As our heroine comes to appreciate what her relationship with her boyfriend adds to her life, his main competition does his best to be seen as more that just a friend. A gift certificate that gets passed around like a hot potato proves that some things are just meant to be…while others aren’t. In spite of our heroine’s gentle discouragement, her friend refuses to accept her choice, making their friendship increasingly uncomfortable.
EPISODE 12: “Grown-ups leave a place to go back to”
Running back to Yi-sang, Ha-ri wraps her arms around his waist and sobs that she can’t lose him. Enveloping Ha-ri in his arms, Yi-sang whispers, “I’m sorry.”
After their reconciliation, Yi-sang reports that he’ll soon know if his treatment has been effective and promises to continue with it until it works. Ha-ri reminds Yi-sang that he hates kids but he only said that because he couldn’t have any of his own.
Ha-ri warns Yi-sang that they need to be prepared for the difficult decisions ahead, “We’ll want to avoid it. We might argue. And one day, we might want to quit.” When Yi-sang wonders if she’s scared, Ha-ri admits, “Yes…there might not be a miracle,” and she asks if he’s prepared for the possibility that they’ll break up.
In spite of Ha-ri’s concerns, Yi-sang is determined to make things work between them. Acknowledging that their journey will be challenging, especially for Ha-ri, Yi-sang tells her, “I hope you win. Because I don’t plan on losing either.” When Yi-sang holds up his hand, Ha-ri gives him a high five and he promises, “We can do this.”
At home, Ha-ri stops in to see Mom, who asks, “Are you here to brag about your date with Mr. Han?” After being reminded that she called Yi-sang ‘son-in-law’, Mom explains, “That wasn’t a sign of approval.”
Mom cautions Ha-ri against rushing into marriage and advises her to cut Yi-sang loose if she’s not sure about him. Mom argues, “You have to get married soon, so I’ll see which one is a better fit for you.” Seeing Ha-ri’s questioning look, Mom signals that their talk is over.
In the morning, Mom finds Yi-sang waiting outside and he explains that he’s there for her workout class. Jae-young walks out just as Mom tells Yi-sang, “All I need from you is to show your unchanging love for my Ha-ri.”
Mom sputters, “My dear Mr. Han wants to join me for my workout,” but Jae-young catches the endearment. Since Jae-young doesn’t have any patients all morning, he decides to join them after he drops Do-ah at daycare.
During the aerobics class, Yi-sang and Jae-young make a scene as they try to outdo one another. After class, Mom confronts both men, “I understand that you’re trying to win my heart, but you’re embarrassing me at my place of work.”
Jae-young protests that Mom keeps calling Yi-sang ‘son-in-law’ and insists that he’s not right for Ha-ri. About to tell Ha-ri’s mother about Yi-sang’s infertility, Jae-young decides against it, only saying, “I disapprove of him.” Mom admits, “To be frank, neither of you are good enough for my daughter,” but she’s positively giddy to have two serious suitors interested in Ha-ri.
After they leave Mom, Yi-sang thanks Jae-young for not divulging his secret. Making it clear that he hasn’t given up on Ha-ri, Jae-young walks away.
At Dachae Media, Yeon-ho drops a heavy box with the pregnancy boosting tonic her mother brewed on her desk. Yeon-ho explains that her mother can’t accept the fact that she doesn’t want children. When Yeon-ho asks about the weekend’s workshop, Ha-ri explains that it hasn’t been approved yet and promises to check into it as she leaves on an errand.
In his office, Jae-young gazes at the photos of him with Ha-ri at their elementary school graduation, setting them aside when she walks in. Grabbing Jae-young’s stethoscope and holding it to her chest, Ha-ri complains, “My heart feels like someone’s poking at it.”
Ha-ri wants Jae-young to know that she’s grateful that he didn’t tell her mother about Yi-sang’s infertility. When Jae-young asks, “Must you take this difficult path,” Ha-ri insists that she’s committed to her relationship with Yi-sang and asks Jae-young for his support.
