Cheongdamdong Alice
Episode 9
On the rooftop/parking lot, Cha Seung Jo/Jean Thierry Cha was looking for Han Se Kyung. He, in all his heart’s content and although worried about how she could possibly react, revealed his real identity. Se Kyung on the other hand, after realizing that she has no way out from here, pretended that it was all new to her. She played a masquerade despite her perturbation. She kept telling herself she was doing fine; that her pretense is working. It didn’t work for me though. It was so obvious that she wasn’t surprised at all. She wasn’t even half as freaked-out as she was in the elevator. But, lucky for her Seung Jo was drowning with overflowing emotion at that moment—she was saved by…amour? The whole time, Tommy Hong was watching and Se Kyung’s awful acting only bolstered his nihilism regarding her sincerity towards Thierry Cha. He was in total disbelief with what he was witnessing!
Going back to the two leads, Seung Jo kept on saying sorry to Se Kyung and the latter, deep inside her, is saying sorry towards the first. Se Kyung has a reply to everything Seung Jo told her. The thing is she couldn’t voice them out. At some point here, as reply to him, she, in her head said, I should have told you before. This is of course referring to the plot she had orchestrated. What I don’t get is why she is not saying the truth now. This is the best time since he is also confessing on his “accidental” lies. It’s not like she consciously searched for him to be her white rabbit, right? Her feeling for him is real anyways. Plus, little do they know, there are more storms to come their ways so they better start patching up some holes now or else their shelter will get crushed to pieces to the point of it being unrecognizable. Her friend Yoon Joo gave her warnings before too, so what the fudge?!
Anyways, Se Kyung continued her act and told Seung Jo that they are too far from each other [referring to their status quo], turned around and left. Seung Jo tried to stop her by holding onto her hand but to no accord. She turned and looked at him again. The pitiful sight made Se Kyung even guiltier. And that was probably to say the least.
The next scene was like a repeat of The King of Dramas episode 17 when Anthony Kim went to church. The difference is the intension. She asked God to let her act slide and that she won’t hurt Seung Jo from this moment on. I guess a person’s dream could sometimes eat his/her logic. Her strong desire to reach her goal diverted her from the road of reason to total idealistic stupidity. Does she really think that just because she sincerely loves him so much that she will be saved? Seriously? Don’t get me wrong, I like her character to succeed but what’s going to happen next is pretty obvious from here. What is not conclusive is how long the story will revolve around her lies and I hope not the whole half of the series.
Now back to business…
Secretary Moon updated Jean Thierry Cha about the business dealings with GN fashion. The second didn’t sound so enthusiastic about the update. His reply: Let them proceed accordingly. Dr. Dong Wook came to his office eager to know about the confession result. He could already tell that the result is not so good so he asked why Seung Jo is not nervous about it at all. Seung Jo explained that he’d have been more nervous if she just accepted him despite all the lies. After that point, Seung Jo’s sad face turned bright. A gloomy looked was replaced by a smile and vigor. He’s saying now he knows what to do and that everything will be successful. His friend asked him what it is he is planning to do. And his answer? I will buy Soju. His friend was in awe with his answer. (When he mentioned Soju, are you thinking what I am thinking? Do you remember the drunk scene in one of the past episode?)
So he went ahead and bought bottles of Soju, some knick knacks, and even suggested to the cashier to wish him good luck. He then came to Se Kyung’s house. It was her family who welcomed him and so he did a formal bow in front of her parents. It was funny because her family was looking at him like he was a lunatic. Regardless, he continued with his plan and professed to the family his feelings for Se Kyung, that he got rejected because of you know what. The family was clammed-up and didn’t seem to know what to do to him – including Se Kyung’s sister, which was actually surprising. I thought she’d be the first to jump up and down for joy.
Se Kyung, while walking back home, was remembering about Seung Jo’s confession. That brought a smile on her face, and while of course thinking she loves him too and that from now on, she’ll be good. She was about to open the gate when Tommy Hong suddenly appeared behind her and showed her, her cellphone. She was tongue-tied. Meanwhile, Se Kyung’s father could not believe the breaking news served on his table. Seung Jo basically told the father that he will explain everything over a drink. Her sister texted her the breaking news right away.
