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A genius math student and his young teacher get swept up in accusations of inappropriate behavior.  But the scandal is really just a coverup for years of corruption between school administrators and rich, influential families.  Four years later, the pair will reunite in an effort to prove their own innocence and expose those who used them for their own advantage.  Can they stand up to their powerful opponents or will their lives be ripped apart again?

Lee Do Hyun as Baek Seung Yoo

Baek Seung Yoo is a math genius who got into MIT at the age of 10.  But a personal tragedy brought him home and took away any desire to perform academically.  His life is changed when a new teacher shows up at his high school and challenges him to rekindle his love of formulas and proofs.  Seung Yoo becomes as passionate about his teacher as the subject she teaches. When Noh Jung Ah decides to fire Yoon Soo, it’s easy for her to misrepresent Seung Yoo’s actions and feelings.  Seung Yoo goes on to become a famous mathematician and returns to Korea as a star.  He takes a job teaching at Aseong High School so he can find a way to prove what really happened 4 years ago.  And now that he is an adult, he also hopes to finally win Yoon Soo’s heart.  

Baek Seung Yoo never had anyone around who really understood him or his language of numbers.  So when he meets Yoon Soo, it is no surprise that he falls hard.  She really is his perfect soulmate.  Their journey was so rewarding to watch because each tiny step seems significant.  I absolutely love Lee Do Hyun, and this drama did nothing to change my mind.  He has such on-screen charisma and charm.  His transparent adoration of both math and Yoon So in this series was genuine and sweet.

Choi Dae Hoon as Ryu Sung Jae

Ryu Sung Jae is engaged to Yoon Soo at the beginning of the drama.  His wedding to her is ruined when Noh Jung Ah shows an incriminating picture of Yoon Soo with Seung Yoo.  After their break up, Ryu Sung Jae’s mother pairs him with Jung Ah’s sister, but the match is much more about using each other for their own goals than any emotional connection.

♥ Faithful Kyu Young

Jang Kyu Young was definitely an arrogant jerk in high school, but I kind of loved him in the scenes from the present.  His devotion to taking care of Ye Rin was sweet and in the end he was the only one standing by her.  We don’t find out much about his own backstory or parents, but he seems to have grown much more down to earth and likeable, post high school.

 ♥ Si An

The character of Si An was such a wonderful addition to the present time line.  Her joy and enthusiasm were contagious.  Yoon Soo and Seung Yoo represent kind of stereotypical mathematical genius types.  They tend to be somber and withdrawn.  But Si An shows us that genius can also breed bright, bubbly energy. And her presence in the lives of Yoon Soo, Seung Yoo, and Professor Ji brought sunshine into their dark, cluttered minds.  

School Acceptance

I don’t really understand how Seung Joo ended up a student at Aseong High School in the first place.  From what I can gather, the school is a private high school run by Noh Jung Ah’s father.  Seung Joo hasn’t gotten good grades since he returned from MIT and his parents are just average business people.  It just seems strange he would have ended up there at all, and he never seems to fit in with the spoiled rich kids who were his classmates.

Ryu Sung Jae

Ironically, I actually think Yoon Soo owes Noh Jung Ah for breaking up her and Sung Jae.  Even before Seung Yoo came into the picture, these two seemed awkward and not that excited about their upcoming nuptials.  And his mother was going to do everything she could to make the rest of Yoon Soo’s life hard.  Seung Yoo was obviously a much better match for her.  

“Melancholia” ends with a subtlely sweet ending that gives us our only real romantic interaction between Yoon Soo and Seung Yoo.  With the help of Ji Na and Ye Rin, the truth of Director Noh’s corrupt behavior is exposed, along with Ye Rin’s parents and a handful of other political officials.  We don’t really get to see what happens to them in the eyes of the law, but their reign of terror is definitely shut down, as proven by the pieces of Noh Jung Ah’s amazing office being torn apart and carted away.  Yoon Soo’s father passes away after spending the day having a “family” portrait taken.  Then we skip forward three years.  Jung Ah is living in a nursing home while Ji Na takes care of her.  Si An wins an award for her work at Princeton, but Seung Yoo misses the award ceremony.  Later, Yoon Soo goes to meet an online friend who she helped with material for a project he was working on.  Though the audience shouldn’t be surprised to see that it turns out to be Seung Yoo, the two of them are shocked since they haven’t really seen each other in three years.  The final scene shows a house, obviously the home of both Seung Yoo and Yoon Soo.  They sit together on the porch as Seung Yoo tells her he loves her and leans in for a kiss.  FINALLY!!!!

