With introductions and back-story over, it’s time to start in on the meat of this story and I’m happy to say, I like where things are going, even if they are a bit predictable.
Starting off these two episodes with a rather confusing time-warp, I spent a fair amount of time wondering just how many years had passed between the first two episodes and these, but I’m not going to let a couple of years stand between me and my enjoyment of this drama. I just can’t. There’s too much cute going on here to be upset about anything. Well, maybe that’s not entirely accurate. I’m a little disappointed that our handsome second male lead comes off as a bit of a creeper. I mean he’s gorgeous and all but any guy who’s been creeping on In Ha’s texts to her mom for the past 13 years, without saying a word is just… Well… Creepy. I mean, really! Who does that? And for 13 years no less! THIRTEEN YEARS! Yeesh! If you can overlook the creeper, Seo Bum Jo seems to be a rather worthy second. After all, he’s tall, rich, handsome and he has a very obvious soft spot for In Ha, all of which are elements working strongly in his favor. However, I have more than one qualm about this guy and if I’m perfectly honest, this makes me rather disappointed. I’m typically the one who falls hard for the second but this time I can’t. Sorry Bum Jo but even if I could overlook the fact you’ve been creeping on In Ha for over a decade, the fact that you’re the biggest mama’s boy on the face of the planet, pretty much seals your fate. You will never stand up against Dal Po in my book, therefore I want nothing more than for you to forget In Ha and move on. I’m not foolish enough to believe this is actually going to happen, I just wish it would. I can see Bum Jo causing all kinds of problems in the future and I’m not sure I’m going to have the patience to put up with that.
At least I have the adorable Dal Po to cheer for. Oh gosh! I seriously love this boy and we’re only four episodes in! I suppose that’s not really a bad thing, seeing as how he’s the male lead in this story… I just really really love this guy! He’s so sweet and his heart is so big. I mean what kind of a guy pretends to be an idiot for over a decade, just to preserve the heart and mind of one broken old man? I can’t get over how loving Dal Po is to his adopted father, Choi Gong Pil. These two are just too cute! They have such a special relationship and Gong Pil’s confession, about knowing Dal Po’s secret, pulled on all my heartstrings. Ugh! Admitting that his pity for Dal Po turned into pity for himself… How can you not be touched by that? I think that both Dal Po and Gong Pil know how much they’ve needed each other and that mutual love and respect has made their relationship something truly special. I just wish Dal Po’s “brother”, Choi Dal Pyeong, could see him the way their father sees him.
I understand that Dal Pyeong is trying to ensure In Ha has only the best in life but I thought his conversation with Dal Po was a bit uncalled for. I mean what’s so wrong with Dal Po loving In Ha? It’s not like they’re related and now that it’s perfectly clear that Gong Pil knows exactly who Dal Po is, there’s no reason to worry about how Gong Pil would react to the news. In fact, he’d probably be elated that Dal Po wanted to spend the rest of his life with In Ha but we can’t have our OTP getting together that easily, so it’s up to big-little brother Dal Pyeong to put up as many obstacles as possible. Darn Dramaland laws!
I wish Dal Po could see himself as he is, rather than the way he perceives himself. He sells himself short so much of the time and I really hate that. However, it’s this lack of self-confidence that makes Dal Po so adorable and the fact that In Ha can see in Dal Po, what Dal Po can’t see himself, is going to make all the difference as this story unfolds. I can totally see In Ha becoming the one to help Dal Po see not only his potential but his worth, just as Dal Po has been doing for her all these years, and I’m really looking forward to that. Dal Po has a lot of healing that needs to take place in order for him to truly move on and make something of his life and I’m happy In Ha gets to be the salve for his wounds. She’s the only person in this world he loves as much as his lost family and happy will be the day when these two actually realize they’re meant for each other.
Until that glorious moment comes, we’re doomed to suffer through endless hours of In Ha denying her feelings. Dal Po trying to hide his. If worse comes to worst, (which it probably will) Dal Po will drive a wedge between himself and In Ha (because he made that stupid promise to Dal Pyeong and Dal Po’s too noble of a guy to go back on his word). That will give Bum Jo the space he needs to try to worm his way into In Ha’s heart. It won’t actually work but Dal Po will probably think it’s working and all kinds of trouble will start brewing there. Of course, on top of all of this, we’re going to be forced through all the drama surrounding In Ha’s horrid mother, Song Cha Ok, and won’t that be all kinds of fun to get through? Ugh! I cringe at the thought!
Still, you can’t have a drama without drama and this one’s shaping up to have it in spades. At least there seems to be enough sweetness to curb the bitter and enough warmth to thaw the cold, which is why I find myself coming back for more. I really want to see what happens next and where this story goes. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the way things are shaping up. Have you fallen as hard for Dal Po as I have? Do you think In Ha is ready to admit her feelings for him or is it way too soon for that? Do you think Dal Pyeong will ever warm up to the idea of Dal Po and In Ha being together? Does Bum Jo even stand a chance with In Ha? What part do you see Song Cha Ok playing in the future? I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this and more so be sure to let me know what you’re thinking by leaving me a comment below!
You can catch up on all of my Pinocchio reviews here: