Glamorous Challenge (Skip Beat!) Episodes 5 and 6 Recap

EPISODE FIVE:

There is one scene that has Gong Xi upset about having to take off her makeup, Lian's manager offers his assistance. 

     Although Liu has gotten a second wind and is willing to act the part, Gong Xi is still in the spotlight. During one of Gong Xi’s performances she becomes surprised at Lian’s acting capabilities which end up guiding her performance. She realizes her limits as an actress. Adding to it, Gong Xi’s existing injury doesn’t allow her to perform 100%, causing her to eventually step down. In result Liu and Gong Xi make amends.

     Back at LME Gong Xi runs into Moko and discovers that she is a new member of the “Love Me Section”, she takes the opportunity to become comrades but Moko declines. In truth Moko is embarrassed as hell to have failed the auditions and thus placed into the current situation. However Gong Xi takes no heed and relentlessly pushes their alliance. During their chat they are both told to watch after the President’s granddaughter (Marie) while helping the production of an acting class’ play. 

     They arrive on scene and Moko does her best to fight off the snickers of girls (she is now clad in the infamous pink jumpsuit), showing off her skills in result. Meanwhile Gong Xi is given some background on Marie. The little girl in episode two. She has become a fan of Gong Xi's and LME's president is her grandfather. He believes Gong Xi can help her resolve some long held issues, such as her mother's death. The group then decides to rehearse lines, to which Marie comes out and comments on how the play is wrong. Gong Xi agrees. The main girls’ mother had died giving birth to her sister yet she shows no resentment, the two believe that it is unnatural for there not to be any. The girls (the same ones teasing Moko) suggest that Gong Xi act out her version if she thinks she is so right.  Gong Xi is forced to agree and the episode ends with her about to get on stage.

Favorite Moment:

Gong Xi does a little beat boxing as she repeats “Love Me Section” in an attempt to make it sound cool.

EPISODE SIX:

     Last episode Gong Xi agreed to act out her own version of a play that a theatre group had been working on. It was about a young girl that believes her father hates her, because her mother died while giving birth to her. The scene is when her older sister, played by Gong Xi, reassures her that that is not the case. The whole play is synonymous to the life of Marie, the President’s Granddaughter, because her mother died on a trip to see her. 

     Backstage, Gong Xi is seen freaking out because she has no plan for her performance. After all writing scripts on the spot is not her forte. She pleads for Moko to help her, but Moko tells her that she doesn’t know either because actors always stick to the script; no matter what. Hearing this gives Gong Xi a boost of energy and she thanks Moko for the idea, although Moko is confused on how she helped. Gong Xi then goes onstage and begins to recite the lines in the script. However she does so with a different context. Rather than playing a supportive older sister she acts bitter and cynical. Furthering everyone’s surprise she begins to recite the sister’s lines as well. Not knowing what to do, the actress playing the sister begins to say Gong Xi’s lines and in essence they switch roles. As Gong Xi barrages the sister with talk about their father not loving her, Marie heads toward the stage, moved. She interrupts the play, saying that Gong Xi is lying, her father does love her. Gong Xi switches her attentions to Marie, who has become the real life version of the younger sister, and continues her onslaught. Eventually Marie breaks down, realizing how cruel she had been to her father. Gong Xi smiles and gives her a hug. I actually enjoyed this scene; it was heartwarming, although Marie’s acting slightly got on my nerves.

     Later Marie approaches Gong Xi, asking about her parents and for a second Gong Xi is at a loss for words.  The president is also there, acknowledging her turmoil, but he decides not to get into it. Gong Xi switches the subject and goes to the staircase afterwards for some alone time, holding a purple stone for comfort. During which her manager surprises her; she drops the stone and subsequently begins to freak out. After rushing downstairs to retrieve it she notices Lian and asks if he has seen it. He says he hasn’t and she goes off about its importance. Long story short, when she was younger a boy (“Corn”) gave it to her and she had kept it ever since. After she finishes Lian looks at her with a puzzled expression, obviously connecting him to her story, but he says nothing. He does however give her the stone, for he had been pulling her leg when she initially asked.

     The girls are now enrolled at an acting school, but on their first day they get into trouble. Since Gong Xi’s performance Moko has decided the two are destined to be rivals but Gong Xi disagrees. The two argue, both verbally and physically, about it.  As punishment they are forced to hug each other (yeah, I know, weird. But I find it funny all the same). Gong Xi takes the opportunity to further their friendship, admitting that she has never really had a real friend. Moko softens up a bit upon hearing this, though she doesn’t give in. 

     Somehow Gong Xi ends up on a variety show as a Chicken Mascot. At first she is determined to succeed, but upon hearing that Shang will be on it she once again fills her head with revenge. There is even a point to which she grabs a baseball bat while thinking, “Even if a rooster kills someone, it probably won’t have to go to jail.” Ha!! She ultimately decides to tamper with some of the questions that Shang will be asked, mentioning his real name and some of his embarrassing habits. However to her dismay he easily overcomes her obstacles and gains more fans in result. Somehow they end up fighting onstage, but the hosts manage to make it seem like it is all part of the act. She is fired afterwards. The chicken suit, by the way, is hilarious.

Favorite Moment(s):

Any scene with Moko and Gong Xi, they make a comedic, awkward, duo.

REMARKS:

It’s funny to see the play within the play (loosely worded of course); because they talk about marvelous acting when in reality everyone in the series has average acting skills at best.

So what is the equivalent to “bromance” in terms of girls? I love seeing Moko and Gong Xi together, they are polar opposites. It’s especially funny when Moko declares Gong Xi her number one rival while Gong Xi is frolicking about, oblivious to the whole ordeal.

Plot wise, things are picking up, especially since the characters are being fleshed out (which explains the longer posts). I am happy to say that I am progressively anticipating each upcoming episode.  

Glamorous Challenge (Skip Beat!) Episodes 3 and 4 Recap/Summary

EPISODE THREE:  

     Last episode left of with Gong Xi on the phone with someone similar to Shang. Because she is still pissed at the whole situation, she goes off into a full blown fit. In result she is cut and told that she lacks heart. Since she can’t argue on that part she decides to quit her pursuit of fame and re-enter the work force. While working at a gas station she notices the arrival of Shang and contemplates whether she should approach him, playing out different scenarios in her head. After mulling it over some she accidently reveals herself, but to her surprise Shang doesn’t recognize her. That night she cries, realizing that she has given her whole life to him and he forgot her within weeks. Yay, a bit of depth as reality seeps in! Hitting the bottom she gains strength and decides to once again go after showbiz.

 

     When she reaches LME headquarters someone asks her to carry luggage going off about points and whatnot. Confused Gong Xi does as she is told and it isn’t until later that she discovers that she has been given a position at LME’s “Love Me Section”. In a nutshell she must cater to anyone’s demand in order to obtain points. Once she shows that she has grown and starts to truly care for people, she will be offered a chance to debut. She reluctantly agrees, but knows that she has a bit of humility in store for her, especially after being given her uniform; a pink jumpsuit. Sparkly too! Off on Shang’s front, he is busy basking in the limelight, only to have it taken by Lian entering the same building. Finally able to confront his rival, Shang runs through what he thinks will happen. When Lian comes near Shang knocks over a vase to get his attention and the two meet eyes.  

EPISODE FOUR: 
 

     Lian stops to look at the fallen vase, subtly chides Shang for his childish manner, and walks around it. His manager takes note at Lian’s abnormal hostility. Meanwhile, Gong Xi is asked to help out an idol turned actress (Liu Li Er) during one her filming shoots and she agrees. Coincidentally the production also includes Lian. During their travel to the location Liu’s van breaks down and Gong Xi is forced to walk with her the rest of the way. However Liu turns out to be a brat and demands that Gong Xi carry her instead. Gong Xi agrees, but near the end of the journey sprains her ankle. Liu could care less and continues on her merry way. Eventually Lian finds Gong Xi and carries her to the shoot. Liu notices Gong Xi getting extra attention, throws a fit, and ends up quitting. Somehow Gong Xi ends up being her replacement and she blows everyone away with her performance as a noble woman. In the background Liu watches, realizing how much of a diva she has been. After some encouragement from Lian she decides to get her act together. 

 

REMARKS:

Things are still going by the book and while it is nice to see it reenacted it also makes it nothing more than a hollow vessel. If there is anyone who hasn’t read the manga before viewing, what do you think?  I have yet to fall for the actress playing Gong Xi, but she is kind of growing on me; cm by cm. Lian on the other hand is nothing more than a pretty boy (man?) that basically stands and smiles; nothing more.

Glamorous Challenge (Skip Beat!) Episode 2 Recap

EPISODE TWO:

     Gong Xi barges into LME insisting that she meet with the person that can make her a star, and eventually a manager agrees to hear her out. However her lack of direction leads him to believe that she is nothing more than fan obsessed girl and he consequently ushers her out. He Lian takes note of the situation all the while. Unfazed Gong Xi begins to stalk the manager until he compromises by giving her a spot in the upcoming audition, and within a heartbeat she takes it.  

     At the auditions another young lady is introduced (Moko) and she is pissed at the presence of a child. She pushes the little girl on to bystander Gong Xi and storms off. The girl begins to cry and Gong Xi begins to squeeze her cheek; telling her that one should not be dependent on tears, because people won’t always come running to help. Something like that… Before the first round of the auditions LME’s president parades into the joint and gives a small opening speech. The applicants are then allowed to showcase one of their talents in an attempt to move the judges.  On Moko’s turn she memorizes a script instantly and acts on par to an already videotaped actor; she impresses everyone. Gong Xi is the last to go on stage and she wows everyone with her ability to cut a radish into something that looks like a flower. Needless to say, they both pass. The next round involves instantaneous acting. Each applicant is given a phone to which they must effectively respond to what is said. Moko passes with flying colors. When Gong Xi gets on stage, she listens and hears a man beg for forgiveness. Apparently he had mistreated her while acting like a Grade A jerk and because everything he says is synonymous to Shang she is at a loss for words.

REMARKS:

Like I said last time, the biggest downfall of this drama is the acting. It’s just not there. However I can sympathize, the manga is known for its zany antics and putting that into a live action is one hell of a challenge. They do make some amends by inserting animations and wacky music. Out of curiosity, does anyone else think that Shang and He Lian are dubbed over? 

This happens as a tangent, showcasing He Lian's professionalism and acting chops.

Glamorous Challenge (Skip Beat!) Episode One Recap

I have been an on and off reader of Skip Beat for years, and was a bit elated to find that a Taiwanese version was in production. So with the conclusion of Dream High 2, I have decided to give this drama a little bit of spotlight. 

EPISODE ONE: 

    Just like the book, things start with Gong Xi (Kyoko) running to and from jobs. In the midst of things she hears some girls talking about Bu Puo Shang (Sho Fuwa) and his new CD, and one even pulls out a near life-size poster of him. Gong Xi goes off about not having received one and flies out the door on her bike to demand hers. The show then exhibits her bicycling at superhuman speed to emphasize her earnestness while playing the opening theme song. By the looks of the quirkiness and awfully cheesy shots, it’s apparent that this isn’t the top of line drama and should be taken as fluff.

     She reaches her destination, scares the shit out of the employees, and walks out elated as she carries a life-size cutout of Puo Shang. She then scurries to her next job, where we are introduced to a friend and older couple that are her employers. Groundwork on Gong Xi is then laid; she has been living with Puo Shang since running away with him as a teenager and she works three jobs to ensure that he maintains the best lifestyle. Of course, no one except her knows this. Later she arrives home and practically jumps for joy when she spots Puo Shang sitting on her sofa. He however ignores her, and it becomes obvious that life isn’t as sugarcoated as Gong Xi believes it to be. As they watch TV, Shang’s rival appears (Dun He Lian - Ren) and he huffs and puffs. Eventually he gets agitated and leaves the condo.

     The following day Gong Xi sneaks into his agency to make amends, only to stumble onto a conversation with Shang and his manager. She learns that she has been used the whole time and is basically a maid to him. In result she goes crazy and declares that she will have her revenge by becoming a star that is ten times better than him; he laughs. True to her word Gong Xi goes off to get a make-over, buying overpriced heels and getting a new do. However the final result is not so pretty…I don’t know what the thought process for her new hairstyle was. She then relays to the older couple that she is going make it as a star and after a lot of hesitation they agree to support her; giving her a room to stay in.

