Drama Review: 7th Grade Civil Servant Episode 8

7^th Grade Civil Servant

Episode 8



Finally, they decided to be true to their feelings amidst the chaos and lies.
"You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.”



Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy was right when he said, "...pleasure lies not in discovering truth, but in seeking it."  I'm sure Do-ha is not finding it pleasurable now that he had discovered the truth. 



           This episode is a confirmation of feelings.  Do-ha confirmed that Seo Won doesn’t have any romantic feelings for him.  Seo Won and Gil-ro confirmed their mutual liking for each other.  Although Seo Won sets some boundaries— liking not loving—the truth that their feelings is beyond liking is undeniable.

            The closer you get the more it will hurt—a subtle reminder of what is to happen once everything is revealed in the end.  The poor Gil-ro doesn’t have any idea how true Seo Won’s words are.  But Gil-ro was such a smooth talker that Seo Won couldn’t help but be pulled by this guy’s charm.  However, she would always end up pushing him away every time she remembers her mission.  She’s aware of the weight she’ll be putting on his shoulders if she gets too closed to him.



Seo Won playing hard to get when Gil-ro tried to get closed to her.



Stephen Chbosky said, "We accept the love we deserve."  Seo Won still bears some secrets that she knows will only give pain to Gil-ro.  That's the reason why she wants them to like but not love each other.  At this point, she can't accept his love for she doesn't deserve it ... yet!



The very persistent Gil-ro tried his luck the second time around!

“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.”-- Sarah Dessen

            In the scene at the bridge, Joo Won just became the most charming leading man of 2013.  His sincerity plus his smooth talking = ideal man prefixed with HOT!  His words get through you.  I don’t know how this guy can make a simple question, “What took you so long to find me?” heart thumping!  He can cease the moment with his smile, looks, and words.  In that scene, he was like a hot ramen on a chilly winter night.  Seo won’s self-control was commendable for being able to resist that supposed kiss from Gil-ro.

            The scenes of Seo Won and Gil-ro together made me forget the loopholes of the show—at least for a while.  For a good section of episode 8, I indulged myself watching their beautiful love affair. 



Gil-ro when he thought he won a golden ticket to take Seo Won on a five days, four nights trip. 



This is the part where they're supposed to kiss, right? RIGHT?  But no... oh goodness! NO...

            The hilarity and cuteness continued on in Gil-ro’s car.  He was like a child who was promised a trip to Disney World when Seo Won agreed to go on a trip with him.  What was originally a 4-day 3-night trip suddenly turned out to be a 5-day 4-night trip after she allowed him to decide how long the trip will be.  However, it didn’t take long before the excitement turned to panic when Seo Won laid down her condition—introduce me to your parents.  Gil-ro, who looked like a chocolate monster who just won a golden ticket to Willie Wonka Factory was brought back to reality upon hearing this. Hah!  The golden ticket turned to dust!  Oh, poor guy.

            Every time I think of the clueless Gil-ro, I feel kind of anxious.  A bomb will explode on his face one day and he doesn’t even have a darn clue.  Worse, the very person he loves plays a pivotal role in this tragedy.

            I watched episode 8 several times—7 times to be exact. I did because I am really drawn to the love story of the two.  Although, a lot of people think the KH-JW pair is an odd one, I just couldn’t see that.  That’s one of the reasons.  I tried to find what other people saw that was odd.  But then again you know, they have their opinion and so do I.  I find the tandem just right. 

            On the other hand, because I watched the show several times, I also saw several flaws.  After a while, it is inevitable that one will see the flaws.  So here they are:

      How can NIS not know that Joo Man is innocent to begin with?  In all that time they were supposed to be investigating, you’d think that the intelligence department that the Korean government depends on when it comes to something very crucial as this, would already come up with valid report.  I mean, all these intelligence departments of the governments of [especially] first world countries such as Korea could find out their target’s whereabouts if they want to.  I mean really! How is it that they’re not able to find out any pertinent information about Joo Man that would clear him of their initial allegations?  This knowledge would prevent [or could have/would have prevented] the unnecessary mess in the end.  Indeed, this is kind of like an insult to the Korean intelligence office.  Yikes!  For a minute there, I felt like I stepped on a pile of crap c/o the show.

      In a meeting with the members of the team assigned to this assignment, Seo Won mentioned that she remembered Woo Hyuk’s brother talking to Mi Rae or more like having a meeting with Mi Rae.  Why didn’t they let her know that he was Joo Man’s attacker?  Why didn’t Won Suk let Gil-ro know about it?  This information could have helped the poor guy to direct his precious time spying on the right people.  Then maybe, they could actually advance quicker on this assignment without having to sacrifice too many innocent people.  And wait, doesn’t that make Seo Won another person left in the dark about this mission?  What’s the logic for that when even the incompetent Sun Mi knew about this dude?

      This mission is no ordinary since this could have to do with the country’s safety.  They were talking technology for destruction, in the first place.  So, why did they assign the field work to new recruits?  Shouldn’t they have assigned it to a more experienced agent?  Gosh!  Sun Mi doesn’t even know how to hold a gun.  I remember the movie, “So Close”, when the lead character said, “a gun is like a bird.  If you don’t grab it tightly enough, it will fly away.  If you grab it too tight, it will die.”  What an idiot she is.  Sun Mi, that is.  I’m sorry for my language. J

      How is an agent not a good driver?  Isn’t that supposed to be one of the basics they should know since she works in the field?  Or is Seo Won just pretending?  I don’t think so!

      Towards the end, Do-ha already tried to hand the gun to Seo Won but a moment after that, he once again reached for his gun in his jacket to hand it to Seo Won. I can’t quite comprehend that one.  Goodness!  How many guns does he have in his jacket?  I could already imagine a parody of that scene where for the third time, he brings out a grenade launcher and hand it to Seo Won.  LOL!  Déjà vu or editing flaw?  Huh!  Editors, stay awake because not all viewers are drowned by the romantic facet of the show.

            But I have to say, despite the flaws and loopholes in the plot, the romance and comedy part remain captivating.  And the ending, oh the ending!  Such a cliff hanger!

“There is nothing like wounded affection for giving poignancy to anger.” --Elizabeth Gaskell