We’ve reached the half-way point in this drama and things are just as complicated as ever as plans, plans of plans and plans within plans begin to take shape, unfold and unravel. Of course you know what that means, don’t you? It means we’ve got lots to talk about so let’s get to it!
We left off last week with Ji Hyuk seconds away from ruining his life completely. As the universe tried to keep Ji Sook as far away from her brother as possible, we watching him with bated breath as he crept into that apartment, ready to take a man’s life. I know I’m not the only one who breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when Ji Hyuk decided against becoming a cold-blooded killer. The fact the man was already dead was beside the point. The whole plot behind this scheme was to get Ji Hyuk out of the picture, permanently. It didn’t even matter if Ji Hyuk did take the fall for this murder because Suk Hoon had plans for Ji Hyuk’s death anyway. If Ji Sook hadn’t shown up when she did, her poor parents would have had to have buried another child and that would have destroyed them.
As it is, Ji Hyuk is safe but his safety came with a hefty price tag and I don’t just mean the initial 300 million that was demanded of Ji Sook. That money may have spared Ji Hyuk’s life for the moment but it caused a huge problem for both Min Woo and Eun Ha. Now that the loan sharks know they can squeeze whatever they want from Ji Sook, they’re going to milk her for all she’s worth. Well, I should say that’s what they were planning on doing, however, Ji Sook seems to have some plans of her own. I’m not sure if she’s channeling Eun Ha’s spirit or what but she’s definitely coming into her own as the constant entanglement with Suk Hoon, the loan sharks, Min Woo and her family have forced her to take matters into her own hands. Eun Ha is no longer going to sit back and allow herself to be used by those around her and she’s definitely not going to take any crap from these loan sharks. I love that she told them to get their act together or get lost, in part because the look of shock on their faces was priceless but also because she knows she’s got bigger battles to fight and she doesn’t have time to be constantly bothered by the likes of them.
Whatever Eun Ha is planning, I hope she knows what she’s doing because it’s not going to be easy to take down the likes of Suk Hoon. He’s not a man to be trifled with and he’s got the power and resources behind him to make sure he gets what he wants. He’s been working too hard and has too many plans in motion to be caught off guard by Eun Ha or anyone else. This is why he even has back up plans built into his plans, so that when someone like Eun Ha comes along and uncovers one part of his plan, he has a backup in place that no one would ever suspect. Thus, Min Woo is accused of crushing his medication into powder, instead of being charged with murder, bribery, or whatever else that contract and money would have implied. The question is, does this discovery really warrant dismissal from his position in the company? Suk Hoon seems to think it does, especially since he’s been planting seeds of doubt in the minds of the family, insisting his poor, disturbed brother-in-law needs to be locked away in some psych ward, for the good of the family; but will his plans really work? It’s starting to look that way but Eun Ha stepping in at the last-minute makes me think the game’s not over yet. The question is, can Eun Ha really go head-to-head with Suk Hoon and come out on top? I honestly hope she can, and not just for her sake but for the sake of her husband as well.
While Eun Ha struggles to free herself from Suk Hoon’s grip, Min Woo falls deeper into his brother-in-law’s trap. Stuck in this medicated world of manipulative doctors and back-stabbing family, there’s no place for Min Woo to turn as he struggles to make sense of his life. The most painful part of this drama is watching Min Woo fall for his wife but only because as Suk Hoon’s pawn, she’s caused Min Woo an awful lot of pain. I actually love that Min Woo is falling in love with his wife but I hate watching him constantly having the faith he’s put in her, destroyed. Min Woo needs someone to love, it’s the way he’s built, and he wants to love his wife as much as she wants to love him but every time he starts to let her into his heart just a little, something happens and Min Woo is left hurting. The fact that Eun Ha was the one who planted the medicine in his room was quite a blow to him as the one person he thought he could trust was the one who betrayed him. However, even after all of this, Min Woo still seems to have a bit of faith in his wife; at least enough to keep him from looking over the forensics report he had done on his wedding picture. I’m trying to see this as a good thing and part of me would like for Min Woo to throw the report out without ever looking at it but a much bigger part of me wants him to read that report, figure out Eun Ha isn’t actually Eun Ha so he and Ji Sook can team up and take down both Suk Hoon and the loan sharks. Yes, I know, I’m really good at wishing for things that probably won’t happen but hey, it’s not bad to dream, right?