Fighting tears, Jae-young asks Ha-ri if she’s given up on having kids but she’s hopeful, “We’re going to look for a way together.” Before Ha-ri leaves, Jae-young hands her his stethoscope and asks her to listen to his heart. He agrees when Ha-ri describes his rapidly beating heart as ‘furious’, “Yes, I’m angry because of you.”
At Jambi Studio, Yi-sang approaches his pint-sized model while So-yoon and her boyfriend set up the photoshoot. After learning that she’s four, Yi-sang smiles warmly as he shakes the girl’s chubby hand.
After Eun-young gets another job rejection via text, her husband takes over house and kid duties while she sits in the living room, staring into space. When he makes a mess in the kitchen, Eun-young walks out of their apartment.
Ha-ri finds Eun-young at a café, “Did you come here after running away from home?” Eun-young nods towards a woman on her laptop, “Her dark circles are darker than her makeup…Isn’t that so dreamy?” Eun-young informs Ha-ri, “I mailed out 50 resumes, but they won’t hire me even as a clerk.”
When Eun-young asks Ha-ri, “Are you okay,” she admits that she can’t stop thinking about kids but smiles as she confesses that she’s still happy. Her friend assures her, “It’ll work out,” but when Ha-ri returns the sentiment, Eun-young sighs, “I don’t want to live like this. But I think I’ll have to.” Getting up, Ha-ri announces that Eun-young is spending the night with her.
Worried because Soo-chul wasn’t at the studio all day, Yi-sang calls his friend. While setting up a sign outside of a restaurant, Soo-chul explains that he’s building his future just as Yi-sang walks by.
Ha-ri and Eun-young arrive at her house and find Yeon-ho waiting outside, “Can I stay over tonight too?” After introducing the women to one another, Ha-ri invites the runaway wives inside.
Soo-chul sits with Yi-sang and explains that he’s interning so that he can open a restaurant of his own for extra income. When Soo-chul asks about Ha-ri, Yi-sang reports, “…thankfully, she held onto me.” Soo-chul asks about kids and Yi-sang admits that he wants to become a father. Asking how he can prepare for fatherhood, Soo-chul advises Yi-sang, “You just go with it!”
At Ha-ri’s place, Eun-young and Yeon-ho sob while Ha-ri listens sympathetically. Yeon-ho’s husband complained about her mother’s tonics while Eun-young wails, “Raising kids is 100 times harder than working.”
Eun-young realizes that childless couples have problems too, while Yeon-ho decides that she’d rather pull a week of all nighters than stay home to raise kids. Fresh tears spring from Eun-young’s eyes because she feels the same way, adding, “But the kids make it bearable.”
When Eun-young admits that she can’t imagine her life without her kids, Ha-ri pictures family life with Yi-sang. Dressed as a tyrannosaurus rex, Yi-sang growls at a son and a daughter, “I’m going to catch you!” Scolding him not to scare them, Ha-ri knocks Yi-sang down and invites the kids to attack their dad. As they run into Yi-sang’s waiting arms, Ha-ri smiles happily.
Ha-ri is brought back to reality when Eun-young asks if she’s considered adoption, which is an option for single people. Ha-ri explains that she must prove that she has family to help her and that they need to be evaluated as well. Because she believes that a child should be seen as a gift, not an alternative, Ha-ri isn’t ready to consider adoption just yet. Changing the subject, Ha-ri suggests a game to decide who will sleep on the couch but Eun-young announces, “I suddenly miss my kids.”
After Eun-young goes home, Ha-ri and Yeon-ho discuss her decision to forego children. As Yeon-ho describes a happy married life without kids, Ha-ri pictures herself living with Yi-sang in his apartment, complete with a cute dog.
Yeon-ho complains that people consider a childless lifestyle abnormal, as well as having kids outside of marriage. Ha-ri reminds her, “We don’t live our lives hoping to be understood by others. We just do our best to make the right choice,” adding, “We’re doing well.”