A high school student struggles to support herself and her little sister after her parents run away and leave them alone.  One day she meets a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park in town.  He offers to teach her magic and encourages her to take time to enjoy the beauty and miracles of life.  But for those in the community who have lost their belief in magic, the magician is someone to be feared and distrusted.  And when a violent crime rocks the town, he becomes their prime suspect.  

Choi Sung Eun as  Yoon Ah Yi

Yoon Ah Yi is a hard working high school student who is also the sole provider for herself and her younger sister.  But even with the part-time jobs she can fit in, the debt collectors are knocking down their door and she barely makes enough to feed them.  One night, she wanders into the amusement park and meets Ri Eul. When he offers to teach her magic, at first she is skeptical.  But soon, she finds herself believing that maybe this curious man really can make miracles happen.  When Ri Eul is accused of killing one of her classmates, she quickly jumps to his defense.  But she becomes increasingly frustrated when no one will listen to her.  

After struggling for years at the hands of selfish adults, Yoon Ah Yi’s biggest dream is to become an adult herself, so she won’t have to ever depend on anyone else again.  Being abandoned by both of her parents and left to raise her young sister, she is both wise and tired beyond her years.  I enjoyed Choi Sung Eun in this role.  Her ability to channel deep emotion made me really sympathize with her character and situation.  I found her both believable and endearing.

Ji Hye Won as Baek Ha Na

Baek Ha Na is the popular “mean girl” at school.  She is constantly bullying Ah Yi for not being rich like her.  When she becomes suspicious of Ri Eul’s true intentions, she stalks him and his “house”, hoping to find something scandalous to post on her social media page.  

♥ Ah Yi’s Success

I love that in the end Ah Yi is able to do what Ri Eul had never been able to;  she kept magic alive inside her heart while still living and working in the outside world.  It is fun to imagine that Ri Eul is somewhere near by, watching over her proudly.  And she gives hope to all of us that you don’t have to live in an amusement park or hang out with a talented magician to understand that magic and miracles really do exist.  

 ♥ Magic

One of my favorite things about this drama is that it never gives a definitive answer to whether Ri Eul’s magic is “real” or just some clever sleight of hand.  While things like Kim Doo Sik’s “disappearance” is shown not to be magic at all, there is no explanation for things like the camera turning back on to record him.  There is just enough unsolved miracles to make us, like Ah Yi, wonder if Ri Eul real is magical.  

Loosing His Temper

The way Ri Eul lost his temper with Baek Ha Na was frustrating for me.  With Doo Sik, the video proved that it was really self defense, instigated by Doo Sik to get Ri Eul’s fingerprints.  But his violent outburst against Ha Na was a blight on his otherwise pure and innocent character.  There can be no excuse for trying to strangle a young girl, no matter who irritating she is.  It just didn’t fit with what we knew of Ri Eul’s character.  Maybe it was an indication that he was nearing the end of his rope, but I still don’t like it.  And the fact that Bella was injured in the process was just heartbreaking.

Amusement Park

So, I understand that this abandoned park really does exist, but I seriously doubt there are people moving in and treating it like their own home.  If the police needed an excuse to bring Ri Eul in for questioning, they really needed to look no further.  I couldn’t decide if I was distracted by how incredulous it was that someone could live there like that or if I was just jealous it wasn’t me.  Honestly, I kept waiting for a mentor of Ri Eul to show up in the story;  one who taught him everything he knew and then “unofficially” left the park to him.  But unfortunately there was never a convenient explanation for his unlikely residence.

A short drama like “The Sound of Magic” has a pretty basic wrap up, since there aren’t many secondary characters to worry about.  First, Doo Sik and Ha Na provide enough “evidence” to make the police take Ri Eul in for questioning.  Before he is taken away, Ri Eul begs Ah Yi to tell him that she, at least, believes in him.  But in a rare moment of doubt, Ah Yi hesitates and loses her chance.  Terrified of being “locked up” again, Ri Eul escapes the interrogation room and goes back to the park.  The police and Ah Yi meet him there and beg him to come back quietly.  Ah Yi realizes that while Ri Eul didn’t make all her problems go away, he showed her the power of magic.  She throws a blanket over Ri Eul and he disappears.  A time jump shows us Ah Yi and Yoo Yi  visiting Bella’s grave.  The police finally uncover the truth of what really happened to the girl who was killed and Ri Eul’s name is cleared.  Il Deong drops out of school and decides to live life on the difficult path, where he can find the flowers.  Ah Yi’s father is home and the family is doing well now that they are back together.  Ah Yi still takes letters to the magical mailbox for her mom and Ri Eul.  Ah Yi is working as a magician in a restaurant where she can help to spread the magic.  And they all, we hope, lived happily ever after.