Once again I find myself wishing I didn’t have to wait days for the next episode. So much is hanging in the air right now, where things go from here is really anyone’s guess. I know how I’d like things to work out but is that really how things are going to play out? Where do you see things going from here? You know I always love hearing from you so let me know what you’re thinking by leaving me a comment below! Oh! And just out of curiosity, I’m not the only one swooning over Min Woo on a weekly basis, am I? Just wondering if anyone else was falling for his moments of vulnerable cuteness… *swoon*
You can catch up on all my reviews of Mask here:
I am hoping Ji Sook is able to regain her husband’s trust. She needs to tell him the truth. It will be painful, but it’s the only way to explain all that has happened. Sigh. But this is a K-drama so that truth may be episodes away from us.
I was thinking that the fingerprint report that Min Woo has will exclude JiSook anyway since he is comparing them to Eun Ha’s (hence the struggle in the police station). I could be wrong…
As for swooning over Min Woo…I’m right there with you. It broke my heart when he was crying, driving around in his car saying that he had nowhere to go. That boy needs a big hug.
Still liking this drama. I look forward to each episode. I wish it moved a little more quickly but it does keep me on the edge of my seat.
I really want Ji Sook to confess everything to Min Woo. Things between them would be so much better in the long-run, if she did, but like you said, this is a drama so the truth may be episodes away.
As for the fingerprint, I’m really hoping Ji Sook’s print will be the rabbit trail that eventually leads to Min Woo uncovering the truth about his wife. I know it won’t come up as Eun Ha’s but that’s what I want. I want it to be reported as Ji Sook’s and I want Min Woo to dig into that. I’m afraid that may be the only way Ji Sook will confess the truth, which will suck, but it will also bring the truth to light and that’s what I want more than anything at the moment.
I wish I could be there to give Min Woo that big hug because you’re right, he needs one in the worst way possible. He breaks my heart and makes me swoon and I just can’t deal with all of his vulnerability. Deep down he’s just a little boy who needs to be loved and if Ji Sook won’t do it, I’ll gladly volunteer as tribute! haha
I have been waiting for your review to fill my days as we move towards Wednesday. Thanks for the review.
It took a drowning incident and a police investigation for Ji Sook to realise that Min Woo is just as important as her family members. So if anyone messes with her family, she will not let it go! I am expecting Ji Sook to say something that will protect Min Woo’s position just like how Min Woo rescued her at the police station. I noticed the role reversal towards the end of episode 9 and the whole of episode 10 which i kind of like because it is Ji Sook’s way of reciprocating to Min Woo’s love!
To beat Suk Hoon in his game, the two of them really need to come together.. So i am really looking forward to episode 11.
Lastly, you are not the only one swooning over Min Woo on a weekly basis! Is it Wednesday, yet?
I love that Ji Sook is starting to realize just how much she’s come to care for Min Woo. Now that she sees him as part of her family, she’s not going to let anyone mess with him and I say it’s about time! Min Woo needs someone to fight for him and Ji Sook is the perfect candidate. She knows more of what’s going on in that house than Min Woo ever will and it’s time for her to step up and protect him from his awful family. She knows about the cameras, she knows about the doctor and the pills and Suk Hoon’s plans to destroy time, now it’s time for her to act! She can save Min Woo and together they can take down Suk Hoon, they just need to clear the air between them. It’s the secrets that are keeping them apart. If they could just be honest with each other and focus on the bigger picture, things would work out well for them both.