Our brave heroine exposes her personal life, and her courage both inspires and challenges those around her. She’s unashamed of her personal struggles and her growing feelings, but age is her recurring barrier. As a woman, as a professional, and as a hopeful mother, our heroine owns her responsibilities and marvels us with her keen ability to be true to herself, even if things aren’t perfect.
EPISODE 7: “The proper distance to prevent hurt feelings”
Editor Shim doesn’t see why childless Ha-ri would lower the credibility of the magazine and states that her poor parenting should lower their credibility. Despite her strict demeanor, Editor Shim appreciates that Ha-ri always understands her sincerity and makes it her mission to make Ha-ri the next editor-in-chief before she resigns.
Yi-sang sits at the neighborhood restaurant and stares at the empty seat across from him, thinking about Ha-ri. We see that his doctor asked if he still wanted treatment even though his last subfertility treatment was ineffective, and Yi-sang ponders Ha-ri’s question on whether he’s ever wanted to be a father. He thinks to himself that he never wanted to be a father, but Ha-ri is making this hard.
Crediting his next move to the beer in his hand, Yi-sang compliments her, “You did well.” In place of the stamp, Yi-sang steps closer and gently pats her head. Ha-ri looks moved by the compliment and smiles in gratitude (and probably some fluttering feelings). She thanks Yi-sang for the affirmation, and Yi-sang suddenly sees his mother by his apartment.
Yi-sang greets his mother, who stopped by unannounced to drop off some homemade food. She looks to Ha-ri curiously and asks who she is. Yi-sang explains that she’s just a colleague and tries to escort Mom home, but Mom is more interested in Ha-ri. Delighted to see a potential match for Yi-sang, Mom permits Ha-ri to come Yi-sang’s house whenever she wants.
Yi-sang tries to drag her away again, but Ha-ri suddenly confesses that she likes Yi-sang. Omo! Mom is overjoyed and takes Ha-ri’s hands in gratitude. As she catches a taxi home, she tells Ha-ri that they’ll see each other again, and Yi-sang looks heavy-hearted.
When Ha-ri returns home, she knocks on Jae-young’s window in low spirits and invites him to get gopchang. He says that he already ate dinner and rejects her request to accompany her self-care outing, so Ha-ri goes out for gopchang alone. She recalls Yi-sang’s irritation at Ha-ri’s confession.
Jae-young says that Ha-ri should have come to him with her medical concerns because he’s a doctor, and he worries about her next steps. He asks if she still hopes for dating and marriage, even though she doesn’t have time. Ha-ri responds that it’s more painful to give up those hopes, and she wishes she were 20 years old today so that she could act rashly on her fluttering feelings.
At work the next day, Ha-ri walks into the studio, where Hyo-joo rudely instructs Yi-sang to take a better photo of her props. She insults his skills and condescends him, but Ha-ri tells Yi-sang to follow the reporter’s requests. He argues that the photographer’s time and labor are also important, and Ha-ri responds that the reporter will take responsibility for that, echoing her assertion from the previous night.
Ha-ri accepts his apology and admits that she also fell for him briefly. She bluffs that those feelings made her uncomfortable, and they both agree to return to being comfortable colleagues. But when Ha-ri leaves the studio, she looks completely deflated and heartbroken.
Yi-sang looks through his photos from their business trip, and he smiles at the photos of Ha-ri. He remembers the moment fondly and looks conflicted about his feelings.
Editor Shim checks the toothpaste from their marketing partner and finds that they all expire in six months. She looks to Hyo-joo and asks if she didn’t mention the expiration date check to marketing team newbie Eu-tteum, and Hyo-joo guiltily admits that she intended to tell him. Eu-tteum takes the bullet for her and claims that he forgot to check the expiration date, even though Hyo-joo told him, and he’s tasked with getting new products.
Jae-young admits that he’s feeling strange recently, with mood swings like a teenager, and he wants her to help stabilize him. Ha-ri seems to note his serious request, but they go back to their regularly sibling-like rapport soon after.
Editor Shim submits her resignation letter, and Vice President Joo tries to backpedal by claiming that he only asked her to reconsider her childcare leave. Editor Shim says that his request basically asked her to resign, and she wants to make room for her juniors to be promoted. Vice President Joo asks her to stick around for them to find a replacement, but Editor Shim says that she intends to leave immediately so that Ha-ri can take the position.