     Later Gong Xi paces up and down the streets in a totally ridiculous outfit, one that screams prostitute, while her friend encourages her that that is how people get discovered. Yeah, pace back in forth on a street in a flashy get up. That will make you a star all right. Eventually figuring that things aren’t working she decides to run around with a poster promising that she will make a successful star. Say, what?!! Eventually she realizes it isn’t working either, but cheers up when she discovers that big talent agency LME is holding auditions. Once again determined she pronounces to the world that she will defeat Shang, but first she must get another haircut. 

     Some development on He Lian was given in the show, but I was kind of too lazy to write about it. Basically, he is loved by everyone however he can be a tight ass when it comes to work. 

REMARKS:

So far, the drama has been sticking pretty close to the manga. This is both good and bad. Good, because I liked the story the first time around and I think the whole setup makes for some good laughs and entertainment. Bad, because there is really nothing new, well, it does deviate now and the (the awful hairstyle) but nothing noteworthy. I think I was a tad bit hooked in the beginning because of the downright slapstick humor, but eventually the lackluster acting started seeping in. So if things keep going at this rate, this might just be a skip-to-the-good-parts drama.

On another note, I find the boys of Super Junior headlining this drama a bit odd. 

COMMENTS AS THE WRITER:

Please comment.

-Alyssa

Dream High 2 Recap/Summary: Episode 15

EPISODE FIFTEEN (loose ends start to get tied, kind of)

     Rian and JB finish their song and Hae-Sung smiles at the two. Back stage Ji-Woo pouts as he sees Nana approach Hong-Joo to help him get ready to go onstage. Rian approaches Hae-Sung (I guess she can warp to and from places as well…) and says that she takes back her lack of faith in her. She also suggests that Hae-Sung get out there and meet up with JB. When Hae-Sung finds him he pretends to pout, because she didn’t tell him Rian was going to sing instead of her. He says to make it up to him she should buy him a meal. Things switch back to Hong-Joo who sings about being sunflower (?) and the show has an animation to accompany it. I normally don’t mind his voice, but here it was just ordinary, there was no hook really. 

     As Hong-Joo finishes Yoo-Jin spots his mom in the crowd, but she gets embarrassed and heads out to leave. He catches up to her and tells her that she must listen to his song first. On stage, he explains to everyone that he was the one who left (making him a runaway) and that he would basically like to make amends by dedicating his performance to his mom. What his reasons for leaving were, I do not know. Everyone applauds, including his mom. Afterwards Rian tells him that he did well, squeezing his cheeks as she does (there is hope for them yet!!).

     Hae-Sung and JB are out sharing a meal and JB admits that he is not ready to give up on their relationship; at least till his leg heals. She eventually agrees.  On stage Jae-In announces the winners of the competition; Ui-Bong, Hong-Doo, Ji-Woo, Ailee, Yoo-Jin, and Rian. So basically everyone…He also says that since Nana and JB are not well at the moment, they can try again when they are. He continues with the promise that he will choose one of the new Super Idols to headline some tour at a later date.

     Later, Jae-In approaches Hae-Sung about her abilities as a composer and offers her an internship along with a college application. However, she must act within the month. She begins to show doubt, but he tells her that she shouldn’t kick down the opportunity now that she has found her calling. 

     On a tangent, director Lee Kang-Chul starts questioning his daughter (Lee Seul) about colleges, to which she replies that she wants to be an idol manager and that doesn’t require college. That kind of came out of nowhere. Like any normal parent, he objects, but eventually comes up with a compromise. She can manage the newly selected Super Idols and within that time she must book at least one event. Meanwhile, at class, the students are purposely finding faults with each other, while looking for the good that comes out of them. Everyone has something for Yoo-Jin and when it comes to Rian, they call her out for being a jerk. Ha! She huffs in response. And to further her slight annoyance, they conclude that there is no bright side to that. And I find it refreshing, that the show is willing to have her to admit her obvious personality flaw. As they continue Lee Seul runs into the room, announcing her new position.

