We’ve got one hell of a kiss welcoming us to the start of Episode 10. Gun and Mi Young have confessed to each other and its all up for grabs now. Will Mi Young finally get the family she always wanted to have with Gun and will he finally get rid of that stupid divorce contract?
Continue reading Kimchi Recaps: Fated To Love You : K Episode 10
Gun, moved by the seduction of a crying and vulnerable Mi Young, kisses her cheek and in doing so, finally opens his heart to loving our quiet heroine. Now, our adorable Hero must deal with the consequences of acknowledging that he loves his wife. Anyone who is going to imagine Daniel as a gigolo has got it bad. LOL!
Gun has been slowly falling in love with Mi Young and when we left them last, Gun looked like he was about to take things in a whole new direction. Come join Firnlambe and I as we discuss just how brave Gun is willing to be even when his world turns upside down….again.
Last episode left us with unexplained emotions starting to well up in our leading couple as well as an intense staring contest between our leading men. Well brace yourselves dear readers, because this episode will have you *Squeeeing* your way through most, if not all, of it. Join Wendilynn and myself (firnlambe), as we watch Gun start to finally recognize the budding feelings that have started to grow deep down inside his heart and attempt to cope in the best way he knows how….
Gun’s warm feelings for Mi Young start to really develop in this episode, leaving us the viewer with some fun moments of jealousy. Gun, split between the woman he’s supposed to love and the woman he’s supposed to hate, finds himself struggling to keep boundaries in place. When he sees Daniel bringing Mi Young home, he bristles. Join Firnlambe and I as we talk about how we felt watching Gun start to fall in love.
Finally!! Emotions have finally started to shift, even though the involved parties have yet to notice their respective change. Join Wendilynn and myself (firnlambe), as we watch episode 5 put our newlywed couple to the ultimate test. Keeping up the illusion that they’re your typical happy couple. Can they successfully fool the Lee family all while trying to continuously keep each other at arms length whenever they’re alone?
Gun is in shock and locked in a room. A decision needs to be made and thanks to Mom, Mi Young and Gun have to talk it out. I only wish people would stop making unilateral decisions. Come join Firnlambe and I as we discuss developments in episode 4.
All hell breaks loose for Episode 3 as Gun and Mi Young discover that his Grandmother’s prayers have been answered. All Gun wanted to do was marry his Se Ra. It seemed enough, right? Some (dragon?) juice later and he’s made love to the wrong woman. Se Ra has run off to New York to follow her first love and Mi Young is now stuck facing the hardest decision she’s ever run into.
It all starts with Gun showing up at the law offices that Mi Young works at. Mi Young was hoping to never run into her handsome stranger and low and behold, he’s a client. Only…. he’s not so happy about the lawyer recommendation they are giving him.
Firnlambe: Priceless . . . just priceless. And Gun’s laugh, very appropriately placed. Side note–I remember where I’ve heard it before. It sounds very similar to Doko Jin’s laugh in The Greatest Love.
Wendilynn: I couldn’t stand Greatest Love because the male lead was so smarmy. I never did understand the appeal of that character. I just cracked up at this. The opportunity of a lifetime just slipped through his fingers. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving fellow.
The heads of the Lee family, feeling insecure because Se Ra has run off are now hedging their bets against the fear that Gun will die an early death and leave them childless. They bring in the illegitimate younger son (played by Choi Woo Sik of Rooftop Prince) and his mother to live and work with Gun and their Grandmother.
Firnlambe: This mother/son duo seems more conniving than the originals . . .
Wendilynn: I’m surprised they decided to make a family council that they have to accountable to. There are all sorts of issues this story deals with that would be much more difficult to smooth out if you have a bunch of “reputation to be protected” family watching over your shoulder.
Our sleazy lawyer still has not learned his lesson. He approaches Mi Young to try and force her to help him get on Gun’s good side. Word to the wise, don’t let the new boss hear you threatening the girl he’s championed. Your job prospects go downhill really fast. (cameo note, can anyone verify that it is Choi Woo Sik, who plays the younger brother, who comes rushing in as an observer as a no name office worker with two female office workers? He makes the neck slit motion after he says to fire the trash)
Firnlambe: This scene made me wholeheartedly ship this couple. I adore that Gun stands up for Mi Young in her work place while conveniently firing the man who’s been troubling her. Mwahahahaha!!! Let the subconscious attraction begin!
Wendilynn: The look on his face seems to say, “Thank you for giving me a reason to get you fired”. Gun was awesome in this moment as gallant knights usually are.
