Drama Review: 7th Garde Civil Servant Episode 7

7^th Grade Civil Servant

Episode 7

It is getting harder and harder to find a good link to this show with English Subtitles.  I am a little disappointed that www.viki.com hasn’t been able to secure a license to air this legally here in the US.  They have always been really reliable when it comes to speed and of course being able to air the shows without any commercial interruptions.  In the meantime, www.dramafever.com is another alternative.

The beginning of episode 7 is the continuation of that crazy and hilarious scene with Seo Won’s parents.  Like I mentioned before, this drama is so good at making parodies on clichés whether intentional or not—I enjoy them all! There were more funny scenes in the past episodes than this one but the show is just as captivating.  It is surprisingly enigmatic in a way—showing the more serious side of their jobs as agents, makes the show more complex instead of a simple romantic comedy amidst the supposed complicated and dangerous life of NIS agents.  This show is an epitome of un-dogmatic romantic comedy.  The romance and the comedy facets were done in a way that both would look so natural. 

Seo Won’s parents are just as entertaining in this episode as they were in the previous ones.  When the drama gets tough, we all need characters that could make us laugh for simply being who they are and what they normally do. 

I like the exchange of lines between the two male leads in the beginning of the episode (at around 11: 43 of the episode).  They exude confidence and pride.  That was hot!  I like how Gil-ro challenged Do-ha when he told him, “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if I have to beat the answers out of you as an NIS agent?”

I cannot decry Do-ha’s response either.  His words were just as dauntless as Gil-ro’s.  The doughty exchange of words turned into a brawl when Do-ha said he likes Seo Won.  If Gil-ro won over him in the “snatch-the gun” battle during their training, this time, Do-ha won but later told Gil-ro that even though he likes Seo Won, she still likes Gil-ro.  This of course is just part of the plan, in Do-ha’s mind. 



Do-ha:  Do-ha wins, Gil-ro, dead!



Gil-ro was surprised by what he heard from Do-ha but it didn’t stop him from wanting to know the truth about Seo Won entering his office and searching [about Mi Rae’s profile].  When Seo Won finally came out, he asked her but she denied ever entering his office.  He was disappointed so he cut the conversation short by telling her that they will talk the next day and he will show her what kind of person she is.

Back in Won Suk’s team’s head quarter, they were analyzing the identity of Joo Man’s (Gil-ro’s dad) attacker.  He called Gil-ro to check for updates but was upset that he’s not visiting his dad as often as he should.  His mood changed when Gil-ro told him that he was in front of Seo Won’s apartment and that she brought her some clothes [few days ago].  Unbeknownst to Won Suk, Gil-ro was actually more interested in knowing something else but just decided to keep it to himself instead.  As a result, the NIS team leader now thinks that the mission assigned to Seo Won is advancing positively.  On the other hand, Young Soon was worried that Gil-ro will someday sue them for using him in their mission despite the fact that he is not an NIS agent.  Although, Won Suk insinuated that he won’t just leave him behind, it appears that this whole time, Gil-ro is nothing but just a bait used by the NIS to get Joo Man because they believe that Joo Man is part of JJ’s (Woo Hyuk) team from the very beginning.  But then again, when he was released from the training a year ago, Won Suk gave him a secret mission which means that even Young Soon probably doesn’t even know that he is an NIS agent, too.

On the side note, Mi Rae wasn’t happy with the method used by Woo Hyuk’s younger brother.  He showed her a picture he took of Gil-ro and Seo Won talking.  He also shared his speculation that there is something special going on between the two.  Mi rae wasn’t convinced but did not totally disagree, either.  This guy is even scarier than Woo Hyuk.  He doesn’t wait for the right opportunity and he’s not afraid to kill even the innocent people.  The end justifies the means for this guy which is really the same mentality as that of NIS.  NIS believes that a sacrifice is necessary for the greater good.  So there you go!  Unfortunately in this case, Gil-ro seems to be the sacrifice.  With just a short encounter with both Gil-ro and Seo Won in Gil-ro’s office, the quick-witted Mi Rae was able to sense that there is something between Gil-ro and Seo Won.

The day Gil-ro mentioned to Seo Won finally came.  He showed her the video of her entering his office and taking photo of Mi Rae’s profile.  He speculated that she is a corporate spy working on stealing Mi Rae from his dad’s company which explains why he asked Mi Rae earlier if the latter receives offers from other companies.  His words were piercing Seo Won’s heart.  If only she could explain her real situation but since she couldn’t, she chose not to say anything.  At some point, he asked her if she really likes him.  She answered him with a question:  If I tell you, will you believe me?  When Gil-ro said “no,” the hurt in Seo won’s eyes was apparent.  I feel bad for them.  They’re hurting each other and it’s neither their fault.  On the surface the problem may seem like an



Gil-ro telling Seo Won what they have is over.  He was surprised how light he feels despite that.  Seo Won wasn't able to hide the pain she's feeling.



ordinary misunderstanding, but because their lives are more complicated than any ordinary people, the simple misunderstanding becomes as crucial as the safety of their loved ones and the people they are working with [in their respective missions].  But I have to say, they are both really good actors!  The more I watch this show, the more I am becoming a Joo Won fan.  He never fails to relate to the viewers (or at least to me) the emotions that go with each line he delivers.  When he was telling her to change her phone number and address, the pain is apparent.  He wasn’t over-acting but he’s able to give justice to his character.  Choi Kang Hee is the same.  She’s even better in this show than in “Protect the Boss”. 

