There’s a new occupation in town and it’s called fly swatter!
Episode 3
Note: The antique clock will also be known as the Sun clock henceforth.
By the way, the mini recaps are not much different from full recaps. I will maybe cut down on the pics.
Seung-jae jumps into the pool to rescue Tae-ri leaving AED to drown (hmm...he can't swim anymore?). Once she's back on her feet, Tae-ri's immediate reaction is to order her men to get AED who is dragged above water together with a camera which he slipped on. She glances at Seung-jae and a suspicious man a distance away, confiscated the camera, now an evidence, and orders AED taken care of.
Tae-ri reviews some photos which shows how AED struggles free up to the moment he was dragged out of the pool, while waiting for AED to regain consciousness.
He does, and checks himself for any changes immediately - stripping his clothes.....right down to his pants. (Err...if you don't change up there, I don't see how you'll expect any changes downnnn there). This is really fanservice to the max - I believe we've seen those abs every single episode so far. LOL.
And it is at this moment that Tae-ri turns around and sees him, in his boxers. She flings at towel at him shouting "mamamia". I hadn't mentioned it before but this seems to be her favourite catchphrase, a throwback to her Italy background. But really it sounds pretty awkward. Anyway, AED explains that he needs to ascertain something and ask if she's alright. He had sprained his legs --- he paused mid-sentence and realizes in horror that he doesn't know how to swim!
Tae-ri demands to know who he is and why he grabbed her into the pool. Well, he hadn't meant to fall into the pool, there was something he needed to confirm. Tae-ri crosses her arms and ask, "What?" AED claims he was investigating that man. Is that why he grabbed the camera? AED swears it was nothing to do with any camera - he was only thinking of her! Okay.....that sounded worse.
Tae-ri wants him to drop the act and comes clean with her - Why is he looking for her? AED stammers but fails to come up with anything convincing. In the end, he cries out desperately, "I like you. I like Miss Tae-ri." LOL. Well, that's sudden. He excuses himself cause he needs to go to the airport. Tae-ri recovers enough from her surprise to thank him for the camera incident and he promises never to show up before her again.
Tae-ri is heads back to the museum, asking for a board meeting to discuss the sacking of Choi Seung-jae. Surprisingly, Seung-jae is already in her room with a presentation which details how he investigated everyone by her side ever since she returned to Korea. He had arranged for several people equipped with HD water resistant cameras and after the antiqued clock sabotage incident, added long-distance surveillance as well. Wow, that's nuts. But he insists that it's necessary. As for AED - he's strange but harmless. Finally, he concludes that she still maintains her habit of keeping eye-contact during conversations, and still as attractive but smiles much less frequent now. Wow.
Tae-ri is not impressed but Seung-jae confessed that he only wants to protect her. Tae-ri doesn’t believe him, thinking he’s in cohorts with her uncle. He warns her to be wary of AED who may be a spy sent by youngest uncle. Tae-ri threatens to tell on him, which may get him fired. Ignoring her threats, Seung-jae reminds her sternly that she has no allies. So until he prepares everything, she is to cooperate with him. (Okay, that will so not endear yourself to her.)
AED rushes to the school only to learn from a bunch of schoolkids that Coach Hwang has been arrested on kidnapping charges. He had lied about bringing the kid to board a plan and now they suspect that Coach had sold the kid to clear his debts.
Coach continues to plead his innocence at the police station. At this time, Eun-don’s parents have also found out that Eun-dong never turn up at his training. Dad chases him around accusing him of being a kidnapper. Desperate, he lets slip that Eun-dong has changed. When pressed, he stutters that Eun-dong had a change of heart, something which is allegedly common in growing athletes who might experience some physical changes of some sort. (Well, he’s technically not lying. LOL). Mum rails at him for keeping his disappearance a secret, especially since they trust him so much. Coach wails that he has faith in Eun-dong, thinking he won’t disappoint him, to return safely before the tournament. Dad splits them up. Haha.
