing that she manages to be so upbeat.

It takes a lot of mental and emotional strength for Ju Ri to be the way she is, and I admire her a great deal, for that.

The core crew together

My favorite relationship in this entire drama world, is, hands-down, the one among our core crew.

I really liked the idea of Jeong Suk and Yeong Bok joining hands, and then quite quickly, welcoming Geum Hui and Ju Ri into the group.

I feel like we can see the bonds between them growing stronger before our eyes, as they share their personal stories with each other, and spend more time together.

I just loved watching our core foursome being fabulous together, and looking like they’re having a great time. 🥰

Here are some of my personal highlights, of our core crew together.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I feel bad for Jeong Suk that she ran into Supposed Friend, but I’m honestly glad that Ju Ri and Yeong Bok overhear their confrontation in the restroom, because their strong empathy pushes their friendship to a whole new level, I feel.

It’s great that they decide to take some petty revenge on Supposed Friend, and then run outta there like a bunch of mischievous teenagers. It’s great. 🤩

E3-4. My favorite thing in this drama world, is, hands-down, the burgeoning sisterhood among our main ladies.

I love how they’re always so quick to come to each other’s aid.

When Jeong Suk has no one to watch over Min Ho, Yeong Bok is quick to suggest Ju Ri, and even though Jeong Suk feels too bad about it to ask Ju Ri, Ju Ri actually volunteers to watch Min Ho for Jeong Suk, when they run into each other near her salon.

I thought that was very sweet. 🥰

And then, when In Tae makes that awkward request of Jeong Suk, that she do a sales event for his wife’s birthday (because his wife is the Supposed Friend who’d slept with Cheating Hubs), Yeong Bok is quick to volunteer to do it in Jeong Suk’s place.

Afterwards, when Yeong Bok hurts her back and can’t do it, Jeong Suk is willing to suck it up and take Yeong Bok’s place, even though it means having to face Supposed Friend.

Even though these beats might be on the smallish side, I just really like how, stacked together, they give us a picture of a growing sisterhood, among these women. 🥰

I loved the scene of Jeong Suk and Yeong Bok getting their paychecks, and dancing around together, and then going shopping together.

That was so sweetly poignant, to see them revel in being able to afford supplies for their children, and being able to buy a bag of eggs, instead of just the single egg, and being able to treat themselves to steamed buns, while shopping.

It made me so happy to see them so happy, and I loved that they get to have a taste of actually gaining something, from all the hard work that they’ve put into their business.

I feel that that must have helped to spur them on, when they find themselves faced with other difficulties, like that survey that barely anyone was willing to take.

And, even though our ladies do get into a bit of a catfight with those women, while at the butcher shop, I can’t help but like the fact that Yeong Ok, Geum Hui and Ju Ri don’t hesitate at all, to stand up for Jeong Suk, when they hear those women saying nasty things about her.

I like that they don’t let themselves get easily discouraged by the poor response to their first day getting responses to their survey, and instead, change tack, and set up a booth offering a gift of underwear to every respondent. 😁

And good on Jeong Suk for speaking up for herself, when those women say snarky things about how she should have changed her thinking by now.

E5-6. It’s great to see our enterprising foursome make progress, even though the journey isn’t without its setbacks.

I got quite the kick out of the way they strategized to sell their products to Yeong Ja, the wife of the Royal Club chairman; that was so sneaky-smart!

Credit to Jeong Suk, for coming up with the idea in the first place!

E5-6. I loved how thrilled they all are, to go on a trip together, even though it’s on business; their excitement is so pure and infectious!

It’s a bummer that they and all their products get all muddied up on the mudflat, but yay that they manage to do some good business in the end, coz the ladies get so intrigued by the washed slips that are hanging out to dry. 😁

One of my favorite scenes, these episodes, is the one where our core foursome indulge in some beer-fueled girl talk by the water, where they share their own sexy fantasies.

The fantasy sequences are just hilarious, I have to say.

I guffawed out loud, at the sight of Kim Sun Young being all glamorously sexy, and having to fend off Im Chul Soo’s advances, on that car! 😂 And then, there’s Kim Sung Ryung doing her best version of Basic Instinct! 😂

But my favorite thing was the ladies getting all excited and squealy, just like they were teenaged schoolgirls. I loved that, for them. 🥰

[SPOILER ALERT]

Jeong Suk and Do Hyeon

From the very beginning of our show – and even in the trailers, actually – Show teases a potential loveline between Jeong Suk and Do Hyeon.