Good advice is hard to find, unless you have someone gentle and sensible in the next booth over.
Firnlambe: Damn you Choi Jin Hyuk!!!! I had no problems–none–in ignoring Dylan as a SLS catalyst . . . but you–you are portraying Daniel so gentle and sweet, that it’s difficult to not go “awww”
Wendilynn: Daniel is quickly becoming a favorite. I’m more attracted to the softer gentle types over the brash and manly types, so his portrayal is right up my alley.
Gun finds out that the Island President was successful in keeping his scandalous video. A trip to the lawyer informs him that while he has the right legally to sue them, all it would do is make him look like the big bad wolf. Looks like compromise with the islanders is necessary. Too bad the shiftless young brother finds the USB and makes a copy.
Firnlambe: See . . . didn’t I say they were conniving. Correct me if I’m wrong Wendilynn, but weren’t the originals not nearly so quick on the evil plot points? or am I mixing up my information.
Wendilynn: No, you are correct, the hapless pair were more relaxed in the first one. Mind you, they only had Grandma to deal with and she loved her younger grandson. There was no family council that had to be appeased. In this one, they’ve made them far more conniving to fit the situation.
How much more can this woman make his heart break?
Firnlambe: I adamantly hate characters like Se Ra, who believe their “loved” ones will never leave them no matter how terrible they treat the opposite party.
Wendilynn: Gun has patiently waited for her for six years. This is not her first time ditching him. She has every reason to believe that she can step on him over and over again and he’ll never leave her.
Mi Young is the youngest daughter of a very fierce Mama Bear. Its easy to take this woman has big and brash, but she is always looking out for her girls. Whether they want to or not. Having to tell such a woman that you’ve gotten yourself knocked up…. not the easiest or safest proposition.
Firnlambe: I found this scene to be very realistic. That was refreshing. Not often do we get to see such a real reaction from a drama. But I still preferred how she found out in Taiwanese version more.
Wendilynn: The T version uses a lot more campy humor, but I’ve noticed that seems to be a trend in Tdramas. This version is trying to make it seem more realistic and I’m not sure if I really like it or not. It loses a measure of its adorableness. However, I do like that the sisters aren’t as dumb as they are in the first one, even if they aren’t as silly and fun to watch.
Mama Bear is fit to be tied, Gun is in her sights and he has no clue which way is up. When Mi Young finally clues him in, he can’t hardly believe that its real. Mama Bear is sure he’s nothing but a weasel who has used her meek daughter but Gun is not that sort of guy.
Firnlambe: I disliked how Gun’s character was introduced to the family. I really liked how he eavesdropped in the original version, I felt that gave him an excuse to become more emotionally attached to our Post-it girl.
Wendilynn: I have to agree with you completely here.
Daniel is on the hunt for his sister and gets a tip. A girl matching his sisters background and description has been found. Could it be his lost sister?
Firnlambe: Have I mentioned how much I love hate Daniel? Seriously…
Wendilynn: I don’t think so…. I mean… not in the last few sentences. 😉
The best news of all just reached Grandma’s ears. She needs an heir as soon as possible and Se Ra was not going to be accommodating. This is probably one of the few times you actually are happy to hear that not only did your grandson sleep with someone not his fiancee but that he knocked her up as well.
Firnlambe: I was worried I wouldn’t like this actress as our grandmother . . . but this scene changed my opinion. She’s just as excited in this version.
Wendilynn: At first I think this was his mom. I’m glad she is the grandmother though. I also like Daniel’s reactions with her.
A long conversation needs to take place and Mama Bear knows exactly how to make that happen. Gun is out of his depth and Mi Young would like nothing better than for it to be all over.
Firnlambe: I liked this scene just as much as the original . . . but I would have preferred the wishing box to include the wish of having someone love her. I know they connected them via their dead parents, but the same wish to be loved was much more meaningful.
Wendilynn: I missed that as well. That particular wish also connects the audience to their story because we all carry that wish in our hearts as well.
So Grandma is happy. Gun is in shock. Mi Young is scared and feeling desperately alone. Mama Bear is fit to be tied. What is in store for our fated lovers? We’ll have to check out episode 4 and see.
