We discuss:
The songs featured during the recap: The Song of Ho Su by Kim Kyung Hee, Identical Head to Toe by Park Sang Hee, and What You Mean To Me by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee.
How Mi Rae returns to Seoul and finds herself forced to confront the corruption, bullying, and harassment she tried to leave behind.
Why Mi Rae and Su Yeon both carry misplaced guilt and shame, even though they were victims rather than perpetrators.
The devastating impact of workplace bullying and how it can leave victims blaming themselves for the actions of others.
The full story behind Park Sang Yeong’s harassment of Mi Rae and the company’s deeply flawed investigation that focused on questioning the victim rather than the accused.
Kim Tae I’s efforts to expose corruption surrounding Sihan Construction and the enormous headquarters contract.
How Mi Rae slowly finds her courage after seeing the lasting damage done to Su Yeon and realizing the injustice of the situation.
Kim Rosa’s growing trust in Mi Ji, followed by a painful sense of betrayal when Lee Chung Gu learns about her son.
The sweet but awkward evolution of Mi Ji and Ho Su’s relationship, including their honest conversation about insecurities and their first real kiss.
Ho Su’s law firm interview and the profound question he is asked: if he doesn’t stand for justice or the vulnerable, what does he represent?
The explosive confrontation between Mi Ji and her mother Ok Hui, revealing years of hurt, misunderstanding, and feelings of being unseen.
Han Se Jin’s realization that Duson-ri no longer feels right without Mi Rae, prompting him to head to Seoul in search of her.
The dramatic ending at the police station, where Mi Rae finally decides to press charges against Park Sang Yeong and declares that the void left by self-doubt is beginning to fill with courage.
Lee Jae In and Park Yoon Ho, the talented young actors portraying the younger versions of Mi Ji, Mi Rae, and Ho Su, including their growing careers and notable projects.
References
K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Thanks Sung Hee for directing me back to the strawberry jam interaction between Bun Hong and 'Miji' (actually Mirae). Not only did she say why she can tell the girls apart (bc Mirae always looks like she is 'holding something in') she takes the opportunity to say how much she admires Mirae, knowing that it is really her she is speaking with, not Miji.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetheart.
Yes, exactly! So many twists and turns to "who knows who" that it's fun to decipher it all. Glad Sung Hee was able to keep it all straight!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment on how diabolical Park Sang Yeong is. First, he befriends or takes Mi Rae under his wing when she starts at the company, which may have started totally innocently. In hindsight, probably not, but its possible, and there was nothing inappropriate about their relationship initially. But then he calls her out at night drunk and tries to kiss her. Which is gross and obviously, totally inappropriate. But even if we give him the benefit of the doubt that his misread the situation – which I doubt anybody is willing to do – it’s what follows that is so disgusting. She essentially gives him a pass, and I can understand why she did that for a lot of reasons. But what comes next is what is truly awful.
ReplyDeletePark Sang Yeong basically ghosts her and gaslights her into feeling this is her fault. His wife then shows up and slaps her for the alleged affair, and he doesn’t even defend her, which you’d think he would do because it’s in his interest. And don’t even get me started on the wife! Take that out on your husband!
Then, when HR starts an investigation, she backs out of it and doesn’t implicate Park Sang Yeong. Again, totally understandable even if it is sad and disgusting. Then they transfer Park Sang Yeong for a couple of months and when he comes back, he’s asking her for favors! SMH. Then when HR asks her about the situation again, she explains that he was the perpetrator. And they have the nerve to ask her why she didn’t report it. Remember people, “HR is never your friend!” He then confronts her at night in front of her apartment and physically assaults her when she won’t agree to a transfer. That’s why it was so satisfying to see Mi-ji show up and beat the crap out him! I loved hearing Mi-Rae say, “Hit him again!”
Sadly, I think this was actually a pretty realistic portrayal of workplace sexual harassment. There’s one other K Drama that I thought did a pretty good portrayal of workplace harassment and how it always seems to put the woman in the position of having to make the difficult choices. And that K Drama is, of course, the greatest K Drama of all time! 😉
Doremi
DeleteMalcolm, I think this episode shows workplace bullying and sexual harassment pretty accurately. What woman would want to report sexual harassment when most employers just want the problem to go away.
DeleteYes, Park Sang Yeong is a snake!
Malcolm, I don't know which drama you're winking about :) but, yes, OUS does a pretty good job of covering the way people can get away with stuff in the workplace, right down to roping in bystanders to unwittingly punish the innocent.
ReplyDeleteI've finished watching The Dream Life of Mr Kim this week. If anyone is a fan of workplace dramas, this is a good one to check out. I was initially cringIng through the episodes, with secondhand embarassment for the ML, but his character development made the discomfort at the start worth it.
And the show took some less obvious twists and turns than it might have, so a big 'well done' to the writers from me.
Doremi, I have not watched The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, so thank you for the recommendation! I'm waiting eagerly for the last two episodes of My Royal Nemesis this weekend!
DeleteYes! I have a theory about how MRN might end and I'm verrry keen to see if I'm right.
DeleteThe ML from MRN has a small but significant role in The Dream Life of Mr Kim, by the way. :) Completely different character, he is definitely versatile.