In the morning, Yi-sang visits a jewelry store to buy a necklace for Ha-ri. When the saleslady hands him his purchase, it includes gift certificate for a one night stay at a bed and breakfast.
Ha-ri walks Yeon-ho out to meet her husband, who’s come to take her home. After telling Ha-ri to have fun with Yi-sang, Yeon-ho gives her husband grief for making her cry. Walking away, Ha-ri narrates, “Yeon-ho and Eun-young probably both left because they knew they had a place to go back to.”
In a flashback, we see what it was like for Ha-ri when her mother had surgery for stomach cancer. Ha-ri worked all day and then went straight to the hospital, but she didn’t mind until she went home to an empty house. Imagining life without her mother, Ha-ri realized, “…I’d have nowhere to go back to.”
On her way to meet Yi-sang, Ha-ri continues, “No matter how far your journey is, and no matter how exhausted you are, you’ll be able to get through it as long as you have a place to go back to.” Seeing Yi-sang waving at her, Ha-ri wonders, “Will that person become my place to go back to?”
While walking past a store window, Yi-sang stops at the sight of a pair of tiny Moai figurines. Ha-ri reminds him that his place is already filled with Moai statues but he hops excitedly and cutely exclaims, “Yi-sang really wants that.”
When Ha-ri admits that he’s scaring her, Yi-sang defends himself, “The innocent child that was hidden deep down inside suddenly just popped out.” Deciding that she can act immature too, Ha-ri gives Yi-sang an ultimatum, “Choose between me and that.”
Yi-sang looks torn and Ha-ri asks in surprise, “Are you actually thinking about it?” Yi-sang tries to explain but Ha-ri tells him, “Too late,” and walks away. After glancing longingly at the figurines, Yi-sang chases after her.
Jae-young spends the afternoon buying a car and looking at a large apartment. He takes in the view of the Han River and sighs, “It’s nice. I should work hard.”
Yi-sang teases Ha-ri, “…quarreling with you makes it feel like we’re really dating,” but she prefers that they not quarrel at all. Yet when Yi-sang asks her about going on a trip together, as he tries to pull the gift card from his pocket, he mentions the toilet cleaner she gave him and Ha-ri gets upset.
Ha-ri hotly explains, “That was me taking a huge step, you know. I wanted to know how you felt about me.” While Yi-sang struggles to free the gift card, Ha-ri snaps, “Save it,” and walks away, testily ordering him, “Don’t follow me.”
Disappointed when she turns around and sees that Yi-sang didn’t follow her, Ha-ri goes home. Back at his place, Yi-sang decides to write out his apology and after many hours and much effort, he’s done.
After not hearing from Yi-sang, Ha-ri is about to call him herself when she sees that he texted his very long apology. He’s sorry for making it seem that Ha-ri is only interested in sex and promises to avoid that mistake in the future, ending his text with, “I love you.” Ha-ri happily texts back, “I love you too.”
As Ha-ri is about to enter the building for Dachae Media, a stack of newly delivered boxes fall toward her. Eu-tteum blocks them with his body and after finding himself face-to-face with Ha-ri, dramatically announces, “Don’t forget this moment that I saved thy life.”
Eu-tteum follows Ha-ri inside and when they sit down together, he explains, “For at least once, I wanted you to see me as a man.” After he shares his complicated feelings for her, Eu-tteum is able to tell Ha-ri, “All I want is to see you do well. That’s all.” Ha-ri smiles at Eu-tteum warmly, “…you’ve been a great comfort to me in many ways. You’re a nice guy, you know.”
Jae-young returns to Do-ah’s daycare after forgetting to leave her medicine. When the caregiver hands him a blanket that he doesn’t recognize, Jae-young learns that Jung-won brought it, along with some clothes and toys.
As he leaves the daycare, Jae-young calls Jung-won to inform her that she can visit Do-ah, but only if she follows a strict schedule. Before hanging up, Jae-young makes it clear that nothing has changed between the two of them.