A young man strikes out on his own and takes a job in Seoul, hoping to write his first novel in his spare time.  But money is tight and the only housing he can afford is a run-down goshiwon in a redevelopment area named Eden.  The house is full of strangely uncomfortable characters, with the exception of one nice, normal guy who immediately befriends the writer.  But the longer he stays, the more scary the behaviors of his neighbors become, and even his one friend begins to seem more creepy than he had first assumed.  He begins to admit that hell isn’t so much a place, but people.  Now all he wants is to get out of Eden alive and never see any of them again. But his new “friend” has other plans.  

Lee Dong Wook as  Seo Moon Jo

Seo Moon Jo is a dentist by day.  But when he goes home at night, he is the leader of a scary group of cannibalistic psychopaths that live together at a goshiwon.  Moon Jo gets pleasure from torturing his victims with dental tools. Eom Bok Soon ran the orphanage where Moon Jo lived as a young boy and she taught him how to kill.  Now she is a kind of mother figure to him and the twins she raised.  When Moon Jo first meets Jong Woo, he sees a chance to turn him into the same kind of evil psychopath he is.  He will use every trick he can to bring out the violent personality he sees just under Jong Woo’s surface.  

Seo Moon Jo had a rough start in life.  After meeting the manipulative Eom Bok Soon, he was involved in a fire apparently set by Bok Soon that he says left scars on his arms.  He doesn’t seem to have any true emotional attachments, since he even ends up ordering the murder of Bok Soon at the end of the drama.  But for now, he seems very enamored with Jong Woo.  Lee Dong Wook is chilling in this role as the cool and slightly unhinged killer, and I loved it.  That evil smile is the stuff nightmares are truly made of!  It was nice to see him break away from the handsome hero role and dig into some deeper, darker emotions.

Ahn Eun Jin as So Jung Hwa

So Jung Hwa is a naive, rookie police officer.  The odd happenings in and around Eden immediately set off red flags for her, but no one at her precinct is willing to listen to her suspicions.  Her bright, optimistic attitude, even in the face of being underestimated and overlooked, is the perfect foil to Jong Woo’s dark, increasing resentment.  

♥ Camera Angles

The dark cintematography in this drama was perfect for creating a world of shadows and fear.  It all felt claustrophobic and suffocating.  The use of unusual camera angles helped to heighten that feeling.  Things like spinning 360 degrees and shooting from above gave the audience interesting perspectives that felt unsettling.

 ♥ Mind Games

In the same way that Moon Jo manipulates and plays with Jong Woo’s mind, the writers purposely confuse and mislead us.  Not all clues are really clues, as is the case with the charger that makes us wonder if Seok Yoon is really in on it all.  Or the fact that it’s hard to tell which scenes are Jong Woo’s imagination and which are real.  The attack of Byong Min at the office starts like many of his other hallucinations before we find out this one is actually happening.  And then there is the huge overlying question, is this all just a novel he is writing in his mind.  The writers keep us constantly off-balance in clever and unusual ways that I found so interesting.

Plot Holes

This is a drama where every detail seems carefully thought out and subtle, but there were a few things surrounding the secondary characters that pushed the bounds of reality for me.  The idea that Bok Soon had got away with killing 2 husbands and burning down an orphanage without anyone blinking an eye seemed a bit much.  Especially when a rookie police officer zeroes in on those details immediately.  Also, several victims seemed to disappear without any explanation.  What happened to our cute rapper boy, or the weird church lady?  How did Jong Woo not even notice that one of the twins had disappeared?  And how does a detective go missing in broad daylight without someone asking questions?    

“Meat”

As if we didn’t already understand that these people are absolute psychos, they had to throw in the whole cannibalism element.  Watching them snack on “human” flesh and lick their fingers was enough to turn my stomach.  It definitely carries the message that these are not your run-of-the-mill serial killers, but I’m not sure it was necessary.