AED sees the commotion in the police station but stops short of intervening after recalling how his parents have mistaken him for a burglar. He tears off a pamphlet…
Tae-ri approaches a museum curator – Paul (Not sure but I’m calling him this). Through the bout of fencing: we know they are acquainted in Italy, he’s bitter about her winning the rights for the sun clock, he’s upset she allowed the clock to be damaged just one day after she brought it back. She seeks his help, explaining that her position is dependent on the success of the sun clock exhibition. He tells her off for being shameless, unwilling to interfere because of the trouble it’ll bring. She pleads to him, as her teacher, he knows her situation well and how strong her nemesis is.
He knows, but he’s not going to interfere. He had lived in Milan for 20 years after he was run out of Dae-dong Museum. He has no wish to be get involved again. She wants to borrow his pictures and information of the Sun clock for the exhibition. When he refuses, Tae-ri reminds him of his favourite phrase, “Life will not go on if you ignore the wound.” She pledges to ensure the exhibition is a success, and restore his prestige. But he remains unmoved. Tough one, this ol’ man.
AED sneaks back home where grandpa is napping is tucks the pamphlet under the lid of a ceramic crock.
Next scene, Appleheads dancing. Soon-sim unhappy that Hong-sil is out of pace. But Hong-shil is spared when Soon-sim receives a call from Mr. Choi. Hong-sil also receives a message from Tae-ri informing her she’ll be swinging by to visit her.
Seung-jae waits for the disguised Soon-sim to join him in the car. He apologizes and she immediately hugs him in relief, berating him lightly for making her worry. Oh, so they ARE involved. When he says that he’s been thinking about their relationship, Soon-sim is immediately contrite and promises to obey him from now on. He brings up the matter of AED who’s been pestering him uttering strange stuffs, accusing her of keeping another man. She clarifies that AED is just a crazy fan in love with her. He concedes that he might have misunderstood – he thought she sent AED to spy on him. He tells her not to send him off if he finds her the next time. He wants her to investigate why AED keeps appearing around them. At the mention of “us”, Soon-sim melts and agrees without a second thought. What a manipulative ^&%^#$%.
AED watches from afar as Coach Hwang is still being detained in the police station. Meanwhile, Tae-ri confides to Hong-shil how Seung-jae had her followed. He’s changed so much. No longer the first love over whom she’d fought her grandpa for.
A satisfied Soon-sim returns to the dance studio with a gigantic teddy, a little worried that AED might have told Seung-jae about her engagement. She overhears Tae-ri and Hong-sil speaking about Seung-jae. Hong-sil thinks Tae-ri should believe in Seung-jae. There must be a reason for his actions because Hong-sil knows how much he loves her but Tae-ri claims she doesn’t remember. Soon-sim looks conflicted with this bit of news. If you weren’t such a b****, I’d feel sorry for you.
AED falls asleep at the gate of the police station while waiting for Coach Hwang who is finally released.
Over soju (Coach only) and tofu (to wash away bad luck), he grumbles how he’s been suspended from work for 3 months and treated like a criminal for the first time in his life. It was only because Eun-dong has no life insurance of any sort that he was released on grounds of insufficient evidence. And after all his trouble, he’s disappointed that AED did not revert back to Eun-dong.
Eun-dong cries that he can no longer swim and he can’t even call out to mum when he sees her. Coach thinks it might be the side effects of his change. He asks AED if he felt something when he hugged that woman previously and AED recalls the strange phenomenon regarding the Sun clock. He’s convinced that he needs to hug her before the clock again to recreate that feeling – fast-beating heart, shining eyes, sweaty palms and all.
Problem now is AED promised Tae-ri not to show up before her again. Coach offers a wise (not?) advice: “A promise between a man and a woman exists to be broken.” But AED claims it’s no ordinary promise, it’s a naked promise (in reference to his nakedness? LOL).
Tae-ri receives a disc containing the information she’d sought from Paul (ah you ol’ soft cookie). She is about to check the content in her laptop when she browses through the photos from Seung-jae’s presentation earlier, pausing at one with a smiling AED. Oh, she’s rather affected by his “confession” then. J
She follows up on her interest by calling him, or rather Coach’s handphone, asking to meet him, much to AED’s delight. Coach gives him some washed out identification of his 25 year old younger brother, Hwang Min-soo. AED can’t be telling her he’s a 14 year old boy, so this identity will serve his purpose better – operation hug Lee Tae-ri before the Sun clock. (So from now Eun-dong will be known as Min-soo)
She picks him up and he identifies himself hesitantly as Hwang Min-soo, even handing over his scratchy identification card. She looks quizzically at the scratched ID but decides it doesn’t matter. She brings him to a shopping mall but he’s more eager to head to the museum.