At the studio, Yi-sang calls the bed and breakfast and learns that the only vacancy left is that weekend. After Yi-sang makes the reservation, he overhears So-yoon complain to her boyfriend about the workshop planned for the weekend, “Ms. Jang’s been excitedly making plans. I need to pretend to enjoy it.” Yi-sang hands the gift card to Soo-chul and urges him to take his wife.
So-yoon returns to the office just as Ha-ri announces that there won’t be a workshop after all, fueling fresh worries that the magazine will fold.
Over at Jambi Studio, Soo-chul calls his wife about the getaway and learns that she can’t go just as Hyo-joo comes looking for him. Soo-chul accidentally spills juice on her new dress and hands Hyo-joo the gift card as an apology.
When Hyo-joo gets into an elevator with Eu-tteum, she thanks him for staying with her at the police station and he explains, “I was afraid you’d do something humiliating.” Handing Eu-tteum the gift card, Hyo-joo offers, “If you have no one to go with, I can…,” but he announces that his parents will love it.
Eu-tteum overhears Manager Kim apologizing to his wife for forgetting their anniversary and passes the gift card onto him. When Yeon-ho complains to Manager Kim that the sales report is messed up again, he gives her the gift card so she won’t tell Vice President Joo. Yeon-ho places the gift card on Ha-ri’s desk as thanks for hosting her overnight and whispers, “Take Mr. Han.”
After work, Jae-young invites Ha-ri for a drive in his new car and he uses the opportunity to explain that he’s looking for an apartment near the hospital now that his clinic is established. Jae-young tells Ha-ri, “You may think of me as the runny-nosed little kid who used to get beat up by you, but I’m a pretty decent guy.”
Jae-young invites Ha-ri to join him when he goes apartment hunting over the weekend. Instead of giving Jae-young an answer, Ha-ri offers him the gift card to the bed and breakfast and suggests, “Take Jung-won and Do-ah this weekend.”
Jae-young tries again, “Let’s eat, check out places together…I want to tell you how I plan to live from now on.” After a long pause, Ha-ri agrees, “Sure, I can listen to my friend. But let’s talk later.” Jae-young insists, “Let’s talk that day,” but before Ha-ri can answer, she gets a text from Yi-sang. Ha-ri asks to be dropped off and Jae-young can’t hide his disappointment as she walks away.
When Ha-ri meets Yi-sang, he comments that they’ve been too busy to see each other lately. Learning that Yi-sang accepted a weekend assignment, a disappointed Ha-ri confesses, “I was going to ask you to go away with me.” Surprised, Yi-sang asks about the workshop and learns that it was canceled.
When Ha-ri mentions a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast, Yi-sang asks to see it. Seeing his gift certificate, Yi-sang laughs, “We really should go here. Let’s go even if the shoot ends late at night.” Soon, Ha-ri is packing for her trip while Yi-sang reports for the photoshoot.
Ha-ri’s uncle runs after a customer, who walks with the aid of a cane, to hand him a bag of pastries to sample. The customer asks if Ha-ri is with the same company and when Uncle returns to his pastry counter, his wife asks, “What does he do for a living? He always shows up all of a sudden with so much money.”
Uncle confesses that the man asked about Ha-ri, “I just told him that she’s probably still working at the same company.” Upset, Ha-ri’s aunt worries that Ha-ri’s mom will kick them out of her building when she hears about the man and they’re stunned when Mom walks in.
With a sigh, Mom confesses that she has a lot on her mind, “There are two guys who want to be with Ha-ri. One is a doctor, and the other is a photographer.” Just as aunt and uncle congratulate Mom on her ‘problem’, the customer returns to ask for Ha-ri’s number and recognizes Mom.
Jae-young arrives at a cafe to wait for Ha-ri just as she texts, “I’m not going. Don’t wait for me.” After three hours, Yi-sang’s model hasn’t arrived and when he asks to reschedule the photoshoot, the coordinator begs him to stay.
Arriving at the bed and breakfast, Ha-ri calls Yi-sang who warns that he won’t be done until after midnight. Ha-ri assures him, “If you can’t make it, I’ll just get some rest on my own,” but Yi-sang promises to join her as soon as he can.