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Oh, the ending.  I’m not even sure I’m qualified to break this one down.  Let’s just start with the things we actually know.  At least most of the original residents of Eden are dead.  After Moon Jo tells Jong Woo that he can live if he kills everyone else, we see Jong Woo kill Bok Soon, Nam Bok, and the remaining twin.  We also see a fight scene between Moon Jo and Jong Woo that may or may not have ended in Moon Jo’s death.   More on that later… Strangely, Hee Joong, the gangster makes it out alive.  And so does Ji Eun and our brave detective, and Jung Hwa.  The whereabouts of Seok Yoon and Chang Hyun are never verified.  And Jung Woo is in the hospital recovering from injuries that have been ruled as self-defense. Jung Hwa comes to visit him and asks what really happened.  It’s obvious she has her doubts that Moon Jo actually killed them all.  The jingle of Jong Woo’s tooth bracelet suddenly triggers her memories of Nam Bok’s death, which she heard but couldn’t see.    After she leaves, Jong Woo looks up from his laptop as Moon Jo’s face appears over his own.  So, let me keep this short.  There are really 3 possible endings with slight variations.  The first, and probably weakest, in regard to proof, is that it’s all just a story and Moon Jo helped Jong Woo “write the ending”.  Second, is that now that everyone is dead, including Moon Jo, Moon Jo lives on in Jong Woo’s mind as his evil alter ego.  And third, Moon Jo isn’t actually dead.  We don’t actually see Jong Woo kill him.  Maybe he lives on to team up with Jong Woo for future killing sprees.  Whichever you chose, it’s clear that Jong Woo is no longer the innocent victim he once was, and his evil side has been awakened.  Personally, I think it makes sense that Moon Jo is only a nightmare living in Jong Woo and Jung Hwa’s mind.  Which ending do you believe?

A group of student from the Architecture Department at Nulji Science and Technology High School struggle to navigate the joys and sorrows that come with growing up and finding their own path in life.  A trade school may not be the traditional high school experience, but for this particular group of students, it could provide the perfect foundation to help them attain their life-long dreams. But corruption within the school and its administrators threatens to destroy their hopes, and it could mean the end to the school as a whole.  

Jo Yi Hyun as  Jin Ji Won

Jin Ji Won has always dreamed of building traditional Korean houses.  She attends Nulji Science and Technology High School, even though her mother, who runs a cram school, disapproves.  Ji Won loves going to school and working with wood, and she also loves it that her childhood sweetheart, Ki Hoon, is in her class.  She is a born activist who can’t stand injustice.  Her personal protests are well-known by her teachers and classmates.  So when her favorite new teacher is fired by the corrupt school director, she can’t help but jump in to try to save his job and her school’s reputation. 

Jin Ji Won is passionate and stubborn.  She always gives her best and her classmates love her fun-loving personality.  Once she makes a decision, she will stick with it no matter how much hardship it brings.  Jo Yi Hyun played this personality well, but the deeper motivations of her character aren’t really explored.  For a leading role, she seemed kind of simple and one-dimensional.  For a drama without much plot development, I would have liked to see more about the characters themselves.  

Hwang Bo Reum as Kang Seo Young

Kang Seo Young is an orphan who works diligently to study and try to make it into college on her own.  She focuses all her energy on studying and padding her college application with activities that will help her enrollment.  She asks Young Joo to pretend to date her, so that other boys will leave her alone.  But her motivation for the arrangement are much more complex than that.

♥ Vocational School

I thought it was an interesting concept to focus on a trade school.  The glimpses into some of the biases against this style of school and its students was enlightening.  This kind of education is such a unique experience and it gave a new flavor to the School series.  It was also nice to get to see some traditional architecture during the drama.  

 ♥ Grandpa

I never miss a chance to give a shout out to Park In Hwan, and as usual, he gave a great performance as the caring grandpa.  I really loved his bond with both Ki Joon and Ji Won.  His affection for them and wood working made a sweet relationship that felt sincere.  Watching Ji Won grieve his death as much as Ki Joon was heartbreaking but it made me glad there was someone who could understand his loss.  That point made it clear that even if he felt like he was, Ki Joon was not alone.

Teachers’ Relationship

The relationship between Lee Kang Hoon and Song Chae Rin was hard to figure out.  Sometimes they seemed perfectly content and amicable as co-parents, sitting on a bench having a pleasant conversation and yet neither one figured out they were about to be working together.  Were they on good terms or not?  Was it his being fired that led to their divorce or was there more to it than that?  And maybe most importantly, what were their feelings for each other now?  Chae Rin tried to protect him and seemed to gain a better understanding of what led to him losing his job, but it didn’t seem like their relationship had changed at all.  I just didn’t get what was going on with this “couple”. 

Mom

Kong Ki Joon’s mom showing up out of nowhere to take him away to Canada seemed weird and sudden.  There was barely any mention of her until that point and she just kind of assumed he would want to pick up his whole life and go with her.  There was no attempt on her part to express any regret for leaving him in the first place, and they barely had enough memories or things in common to carry on a full conversation.  There was nothing interesting or credible in this storyline.  