In the meantime, Tommy Hong and Se Kyung talked in the nearby restaurant. Tommy didn’t waste his time and put Se Kyung on the hot seat right away. He basically summarized her whole plot on her face. She pretended to not understand what he was talking about but once again Tommy cut the chase. He gave her two choices: She tells him the truth or he tells him the truth. He presented a new proposal so she can continue with her journey without being caught. He put forth an entrance letter from a design school in Paris and told her to leave quietly and when she came back, he will take care of her future too. Now, remember, he is doing this for his client, Shin In Hwa. He was also generous enough to explain to her why he is willing to go that far—the marriage plan between Jean Thierry Cha and Shin In Hwa. Before he left, he asked her how she learned so quickly that being number one in your school doesn’t equate to success [with a very insulting tone] while it took him 5 years. Then he said Se Kyung is a very scary person [insinuating that she is a master manipulator] that’s why she will succeed. It is indeed an unfortunate fact that nowadays, most of the time it’s not always what you know or how good you are at what you do but who you know and where you came from. At some point there, I felt for Tommy Hong. I have to commend Kim Ji Syuk for his acting. He was able to show he’s insulting Se Kyung and his bitterness of being in his corrupt situation because of upper society’s pressure—all these to attain success!
Concurrently, Seung Jo told the whole story to, this time, not just Se Kyung’s family but also Se Kyung’s best friend. Her dad was probably still in a state of shock that he was drinking a little too fast and Seung Joo seemed to have a hard time keeping up. There you go brother! You’re plan is definitely working.
Se Kyung felt exhausted by the time she reached her house. She was thinking about what Tommy Hong told her when she heard singing from inside. When she entered, she saw Seung Jo with her family but she was so distressed to even say anything about it. Seung Jo blabbered all sorts of things but Se Kyung just continued to stand there and said nothing. Oh my, I could just imagine the load in her heart right at this point but in a way she did it to herself. Everything that’s going on is just way too much for her, I guess. So she went to her room, thought some more while the others are in the living room busy singing and getting drunk.
The next day, Se Kyung remained lifeless. She heard her sister tell her dad that Seung Jo is like the best of the best [basically saying there is no reason not to like him]. But the dad insists that they should leave Se Kyung alone and let her make her own decision.
Back at work, Se Kyung was the exact opposite of her exciting coworker over the good updates on business. It didn’t skip her ears though, when In Hwa mentioned Jean Thierry Cha’s name. Then, In Hwa approached Se Kyung and inquired about her relationship with Cha. She learned from Se Kyung that the latter’s ex-boyfriend used to work for Artemis, and that the Artemis president overlooked the misdemeanor of the ex-boyfriend which made In Hwa even more suspicious. She just could not believe that Cha would overlook the fault and on top of that invite the girlfriend. Se Kyung mentioned about a letter and In Hwa, this time sincerely curious, wanted to know if the letter was typed or handwritten. Upon knowing that it was handwritten she became glad because in her mind, this shows that Cha is also emotional—human or possibly romantic? She went to her office, smiling from ear to ear while Se Kyung was left somewhat amazed and sad. Oh, what “good marriage prospect” could do even to an evil witch, huh!
The preview [of the products] was held in the Royal Department Store. In Hwa felt like she scored some positive points when Seung Jo looked impressed by her effort to make the giveaways (the cards) to the VVIP more personal by handwriting the message and adding her personal touches to them. Hmm… the competitor is working hard so Se Kyung better step up! However, sorry to In Hwa, Seung Jo was looking for someone else.
Yoon Joo attended the event despite her anxiety of having to meet Cha Il Nam (Seung Jo’s dad) and Seung Jo, of course. Her unknowing husband introduced her to Cha Ilnam and she did a good job putting up an act. The chairman however had a hard time pretending so he avoided looking at her. As her way of retaliation, she approached Seung Jo, knowing that the chairman was watching and once again pretended that they didn’t have a past together. The Chairman was watching very intently like a bomb was about to explode or something. In Hwa and Seung Jo were both uneasy. In Hwa for she doesn’t like Yoon Joo (obviously) and Seung Jo for a simple reason that she is Yoon Joo.
In Hwa excused herself from the group because she had to converse with other business partners. She glanced at Jean Thiery Cha’s direction and noticed a rather unusual conversation between her sister-in-law and Thiery Cha. The scene obviously upset the chairman and left In Hwa suspicious.
The Chairman and Yoon Joo had a private conversation taking turns of putting each other on the spot. Yoon Joo mentioned something about why Seung Jo left America and went to Paris, and something about his mother. There wasn’t anything else mentioned about it so we’ll just have to wait for that I guess. In this conversation, Yoon Joo tried to convince the Chairman that the marriage proposal is not going to work because Seung Jo could not stand her presence. The Chairman, counter attacked by saying, therefore she should leave because if she wasn’t around, things will run smoothly. In this battle I decided no one won.