Then she launches into some rapid Q&A questions regarding his background. Age? 25.Occupation? Originally student, but on a break now. So he’s got no income, no work, just a sad student? He’s not sad at all because he has a clear dream. Would that dream cost a lot? A lot, that’s why mum’s still making kimchi as a side venture.
Would he like her money to realize that dream? No. Does he want to work in CLS Group instead? His dream is much bigger than that! What is it then? To be by Lee Tae-ri’s side, all his hope is on her now. His dream is to be a Cinderella? (Pffttttt) What about that girl Soon-sim? Since when did Tae-ri become his life’s dream? He denies being a playboy; she’ll understand him more if she spends time with him. So what kind of guy is he? A guy who protects and cherishes his girl. Master in? Sports. Specialty? Swimming. Most confident about? Body. (Muahahahaha, he loves his abs!)
She paused too, but maintains her cool façade. Questions continue. Hobby? Chinese chess. Level? He’s on par with grandpa who’s a level 7 master. When is the happiest time in his life? 14 years old. He’d like to return to that time (Aww..). She advises him to give up that thought; it’s not healthy for an adult to miss the days where he tags along his mother.
She’s been grabbing shirts off the shelf a while now, and he changes into one of them now. She’s satisfied with the effect and declares, “Hwang Min-soo shi, you are now a fly swatter. Stay by my side.” LOL. He follows her around like a glorified bodyguard, but totally enjoying himself. In the background, someone continues to snap their photos.
The investigator updates Seung-jae about Hwang Min-soo : A member of the Youth Explorers’ Club who writes stories about uninhabited islands. Parents operate a horse cart in the village, has an elder brother in Seoul who works as a swimming coach, currently suspended. And currently, Min-soo is with Miss Tae-ri in a shopping mall. Heh.
They are in a restaurant now. Min-soo gulps down a whole glass of wine before inquiring about the exact nature of a fly swatter and his fancy suits. He asks eagerly if he’s to swat flies around the Sun clock. (LOL. The image that pops to my mind is hilarious). Too bad though, the Sun Clock has been sent for service and won’t be back for another 3 weeks. Min-soo thinks Seung-jae is the one who sabotaged it.
And speaking of the devil – Seung-jae seats himself in the other chair asking about Min-soo’s presence. Before the guys have a go at each other, Tae-ri explains her actions. Even though Min-soo caused her embarrassment and disrupted her business, he had also inadvertently led to the surprise discovery of the camera matter. So, she’s decided to offer him a chance to take care of this mungbean flyà Seung-jae! LOL. In her opinion, his luck is also considered his strength and she’d be satisfied with similar “luck” in future.
Min-soo is super delighted with his assignment and grabs her hands in grateful enthusiasm. She frees herself awkwardly while Seung-jae rolls his eyes. Tae-ri receives a call from Secretary Hong. Something has arrived. A mobile museum with exhibition on the Sun-Moon-globes. Seung-jae is annoyed since he has already made other preparations but Tae-ri brushes him aside.
Seung-jae still wants to play party pooper so Tae-ri reminds Min-soo of his assignment. He promptly gets to it, relishing the chance to face off with his rival. And he does, by using the wackiest tricks to stop him from approaching her. Meanwhile, the two of them unintentionally attracted a crowd of curious onlookers from the busy streets.
Cue the bus cum mobile museum lights up with projection of the Sun clock. It’s too late. Red carpet is laid and Tae-ri walks up to the prepared podium in much fanfare. She introduces herself and announces the official disclosure of photos and the backstory of the Sun clock, pledging that the actual Sun clock will make his return in 3 weeks. The crowd claps and Min-soo gives her the thumbs up while Seung-jae is almost growling.