For a drama that’s not really about the romance, I do think that Show does a reasonably good job of teasing out the burgeoning relationship between Jeong Suk and Do Hyeon, so that their growing connection feels believable and natural.

This loveline landed on the restrained and low-key side of things, but I still found it rather charming, in its own way.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. Jeong Suk keeps running into Do Hyeon, and he keeps helping her, which is kinda tropey, sure, but I buy it, partly because this is a really small town, so it’s not that far-fetched that their paths might cross so often, and also partly because I like the idea of someone being there to help Jeong Suk.

First, it’s the graffiti, and then, it’s Min Ho going missing; Do Hyeon always ends up taking on Jeong Suk’s cases, and then being there to offer help and encouragement, but also, being there to witness what Jeong Suk goes through, and ultimately, see what a strong, loving, resilient woman she is.

Even though he’s been positioning himself as a loner who isn’t into creating connections or making friends, it seems like he can’t help but be drawn to Jeong Suk, and I rather do like that idea, as tropey as it might be.

The thing is, I myself am convinced by everything that I’ve seen of Jeong Suk, that she’s a good person who deserves way more than she actually gets, so why wouldn’t I believe that Do Hyeon, seeing the same things I’m seeing, wouldn’t feel the same, right?

And, it does look like his protector instinct is coming through, with the way he goes to the trouble of leaving that bag of medical supplies out on Jeong Suk’s porch, so that she can treat the cut on her cheek?

The moment that they share, that feels most meaningful, so far, to me, is when they run into each other while Jeong Suk is watching that music program on TV, while standing outside the electronics store.

I’m not a big kpop fan, and even I know that Seo Taiji is an icon, so it feels extra meaningful to have that clip of him receiving negative feedback, be the backdrop of this scene.

We then have a conversation between Do Hyeon and Jeong Suk, as he says that it feels like Seo Taiji’s ahead of his time, but will still be a hit, because people who persevere despite going through the pain that could destroy them, tend to be successful in the end.

The thing is, in the original Korean, Do Hyeon doesn’t specify who he’s talking about, because it’s common in Korean not to specify the Subject in a sentence.

And so, it could be easily interpreted differently; that instead of referring to Seo Taiji, he’s referring to Jeong Suk – and he does look at her meaningfully, when he turns and says, “(Subject) seems like that kind of person.”

Similarly, when Jeong Suk answers, her answer could also be referring to herself, because the Subject isn’t specified, “Since (Subject) is committed, hopefully (Subject) doesn’t give up. It would be nice is (Subject) succeeds.”

And then Do Hyeon answers, “It will surely work out that way. (Subject) is a strong person, so please believe.”

I personally really liked the layers of meaning at play here, and it feels significant and meaningful, that Do Hyeon’s giving Jeong Suk encouragement and strength like this. 🥲

E5-6. I really like that Do Hyeon now wears a pretty regular soft gaze, when he looks in Jeong Suk’s direction, and that’s often accompanied by a little smile, like looking at her makes him happy.

Aw. That’s sweet, isn’t it? 🥰

Of course, I’m sure that part of it is his heart going out to Jeong Suk, because he always happens to be in the vicinity, when something significant happens, and these episodes, he overhears her terse conversation with Seong Su, when Seong Su makes his reappearance.

I mean, who wouldn’t sympathize with Jeong Suk, for having a husband like Seong Su? 😅

And you can totally see that Do Hyeon’s dislike for Seong Su, is really quite personal, what with the way he refuses to shake Seong Su’s hand, and finds that excuse to call him “Trash”? I cracked up at that. 😂

I do really like that we continue to get these Meaningful Moments between Jeong Suk and Do Hyeon, and these episodes, they’re actually starting to open up to each other for real, which I think is great.

Yes, they explain it away as them being like comfortable strangers to each other, and so it’s easier to talk about things than with actual friends, but this is absolutely helping to create a stronger connection between them, whether they realize it or not.

Do Hyeon suggesting that Jeong Suk as Min Ho what would make him happy is key, and so is Do Hyeon opening up and telling Jeong Suk that he’s feeling lost about his investigation.

And it’s so key as well, that when Jeong Suk later asks who he’s looking for, he reveals the truth; that he’s looking for his mother.

You can just see Jeong Suk’s heart go out to him, right there. 🥲

On a different note, I do love how Do Hyeon ends up babysitting Min Ho and Dong U, and is all awkward about it at first, but ends up being one of the boys, by the time Jeong Suk gets home from her trip.

I do love that Min Ho asks Jeong Suk to cook for Do Hyeon; it shows that he’s friends with Do Hyeon now, and doesn’t mind Do Hyeon hanging out with him and Jeong Suk.

..Which is a great step in the right direction, if we’re talking about them becoming a family, at some point? 🥰

E5-6. I’m glad that Jeong Suk gets the chance to be considered for Branch Manager, coz I can really see that additional income coming in useful for her.

But DANG, that does make her more prone to making questionable decisions, and I immediately got a bad feeling, when that supposed ex-classmate approached her to do some in-home sales for his supposed bedridden wife.

Sure enough, the slime’s trying to sexually assault Jeong Suk, and I’m just so relieved that Do Hyeon overhears Yeong Bok’s conversation with those ladies, and heads out there, just in case Jeong Suk is in danger.

What a relief, that Do Hyeon gets there in time to punch the dude’s lights out, and rescue Jeong Suk; I can’t imagine what might have happened otherwise. 🙈

I hate that Jeong Suk got attacked like that, but as a silver lining, I think this is only going to strengthen her connection with Do Hyeon?

E7-8. I did find it quite gratifying to see the mutual concern between Jeong Suk and Do Hyeon growing so well, these episodes.

First, there’s how Do Hyeon can’t help but be concerned for Jeong Suk, after saving her from Gyeong Sik’s clutches.

I do appreciate how he tries his best to be gentle and considerate in the process of getting her statement, and how he advises her to take time off from work.

Importantly, we start to see him leaking smiles around Jeong Suk, and I do like this indication that she’s brightening up his world.

It makes sense to me that Jeong Suk would want to do something for Do Hyeon, in return for all the times that he’s helped her, and that that something would be to help him in his search for his mother.

The way Jeong Suk puts in so much earnest hard work into understanding the details of the case, and how she tries so hard, to find clues that would help him, is endearing in itself.

Plus, there’s the thing where Jeong Suk’s remark, in her notebook, that his parents might be looking for him, actually gives Do Hyeon a new perspective that he hadn’t considered before. That does feel precious. 🥲

I guess it’s not surprising that he starts dreaming about hugging her – which, Show really had me going there, with that close to episode 7; I’d thought it was real! But it turns out to be a dream, heh.

And then there’s that scene where Do Hyeon goes all slack-jawed at Jeong Suk’s beauty, when she tries on that wedding hanbok, is very cute; boy is definitely smitten, and he can’t hide it. 🤭

Beyond that, though, there’s also the thing where Jeong Suk can’t help but cry, while listening to Do Hyeon’s conversation with that lady.

Do Hyeon’s really touched that Jeong Suk would cry for him, and hurt as much as he’s hurting, and I think that’s where his feelings for Jeong Suk must have taken a big leap forward.

Of course, Do Hyeon gets all spooked by that moment of hyper-proximity in the car, when Jeong Suk’s asleep and he puts his jacket over her shoulders, and that’s when he starts to actively avoid Jeong Suk, aw.

I can understand his confusion, certainly.

He’s here in town to find his mother, and the truth around how he’d been separated from his family, and he’d never intended to form any real connections or relationships while here in Geumje, and yet, here is this newly-divorced single mom, whom he can’t help but feel drawn to.

It makes sense that Do Hyeon would need time to think, and that he would be all awkward about avoiding Jeong Suk, in the meantime.

I’m really proud of Jeong Suk, really, for not taking it lying down, and actually reaching out to Do Hyeon, to talk to him, to not only apologize for not doing a good job helping him with the case, but also, to tell him that she was rather upset that he hadn’t been honest about everything.

