Episode 5 Recap:

A year later, Hyun Suk has moved to Saipan with her two boys, Dong Joo and Ma Ru aka Jang Joon Ha. She left her husband, Choi Jun Mo, completely in charge of her father’s company. Here he is, expressing his goal: “I want our company to go national.”

The reporters ask about this injured son, and Jun Mo lies, “He’s very healthy.” He sees Shin Ae waving to him in the crowd but ignores her. Old farts!

Little Mi Sook, now known as Woo Ri, is attending school. She needs to complete her family chart. Father: Bong Young Gyu. Education: Kindergarten. Occupation: Food Producer.

On his way home, Choi Jun Mo jerks his car to a stop when Shin Ae stands right in the middle of the road. She comes to ask for money. Why isn’t he looking for his lost son? Jun Mo replies, “Why should I? I haven’t even verified his identity yet.” He turns to walk away, but she pulls him into a back hug. This is one of the rare times that my face is distorted. Not. Romantic.

In Saipan, Hyun Suk is trying to coach Dong Joo into talking. He refuses and runs to the fridge. Violently, he brings out a box of ice-cream and starts digging in. Hyun Suk takes it away and asks him to say “Ice Cream”. He resorts to looking for Joon Ha, who is not home today. The mother and son struggle back and forth.

Frustrated, Dong Joo starts hitting his head to which Hyun Suk asks gravely, “Do you wish to die? If so, just SAY SO!” This scene is hard to watch. The rawness of it eats your inside. T_T

Joon Ha returns home and finds the house empty with a messy floor full of food. He panics and rushes outside to look for them. Hyun Suk drags Dong Joo all the way to the edge, looking down at the crashing waves. She doesn’t look scared but Dong Joo, who is flailing in her grasp, is terrified. Scene of that unfortunate night of his grandpa’s death flashes before his eyes. To everyone’s relief, he cries out, “Save me! Mother, save me!”

There’s a short scene with Young Gyu taking Woo Ri to work on his bike as they sing their favorite song. Sweet~

After the commotion earlier, Hyun Suk is back in her room. She takes out a sealed letter and intends to open it. She stops when Joon Ha asks to talk to her. This boy is totally committed to Hyun Suk as he says, “Next time, please take me too. To the end. Without you and Dong Joo, I’m all alone.” Does he not remember he still has Young Gyu, Woo Ri, and Grandma?

Having lived a whole year without talking, Dong Joo is playing with the red pouch inside his room. Tears silently makes their way down his cheek. As he continues, years passed, and now Dong Joo is a handsome young man. Nice transition. 😉

Sixteen years later, a grown up Woo Ri  is chasing after Young Gyu, demanding to know where he has used the money. He says he gave the money to someone to look for Ma Ru. Young Gyu runs to the market and points to the culprit – Lee Seung Chul (acts by Lee Kyu Han) , the Lee’s only son.

She chases and he runs, half-explaining that he was scammed too in the process. He can’t return the money to her so it’s better if she kills him. Woo Ri grabs him by the collar, ready to make the jump into the river. Seung Chul carefully says, “But we’re too young to die!” She agrees with him saying that there are many things she wants to do! With that she pulls him into a kiss. And into the river.

In the water, Woo Ri remembers her mother and how she died. Then Young Gyu’s voice directs her back to the urgent situation. She grabs a handful of Seung Chul’s hair and brings him to the surface. After he finishes his unconscious act, Woo Ri chases him all the way home. Finally, Seung Chul scurries into his room and threatens to unclothe himself, so Woo Ri better get out. She closes the door and locks it. Gosh, she’s ballsy! =P

Seung Chul slowly covers his exposed chest with a piece of clothing, and asks Woori to not do anything. He’s a man, and a friend! Woo Ri disagrees, a man, even a friend wouldn’t scam her father! A human being wouldn’t be able to swindle her father’s hard-earned money! She sobs and falls to the floor. The guilt crawls in and Seung Chul puts his arms around, “Don’t cry, Woo Ri.” Outside, Young Gyu panics because Grandma disappears. In fact, she is snoring in Myung Gyun’s room. Everybody looks at her worriedly when she asks for Mother Mi Sook’s whereabouts.

