– Long, overdue recaps, most likely the last one. First, I need to get this off my chest. I have seen a few sites use my screen captures in their forum. I don’t mind that, sharing beautiful pictures is my thing. However, for the love of sanity and insanity altogether, please do not hotlink! That is internet stealing. Upload the pictures onto YOUR own servers.

Onwards!

After the raw and tearful confession from Woo Ri, Jun Ha apologizes…on her brother’s behalf! Ugh! I was tricked!

In need of some family love, Jun Ha calls Hyun Suk and asks her to stay awake, he’ll bring home ice-cream. Sensing an odd sensation, Hyun Suk goes up to Jun Ha’s room and searches his luggage. She finds a case report he’s been researching on.

At home, Seung Chul is causing a commotion, curious about the fellow who took Woo Ri home. She isn’t in the mood for this and explains that it’s Min Soo’s boyfriend. Her name doesn’t ring a bell though. In her room, Woo Ri looks at Ma Ru’s broken watch and cries. Seriously, I hope Jung Eum is drinking enough water!

Dong Joo instructs his researcher, Kim Bi, to have a meeting with Designer Young Gyu tomorrow. While Jun Ha is having an ice-cream date with Mom, both thankful that the other was there during their hardest time. I was believing the sincerity (from her side) until she sees Choi Jin Chul peeking at the door, and promises to make Jun Ha live the same miserable life as him. Dang.

The next morning, Seung Chul is all prepped up, wearing a suit to sell cars. He also casually announces that Woo Ri is cheating on him! She said earlier about marrying him too! Woo Ri denies and Grandma steps in, “Who are you to marry my preciously raised grand daughter?”

Dong Joo walks around the botanical garden, hoping to see someone. When he sees Woo Ri working with her masked dad in a distance, he breaks into a smile. Actually, the masked man isn’t Young Gyu but Myung Gyun in disguise so Young Gyu can meet with Kim Bi. Hilariously, the manager comes by and wonders, “Young Gyu-ah, perhaps, did you swell up?” haha ^^

The real Young Gyu is standing right behind Dong Joo. He takes Dong Joo to greet the white flowers. There, they formally introduce themselves. Young Gyu tells Dong Joo that he can’t play today because he has to go to Seoul. “Let’s play after tonight’s sleep?”

Woo Ri stops in her track when she sees Dong Joo, with his ear phones on, staring at the flowers. Calling herself quick-witted, she calls out that Dong Joo is probably Wookyoung’s spy. He answers no and looks at the magazine she’s holding. Cars. Woo Ri’s eyes widen at the potential customer and tries her best to convince him about the awesomeness of their cars. She even shows him how speedy their transaction could be with her lightning fast legs! Too funny (love her face)! He shows her a simple solution by beeping his car, which is parked three feet away.

Dong Joo goes to see Jun Ha, who isn’t in the mood for date time. He asks that Jun Ha meet Woo Ri and Young Gyu in place of him. Of course, Jun Ha flatly says no and tells Dong Joo to go. “And make sure you tell her you’re Cha Dong Joo, I’m curious of her reaction!”

Jun Ha then reveals the truth to Dong Joo, why Woo Ri and her family hate Wookyoung Cosmetics. “Choi Jin Chul killed her mom! He let her die in the burning factory and even attempted to put the blame on them. That’s why I ran away from home! I abandoned my family for my own survival! How could I face them now??!”

Dong Joo is stunned. He sits down covering his ears. Mother comes in and pretends she didn’t hear the content of their conversation. Agitated, Dong Joo leaves the room. Notice the contrast in their clothing; Dong Joo is all bright greens and yellows while Jun Ha likes dark blues and blacks.

Young Gyu and Woo Ri are waiting at the restaurant to meet Kim Bi. Young Gyu is a nervous ball and won’t lower his head – Grandma told him to keep his chin high, like a true designer. To make him feel at ease, Woo Ri lies about his white hair, Ma Ru will call him “Grandpa” and not “Papa”! Looking at them from the outside is Dong Joo, now full of guilt.

In his shower, Jun Ha broods about Woo Ri’s speech. Dong Joo calls Jun Ha to apologize and asks him to tell Woo Ri that he can’t make it to the meeting. Drum Rolls. Jun Ha is still in the shower and mother Hyun Suk answers the phone, “Take care of your own affairs!” Afterward, Hyun Suk tells Jun Ha to help get their proposal passed.

Dong Joo formally introduces himself to Woo Ri, as the representative from Energy Cell. He also reveals that he is from Wookyoung and lied to her to get the drawing. Woo Ri is puzzled but insists, “Are you really Cha Dong Joo?” Dong Joo ignores her questions and leaves in a hurry.

At home, Seung Chul is baby-talking to grandma, hoping to get on her good side. Woo Ri thinks about the day’s event and decides to call Min Soo, hoping to clear up the growing knot of secrets. Min Soo confirms: Cha Dong Joo is her boss. Woo Ri heads off to meet him, stopping Seung Chul in time.

At the same time, Jun Ha and Min Soo are also meeting at Dong Joo’s house to discuss about the new business proposal. All heading to the same destination?