After the event, Se Kyung took over—to clean everything! This is freaking ridiculous! Then a voice, which sounded like a whisper, called her name. She turned to look who it was and of course it was Seung Jo. She wasn’t necessarily happy to be in front of him again so even if he offered to help her so they could finish early and have dinner together, she tried to push him away. When she thought he was already gone, she browsed her message inbox and opened a message from Seung Jo. She didn’t know that Seung Jo came back and was checking out what she’s looking at. When she turned around, what happened next is one of those cutest cliché in Kdramas—she accidentally kissed him and for that they were both flabbergasted.
Seung Jo: Oh…Did you see…see… that? Even with this, I am far? We are totally closed! Right or wrong?! (smile then ran away) Hey, Han Se Kyung, I will never give up! Never!
He made his crazy dance and Se Kyung couldn’t help but smile.
Seung Jo’s spirit was the exact opposite that of Yoon Joo’s. Se Kyung and Yoon Joo bumped into each other on their way to the elevator [of Royal Department Store]. They both went to a restaurant and had a serious chat. Se Kyung asked if Yoon Joo has a religion which was more than enough hint to Yoon Joo what was going on. They ended up reciting what they’re prayers were. This scene just shows how similar their experiences are and how awful they felt about it. Part of me is feeling for these girls but the fact remains that they made their decisions on their own. In this case I just can’t accept social pressure as an excuse. Although, Yoon Joo had a point: Why is it just them that have to cede with their conscience?
That same evening, Han Se Kyung called Tommy Hong and asked him to let her case off; that if there is someone who should understand her situation the most, it should be him. But it was a waste of time. Tommy Hong just left her with a sad realization: something that can’t be done absolutely can’t be done.
Se Kyung got so drunk that she fell asleep. Yoon Joo was waking her up when she received a text message. Yoon Joo checked the message and upon knowing who it’s from texted that “Secretary Kim” should pick Se Kyung up because she’s drunk. She was so shocked that “Secretary Kim” is actually Seung Jo, she was dumb founded! Oh my goodness, my heart was literally beating hard at this point! On the opposite end of the spectrum, Seung Jo was so happy he got to give Se Kyung a piggy-back ride. He didn’t even feel how heavy she was or what. Then I wonder why was he walking? Did he park his car a mile away from the restaurant?
Soon Joo was still in a state of shock while watching Seung Joo walk away with Se Kyung on his back. She now remembered past events that later led to her cognizance of the whole situation. Just basing my inference on the look on her face, I think she is more shock how intertwined their lives are than she was jealous of the fact that Seung Jo now likes Se Kyung.
Now, I still don’t understand why Seung Jo was walking instead of driving his car. Anyways, when Se Kyung’s parents saw her state, they thought that she drank with Seung Jo and the mom blamed it all to Seung Jo until he explained what happened. He carried her to her bed and talked to her [while she was pretending to be asleep]. He told her that his heart beats fast whenever he is with her; that although he is weak he’s still able to confess to her so she should not be afraid. Isn’t that sweet? Se Kyung heard everything he said and cried right after he left. On his way, Se Kyung’s sister asked Seung Jo if he know’s what’s on Thursday. Just like me, he doesn’t know either so he told the sister to just help him. With what, I don’t know. Her birthday? Not sure.
The next day, Se Kyung’s best friend and sister asked the first if she can go to an art show together with them that evening. It looked to me that she understood that it was just a hoax. But She agreed, nonetheless.
That evening, the chairman, while in his car, saw Se Kyung talking to her dad in front of the bakery/bake shop. Her dad was telling her that Seung Jo (without mentioning his name) was a good person and that she should not be agonizing over the whole thing. Instead of responding to that she told her dad about her team leader that’s doing her best to be liked by the man she’s about to marry. In her head she said that it is commendable if the rich person likes a poor person but otherwise, it is ridiculous. Then she tried to change her mood so her dad doesn’t worry. The whole time, it didn’t seem like the chairman actually heard what exactly they were talking about. But he seemed so touched at the scene—the closeness of father and daughter. He was teary-eyed while watching the two. He looked almost like he wished his relationship with Seung Jo is the same.
The next scene was a picture taking with the chairman and Se Kyung’s Dad (the baker of the chairman’s bakery). After that, the Chairman asked if the girl (Se Kyung) was his daughter. The Chairman was curious what they were talking about in such an amicable way. He said that nowadays children that age are incommunicable. The Chairman was surprised by Se Kyung’s dad’s answer like over a meal they talk about this and that etc. Then the father asked, “Chairman, don’t you share meals with your children?” The Chairman thought of whether he should have a meal together with his son.