Vice President Joo says that Ha-ri isn’t eligible for the position because she’s on the president’s bad side, and he insists that Editor Shim stick around until they find a new person for her role. Editor Shim agrees, and he tells her to have a good day. Then, Editor Shim stops and addresses him informally, which causes him to choke on his tea. “Hey, Joo Seung-tae. Either be a suck-up to the president or support your subordinates. Or be good at both. Have a good day.” OMG, I love her.
As Ha-ri leaves, Eu-tteum returns after waiting all day at their marketing client’s office. He wasn’t successful, but that’s all he could do to take responsibility for his work. Eu-tteum tells Ha-ri that he learned a lot from her column — that he should protect his personal life and that he should be braver. He shares that he doesn’t know what he wants in life, and he admires Ha-ri’s clear direction and wishes in life. Ha-ri looks comforted that Eu-tteum understands her dreams.
As Ha-ri walks back to work, she sees Yi-sang greeting a friend (cameo by Jeon Hye-bin) with a warm embrace, and her jealousy spikes. Ha-ri follows them into the café and loudly slams her cup on the table, drawing Yi-sang’s attention. He looks over and sheepishly introduces Ha-ri to his celebrity friend, and Ha-ri introduces herself as a very comfortable colleague to Yi-sang. Haaa.
Celebrity friend tells Yi-sang that she’s burdened by the photoshoot requests after giving birth and asks Yi-sang to take her photos because he knows her best angles. Ha-ri looks irritated by Yi-sang’s closeness with this friend and sips on her coffee loudly.
In her notebook, Ha-ri crosses out Yi-sang as an option. Eu-tteum finds her, and when Ha-ri opens up her notebook to discuss work, he grabs her open notebook to grab her attention. He hasn’t seen what’s on the page (the rating of her possible sperm donors), but Ha-ri nervously tries to grab her notebook back. Eu-tteum enthusiastically offers his sperm, but Ha-ri wants to table the discussion. She doesn’t feel as excited about the prospect anymore and finally pulls her notebook from his grasp.
Finding some privacy, Ha-ri looks at the photo from the beach and thinks back to her almost-kiss with Yi-sang. Her colleagues join her with coffee, and as Yi-sang leaves, he watches Ha-ri with this look that feels warm and fuzzy. He lurves her.
Jae-young finds a congratulatory gift from his ex-wife in his clinic lobby and looks saddened by this reminder of his painful divorce. When Mom arrives, she tries to take off the ribbon with her name to make him feel better and starts to curse his ex-wife, Jung-won. Then, Jung-won walks into the clinic, and Mom sees her way out.
Jung-won wants to plan a 1-year birthday celebration together for Do-ah, but Jae-young reminds her that they’re divorced and that he has custody. She insists that she’s Do-ah’s mother, and Jae-young shares that Do-ah can almost say “Dad” but not “Mom.” Jae-young says that as Do-ah’s mother, she should be asking about Do-ah’s well-being first.
Jung-won says that she wants to do better and claims that she always loved Jae-young, but Jae-young knows that Jung-won has always been selfish. He regrets choosing Jung-won over Ha-ri, and he tells Jung-won that she was the one who inserted herself between him and Ha-ri.
The next day at work, Ha-ri looks through files with Yeon-ho and thinks about Yi-sang’s promise to stop expressing his feelings. She asks Yeon-ho if she’ll ever change her mind about having children, and she says that both her and her partner are happy with their current life. She thinks the financial burden and overall time commitment to having children would ruin the happiness in her marriage, and she’s pleased with her decision.
Then, Yeon-ho asks about the sperm donor and suggests that she just marry the person. Ha-ri says that the donor is too young and senseless, and Yeon-ho immediately guesses correctly that the donor is Eu-tteum. Ha-ri tells her to keep the secret, and they both agree that he’s too young. Ha-ri can’t seem to bring it up to Eu-tteum, and we see that Eu-tteum has overheard the conversation. He gasps and seems determined about what to do next.
In celebration of Editor Shim’s last day, the whole production team goes out for drinks. Ha-ri and Yi-sang look at each other uncomfortably, and Yi-sang keeps glancing at her. As a farewell gift, the team gives Editor Shim a custom magazine with her on the cover and filled with her work so that she can use it as a portfolio when she returns to work. Editor Shim looks moved, and when Yeon-ho tries to get her to sing, she stops the chants with her sharp glare, no words necessary.