“School 2021” has a pretty predictable ending when the chairman of the school wakes up at the last minute to save it from being closed forever.  The class graduates and everyone goes on to live their dreams. Ko Eun Bin becomes an idol and she and Ho Sung are still dating and doing great.  Ki Joon decides not to go to Canada and he stays with his friends.  He and Young Joo end up working together for the company that sponsored their group project.  And Ki Joon and Ji Won do end up dating long distance.  Just not as big a distance as Canada.  Ji Won is working in a nearby town to help build a traditional house.  In the final scene, Ki Joon and Ji Won’s dad commiserate on the roof about how much they miss her.  Unable to stand it anymore, Ki Joon runs off to pay Ji Won a surprise visit and all is well in the land of romance.

Shim Eun Seok is a successful judge with a reputation for being rude and abrasive.  When she is transferred into the juvenile court system, she is challenged to balance her hatred of young offenders with her belief in justice.  Though her attitude and methods may seem unconventional, her need to expose the truth makes her perfect for the job.  But, even as she tries her best to always be fair in the face of the law, a tragic memory from her past continues to take a toll on her personal life.  Meanwhile, her new co-worker and office-mate shows a more empathetic approach with his cases.  His own personal backstory is the perfect reminder that with the right encouragement, these young people still have a chance to grow up as responsible, law-abiding adults.  

Kim Mu Yeol as  Cha Tae Joo

Cha Tae Joo has been working in the juvenile justice deptarment for awhile.  He is empathetic and personally involved with all of his cases.  He is always willing to go the extra mile if it means proving a young person’s innocence or helping lessen their punishment.  He is also not afraid to challenge his new co-worker if he feels like Eun Seok is being unfair or missing something in one of her cases.  

Cha Tae Joo is the perfect foil for Shim Eun Seok.  He is emotional and empathetic while she is all logic and cold indifference.  Having been in trouble with the law himself as a young person, Tae Joo understands the need for second chances.  I liked Kim Mu Yeol in this role, but I wish we could have seen a bit more character development for Cha Tae Joo.  Compared to Eun Seok’s depth and backstory, Tae Joo didn’t get to show much growth personally or professionally.

Lee Jung Eun as Na Geun Hee

Na Geun Hee takes over as Chief after Won Joong is forced to resign.  She is strict and decisive and she expects her judges to follow her lead.  She and Shim Eun Seok butt heads immediately, but over time she proves that she is willing to listen if she feels a person’s point is valid.

♥ Fascinating Subject

This insight into the workings of the Korean juvenile system was very interesting.  I enjoyed learning about some of the difference between Korean and American laws.  And I liked that the series did a great job of highlighting the complexities of the problems without offering unrealistic answers.  It was also interesting knowing that some of the cases used in this drama were based on real stories.  This theme was unique and enlightening, which is what kept me engaged with the show.

 ♥ Moral Messages

This drama asks some important questions about our legal systems and the way we deal with young offenders.  It examines the pros and cons of rehabilitation over punishment and emphasizes the need for social responsibility.  It also wrestles with the reality that the law “cannot protect every victim”.   This series isn’t looking to solve the problems, but at least they are willing to bring the issues to light.  

Shim Eun Seok’s Background

It doesn’t seem realistic to me that any aspect of a judge’s past could be kept a secret, especially when that incident could effect her ability to do her job well.  The idea that the events of her son’s death never surfaced don’t really make sense to me.  It seems like a judge would have more scrutiny, both from the public and the justice department.

Does She Hate the Criminals?

The whole premise of this series revolves around the idea that Eun Seok hates young offenders.  But as the show went on, it seemed like what she was really passionate about was helping the victims and their families find closure.  If a crime was deserving of punishment, she never hesitated to dole it out.  But her empathy for the victims seemed like much more of a motivating factor.

Because each case in this series ended as we went, there isn’t much breakdown needed for the ending.  The boys who killed her son are charged with a whole string of serious crimes.  In the court room, Eun Seok gets them to turn on each other, and the truth of their violent history is uncovered.  Shim Eun Seok is brought in front of the disciplinary committee for serving on a case which she was personally involved in.  Kang Won Joong makes one last appearance to ask Na Geun Hee to speak on Eun Seok’s behalf, which she apparently does, since Eun Seok runs into her on the way in.  A time jump brings us full circle as  Eun Seok comes back to work.  As she raises her head in the first case back, she sees Baek Sung Woo, the offender from her first case.  He is back with a new crime and looking much rougher from his time in detention.  And if there is a season 2, I’m sure we will get a chance to catch up with what he has been up to.  But for now, that is all we get. 