Yes, she’s kind of tipsy and therefore acting with the help of some liquid courage, but still. I like that she’s not bottling it all up, and not saying anything.

YAY that Do Hyeon goes after her, to tell her that the real reason he’d been avoiding her, was because he kept feeling confused because of her – which is how we end the episode, with that “checking” hug.

Eee!! I do love how his hands are so gentle and tender on her back, as he hugs her, and methinks that we might have just witnessed the first stages of the minting of this OTP relationship?

It might be too early to squee, but I’m mini-squeeing, on the inside – just so you know. 😁

[END SPOILER]

Geum Hui and Won Bong

Honestly, given our introduction to this marriage, I didn’t have high hopes for this relationship, in our story.

So color me surprised, that by the end of my watch, I considered this relationship to be sweet and earnest at its heart; all it had needed, was a bit of a recalibration, and some important moments of communication. 🥲

Aside from that, Won Bong’s a bit of a walking gag, thanks to Kim Won Hae’s comic talent, so we do get a fair amount of laughs, from this couple’s interactions.

Overall, I thought Show did a nice job balancing those two disparate tones in this relationship, and also, in managing to turn Won Bong’s impression in my mind, from Stuffy Hubs, to Sweet Hubs. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7-8. I found that whole flashback to how Won Bong had courted Geum Hui in the past, quite funny.

I mean, it’s really funny to see Won Bong as a smitten younger man, eager to wed Geum Hui, even though she’s stated that she doesn’t want children, because she wants to live as a modern woman.

It was hilarious how Won Bong shows up all disheveled, several weeks later, to report that after refusing to go to work, and after going on a hunger strike, he’s gotten permission to marry her.

Aw. So passionate, yes? 😁

It’s quite nice, really, that Won Bong recalls that memory, and then cancels that hiking trip with Chairman Eom, in order to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

[END SPOILER]

Yeong Bok and Jong Seon

Generally speaking, I found Yeong Bok and Jong Seon really cute together, and I think, that, in large measure, is due to the fact that we have the brilliant Kim Sun Young sparking off the brilliant Im Chul Soo.

Well, and also, the fact that Jong Seon thinks that Yeong Bok’s the sexiest woman alive, and can’t keep his hands off her. I thought that was adorable and hilarious! 🤭

It’s sweet to see Jong Seon be enthusiastic and supportive of Yeong Bok’s new business; it’s very refreshing in the context of other husbands in our story world being horrified and scandalized.

Show does plumb some emotional depths with this relationship, and I thought it was excellently done – which I’ll talk more about, in my spotlight on the penultimate episodes, later on.

In the meantime, here’s another highlight, where I really felt the emotional heft of the moment.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7-8. I feel bad for Jong Seon, because he’s been doing his best to live clean for the last 10 years, and yet, despite his best efforts, no one’s willing to give him a job.

Those scenes of frustration, between Jong Seon and Yeong Ok, were really well done, I thought.

It’s clear to see how troubled and stuck they both feel, and how they aren’t actually angry with each other, but really struggling under the weight of their current situation.

That scene when Jong Seon comes home in the middle of the night, and then tenderly pulls up the covers over each of his children, and cries, is so affecting, truly. 😭

I can see why he might be shaken by the words of his ex-con “friend;” he is that desperate to give his family a good life, and not let Yeong Ok suffer anymore.

[END SPOILER]

Ju Ri and Dae Geun [SPOILERS]

Halfway through our story, Show suddenly hits us with some sudden yet significant romantic developments between Ju Ri and Dae Geun, and I found it all quite cute and hilarious, and therefore a nice bit of brightness in the midst of heavier arcs.

I honestly hadn’t expected the kind of forward movement that we get with these two, in such a short span of time, but that’s the magic of a bit of forced proximity and tipsy conversation, which is how we end up so quickly, with enthusiastic drunk kisses, so much so that Ju Ri winds up with a bruise near her lip, the next morning, heh. 🤭

Mostly, I feel like writer-nim put this loveline in, so that Ju Ri would have a loveline, just like the rest of our crew.

I did think that it was just comic relief, introduced as a way to balance out our angstier arcs.