     At the hospital the doctor tells JB that he will have problems with his foot for a long time. Hae-Sung overhears some of the conversation, beginning to worry because she has to leave him soon. To make things worse JB overdramatizes the condition of his foot, hoping to make her feel bad and stay by him in result. The two head to school where Rian sets up a mock interview with JB, in order to prepare the group for ones they may have in the future. She pokes fun at him by asking about the truth in some fake rumors; is Ui-Bong a better dancer, did Rian  break up with him, and is Hae-Sung really dating Yoo-Jin. JB jumps up at the last one (yes, even with a torn ACL), getting ready to fight Yoo-Jin but Hae-Sung waves her arms out in protest. Everyone chuckles. During Yoo-Jin’s interview, JB toys with him as well and asks if he really got rejected by Hae-Sung after confessing his love. Flustered, Yoo-Jin immediately gets after Hae-Sung for sharing that story, however JB didn’t know that really happened. Thus JB once again gets defensive. Again everyone laughs. Overall the scene was pretty campy, which I liked.

     Alone, Hae-Sung holds up an admission letter and is both elated and shocked to find out that she has been accepted into the university. As she continues to stare at it, Yoo-Jin comes in, finds out the news, and congratulates her (while teasing). However she says she isn’t going. He calls her out for sounding forced and tells her that she should just go for it. 

    Things switch to a dressing room back stage, where the Super Idols are preparing for a performance. Rian walks near Yoo-Jin and begins to poke and tease him. As she does Hae-Sung and JB come in and he asks if the two are dating. They both look at him in shock, Rian says they are just friends, but Yoo-Jin takes the opportunity to potentially make JB jealous and says that they are closer than that. He teases him further by demanding that JB kneel down (they had made a bet in previous episodes) but he then remembers that JB is injured. He lightheartedly declares that JB had planned it all, in order to get out of it. Finally the group gets on stage and the track for “Touch” (by Miss A) plays in the background, however before they start to sing the scene ends. Way to leave me hanging…

     Jae-In calls JB and tells him about Hae-Sung’s admittance into Berkley, and tells him that he believes she is doing it for him. JB later approaches her and begins by saying that his foot is all healed (well that didn’t take long) and it is okay for them to break up. He then goes about a metaphor of a kite, and wishes that he would send off in a similar fashion. She tears up a bit and he hands her a rubixs cube (the one she had given him when his mother had died). And just like that the two are no longer a couple.

     While packing up, Hae-Sung reminisces about her time with JB. During which she finds the “K” pendant. I don’t know if I mentioned its existence, but yes, it is the same one from the previous season. It just seems meaningless at this point. She then goes to Rian and offers it to her along with her friendship. Rian accepts both, and takes the opportunity to ask Hae-Sung about what she has that made JB flock to her. Hae-Sung simply replies that Rian comes off as perfect, leaving little room for another person to fill her up. She basically tells her to get the stick out of her ass, nicely of course.

    The day has come for which Hae-Sung leaves school to go home, and Yoo-Jin watches in the distance as she leaves with her dad and sister. When they get to her house she is gloom. Back at school, Yoo-Jin approaches JB and calls him out for not properly sending her off.  He gets the message and runs off to do so. 

     Apparently there is a new competition among the Super Idols, this time for the chance to headline a tour and produce an album. Backstage, Ji-Soo asks where JB is, but no one has a clue. It is then discovered that this day also happens to be the same one in which Hae-Sung departs to the states. Her dad gives her some parting words, saying that she has accomplished enough by just being her daughter. Things go back to the performance, with Rian in the spotlight as she dances (no singing?) Meanwhile JB thinks over the parting letter that Hae-Sung left him as he heads towards the airport. Hae-Sung looks around, expecting, and JB arrives, running to find her. All the while Hae-Sung’s voice plays, where she talks about God leaving out something in human’s lives that they must find as they go along. She wonders if JB is that thing. Just as the dialogue finishes he finally reaches her and says she no longer has to worry about him. The two hug and tear up, but part smiling and the episode ends. 