When Shin Ha Ri’s rich best friend begs her to go on a blind date in her place, Ha Ri has no idea the date would turn out to be her boss.  And her plan to act as irritating as possible only made him seem more interested in her “unique” personality.  Their meeting leads to a contractual relationship that is complicated by the fact that he has no idea Ha Ri is one of his employees.  At first, Ha Ri only sees him as her prickly boss, but as they spend time together, she realizes there is much more to him than that.

Kim Se Jeong as Shin Ha Ri/Shin Geum Hui

As a favor to her best friend, Shin Ha Ri agrees to go on a blind date in her place, with the goal of scaring him away with her outrageous behavior.  But when the blind date turns out to be the director of her company, she knows she has to end it tonight.  Luckily, the director is new to their office and doesn’t recognize her.  By the end of the night, she is sure she will never see him again.  Until he calls the next morning and asks her to sign a dating contract with him.  Posing as Shin Geum Hui, they begin dating.  But when he finds out her true identity and tells her he wants them to start dating for real, she is torn.  How can an average girls like her date a future CEO of a big company?  And after all the lies they told, how will she ever win his grandfather’s approval? 

Shin Ha Ri is bright and hard-working and she has a natural talent as a recipe planner.  She has spent the last 7 years with a crush on her close friend, but he has never considered her more than a friend.  While other’s are quick to point out her deficiencies, Tae Moo only sees the best in her.  First, I have to say that I loved Kim Se Jeong as Shin Geum Hui.  Her larger than life actions were funny without getting too irritating.  But she also sparkled as the down-to-earth Shin Ha Ri.  She is a natural in the rom-com genre and I expect to see a lot more dramas starring her.

Seol In Ah as Jin Young Seo

Jin Young Seo is Ha Ri’s best friend.  They have known each other since they were kids.  Young Seo’s rich father tries to control her life, but Young Seo refuses to let him tell her what to do.  When he insists that she begin dating a guy that he picks for her, she moves out to live on her own.  When Young Seo sees Sung Hoon for the first time, she is sure she has found her destiny.  But he keeps trying to push her away.  One night she gets drunk and confesses her feelings and he admits that he likes her too.  

♥ Second Lead Couple

A drama where the second lead couple is as popular as the lead couple is always a good thing.  In this case, the cute chemistry between Sung Hoon and Young Seo is amazing.  They made such a great couple, and they navigated the bumps in their relationship with clear communication and respect.  I really appreciated that about them.  I also loved that they were both “orphans” in a way, who were taken in by their best friends’ families.  They both understood what a blessing family can be.

 ♥ Grandfather

Not only did I love Lee Deok Hwa in this role, but I also loved his character.  At first glance, he seemed gruff and demanding, but Tae Moo always understood that if he felt strongly about something, he could make his grandfather give in, because he really loved him.  It was also fun to see him accept “Geum Hui”, even though she was obviously not what he expected.  He was more interested in Tae Moo’s happiness than her credentials, and that is rare in the land of chaebols in kdrama.   

Is That a Disguise?

I really could never accept the fact that Tae Moo could see Ha Ri multiple times and never once recognize her.  She didn’t look that different!  For a smart and observant guy, he was pretty clueless in this case.  If she had at least worn a wig or glasses, I might have been able to buy it, but a little makeup and some curls don’t change her appearance that much.  

Office Couple

I know they were supposed to add comic relief, which is never my favorite, but I just couldn’t get into Ms. Yeo  and Mr. Gye as a couple.  Their interactions were irritating and I just didn’t care about them enough as characters to care if they dated or not.  With such strong lead couples, it’s almost unfair to expect a secondary couple to compare romantically.  

“A Business Proposal” does tie up any loose ends but the ending was a bit abrupt and anti-climatic.  The lackluster proposal at the end was missing any big wow factor.  First, Min Woo finally dumps his horrible girlfriend and decides to tour Europe on his own.  He and Ha Ri agree that maybe they will be ready to be friends again once he comes back.  Tae Moo’s grandfather suffers a medical set-back that requires he and Tae Moo to spend some time in the states.  Tae Moo and Ha Ri agree not to break up, even though they will have to be apart for while.  Young Seo hands in her resignation to her father and Sung Hoon agrees to invest in her new business idea.  Of course, there is a time jump, and it’s one year this time.  We see Young Seo hard at work, building her business and Sung Hoon is actively supporting her since he didn’t go to the US with Tae Moo.  Tae Moo comes back with a ring, to propose to Ha Ri, with his grandfather’s approval.  She pretends not to say yes right away, but no is fooled by her act.  And that is where we leave off.  At least we can be sure they got their happy ever after!