Woo Ri rings the door and Dong Joo answers, telling her to leave, he has said what needed to be said. Coming this far, Woo Ri is perky about his identity being her pianist teacher. Dong Joo looks at her gravely and shuts the door.

Woo Ri peeks through the blinds and sees Dong Joo playing with her red bean pouch! He still has it after all these years. She’s happy alright but the expression is quickly replaced with anger, because he pretends not to know her. She bangs on the window and he shuts the blinds completely despite her attempt to say, “It’s me! It’s me! The piano girl!!”

Choi Jin Chul eats dinner at Shin Ae’s place and announces that he’s staying over for the night because of the important directors’ meeting tomorrow.

Jun Ha waits for Woo Ri at the same street he drops her off earlier. He tells her that he’s the mastermind behind the lie to get her father’s drawing. Woo Ri stares at him and waves it off. She has talked to Dong Joo already. The money – she will definitely pay them back because her family won’t take a dime from Wookyoung Cosmetics. She warns him not to mess with her family again. Guess who has been tailing Jun Ha all along? Creepy Mom! Ah!

Min Soo wants to eat out but Dong Joo simply places his credit card on the table. So cold. Not liking the sulky Dong Joo. Why is he always mean to her? Now that he’s alone inside his house, Dong Joo broods, trying to process the newly discovered information. The more he thinks about Woo Ri and Wookyoung, the more agitated he is, and soon we see the bean pouch flying across the room, its beads falling out.

Mother arrives at the wrong time. No matter how loud she bangs on the windows, Dong Joo lies rigidly on his bed. Jun Ha follows her back and forth, asking for forgiveness, he didn’t mean to lie to her. Mom isn’t having it and screams at him to go home, “You’re not my son!”

Jun Ha is stunned, hurt. She has dropped their bond for 16 years as quickly as kicking a rock out of the way. He kneels before her, with tears in his eyes and pleads, “Mom, I was wrong, I was wrong!” Wow, just wow. Living with Hyun Suk is a challenge. She acts like a jealous girlfriend. A simple lie and he’s already on his knees.

The peaceful night ensues and Woo Ri tries to throw away the piano toy, but can’t bring herself to do it. Simultaneously, Dong Joo starts picking up the beads. Aw, these two. Their feeling for each other is stronger than the rivalry between the two families.

Next morning, Woo Ri picks up Young Gyu’s cell and is told her dad is fired. Feeling indignant for him, she runs to Dong Joo’s house, pressing the bells repeatedly. Our leading man is not home. Dong Joo, along with Jun Ha, Min Soo and his people, walks into Wookyoung. He’s attending today’s directors’ meeting as the representative for his mom, Tae Hyun Suk. So the night is reserved for deep thinking and big plans! I like it!

Episode 10: (I know I’m on the roll today!)

Woo Ri asks her supervisor for Dong Joo’s whereabouts and is told not to mess with Wookyoung’s only son. He fires Young Gyu because “He’s different from other people….and is an eyesore!” Hoho! There she goes, marching away to bite off Dong Joo’s head for his discrimination!

In the meeting, Choi Jin Chul asks for undivided support from the directors for his investment. However, the other directors raise their doubts regarding the semiconductor systems. Dong Joo reveals his proposal “Energy Cell Project” to produce their own cosmetics. Dong Joo is confident about his plan while Director Kang (Choi Jin Chul’s right hand man) says casually that it takes at least 3 years for research development. Dong Joo smirks, they have been working on it for 5 years.

And their research leader? Director Kang’s daughter, Min Soo. She walks in confidently, make-up intact (this girl is hilarious!) to give her presentation. Briefly, their product is anti-aging, aiming to promote skin regeneration and absorption. As a result, your skin will glow…like Kim Jae Won?! I’m having a hard time accepting that he went to the army. Look at the milky skin tone!

Moreover, their plan has been approved by the FDA and is ready to enter the markets! Throughout the presentation, Choi Jin Chul is uncomfortable, being taken out of the spotlight, as he seethes in anger. After the meeting, the other directors congratulate Dong Joo, looking forward to his future projects. Choi Jin Chul asks to meet with Dong Joo but he turns and asks his fellow people to join.

Just then Dong Joo’s cell rings, and he tenses. Uhh…with so many people around him, he can only fake like he can hear and murmurs, “Okay, I’ll take care of it!” Woo Ri then steps into view and asks, “Take care of what? Firing my father isn’t enough?!” Oh girl, no, no, no! Bad timing.

She calls him out for acting high and mighty, so why does he like to target her family? When Dong Joo tries to pull her away, she smacks his face with a roll of paper! And my jaw drops to the floor. So reckless AND tactless, this girl. He gives her a final warning, “I don’t remember you. Leave this place. Immediately!”

In his office, Choi Jin Chul plasters a smile on his face and promises to review Dong Joo’s proposal. Later, he demands Director Kang to take care of the investment with his own money, since his daughter is the research leader. Director Kang scoffs, he’s not going to down a penny for something unprofitable. Shin Ae comes in without knocking and Choi Jin Chul has a favor to ask. She immediately goes to Hyun Suk and wishes to work as her secretary.