QUICK SUMMARY:

Pretty much everyone makes the Super Idol team, even JB and Nana, who are given an extended deadline due to injuries. Hae-Sung gets offered to go to college, in order to pursue a career as a lyricist, and accepts it. Things lightly simmer between Yoo-Jin and Rian, while Hae-Sung and JB finally call it quits. 

REMARKS:

I have pretty much given up on any sort of coherent plot or anything good for the matter. But the shoddiness of their timeline really gets on my nerves. For goodness sake, JB just tore his ACL and a month later he is seen running and dancing again. Then there is the whole send off, didn’t JB go off to say his goodbyes before the day of the new competition, when Yoo-Jin told him to? Where did that day go?! Speaking of which, it seemed like they had said pretty much the same thing when JB agreed to break up with her. Sigh. Another thing that bothered me, was Hae-Sung going to college in the states, it just seemed random, you know? Perhaps if they set it up in a way that made it seem like something she had always wanted to do. The good points about this episode surprisingly came from Rian and Yoo-Jin, whom are adorable together. I especially loved the scene where he jokingly uses her to make JB jealous, it was cute and a bit petty (in a good way). 

COMMENTS AS THE WRITER:

Like always PLEASE COMMENT. I have recently received another spike in page views and it would absolutely delight me to know that there isn’t some robot repeatedly refreshing the page, or that it is getting up due to image views on Google.

-Alyssa

Dream High 2 Recap: Episode 14

EPISODE FOURTEEN (nothing happens…seriously):

     In the last installment of We-can’t-make-up-our-mind-EVER-resulting-in-dumb-choices-on-our-part, or Dream High 2, Hae-Sung breaks up with JB. However he is against it and on his way to change her mind gets hit (or nearly hit) by a truck.  Hae-Sung sees the whole thing and at the hospital sobs her eyes out while holding onto their spoon.

     Meanwhile Rian approaches her mom, assuming that the whole scandal with the counterfeit goods was just a misunderstanding. Her mom says nothing and the police take her away. Just as a flock of reporters run to approach her, she gets a message about JB being hospitalized. At the hospital, Rian runs up to Hae-Sung yelling that Hae-Sung promised that she would protect him. So, it is her fault…? Hae-Sung says nothing and Yoo-Jin comes to her rescue, saying Rian knows that Hae-Sung isn’t to blame. The doctors eventually come out, stating that JB has torn his ACL, which would thus hinder him from difficult activities. But, isn’t that something from sports injuries, not getting slammed by a truck?! It just seems dumb…

     Back in the head honchos domain, Jae-In declares that the competition will go on, and Ji-Soo tries to refute. But like always, Jae-In gets his way. Off on a wild tangent, Hong Joo and Nana are seen singing a duet, reminiscing on old memories. Ji-Woo walks in on the two; shocked. He even discovers that they now don matching couple bags.

     Yoo-Jin enters Hae-Sung’s room in an attempt to cheer her up, but she will hear nothing of it. He reminds her that JB is fine and offers to visit him with her. At the least, she could cry, he says. She replies that she has no right, although she was doing so a couple of scenes ago... Yoo-Jin picks her up from under the desk (where he found her) and takes her out into the hall.  He tells her they should just do what they can at the moment, but she looks away. 

     As Rian leaves the hospital she is again surrounded by reporters, however this time she agrees to make a statement. She starts by saying that she is the breadwinner of the family and that although singing is fun, it is a job. She continues that her mom was under financial strain and in some ways a victim. Regarding JB, she says that everything about their relationship is nothing but a rumor and that they are only good friends.  One reporter thanks her, while slipping in a question about JB’s ability to perform. She leaves the reporter hanging, gets lost in thought, and after a few seconds runs back into the hospital. She gets to JB’s room and begins to lightly hit him, telling him to put on his shoes and try to run away from her again (I think I recall something about shoes in earlier episodes, so I am guessing this is a continuation?). She starts to cry and admits that she was wrong for hating on him; he starts to tear up as well. Things zoom out, and we find that Hae-Sung is watching the two, though she leaves before she is noticed. That same night Rian comes up with lyrics while watching JB sleep, after which a montage of nice moments ensues.