And so, I did find it quite a pleasant surprise, to find that Ju Ri and Dae Geun do share a genuine connection, and a sincere love for each other. I thought that was nice. 🥲

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES [SPOILERS]

E9-10. Gosh, my friends. This week seems to be a week of Developments, yes? Coz I feel like we get so many developments on multiple fronts, that I feel a little overwhelmed coming out of episode 10, honestly. 😅

Overall, I do like the progress that we make, story-wise, thought I will also say that at points, I also did feel like things get very dramatic very suddenly, to the point that it almost felt like I was watching a different show. 😅

To my mind, there are about four or so major arcs in these episodes, so let me talk about them one by one.

As far as I’m concerned, Im Chul Soo and Kim Sun Young stole the whole of episode 9, with their affecting portrayals of everything that Jong Seon and Yeong Bok go through, with regard to the accident and its aftermath.

Their journey through these episodes is nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, and I felt like I was on that rollercoaster with them, every step of the way.

I felt bad for Jong Seon, because of the immense guilt that he must have felt, for making a questionable decision, while under constant prodding from an alleged friend, who wouldn’t let him forget that it was his duty to provide for his family.

And I felt bad for Yeong Ok, whose entire life gets thrown into disarray, through no fault of her own.

One moment, she’s making the decision to keep the baby in her womb, and the next, she finds herself dealing with the fact that her own husband had been involved in the hit-and-run accident which had put Geum Hui’s husband, Won Bong, in hospital.

Oof. Knowing the sweet, kind soul that Yeong Ok is, I could see that it was killing her on the inside, to try to pretend that everything was fine and normal, in front of Geum Hui.

I mean, yes, it’s wrong that Yeong Ok makes the decision to cover up Jong Seon’s involvement in the accident, but I can understand why she would reach for that decision, to protect her children.

What she says about the whole town coming to know of it, and their children thus being affected by it, is very true, and we all know how cruel rumors can be, in that regard.

I can buy that this was Yeong Ok giving in to her mother’s instinct, to protect her children at all costs.

With both Jong Seon and Yeong Ok being the good people that they are, it’s not surprising that they would both choose to come clean, with Yeong Ok going to see Geum Hui to tell her the truth, while Jong Seon turns himself in at the police station.

It’s honestly gutting to see Geum Hui cut ties with Yeong Ok, but I can understand that Geum Hui’s in a great deal of emotional distress, almost losing her husband like that, and then coming to hear that her own best friend’s husband had been involved in the accident which had almost cost her husband his life.

And, when someone’s very upset, they can say a lot of things that they don’t really mean, because they are just that upset.

I do think that that’s the case with Geum Hui.

Additionally, even though it’s hard to hear her refer to her friends as “nobodies” to Won Bong, I don’t think she truly thinks of them as nobodies.

In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that I think Geum Hui might have used the term in an effort to convince herself, that it was no big deal, that she was cutting ties with the rest of the crew.

Deep down, I didn’t believe that Geum Hui actually had truly canceled Yeong Ok in her heart, and we see that proven, when Geum Hui panics at the realization that Yeong Ok’s  pregnant, when she experiences those crippling abdominal pains.

It was honestly really gratifying to see Geum Hui throw caution to the winds, and take charge of personally rushing Yeong Ok to the OB-GYN for immediate medical attention.

Like, awww. This is how Geum Hui truly feels about Yeong Ok. 🥲🥲🥲

I’m glad that Geum Hui asks Do Hyeon again, about the person who’d called in the accident, because, being the good, wholesome souls that they are, both Jong Seon and Yeong Ok don’t think to say that he’d called in the accident, because they both see him as being guilty, regardless.

That really provides the final nudge that Geum Hui needs, to opt for a settlement instead, and it looks like Jong Seon will receive a mitigated sentence, as a result.

That’s a relief, to know that he likely won’t have to do too much jail time, if any, and it’s also a relief to know that Yeong Ok now has the support of her eldest daughter, as well as her friends. 🥲

Of course, there’s some romance in the mix as well, to add some lightness to these episodes, and Ju Ri’s romance with Dae Geun makes up half of that romance quotient.

It’s all quite amusing, with how he’s been tiptoeing around her awkwardly, with him thinking that he’d offended her by not asking for permission before diving in to kiss her.