Outside, Min Soo drags Woo Ri away for some drinks. Naturally, these two end up drunk-talking about Jun Ha and Dong Joo.

Dong Joo complains to his fish buddies about the small scratch on his face, thanks to Woo Ri. They ignore him. Nowadays, heroes in Korean dramas must have pets so they can rant! (Example: Dokgo Jin and his potatoe!)

While Woo Ri rests her head on the table, Min Soo drunk calls Seung Chul! He wants to speak to Woo Ri but Min Soo rambles on and eventually she dozes off. Woo Ri hurries over to put a blanket, in the form of tissue paper, over Min Soo so she wouldn’t catch a cold. This girl, even in her drunk mode, she’s taking care of others.

Now it’s time for Jun Ha to take control; he has been watching these two for a while. Woo Ri quickly shushes him with her index finger. And he takes the drink out of her hand. She looks up at him and whispers, “It’s oppa.” Gahh, in this state you recognize his demeanor…

Still not knowing that he was fired, Young Gyu skips happily around the botanical garden at night just to catch Dong Joo sitting by himself. Initially, Dong Joo feels guilty facing Young Gyu but the latter’s hard-working nature softens him. Dong Joo invites Young Gyu inside the house and tends to his cut. Young Gyu marvels at the fish and states that he likes them, then he goes on to say he likes everything in the botanical garden. Way to go writers, drive it into Dong Joo’s brain!

Dong Joo is skeptical and asks does he hate anything? Anybody? Same answer. Instead of hating, Young is terrified of fire, factory, and the person who brings kimchee to Shin Ae (Read: Choi Jin Chul). Young Gyu turns the question back to Dong Joo and the latter confesses that he’s afraid of darkness. “You can’t see or hear anything, it’s frustrating.”

Yay! Our piggy-back ride scene is here! Jun Ha takes Woo Ri home. Of course, this scene is witnessed by Dong Joo. Standing at the door, Jun Ha hesitates and decides to sit on the front porch with a drunk Woo Ri.

Next morning, Jun Ha is woken up by Dong Joo who is banging on the window. Worried, he rushes outside just to be sprayed with water! Oh, what’s this? Bromance in the morning? Every day please. The men become boys and enjoy a lively morning with each other. Buh… Is that the way HYUNG looks at their brother nowadays?

Meanwhile, Young Gyu is chased out by the supervisor and Woo Ri brings her dad home. She sees the boys playing around together and calls them a set of ant poop!

At home, Woo Ri struggles to explain to her dad that he must not act like a baby. If the owner fired him, he can’t come back. Seeing how hard life is for her, Seung Chul begs his parents for money. It’s hilarious how his parents give him the “knowing look” when he kneels down. Instantly, they ask, “How much this time?”

Dong Joo and Jun Ha are preparing for their upcoming showcase. Jun Ha acts as Dong Joo’s eyes and ears. When the lights were shut off, Dong Joo is thrown into a state of panic and he panics, “Hyung…Hyung…”

Dong Joo confirms with Jun Ha that he’s still not accustomed to the dark. It frightens him. In comes Seung Chul, here to pay the money for Woo Ri. Looks like Mom agrees to help OR his dad secretly joins hands. As he explains how hard every day is for Woo Ri, Seung Chul is on the verge of tears. He warns them not to pick on Woo Ri or else he won’t let it slide easily next time!

Dong Joo returns home to see Young Gyu waiting for him at the gate. Moments later, Young Gyu is home, happily chirping to the family photo that he’s able to work at the botanical garden tomorrow.

The showcase commences and ends on high note, however, Dong Joo has overworked himself and appears unwell. Upon hearing that her dad is working at the botanical garden, Woo Ri fumes and rushes to see Dong Joo. Judging by Dong Joo’s blanched face and wobbly composure, she can’t see he’s sick? Agh. Dong Joo collapses and she taps him continuously to get his attention. He opens his eyes and pulls her into his embrace.

The scene fades into darkness as Dong Joo remembers what Woo Ri taught him 16 years ago. Close your eyes and see the person you want to see. Cover your ears and listen to their voice. A single tear escapes his eye and runs along the side of his temple. He assures her, “I can her your voice…” and repeats it over and over again.

Alice: Okay, this show really knows how to end an episode with precision, always evoking emotions and waking memories from the viewers. The last scene is beautiful.

If you asked me who was the star of episode 9 & 10, I would have to admit, it’s Jun Ha. Up until now, Nam Goong Min has the most complex scenes, filled with tentative uncertainty and boiling self-loath. In episode 9, I was expecting him to go all out on Dong Joo, but he quickly, and smoothly, regains his demeanor as an older brother to calm the nerves of Dong Joo.

Then, in the scene that Hyun Suk goes berserk on him, Nam Goong Min expresses the trembling shock and searing pain so well, I suffocated with him. Hyun Suk, you don’t have any sincere feeling for this boy you raised? I’m impressed. At. Your. Stone. Heart.

Woo Ri. Bong Woo Ri! I can’t put my fingers on how I feel about her. Sometimes, I root for her, while other times I just want her to be brighter, less reckless, for her own benefit.