After winning a music reality show, Wang Joon Hyuk is on top of the world. But it all comes crashing in when his prize money is stolen by the person he trusts the most.  Now, 12 years later, his sister reaches out to him out of the blue to ask for help taking care of his nephew.  When Joon Hyuk learns how difficult life is for them right now, he decides to move in with his sister and try to help her and her son heal from years of abuse and mistreatment.  Along the way he may also be able to find healing for himself and a new lease on life, love and career.

Lee Kyung Hoon as  Min Ji Hoo

After years of abuse, Min Ji Hoo and his mother run away in the middle of the night and start a fresh life in secret, while trying to blend in and not attract too much attention.  When his uncle, who he has never met before, shows up to pick him up at school one day, Ji Hoo immediately puts up emotional walls.  But when it becomes clear that Joon Hyuk intends to stay and help him and his mom, Ji Hoo slowly begins to open up to him. And genetics aren’t the only thing these two share.  They both have a love of music and a silly sense of humor that help them become the best of friends.  But Ji Hoo’s father and grandmother are hovering nearby, and they believe that Ji Hoo’s place is with them, being groomed as the next heir to their family fortune.  

Min Ji Hoo is a young boy who has experienced years of emotional and physical abuse from his father and grandmother.  He suffers from asthma and some psychological issues that leave him lonely and afraid.  Slowly, his bond with his uncle begins to heal his scars and help him grow and move on.  Lee Kyung Hoon is an incredible young actor.  This role is complex and emotionally difficult, and I felt like he handled it all like a pro.  Through his sadness and his joy, I shared in his emotional journey.

Lee Sang Woo as Joo Kyung Il

Joo Kyung Il is a mysterious neighbor who lives in Joon Hee’s new apartment building.  He is a handsome single father, and all the ladies in the building are interested in him.  He has a daughter who is in Ji Hoo’s class at school.  Kyung Il is immediately attracted to Joon Hee, but he has a secret past that could ruin his chance at another relationship.

♥ Young Character Development

I enjoyed this young cast a lot and I was so impressed with how many of them got a chance to show character development.  Child characters don’t tend to get much story development, but each of these young actors changed and matured through the course of the show in realistic and interesting ways.  Se Chan, No Eul, and So Dam all got a chance to stretch their acting wings and I loved getting to watch that.  

 ♥ Kim Yoo Ra

In the beginning, I assumed Hwang Woo Seul Hye was going to play another rich, snotty character.  But I loved how she ended up siding with Joon Hyuk and Joon Hee.  I couldn’t help but giggle at her and Joon Hyuk kneeling in the bushes to exchange information.  And her straightforward honest was so endearing as she became friends with Joon Hee.  This role was really fun and I enjoyed seeing this lighter side to her.  

Kyung Il Murder Plot

Maybe it’s just because I really adore Lee Sang Woo, but I thought the whole “might have murdered his wife” plot was random and unnecessary.  It felt too much like they were trying to stir up a crime thriller story that didn’t fit well with the rest of the plot.  I never, for a minute, believed that it was true, and it was kind of sad that they left him as his own biggest doubter.  

Step Mom

So, this is a small complaint, but what in the world was up with Ji Hoo’s step mother.  First she seemed like just another toadie bowing at the grandmother’s knee but then I actually started to like her when it seemed like she was trying to help Ji Hoo.  But the whole idea that she did it because she loves video games and wanted to create her own character is just weird.  What a random explanation for her character’s motivation.  I didn’t really have enough invested in her to care one way or another, but I still have to say that was a lame role.

“Uncle” really focuses on the main characters for the ending after the time jump, but first there are some brief glimpses into our villains and side characters.  Ji Hoo’s dad takes off with the family fortune and goes off to live his dream in some tropical paradise.  Shin Hwa Ja finally caves under the pressure and seems to have lost her mental capacities.  The maid she fired is the only one who can stand to take care of her.  And Min Ki finally stands up to his mom and tells her he won’t lie for her and he wishes she would just be his mom. I guess I would have liked to see them all pay for the crimes they committed, but it’s good to know they have all paid in some way.  The Momvelies have disbanded and Da Jung leaves her husband and is working at Joon Hee’s doughnut shop.  And Kim Yoo Ra is staying with her husband, but she is the one calling the shots after his near-affair.  Now on to our leads.  After setting it up to seem like Joon Hyuk would die at the end of all this, a time jump shows him alive and well.  He and Hwa Eum are happily married with the little girl they had dreamed of.  Joon Hee and Kyung Il are still together and doing well. A passing reference to No Eul has her taking classes in criminal psychology. And Ji Hoo has become a famous musician, just like he and his uncle had hoped.