I like that they get that sorted out quite quickly, with Dae Geun apologizing for his lack of courtesy, and Ju Ri blithely telling him that she didn’t mind it at all. 😁

I find it quite endearing how Ju Ri looks at things so simply; that if she has fun with him, that means she likes him, and if she likes him, then why not date him?

This whole decision to keep things casual between them is quite amusing to me, because  Dae Geun’s got a great glazed over dorky face, and that’s exactly the face he wears, while making out with Ju Ri, heh.

All that lipstick all over his face, and him looking like a stunned rabbit that’s been accosted by a kiss-and-run, just tickles me. 🤭

It’s really quite handy that things between Ju Ri and Dae Geun ramp up at this time, because Ju Ri’s simple analysis of how relationships work, is the thing that gets Jeong Suk to reconsider her stance about not dating Do Hyeon.

Honestly, I felt pretty bad for Do Hyeon for a good chunk of episode 9, because he’d come clean with his feelings for Jeong Suk, and had been vulnerable about telling her how he’d felt, and in return, he’d gotten all that awkward avoidance from Jeong Suk.

Ack. That must have been very discouraging for him.

And so I was glad when, encouraged by Ju Ri’s example, Jeong Suk actually reaches out and asks to see him, and they even go on that date together, to the amusement park.

It’s so dorky-cute that Do Hyeon tries so hard to impress Jeong Suk, by trying to win that Dooly plushie for her, and humble-bragging that he’s a great shooter – only to fail pretty hard, at the mission that he’s set for himself, heh.

But what a sweet reward he gets, in the end, when Jeong Suk tells him that things hadn’t gone the way she’d planned either – because she’d actually hoped that she wouldn’t have a good time with him, coz then she’d just want to spend more time with him, but she did.

I loved watching the realization dawn on Do Hyeon’s face, that this was Jeong Suk telling him that she liked him, and wanted to go on more dates with him. Aw. 🥰

The way they get over the awkwardness of their second date, at his house, was also pleasant to see – once I managed to deal with the secondhand mortification of the various misunderstandings that go on.

From Jeong Suk getting all flustered about Do Hyeon taking a shower, and imagining that he’s getting ready for sexytimes, to her asking Do Hyeon to set up the game for their after-dinner entertainment, which leads to Do Hyeon finding that whip and pair of furry handcuffs in her work bag, I found quite a bit to feel secondhand embarrassed about.

In fact, the moment I saw that Jeong Suk had her work bag with her, I started bracing for the inevitable, because this is Dramaland, and it is absolutely inevitable that Do Hyeon would take it out and get the wrong idea. Eeeep. 🙈😅

But then, isn’t it pretty great, that Jeong Suk just comes out and confesses that the reason she’s been nervous and jumpy, is because of what her friends had said about how dates at home always lead to something sexy?

And then isn’t it also pretty great, that Do Hyeon doesn’t shy away from it, and tells Jeong Suk honestly, and gently, that he does want that too – and that’s how they share their first kiss? 🥲

It’s all very sweet, gentle and understated, and I find it perfectly fitting for this couple. 🥲

Of course, this brings us to how Jeong Suk is, once again, actively helping Do Hyeon to search for information about his parents, that brings us to the slightly makjang-laced portion of these episodes.

I found myself in a slight state of disbelief, when Do Hyeon starts to feel drowsy after drinking that tea that Sun Ae serves him, and then, the next thing we know, he’s bound and gagged in her secret backroom shrine, where she prays for all the kids that she’d kidnapped, asking that they live good lives.

That was pretty wild. 😅 Honestly, this was the part where I felt like I had accidentally wandered into a different show, almost.

The silver lining, of course, is that this arc passes quickly enough, with Jeong Suk coming to Do Hyeon’s rescue, and Sun Ae getting arrested.

The twist in all this, is the reveal that Do Hyeon hadn’t been kidnapped by Sun Ae at all, back in the day.

..Which is when he conveniently receives that package from his adoptive parents, containing the infant onesie that he’d been wearing when he’d been left at the orphanage – and soon after, we see Jeong Suk stumbling on the exact same onesie, with the exact same initials embroidered in the exact same manner, at Geum Hui’s home.

Dun dun DUNNN.