In a meeting with Won Suk, Seo Won made a decision that no matter what happens in the end of this mission, she will never leave Gil-ro behind.  She also let him know that she will let Gil-ro know a portion of the truth—her feeling for him is real.  That’s exactly what she did the next day she came to Gil-ro’s office even after the fact that she was already released from her position.

I like that despite how difficult her position is that she is not being swallowed by the whole system just like Do-ha.  I am a little disappointed about him for that.  Hopefully there would a change towards the end of the show.  In a way, it is a little absurd that Gil-ro doesn’t think of the possibility that Seo Won is still part of NIS.  Several hints already presented themselves:  Do-ha in her house (hiding upon hearing about his presence), her ridiculous reasons for her actions, and her trying to stop her parents every time they attempt to mention her name.  Anyways, no matter how much she tried to convince him, his decision to end whatever is between them was final.  Once again, a very painful confrontation to watch.

In the hospital, the late Woo Hyuk’s younger brother paid a visit to Joo Man to remind him of the possible consequences if he doesn’t go with the plan.  This is all the more reason for him to keep his son as far away from him as possible.  Unfortunately, this is also making Gil-ro misunderstand his father.  This whole time, he thinks his father doesn’t want to have anything to do with him, that’s why.  This goes to show that sometimes dads are misunderstood for their desire to protect their children.  But they would rather be misunderstood than to endanger the lives of their kids.

In the Hallway, Gil-ro came across his dad’s attacker.  It didn’t take long for him to recognize the guy.  The next scene was him chasing and grappling the guy.  The guy’s cellphone fell.  After their exchange of blow, the guy threatened him, his family, and “his girlfriend”.  Just right after he told the guy, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but I don’t have a girlfriend,” a [Mi Rae’s] car came and hit Gil-ro hard enough for him to jerk because of the pain.  When he noticed the cellphone, he picked it up and checked if there is something there that could help identify the owner.  He saw a picture of him and Seo Won.  This is the same picture that the guy showed to Mi Rae. 

Apprehension rushed all over him.  He called his mom to check if she and his dad were okay.  He didn’t even let her finished talking.  As soon as he found out they were okay, he called Seo Won right away but she wasn’t answering.  This is enough reason for him to drive as fast as he could to reach her apartment only to learn that she wasn’t there.  His next stop was her “other workplace”.  Concurrently, Seo Won made it clear to Do-ha that all he is to her is a friend and a closest comrade, nothing more.

Gil-ro got to his destination just in time to see Seo Won standing outside breathing the cold night air.  Limping, with blood all on his shirt and face, he called Seo Won’s name.  Upon seeing his condition, the worried Seo Won rushed towards him.  She asked him question after question but instead of an answer, Gil-ro asked her instead— why she’s not answering her phone.  Then he started nagging at her to hide his real feelings.  Seo Won on the other hand didn’t seem to hear everything he said.  She was more focused on thinking of taking him to the hospital.  Gil-ro saw how panicked and worried Seo Won was and as if to calm her nerves, he grabbed her towards him.  Once again he spouted all sorts of nonsense, all to hide what his heart wanted to scream about at that moment. 



Seo Won rushed to Gil-ro upon seeing his bloody face.



Seo won could only think of taking Gil-ro to the hospital.  Gil-ro could very well see how worried she is of him.



Back in the head quarter, Do-ha witnessed what was going on between Gil-ro and Seo Won outside of their building.  Later, the clueless Sun Mi joined in looking really satisfied with Seo Won’s “accomplishments”.

Later, Gil-ro apologized to Seo Won.  He told her not to change her phone number or her address.  This was enough for Seo Won to feel so relieved.  She gave out a sigh that says she’s happy she’s not losing him.  His words were like signals that tell her now it’s alright to wrap her arms around him.



A sign of a temporary relief for the couple...



I was so touched by that last part.  No, actually, I am always touched by how these two are when they kiss and make up after a huge fight.  The anxiety on her face showed her undeniable love for him.  And he is the same way to her.  Gil-ro just knows how to capture a woman’s heart.  His words are very affecting. 

I’m sure Joo Won’s character makes a lot of women want to have someone like him, too. J  The chemistry is definitely there.  They are not your ordinary kdrama couple but how they are, not considering their jobs—just how they are together as couple, look the most real than any other couples I have seen in the Korean drama world.  Their pair is not the type that you will love at first sight. Theirs is the kind that grows in your heart slowly but once they do, theirs is the type that you would always remember.