Yi-sang does his best to get through the photoshoot as quickly as possible while Jae-young waits at the cafe, hoping that Ha-ri will show. While Ha-ri gazes at the stars, Yi-sang sends her a slideshow of the photos that he’s taken of her.
The slideshow is interrupted by a call from Jae-young and when Ha-ri explains that she’s waiting for Yi-sang at the bed and breakfast, Jae-young realizes that she’s by herself. Ha-ri defends her decision to wait for Yi-sang, “Whether or not he shows up isn’t important. What matters is that I’m waiting for him.”
Jae-young offers to pick up Ha-ri and suggests, “Let’s go home together.” When Jae-young demands, “Why are you waiting for someone who might not even come,” Ha-ri answers, “Because I want to wait for him.”
Jae-young pulls away from the cafe at the same time that Yi-sang finishes his photoshoot and drives off. Impatient, Jae-young speeds to the bed and breakfast and arrives in time to see Ha-ri open the door for Yi-sang, who beat him by seconds. After they disappear inside, Jae-young can see through the gauzy curtain how happy Ha-ri is to be with Yi-sang.
Walking to the front door, Jae-young is about to knock but he stops himself at the last second.
COMMENTS
Don’t knock on that door Jae-young! It’s time to let Ha-ri go before you risk losing her as a friend, and so we can get more sweet moments between Yi-sang and Ha-ri’s mom. I’m quite impressed with Park Byung-eun as Jae-young because even though I find the character infuriating, I don’t hate him, in fact, I feel sorry for him. That’s a challenging balance to achieve but in my opinion, Park Byung-eun has managed it.
I thought that the traveling gift certificate was a clever way to demonstrate that Ha-ri and Yi-sang really are meant for each other and that they’re ready for that next step…an overnight trip. It’s that trip that drives Jae-young to desperation, hoping to intervene before Ha-ri and Yi-sang become intimate. But Ha-ri already told Jae-young not to wait for her while letting him know that she wanted to wait for Yi-sang, he just isn’t willing to accept Ha-ri’s choice. Knowing how badly Ha-ri wants a baby of her own, Jae-young has reminded her again and again that Yi-sang can’t fulfill her dream, hoping that it will force her to see him differently. But Ha-ri no longer wants just a baby, she wants a marriage based on love and she’s never demonstrated any romantic feelings for Jae-young. Ha-ri is doing her utmost to discourage Jae-young’s romantic notions and preserve the friendship by sidestepping him whenever he hints at his feelings.
And finally, as she becomes more secure in her relationship with Yi-sang, Ha-ri is able to imagine a happy and satisfying life without becoming a mother. I’ve been hoping and waiting for Ha-ri to be able to accept that she might not succeed at getting pregnant because life can be like that. It’s a huge step for Ha-ri and while it doesn’t mean that she won’t be terribly disappointed if she and Yi-sang don’t have a child of their own, infertility doesn’t have to feel like a death sentence in spite of her initial reaction.
Ha-ri isn’t the only one struggling to adapt to an unexpected future. Eun-young hasn’t been able to give up on her once promising career, admitting that her life as a full time mother isn’t exactly satisfying. But like Ha-ri, she’s finally accepting where life has led her and that she’ll always grieve for her lost profession. Then there’s Yeon-ho. Even though she and her husband are happy without kids, the choice places them at odds not only with her mother, but with society as a whole, and adds an unwelcome strain to their relationship. Yet, the tribulations of both of her friends enable Ha-ri to appreciate that there are others with huge challenges and disappointments to overcome.
It looks as if that pastry customer with a keen interest in Ha-ri just might be her father. I love it when a drama surprises me at this late stage, especially if it brings a minor storyline full circle. If he is her dad, it’s going to upset not only Ha-ri’s life, but her mother’s as well. What can it be that he wants from Ha-ri at this point in their lives and how will it impact her plans? Especially when a certain someone has a diamond necklace at the ready.