Outside, Woo Ri hangs her head, embracing herself before Seung Chul’s mother. She is fed up with Grandma’s condition and tells Woo Ri to move out with her family! She can’t believe they’re still looking for Ma Ru after 16 years.

Grandma Bong reminds Young Gyu that he has to water the flowers. He immediately rushes to work. Interestingly, Hyun Suk is the person in charge. She has a quick phone call with her husband, Choi Jun Mo. In a mild way, he warns her that if Dong Joo continues to wander around, he might not pass him the chairman seat. Hyun Suk snickers, “Surely, you remember how you got to your position?”

So where exactly is Dong Joo? He’s in Seoul alright, touring around the city on his bicycle. He pauses shortly in front of a stall where Woo Ri and Seung Chul are tasting the promoted drinks.

Woo Ri receives a phone call and steps outside to talk. Her face freezes when she hears a familiar phrase, “This smells like ant poop.” This phrase was first used by Ma Ru when he described the flowers to Woo Ri. Hopeful, she glances around and notices Dong Joo at a fragrance table. Second clue: He has ear phones! OMG, Woo Ri…what century are we living in! Seung Chul tells her just as much.

Dong Joo has a run-in with a grumpy driver, who refuses to LET it go. Dong Joo, aggravated, tells him to go die. In return, the fist lands in Dong Joo’s face. With this, Dong Joo calls out to his body guard and they all end up at the police station. Upon learning who Dong Joo really is, the driver immediately bows and apologizes.

Outside, Hyun Suk is waiting in her car. Dong Joo tells her not to follow him and winks.

Woo Ri’s job? She sells cars. Now that their large sum of money was scammed, she needs to work twice as hard to earn them back.

At work, Young Gyu is bullied by the short-tempered Supervisor for hanging Ma Ru’s portrait, hoping to find him. Woo Ri sees this and demands to talk to him alone. When they’re out of earshot, Woo Ri rubs her hands together and begs the supervisor to be lenient on her father. However, Supervisor fumes and Woo Ri pulls her last card, “That pouring night! I know what you did!” and smiles creepily. haha XD

Walking home together, Woo Ri informs Young Gyu that they have been selected to appear on a variety program, which helps families reunite with their loved ones.

At home, Young Gyu and Woo Ri practice answering the questions. Young Gyu, Woo Ri, and Grandma Bong can’t help their broken hearts and sob tearfully. =(

Seeing this, Myung Gyun has a small meeting with Woo Ri and his son. Aw~ They advise her to go alone tomorrow to the broadcasting station. Being the experienced run-away adult, Seung Chul gives her two tips: 1) Claim that you’re rich. 2) Speak in a gentle tone, emphasizing that you understand WHY he ran away.

Later that night, Young Gyu sneaks out of his room to take a look at their family photo, which he keeps in his wallet. He cries for Ma Ru’s return. Woo Ri looks on solemnly.

Choi Jun Mo drops by Shin Ae’s place to have a peace of mind. She babbles on how she has everything yet she feels empty. She misses Ma Ru but can’t understand why she would. After all, she did not spend a single day raising him. Hyun Suk calls Jun Mo and asks him to come home. Dong Joo is waiting.

Jun Mo comes home and looks warily up to the empty balcony. Dong Joo calls him and asks, “Did I fall from here?” Chills…

Jun Mo watches as Dong Joo climbs over the rail and pretends to be unbalanced, flailing his arms all about. Choi Jun Mo screams in horror, “CHA DONG JOO!!”

Gratified, Dong Joo smiles.

Alice: OMG! The last scene had me completely still, gripping onto my computer mouse. I LOVE THIS. Love how he KNOWS and teases his step-father. I bet he’s going to continue acting like he doesn’t remember just to torture him ever so slowly…I think I’m going to love Cha Dong Joo and his dark, tortured side. Did he tell Hyun Suk what happened that night? Three forces against two?

Folks, don’t spoil anything keke….