     At class, the teacher asks the students about the progress with their songs. The two love struck fools (Ji-Woo and Hong-Joo ) simultaneously declare that they will sing for Nana. The rest say what they have chosen as well. On Hae-Sung’s turn she says she will sing a song for JB, immediately sparking fire with Rian, because she intends to do the same. Afterwards, she approaches Hae-Sung stating that she assumed Hae-Sung had gotten the point; stay away from JB. Hae-Sung just smiles, and says stuff about fate and Rian singing twice. Hae-Sung then heads to Jae-In’s office and tells him that she doesn’t belong on stage and that she would like to give it back. So basically, she intends to drop out and give her position to a certain someone…it’s kind of obvious but they are trying to make it out like it’s not, which just confuses people (ME!!). Sigh.

     In another scene Yoo-Jin visits his mom (only two episodes or so after his first attempt, no biggie…) and Rian is there for moral support. His mom recognizes him instantly but the two don’t say much. As they leave Rian tells him that he needs to be nice to his mom, because there is no one in the world who doesn’t need a mother’s love.  Since when did she become such a softie?

     It’s now the day of the competition. For some reason, Rian decides to wish Hae-Sung good luck and she does the same. Now they are friends?!  Back at the hospital JB begins to eat a meal, only to notice the chopsticks and a spoon; and almost by fate Hae-Sung enters the room. Teary eyed she hands him sheet music and says she has a favor to ask him. What could it possibly be…Meanwhile Yoo-Jin goes to his mom’s shop to drop off a ticket for the performance; she looks at it pondering what to do.  

     Lee Seul and her love interest Ui-Bong (sorry for not mentioning him, this show has many small characters) are the first to go on stage. I thought this was a solo thing?! The two perform a very upbeat song and I can’t help but roll my eyes. The whole performance is for her dad (Director Lee Kang-Chul), who she wishes to see eye to eye with. She even gets off stage and hands him a balloon, finally revealing to everyone that she is his daughter. People are in awe, but are mostly captivated by the performance. The two end with an arm heart. Okay…it’s kind of cute!

     Backstage the teachers look for the students, as they do Hae-Sung asks if it is okay if she goes onstage now.  Damn, she just poofs around, hospital one moment school the next.  She gets on stage, making a heart-felt speech, eventually spilling the beans. She is giving up her spot to JB.  No way. At her cue a screen that connects to the hospital is dropped down and JB prepares to take the stage or in this case hospital floor. He begins to sing and Rian joins in. I will admit, it sounds good. Why, oh why, didn’t we have more of this?! The two exchange glances throughout. Somehow Rian’s mom has gotten out of jail, and she smiles at the scene. Hae-Sung tears up a little. All the while Jae-In looks on, impressed. Thinking that they had been clever all along, the show goes ahead and explains what Hae-Sung had to do to make things happen. She had told Rian the whole thing beforehand, explaining their friendly encounter off stage. Also she had told JB that she was going to sing with him, playing the switcheroo at the last minute.

QUICK SUMMARY:

Despite the accident, Hae-Sung is still the noble idiot and eventually relinquishes her spot to JB…yup that’s it. 

REMARKS:

I don’t know if it was obvious as I had made it out to be, but the secrecy revolving Hae-Sung and her plan was just stupid. We know what’s going to happen, why pretend to hide it? What really bugged me is realizing that this show has opted to focus more on JB and Rian, when it has so much potential with Yoo-Jin and Hae-Sung. And when I say “focus”, I mean they just have more scenes. In truth this show focuses on nothing, it jumps around like a candy induced child in a toy store; and in result I feel little connection to anyone. Just look at Yoo-Jin, who is meeting his mom after years of her absence; that should stir me but it doesn’t! At this point I just want to finish things and move on with my life, and it might seem like I am hating or trolling; but I am sorry, it’s just how I feel.

COMMENTS AS THE WRITER:

I don’t know if anyone is reading this, but for some reason my page view counter has gone up a little recently, by which I mean two or three a day…Anyways, if you are out there, please comment. Just say ‘hey, I exist’; you know? And if you like what I write please spread the word.

On another note, I have two episodes left, if there is any dramas that you would like covered (doesn’t matter the country, I am pretty much open) let me know.

Thanks,

Alyssa