Min-soo returns to Coach, fairly skipping in excitement with his spoils for the day. Coach is alarmed that Eun-dong would have to assume Min-soo’s position for 3 weeks! He does berate him for showing his ID to her though but Min-soo explains that she was suspicious. Coach is rather doubtful of his new position as a mung bean fly swatter but Min-soo doesn’t mind at all. (cause Seung-jae = mung bean fly!). He’s resolved to protect Tae-ri from the mung bean fly, who has already sabotaged the Sun clock. If anything happens to Tae-ri within these 3 weeks, he won’t be able to revert back even if the Sun clock is repaired.
Coach is doubtful Min-soo can pull it off, but Min-soo puts on his best adult pose and asks if he looks like a kid to him. He laughs to himself that he’s a fly swatter. Muahaha, he sure is proud to be one.
The unique launch of the mobile museum has made a favourable impression on the public who gushes about it and about how pretty Tae-ri is. Tae-ri beams happily watching the news. Satisfied, she switches the channel which shows Hong-sil’s Applehead singing and dancing. She starts to imitate but mung bean fly calls. Unwilling to spoil her mood, she takes apart the phone and continues dancing. Haha.
Not only is she not receiving his calls, she has also ordered him restricted from her residence. Seung-jae’s mood deteriorates as Mr. Vice President calls and gives him an earful. He pledges to solve the problem with the mobile museum.
In the night, a sleepless Min-soo sift through his old belongings – and writes something.
The next morning he shows up before Tae-ri with a fly swatter contract. LOL. Actually it’s a coupon valid for 22 days, apparently popular among kids. It’s an event where they put on their rings after 22 days of dating. Tae-ri doesn’t believe in love much. She disagrees with him about love happening within 3 weeks because even after 4 seasons, one may not understand another.
Anyway, Min-soo’s condition for using the coupon is; she may not sack him within the 22 days. She tells him in full conviction that she’d never let him stay that long. But Min-soo thinks she’s jumping the gun, who knows what’ll happen in 3 weeks. She puts on her ear phones in an attempt to ignore him but Min-soo gets all excited to learn she’s a fan of Applehead. She huffs that she’s only a fan of Hong-sil but he tells her that she must see them perform to understand their appeal.
Right before the Applehead performs, Hong-sil receives lots of gifts, much to the envy of other members and a quietly displeased Soon-sim who was busy texting Mr. Choi. The luxurious gifts are signed off by someone claiming to be Hong-sil’s fan forever, T.R. (Tae-ri no doubt). She doesn’t reveal who but denies it’s a secret lover since they are prohibited from dating.
Min-soo and Tae-ri are lining up to enter the arena for the Applehead’s performance with Tae-ri still not getting their appeal. Meanwhile, Seung-jae is also heading over since Soon-sim’s message says that she has something to tell him regarding that man (re: Min-soo). I’m thinking she made that up, but she sure knows what grabs him.
Min-soo considerately pushes through the crowd so that Tae-ri gets an unobstructed view of the stage. Min-soo starts fangirling (fanboying?) over Soon-sim the moment the girls explode on stage. Tae-ri slowly warms up and hollers for Hong-sil instead. And the arriving Seung-jae sees them from afar.
Min-soo narrates: “Soon-sim ah, I’m Eun-dong. I’m watching you. I’m going to be Miss Tae-ri’s fly swatter for 3 weeks. However, this woman …” Min-soo watches Tae-ri fangirling happily, entranced until she interrupts his thoughts and instructs him to holler.
Thoughts:
This episode picks up a little with some fairly adorable moments. Thus far, it still feels like Min-soo/Eun-dong will be teaching Tae-ri how to let go and live life and I’m fine with it. But his naïve uncalculated intimate gestures can be quite misleading so I’m thinking Tae-ri will probably fall for him first, although with her past, it’ll probably take a while.
Seung-jae is shaping up to be quite the b*****d. I don’t care what reasons he has or how much he loves Tae-ri (or how much I dislike Soon-sim), he has no business messing with a young girl’s heart, least of all when he has no intention of reciprocating her feelings.
There are still some missing players in the story and some of the secondary characters are not fully developed yet so I remain curious of what’s in store for us.
P/s: Sorry for the delay. I needed a break. I will try to get two recaps out per week at least, but I need to play catch up with my homework so it won’t be out as quickly. Cheers.
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