Drama Review: Cheongdam-dong Alice Episode 16 ~ Finale

Cheongdam-dong Alice

Episode 16 ~ Finale

"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within."

~Ramona L. Anderson~

            Seung Jo Found out who bought his paintings, which opened the doors of opportunities for him.  He felt like a laughing stock for he planted revenge to the very same person he is most thankful for.  All this time, he thought his revenge towards his father was successful.  He thought when he came back to Korea as a successful businessman that he had proven his dad his worth and what he’s capable of achieving on his own—without the help of his father. 

            His cognizance of the Chairman’s vital contribution to his triumphs was almost an embarrassing wake-up call—an easy street was paved especially for him.  He was already closed to any explanation no matter how much his father tried to tell him, that his success was a result not solely because of his painting being sold but also because of his ability.  His sense of reason was already clouded by can of worms. 

            I can understand his feelings at this point.  He tried to prove something to his dad because he grew up not being recognized.  As a result, he was made to feel that he isn’t worthy.  Then all of the sudden, it appears that your stepping stone to success is the act of the very person whom you want to prove your talent; your worth.  That’s such a bummer and yes, that is embarrassing.  I could just imagine how his pride was crushed right in front of his father.  But it was something that was necessary for him to mature.  It’s an odd way but still a “way”. 

            Anyhow, he drowned himself in alcohol and sleep.  In what he thought was a dream, Se Kyung came to his apartment saying she loves him and that she couldn’t live without him.  He thought it was his last fantasy that Se Kyung ruined when she finally broke up with him.  But surprisingly, he was calmer.



The break-up faces :(



            Yoon Joo on the other hand chose divorce.  Good for her!  Finally, she was able to face In Hwa without having to wear a mask.  She was just herself and for that, she is a winner.



Yoon Joo told her husband that she chose divorce.



            I like that the writers chose to resolve Yoon Joo’s situation (or problem) the way the writers did.  They were consistent with her character (her personality).  She knew that she was, at that point, just being used.  She knew she would be disposed afterwards.  So why not gratify herself by ruining their chance for a billion-won business deal.  Huh!  Why not?  That was sassy and that was hot!  She just exited from their lives stepping on their pride with her killer stilettos.  And she left In Hwa in awe!  The woman almost dropped her jaw in disbelief!



Yoon Joo walking out of GN Fashion with her pride intact.  In Hwa caught in disbelief!



            Times have passed.  Life went on for all the characters.  Se Kyung really ended up benefiting from once being connected to Seung Jo.  For that, she landed a notch higher than her previous position.  Seung Jo eventually maintained a good relationship with his father.  They have matured but just like Yoon Joo said, people don’t change overnight.  In a conversation with Seung Jo, she mentioned to him that Se Kyung is not the kind to run away unless she was pushed.  Then Seung Jo remembered that what he thought was a dream was actually real and yes, he did push her away.

            This realization liberated him from trying to forget Se Kyung.  He looked for her and when he found her, he didn’t waste any chance.  They sealed their rekindled relationship with a hot kiss in front of a lot of people passing by the lobby of the building where she works.



The kiss that sealed their new beginning and ended all the anxieties :)



Mr. and Mrs. Cha

            I like that the ending signifies reality than just the typical “and they live happily ever after”.  Tommy Hong was right when he said, in reality life goes on after the main characters get back together.  It is true that the story doesn’t really end in the “kiss”.



The free men!
"The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart."
~Thich Nhat Hanh



            On the other hand, the finale wasn’t really anything special in a sense that it wasn’t the type that made me feel nervous or the kind that made me have any strong emotions.  The reason why I was still looking for that nerve wrecking kind of scene is because I haven’t really seen any episode that I can consider a climax.  There will be some of you that might say, “What?” or “You got to be kidding me!  You just probably don’t know anything about…blah…blah…blah”.  But I’m just being honest.  I like the show, though.  I like watching it right after work because it was relaxing for some reason.  It wasn’t like, “The Greatest Love” that made me giggle until the very end.  But it was fine.

            Thank you for reading and I hope to hear your thoughts about the drama and about my opinion.  A disagreement is just as good as an agreement to my reactions.  Thank you!!! J