It’s that time of the evening when Han Se Kyung was supposed to meet with her bestfriend and sister. Instead, she met with Tommy Hong. Tommy thought Se Kyung came to sign the contract but since it was the opposite, he wasn’t so happy. Although Se Kyung mentioned that she sincerely love Seung Jo, Tommy was not convinced and just told her that what she is doing is so ugly.
Tommy Hong: Why do this since we’re both players.
Se Kyung: Team leader Shin In Hwa, also, want’s to appeal to the CEO…appeal to him and marry him. But why does her doing it appear pretty and my doing it appears ugly? For the team leader too, this will be a marriage of convenience. Why am I the only bad person? Why am I the only one who has to be moral? Why am I the only woman who has to know nothing but love? (This is a very good point)
Tommy Hong: Now, why do you think I ended up doing things like these? Let’s not torment each other since we’re both insiders.
There was definitely no winning for Se Kyung every time she converse with Hong.
Now, remember the meeting with Se Kyung’s sister and bestfriend? Well, as we all know, this was just a plot for Se Kyung to have a dinner date with Seung Jo. Unfortunately everyone, but the lead actress in the whole plot is present. Where was Se Kyung? The two girls just spilled the beans to the guys when Seung Jo received a call from Se Kyung. She told him that she knows about the plot and that she won’t come. She also said that "them” can’t happen. Seung Jo was still in a state of panick when Se Kyung hung up. The whole gang was left quiet upon learning what Se Kyung’s decision was. But of course in a sad situation like this, once in a while there will be one who will come in happy and knows nothing, and that person would be like one of the secretaries or personnel or the driver like in this case. Huh!
Seung Jo’s friend pushed him to atleast show Se Kyung what he had prepared for her. It sounded harsh but he was actually trying to lift his spirit and was basically trying to tell him not to just give up. He was actually like suggesting showing Se Kyung what he did and what kind of person he is even if that meant he had to drag her to the venue. His friend was telling him to find Se Kyung and tell her what he planned to tell her then whatever her decision is after that he should respect it. Wow, finally a person in his right mind!
Everyone was looking for Se Kyung. When Seung Jo finally found her, before any words came out of his mouth, he hugged her like she was gone for a long time! Then he said, “Don’t go! Don’t Go Se Kyung, don’t go!” He told her about his plan, and his cool script and all, for tonight. Se Kyung tried to let go, but he pulled her back again. The he said that all that, which was in the script isn’t him. The “he” is a coward because the very person he loves might throw him away; might leave him and that he is afraid. The “he” gets scared. When he was young his mom let go of his hand and left; back then, the person he loved packed her bags and left; that these events of his life haunted him and made him scared. This was followed by some heart wrenching lines…
Seung Jo: Now, I am not a suave president. I am not the prince who rescued you. I am just…someone who loves Se Kyung. Just a loser. Se Kyung, I…love you to the point of being annoying. So if you are able to accept someone like me, decide Se Kyung. So decide please, instead of abandoning me, instead of running away. Ms. Se Kyung, recue me.
Se Kyung asked him to just give her an hour and she will be back. She went to Tommy Hong, returned the admittance paper to the fashion school, and told him that her love for Seung Jo may be ugly but she will not give up her ugly love.
Reaction:
I think that in this episode, Se Kyung had more than one opportunity to tell Seung Jo the truth about the stupid plan of hers. The guy already told her everything and at the end left her to decide and said he will respect whatever her decision may be. I think she should do the same thing. Tell him the truth and make him decide. That will test not just her love for him but also his love for her. How far they are willing to go and if they could get passed that, then they could possibly overcome turmoil that may come their way and as we all know there will be a lot of that.
In Hwa, on the other hand is commendable for trying to get positive impression from Seung Jo. Her feelings for him may have started as pure business but I think that is starting to change. And it is quiet fascinating to see how “love” could change a person’s demeanor. That doesn’t mean she’s not going to be evil to Se Kyung, though. I don’t think so. She looks competitive and by that I don’t just mean in business.
Yoon Joo, in the meantime needs to take a grip. She did what she did and although it is hard to be in her shoes, she needs to eat it and move on. There are things that can’t be undone and hers is definitely one of those. She will be happier if she will just let go of her feelings for Seung Jo and focus on her husband and business. Her husband looks like a good person so why continue to live in the past.
With Seung Jo’s dad, he has a lot of work to do if he wants to have a good relationship with his son. It was good thing he already knows where to start: share a meal with his son. Thanks to Se Kyung’s Dad. Hopefully, the Chairman seeing Se Kyung’s relationship with her dad will help Se Kyung in the future. Hopefully that will help provide a benefit of the doubt in the Chairman’s uptight brain towards Se Kyung.
Once again, thank you everyone for reading and see you next episode!
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