Hello Peeps. I hope you’re able to stay cool during these summer months. July has been insanely warm for Oregon. Dare I even say hot. Thankfully an angel gifted me with an A/C unit and so for the first time, I’m surviving nicely. Although, to get the best circulation for the apartment I put it in the window near my computer. The apartment feels great…..but I need a sweater to blog. *chuckles*
For those of us who are fans of the Taiwanese show Fated To Love You, there is now a Korean remake for us to watch and enjoy. This is one of my favorite shows out of Taiwan and I watch it regularly. This may put an unfair bias towards the Korean remake simply because there is so much that is awesome about the Taiwan version such as our male lead, for example. Ethan Ruan set the bar high for the confused but adorable Cun Xi. Jang Hyuk has some big shoes to fill as our lead Gun.
Joining me on this quest will be Firnlambe from Soju-Like-Kdramas: “Greetings!! I suppose you can call me the counterbalance to Wendilynn for this series. I’ve only seen the Taiwanese version once. I loved it, don’t get me wrong–but I don’t have nearly the same attachment to the characters, so I should be able to provide a little less biased opinion on each episode” ^-^
So then…lets get started.
We start out with a model shampooing her hair for a CF. She freaks out that this unknown product will damage her pampered locks. In saunters our company president, full of confident arrogance and gifts us, the viewers, with some gorgeous, over the top shampoo porn.
Wendilynn: Its quite an introduction for our male lead, Lee Gun. He’s gorgeous without his shirt on and this show does seem to try and keep him shirtless at every opportunity. That laugh though… *shakes head* Its uncomfortable to listen to. I had a hard time warming up to him because he came across so smarmy.
Firnlambe: Oh God….this…..this was hard to watch. As glorious and gorgeous as Lee Gun is shirtless, the over the top cheesiness to this scene was a tough pill to swallow.
Next comes our Post-it girl, Kim Mi Young. She has the coolest opening sequence ever. Who wouldn’t want Pentatonix singing your introduction.
Firnlambe: I like this casting…..this version of the Post-it girl is just as good as the original.
Wendilynn: I have to agree with you. I like Jang Na Ra. So I was really happy to see her as our Post-it girl.
Here’s the jerk she takes on her winning vacation to Macau. I’m only including him because they actually keep him around for a few episodes. This guy is a total sleaze. As soon as she wins the vacation, he starts schmoozing her so he can go along.
Firnlambe: Personally….I didn’t like how Korea went about introducing this couple. It was waaaaay too rushed. And because of that, the coming events didn’t have nearly the same impact on my sympathy radar for our leading lady as I had in the original.
Wendilynn: I also felt like part of the story was missing leading up to the morning after.
Here’s our prime candidate for SLS. Daniel is gently played by gorgeous Choi Jin Hyuk. Looking for his lost sister who was adopted out to strangers unknown. We are greeted with him at an orphanage playing soccer with children. Can he steal our hearts any more completely?
Firnlambe: I foresee much more heartache in my feeling towards Korea’s Daniel than I had for Taiwan’s Dylan. Granted……..that maaaaaaay have to do with how gentle Choi Jin Hyuk is portraying him.
Wendilynn: He’s playing him much more warm than Dylan was played. Dylan didn’t get warm till much later, where Daniel’s warmth is evident from his first words.
Enter trouble in the bodies of the Island company President and Kim Mi Young’s brother-in-law. These two have hatched a plan to catch Gun In flagrante delicto so that they can save their doomed company. Their comedy of errors is funny and sets everyone up for the inevitable.
Firnlambe: Mixed feelings are mixed on these two. I can’t decide if I’m going to like them or not yet.
Wendilynn: One of the joys of the Taiwan version is the cheesiness of the islanders. Although these same characters were more redneck in the T version. Here they are just sort of dumb.
Firnlambe: Agreed…and that’s too bad. I’ll take cheesy rednecks over bumbling idiots any day.
Wendilynn: I think the difference in story length plays a role here. Taiwan shows get far more episodes to play with then Korean shows do. Although, this K version is supposed to have 20 episodes.
Gun’s first love, Se Ra. Prima Ballerina who has lost the audition to be Odette in Swan Lake. She is willing to let Gun propose to her because she thinks she has nothing else. One phone call is all it takes to change her life as well as Gun’s and Mi Young.
Firnlambe: Begin the hate cycle!!! Se Ra is just as selfish and self-centered as An Na.
Wendilynn: I didn’t like this character in either story. What really made it worse is that we get far more backstory on how much Gun has loved and ached for her. Its a counterpoint to his overwhelming smarminess when he’s being a jerk.
Yes, lets thank the hapless morons who get you jacked up on sex juice. Really, does Gun absolutely need to wear clothing?
Firnlambe: He can keep the shirt off…..as long as he changes his hairstyle. This floppy mop needs to go.
Wendilynn: Yeah, it adds to the smarmy feeling. lol
Our couple has both consumed the drink that will make sex inevitable, however, unlike the Taiwanese version that actually gives you a clean love scene. We get a hokey cartoon euphemism about making rice and then a snuggle wake up scene. This show has no problem getting Gun shirtless at any opportunity, but heaven forbid we show people kissing.
Firnlambe: Well….in their defense it’s not a cable show…or a weekend drama
Wendilynn: I was just dumbfounded that they didn’t even kiss. Not even a chaste one before switching to the cartoon. And after the shampoo porn scene, what’s to be worried about?
Firnlambe: True….maybe they’re wanting to save the kisses for later?
Mi Young, upset after finding out that she not only slept with the wrong person, but that her sleazy BF was sleeping with someone else as well is left upset and feeling low. While scumbag refuses to take any responsibility for her emotional state, enter Gun to play the white knight.
Firnlambe: So you know how I said my feels for the coming events were not as strong this time around. Yes….I felt sad for Mi Young, but it wasn’t neeearly the same level of devastation that Xin Yi experienced. Although I did love that Gun was there to pull her up when she reached her lowest point.
Wendilynn: Agreed. I don’t think they played it to the same level as in the T version. Although, that conversation about whose the noble and whose the commoner was amusing to watch. Lawyer scumbag thinks he’s all that and Gun shows up to show him otherwise.
Both Gun and Mi Young have been hurt by the people they liked. Ditched unfairly. Gun, despite his bravado at other moments, had a heart of gold and listens to her sad story. Fighting tears, he decides to champion her cause and embarrassment and maybe, get a little payback.
Firnlambe: I wholeheartedly LOVED this scene….no qualms whatsoever.
Wendilynn: I had serious.. and I mean serious misgivings about Gun as our lead up until this scene. Even when he’s practicing for his proposal, I had a hard time buying that he could be gentle. Those tears in his eyes dispelled that worry.
Firnlambe: I blame his hair stylist.
Wendilynn: LOL!! Maybe they went and borrowed whoever ruined Full House: Take Two’s hair and make up?
Firnlambe: It all makes sense now…..
Enter the polka-dot twins. Why are male fashion designers always played as being gay? In this case, they are way too funny to not give a shout out to. They are responsible for turning our post-it girl into a goddess.
Firnlambe: ooooooh Polka-dot twins…..I loved these two
Wendilynn: They were funny, but a bit too much for me. When they were complaining I kept wanting to say, “Is this all your skill is good for? Wimp out at the first challenge because she hasn’t been spending 20K a month on plastic surgery and spa treatments?”
Enemy spotted. Gun is taking Mi Young out to slay the troll under the bridge. They are both dressed to kill.
Firnlambe: Seeee!! Swept back hair looks much better on Gun than the floppy style he was sporting earlier.
Wendilynn: Yes, he’s very handsome here.
Firnlambe: I also preferred this makeover….it felt more dramatic for some reason.
Wendilynn: I’m with you on this one, this Post-it girl makeover was much more the thing and fit her better then what Xin Yi got. She looked like a goddess here.
Firnlambe: Lady Luck … goddess style!!
There is nothing more humiliating then realizing you had a crush on a coward. While some people would take pleasure in their enemy on their knees before them. Mi Young knows that this was the guy she thought was “worth it”. To see him groveling so he doesn’t lose his gambling money makes her realize she had picked a loser to start with. That’s never a good feeling.
Firnlambe: Jerks will always be jerks….no matter how much they tell you otherwise.
Wendilynn: I understand how she feels though. My last boyfriend was a train wreck and it made me feel terrible that this was the type of guy I was attracting. What did it say about me? I haven’t really dated seriously since.
Gun truly is a gentleman. He may not be in love with Mi Young, but he respects her courage and kindness. He gives her the gambling chip and tells her that as long as she’s got one chip, she has a chance to change the game. This was also a running theme in the Taiwanese version. Its nice to see it here too.
Firnlambe: Agreed…. I’m also glad they kept the chip theme running. Here’s hoping she puts it on her key chain…..although this chip is a tad bit larger–so that may cause some problems.
Wendilynn: Maybe she can turn it into a charm necklace?
Firnlambe: Ooooo, I like the way you think m’dear.
This wraps up our first two episodes of this new series. As you can see we have mixed reactions to the set up of our leads and the pacing felt a little off. We have much hope for the next episodes where things start getting serious for Gun and Mi Young.
