The cat is out of the bag, and our leads scramble to get their stories straight while the people around them reel from the revelations. No good deed goes unpunished, and no spoon swap does, either.
EPISODES 13-14 WEECAP
At this point, the T in Tae-yong stands for trauma, which resurfaces again this week. A bottle of spilled wine evokes an image of CEO Na’s blood staining the floor, and with that comes a barrage of memories.
Not only does Tae-yong remember that Joon-tae was the true school shooter (phew, he finally knows!), but he also recalls important details from the night of CEO Na’s death. After arguing with CEO Na, Tae-yong had stormed out of the house, then returned to find him dead. He’d collapsed from the traumatic shock, and who should approach to check up on him but CEO Hwang himself.
Talking about CEO Hwang, we finally learn more about our bad papa. He wasn’t always Hwang Hyun-do — turns out he used a golden spoon too, way back in the past. Back then, his name was Kwon Yo-han, Hyun-do’s more capable business partner. He had smarted at how Hyun-do looked down on him and disregarded his advice, except he’s now become the very person he once despised. Literally and figuratively.
Case in point: remember when CEO Hwang coerced Joon-tae to turn himself in? As usual, CEO Hwang was just treating people like his pawns. He’d threatened Joon-tae with evidence of his shooting spree in the States, forcing him to falsely confess to CEO Na’s murder. After which, he’d double-crossed him, leaving him to rot in jail instead of making good on his promise to get him released.
By now, I’m pretty sure the rules of the golden spoon could fill up an entire page and then some, but there’s one more to add. As usual, the spoon grandma didn’t give us the full story — and our spoon boys find out first-hand. The clock ticks twelve midnight, marking the end of their birthday, and all of a sudden they’ve swapped again. Oh, so you’re telling me all that fuss was for a temporary 24-hour switch???
On one hand, I’m relieved that they’re back in their swapped places (because swapped Tae-yong is an absolute gem), but on the other hand, I’m frustrated that the drama keeps undercutting its own stakes. The world-building doesn’t feel consistent because new rules keep getting added in on a whim to suit the plot’s needs, which just feels awfully convenient instead of being compelling.
Anyway, back to the story. Dad’s still reeling from the revelation that “Seung-cheon” is not the son he once knew, but that doesn’t stop him from loving him all the same. Having seen all his memories, Dad’s moved by Tae-yong’s sincere declaration to Seung-cheon that he chooses Mom and Dad over all the money the spoon could offer, and he resolves to cherish Tae-yong like his own son.
Furthermore, Dad may be hurt that Seung-cheon chose to leave his family behind, but he has a big heart, and he can’t stay mad at his son. He asks Seung-cheon out for a humble dinner, wanting to share one last meal together before he lets go of his real son for good. Handing his son a poem that Seung-cheon once wrote as a child, about all the little things in life that people can enjoy for free, Dad reminds “Tae-yong” to always remember the warm heart Seung-cheon had.
Of course, in this show, no good things can last. Seung-cheon gets a call from Joon-tae, and when he steps out to answer it, he gets attacked by a beer bottle to the back of the head. Furious that CEO Hwang betrayed him, Joon-tae’s escaped from prison, and he’s thirsty for revenge. He pulls a switchblade on Seung-cheon, but Dad intervenes and takes the knife for his son.
Bleeding out, Dad weakly calls Seung-cheon’s name, apologizing for not recognizing him all this while. He reassures Seung-cheon that he’ll always love him no matter what his name is, and that he’ll always be his son. And with that, Dad dies in his son’s arms.
Whyyyyyyyy. The good-natured Lee family are one of the best parts of this show, and I’m heartbroken that we’ve just lost one of the kindest characters. Dad will definitely be dearly missed, along with his unconditional love for his family and his resilience in staying true to his values.
Mom had a great moment this episode, when she stood up for her husband after CEO Hwang demeaned him with that artist toolkit. I love that she was simultaneously empathetic towards Stepmom’s pain, but also drew the line and refused to continue delivering side dishes to a family that belittles their hard work and character on the sole basis of their poverty.
I’m dreading the aftermath next week, when the rest of the Lee family find out about Dad’s tragic passing. Dad just wanted the best for both his sons, always going the extra mile to treat them to whatever small luxuries he could afford. It’s telling that he used the pocket money Mom gave him to buy Tae-yong a new suit, only for Tae-yong to notice that Dad’s still wearing the same old tattered clothes.
Seung-cheon also noticed the run-down state of the Lee house, full of reused and rickety furniture, but at this point it feels like too little, too late. Still, I’m glad that our spoon boys are both on the same page at long last, and that they’re finally working together to sort out their identity crises.
It seems like the drama is trying to lead towards Seung-cheon returning to his place, as per Joo-hee’s wishes, but I’m honestly not too keen on that outcome. As more birth secrets come to light, I’m hoping that the found families will win out over blood ties. Tae-yong deserves a family that loves him for who he is, not who they want him to be.
Still, I can’t fault Tae-yong for being curious about his birth mother, and I just hope that the revelation of CEO Hwang’s swap will push Tae-yong into leaving that abusive household and joining the warm Lee family. (Hey, a girl can dream!) I’m expecting Dad’s death to be the catalyst that finally shakes up Seung-cheon’s greedy resolve, and as we enter the finale week, I’m bracing myself for a lot more turmoil.