As the drunk night winds down, Editor Shim sneaks out to clean out her desk, and Ha-ri follows her there. She tells Editor Shim to come to work the next day for a proper farewell, but Editor Shim doesn’t want the attention. Editor Shim advises Ha-ri to be harder on people as the new editor-in-chief, and Ha-ri wonders if they’ll actually promote her. Editor Shim vows to storm back into the office with her children in tow if they don’t promote Ha-ri.
After loading the car, Ha-ri thanks Editor Shim for everything and gives her a tight hug. Editor Shim also thanks her, and they stay in the warm embrace until the proxy driver arrives. Editor Shim quickly pushes her away and goes back to business mode, lol. Ha-ri sees off her reliable sunbae with a final wave, and she tears up as the car drives off.
Ha-ri returns to the team, who have become drunk zombies trying to find their way to the second round. She loads her team into taxis and runs back to grab Eu-tteum, who wonders what to tell Ha-ri. As Ha-ri tries to pull Eu-tteum up, she drops her bag and forgets to pick up her notebook in the craziness. She tries to get Eu-tteum’s attention and asks if he knows who she is. He responds that she’s his aunt, and then quickly corrects himself as he comes to his senses momentarily.
Yi-sang comes to help her with Eu-tteum, but Ha-ri asks him to go take care of the other drunks, who are trying to enter the taxi through the fuel tank, haha. After loading the men into the taxi, he looks back and picks up Ha-ri’s notebook.
Ha-ri manages to drag Eu-tteum to the bus stop, and he asks why Ha-ri is so old. He tells her to stop worrying about the age difference and looks determined to make a statement. Ha-ri sees her reflection on her phone and complains that she looks a mess. That fuels Eu-tteum’s misunderstanding, and he wonders if she’s trying to look for him. Oh dear, I think I know where this is going.
Eu-tteum kneels in front of Ha-ri and admits that he also wants to look good for Ha-ri. She looks around for their ride, and Eu-tteum leans in for a gentle peck. Ha-ri looks alarmed, and Yi-sang sees this as he approaches the bus stop.
COMMENTS
Ahhh! I love that Eu-tteum is making moves, even though they’re based on senseless logic. Despite his bumbling idiot tendencies, I actually find him likeable. He’s endearing and painfully sincere in everything he does. He isn’t trying to fool anyone, and he’s similar to Ha-ri in that they’re both open books. Of course, he’s not on the ship I’m rooting for, but he’s a lovely relief from the “adults,” who try so hard to put up a tough front. Sure, he’s naïve, but he embraces every opportunity with enthusiasm and optimism. He’s a lost puppy but an adorable one who now admires Ha-ri with more than professional respect.
Ha-ri is a super star working professional, and I love that she was explicitly acknowledged by everyone who really matters to her. She pours her all in her job, and I love that all her potential sperm donors expressed their support for her, each in their characteristic ways: Jae-young proposing marriage, Eu-tteum showing admiration, and Yi-sang complimenting her. But I think the most meaningful praise and support came from Editor Shim, who I freaking LOVE. Her tough love and high standards don’t make her a likeable leader for everyone, but Ha-ri clearly reads through her strict approach to work. Their relationship was the highlight of the episode for me, and I love seeing women pull each other up in the workplace. I have so much respect for Editor Shim’s devotion to her work, family, and her colleagues, and I’m sure Ha-ri’s boldness is something she’s inheriting from her dependable sunbae.
Yi-sang taking one step forward and two steps back was frustrating to watch in this episode, and it was even more infuriating to see how much it hurt Ha-ri. Even after acknowledging his shortcomings with being true to his feelings, Yi-sang continued to hide behind his tough exterior. I appreciate that Ha-ri called him out for every gesture and made him confront his feelings. While I want her to keep pushing, it’s not her responsibility to make Yi-sang recognize their undeniable chemistry. Her responsibility is to take care of her own heart, and I love that she’s approaching this tough situation with that as her priority. I know that Editor Shim offered to storm back to the office at the drop of a hat if Ha-ri doesn’t get the editor-in-chief position, but I also wish she would do the same if Yi-sang keeps breaking her heart. No one can overcome the deathly glare of Editor Shim, and scaredy-cat Yi-sang would definitely be scared into loving Ha-ri. But who am I kidding, he already loves her.