Looks like Geum Hui is Do Hyeon’s mom, then! 😱

Well, that’s a twist that I absolutely hadn’t seen coming, particularly since we’ve been told that Geum Hui had specifically told Won Bong, that she absolutely didn’t want children.

Looks like there’s a story there that we don’t know yet, and I’m curious to hear all about it, in Show’s finale episodes.

And, I’m also hoping for a sweet mother-son reunion, between Geum Hui and Do Hyeon. 🥹

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E11-12. Honestly, I’d been a little uncertain about what to expect, coming into this finale, mostly because it didn’t feel like we were getting close to a fitting finish line, given the various narrative threads that were still being developed at the end of episode 10.

In the end, I’d say that I was reasonably satisfied with the finale that Show serves up, even though I have to admit that by this point in my watch, my emotional engagement had dimmed somewhat, compared to my initial delight with this show.

I’d say that the arc that I found most affecting, in these episodes, was the one about Do Hyeon finding out that Geum Hui is his mother, and everything that unfolds, as a result.

With Geum Hui taking such an instinctive shine to Do Hyeon, and given that she’d kept those baby things as precious mementos all these years, I’d imagined that she would have been eager to reconnect with Do Hyeon, when the truth came out.

I’d forgotten, honestly, that Geum Hui might want to keep it a secret, to protect her husband Won Bong. 😅

I felt really bad for Do Hyeon, that, upon finally finding the mother whom he’s been searching for, all these years, he’s promptly rejected, when she denies knowing anything about it.

It’s a relief that Show doesn’t allow this to drag on for too long, and soon, we have Geum Hui and Do Hyeon reuniting, thanks to Won Bong being a truly loving sweetheart about it, and also, thanks to Jeong Suk being sensitive and encouraging, through the process.

It makes poignant sense, that Do Hyeon and Geum Hui would feel awkward around each other, having been apart from each other for practically his entire life, and it felt meaningful to me, that Jeong Suk would create a targeted plan, to get the two of them to feel comfortable with each other.

That said, I didn’t really see the necessity of having Do Hyeon move back to Seoul, because of a sudden work posting.

I would have much rather had him decline the posting, or if there hadn’t been a posting at all, because by this point, I felt like he’d worked long and hard enough, to get to enjoy the relationships and stability that he’d built in Geumje, over these past months.

The other arc that I felt reasonably engaged by, was the relationship between Ju Ri and Dae Geun, in the sense that I was curious to see how things would turn out for them, given Mom’s strong disapproval.

I wasn’t super hot on the idea of Ju Ri breaking up with Dae Geun for his own good, though I get that she couldn’t bear to see him suffer, after getting kicked out of the family home.

What I did like, was that it was Dong U’s little adult wisdom, that gets Mom to give in, in the end. 😁

And then finally, similar to how I felt about Do Hyeon’s work posting to Seoul, I felt it was really quite unnecessary, for our core crew’s business to go bust, just so that we could see them build it back up from scratch, 4-year time skip later.

I get the idea, that we get to see Jeong Suk demonstrate a new resilience and strength of character, particularly in our closing minutes, where she’s completely unintimidated by the townsfolk protesting their shop opening, but.. I’m not convinced that we really needed that.

To my mind, we’d already seen Jeong Suk grow a great deal, from her initial timid ways, to becoming the branch manager.

Personally, I felt like that was enough, and I would have preferred to have spent the screen time watching Do Hyeon continue to sink roots in Geumje, and Jeong Suk continue to thrive with her sisters, without those extra external push factors.

Basically, I think it would have felt a lot more satisfying, to spend the time soaking deeper into the relationships that have been established, rather than see our characters deal with these unexpected happenings.

Overall, not a bad finale, though I maintain that Show could have done better.

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Warm and rather low-key, despite its raucous billing.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  A Virtuous Business, is When The Phone Rings [Korea].

You can check out my episode 1-2 notes on When The Phone Rings on Patreon here.

Here’s an overview of what I’m covering on Patreon right now (Tier benefits are cumulative)!

Foundation Tier (US$1): Entertainment Drop (Sundays) + the first set notes of all shows covered on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Access (US$5): +Mr. Plankton [Korea]

Early Access Plus (US$10): +When The Phone Rings [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +Tell Me That You Love Me [Korea]