A working woman in her 30’s finds out that she has terminal cancer.  She decides to quit her job, write a bucket list, and take the opportunity to do all the things she never had the time or money for.  On a spontaneous trip to Southern Japan, she meets the handsome son of the CEO for her former company.  He is exactly the kind of man she has always dreamed of falling in love with.  But falling in love now means pulling someone else into her own pain and having to leave him behind.

Lee Dong Wook as  Kang Ji Wook

Kang Ji Wook is the rich son of the chairman at a large travel company.  He is the new director at the company, even though his dad has no confidence in his abilities.  In an attempt to show his skill, and an excuse to escape the office, he goes to Okinawa to check out the tourist spots personally.  He runs into Yeon Jae, and thinks she is his private tour guide.  Instead of clearing up the misunderstand, Yeon Jae uses the opportunity to spend the day with him.  He is drawn to her quirky charm and when he returns home, he finds out she was his employee until recently.  Once he realizes that he has developed feelings for her, he is eager to win her heart.  Little does he know, she is keeping her distance to protect him from her impending death.  

Kang Ji Wook grew up without any real affection, so when he falls for Yeon Jae, he falls quickly and completely.  His feelings for her help him to become a happier and more loving person.  It was fun to see this more natural side of Lee Dong Wook.  He is charming and sensitive, and he shows Ji Wook’s character growth in a realistic way that makes you understand and appreciate him.

Seo Hyo Rim as Im Se Kyung

Im Se Kyung is the woman Ji Wook’s father wants him to marry.  The families have agreed to the match, but neither Se Kyung or Ji Wook are interested.  But when Se Kyung finds out that Ji Wook is interested in Yeon Jae, she suddenly decides she wants him after all.  She does everything she can to corner Ji Wook into a marriage with her.

♥ Doctor Development

Too often, secondary character don’t get enough screen time to really show much character development.  That was not the case with Dr. Chae.  Watching someone he personally cares about go through treatment gives him a much more empathetic perspective on his other patients.  I enjoyed watching his character bloom and grow and his wary friendship with Ji Wook was really fun.  Also, a special shout out to Hee Joo.  She was a bright, adorable character and her subtly chemistry with Eun Suk was very sweet.

 ♥ Tango Lessons

I loved everything about the tango scenes in this drama.  From the crazy class mates and their quirky back stories to the steamy scene between Ji Wook and Yeon Jae.  It was an interesting side theme that delivered a powerful message about healing through art.  And I loved Kim Kwang Gyu and his “double identity”!  Although I wish we could have seen him get together with Veronica.

Im Se Kyung

I wish we could have seen something likeable from Im Se Kyung.  Her character was childish and selfish right up until the very end.  While Eun Suk had such great character development, Se Kyung remained shallow and one dimensional.  I tend to like my villains a little less black and white.  Maybe if it had felt like her feelings became sincere at some point, I might have felt some sympathy for her.  But it just seemed like she was mad about losing to someone she considered beneath her.  

Sexual Accusations

While I enjoyed watching Yeon Jae’s mom find love and get remarried, I felt like the sexual allegations against the teacher kind of came out of nowhere.  If they were going to drop such a big bomb, it seems like there should have been more references to a personal trauma or dark secret.  And the story could have easily just had her mother giving up on her own love for the sake of her daughter.  This is a big issue to drop in without warning and just as quickly blow over.  

As I’ve mentioned, I really like the way they wrapped up this drama, while leaving the real “ending” to our own imaginations.  Yeon Jae’s mom and Dong Myung finally get married and settle into couple life.  Yeon Jae goes back to work temporarily, but then her condition worsens.  Together Yeon Jae and Ji Wook choose to help her ‘live” by trying whatever treatment they can.  At some point later, we see everyone getting gifts from Yeon Jae.  For her mom and Dong Myung, she sends couple shirts, for Hye Won it’s gifts for the baby, for her tango class it’s dance shoes, for the cranky landlord, a stuffed dog, for Se Kyung it’s Wilson’s ring, and for Eun Suk it’s a new doctor’s coat.  Which pretty much catches us up with all the side characters.  Back to our lead couple. they are living happily together in the house Ji Wook bought for them. Eun Suk says it’s a miracle that Yeon Jae has made it this long, and they agree that even though it’s rare, they are sure she will get another.  Back at the house, Yeon Jae looks through her bucket list book, where Ji Wook has crossed off her wish to sleep in the arms of the one she loves, since she does it every night now.  She smiles and turns the pages as she begins to write a new wish on the last page.  She hasn’t given up yet and for now she has time to make more of her wishes come true!