The more I watch this drama, the more it speaks to me on a level unlike any other drama I’ve ever watched. I don’t know if it’s because I see so much of myself in No Ra or what but there’s just so much going on her in life that I can relate to, it’s almost scary. Then again, I’m not slowly winning the hearts of every man on campus with my innocent charms and hidden charisma so maybe instead of seeing myself in No Ra, I’m just wishing I can someday be as cool as she.
You have to admit, considering everything No Ra has lived through, she’s quite an amazing person. She’s a whole lot stronger than she first appeared and I love that she’s slowly beginning to realize that. After spending the past 20 years under the oppression of Kim Woo Chul, No Ra is finally starting to see just how poisonous her marriage has been and I’m happy for that but I’m also sad that No Ra has been so mistreated without ever realizing how bad things in her marriage actually were. It broke my heart to watch No Ra on her school-assigned “date,” not because I was sad she was out having fun but because it’s taken a class assignment for her to be around a man who treats her with genuine kindness. Her classmate did nothing exceptionally extraordinary for No Ra as they spent their afternoon together, he simply asked for her opinion and was genuinely interested in what she had to say. He put her before himself and treated her like a gentleman would treat a lady and I wanted to cry for No Ra as she told Hyun Suk all about her “date.”
It makes perfect sense that Hyun Suk would be as hurt by the delight No Ra’s derives from such simple courtesies. It’s got to kill him that the woman he’s loved for all these years has spent her entire life unappreciated and unloved. I’m sure every time he sees her he thinks about how much better off she would have been had she chosen him. But he wasn’t there in whatever critical moment it was that tied No Ra’s fate to Woo Chul’s and I’m sure Hyun Suk has beaten himself up for that mistake a thousand times over. I know I gave Hyun Suk a hard time last week (and he still acted a bit childish this week) but he’s made some pretty good progress this week and he’s starting to act more like an adult and a worthy suitor for No Ra. The fact that he has moments of complete cuteness doesn’t hurt either. (That whole coffee-making scene was beyond adorable I couldn’t help but squee, just a little.)
With Hyun Suk beginning to step into the role of a suitable match for No Ra, it makes sense Woo Chul would attempt to do the same. The problem is Woo Chul has no right to lay any claim to No Ra and her affections. From the brief glimpses we’ve seen of their life together, Woo Chul has never seen No Ra as anything but a burden and he’s done nothing to try to make their marriage anything more than burdensome obligation. If that weren’t bad enough, Woo Chul has been cheating on No Ra for the past four years which, in my book, means he has no right, whatsoever, to call No Ra his wife. The fact Woo Chul feels threatened by Hyun Suk’s relationship with No Ra makes me sick. Woo Chul is playing the part of the jealous lover when I doubt he’s ever once loved No Ra and I just can’t deal with that. The way I see it, Woo Chul has only started seeing any sort of worth in No Ra because everyone around him is pointing it out to him. It’s like the kid who hates his Christmas present and decides to throw it away but changes his mind at the last-minute because his cousin said it was awesome and wished he could have it. It’s not that Woo Chul actually loves his wife, he just wants to have something in his possession that makes others jealous. I’m convinced that’s the only reason he’s kept Ye Jin around as long as he has. How else would you explain that whole women on a scale scene? Had it not been for the fact Woo Chul could call himself the chairman’s son-in-law and rule the school, Ye Jin would have lost out to No Ra.
For me, the brightest spot in this week’s episodes has to be Min Soo’s reconciliation with his mom. I think after living in the shadow of his father for all these years, Min Soo is finally starting to realize his mother is someone to be loved and cherished and that makes my heart so happy. A mother doesn’t sacrifice herself for her children because she has to, she does it because she loves them and it killed me that Min Soo took his mother’s love for granted. Now that he’s beginning to understand that his mother has given him so much more than he could possibly imagine, Min Soo can put aside the pettiness he inherited from his father and love his mother the way she deserves to be loved. I sincerely hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship between mother and son and I’m waiting for the day with Min Soo rallies to his mother’s side, her champion against the haters. (Or at least his dad.)
I’m seriously hoping No Ra and Woo Chul go through with this divorce. No Ra needs to get away from his malice and Woo Chul just needs to go jump off a cliff. I don’t need to see No Ra go running into the arms of Hyun Suk or anyone else after this divorce, I just want her to be free from the mistreatment and I want her to enjoy her life for once. After 38 years, I think it’s time she started living for herself. But what about you? What are your thoughts on this week’s episodes? Do you like where things are going? Do you think this divorce will actually go through? You know I always love hearing from you so be sure to let me know what you’re thinking by leaving me a comment below!
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