Kdrama and Ramen

A young man who can’t hear meets a beautiful stranger while relaxing on Jeju Island.  Despite their differences and the difficulties presented by trying to communicate with each other, the pair share a meaningful conversation through writing and easy sign language.  But at the end of the night, they go their separate ways with just their memories of each other.  So he is shocked when they run into each other near his job at home.  And he is even more surprised when she greets him with sign language.  When she starts working part time at the art gallery where he teaches, the couple begin a careful friendship.

Shin Hyun Been as Jung Mo Eun

Jung Mo Eun is an aspiring actress, who has told her family she is studying for the civil service exam.  When she recieves a call for a small role being filmed on Jeju, she drops everything to go.  But the director isn’t impressed with her performance, and fires her before she can finish filming her scene.  And as she wanders the island aimlessly, she meets a deaf artist who peaks her interest in him as a person and drives her to study sign language.  Returning home after her trip, she runs into the man at the art gallery her best friend works at.  And when her friend recruits her to work at the gallery part-time, she jumps at the chance to get to know Jin Woo better.  But for them to have any kind of long-term relationship, she will have to break through the emotional and communication walls that surround his heart.  

Jung Mo Eun is shy and quiet, but her desire to act has helped her to gain confidence and courage.  There is a part of her that is actually jealous that Jin Woo is able to live in a quiet, peaceful world, where hurtful words are completely blocked out. Maybe because of this, she becomes fascinated in learning sign language, and she is a quick study.  Soon she is able to communicate with Jin Woo, at least on a simple level. But as their relationship deepens, she becomes frustrated with the limitations. I like Shin Hyun Been as an actress and I thought she played this part well.  She is good in these kinds of quiet, introspective roles and I liked the development in her character.

Lee Jae Kyoon as Yoon Jo Han

Yoon Jo Han is one of Mo Eun’s best friends.  When they were young, Jo Han would go to Mo Eun’s house when he had struggles with his own family.  Now he is a successful music producer.  He has always had romantic feelings for Mo Eun.  But even when he confesses that he has someone he likes, Mo Eun does not guess that it is her.  So he is less than happy when Jin Woo shows up on the scene. But he can easily tell that Mo Eun’s feelings for him are not the same as her feelings for Jin Woo.

♥ Ki Hyun and So Hee

Ki Hyun and So Hee were such a cute couple and I enjoyed the scenes with them together.  I think they are the perfect reminder that while it isn’t easy for a hearing person to marry a deaf person, it can be done.  And that relationship can be strong and healthy with a little effort and a lot of love.  I also loved Ki Hyun’s friendship with Jin Woo.  His loyalty to his “brother” was such a gift to Jin Woo, and I think at times it was all that kept Jin Woo going.

  ♥ Silence

So much of this drama is done with no verbal sound.  It is oddly calming and I feel like it gives us an insight into the world Jin Woo lives in.  The quiet stillness of fingers moving and pens scratching give just enough sound to create an intimate mood.  And yet, many of those silent periods give us the most profound moments in communication and understanding.  I have always loved the graceful movements of sign language, and I loved watching these characters as they navigated complex thoughts and emotions with only the movement of their hands and the expressions on their faces.  

Ji Yoo and Mo Dam

I thought Ji Yoo and Mo Dam were adorable together and it’s easy to see how they could have ended up falling for each other.  But I really can’t see how Mo Eun didn’t manage to pick up on it. It’s true that she had a lot going on in her own life.  But to live with Ji Yoo and spend time hanging out in the evenings with Ji Yoo and Mo Dam together, and never pick up on their chemistry just doesn’t seem very realistic.  Maybe the wrong roommate was trying to become an actress?!

Do Hoon

Do Hoon’s character was so weird to me.  First of all, the idea that he kept hanging out at Ki Hyun’s restaurant like they were just old friends, after everything he did, seemed strange.  They weren’t ever close to begin with.  And in the end, we find out that Do Hoon didn’t start the fire, which makes him less of a creep.  But he still stalked Seo Kyung, and that whistling thing was really manipulative and scary.  I’m glad that there is some resolution in the end between him and the others, but I still think he is kind of a jerk.  Are we, as the audience, just supposed to forgive him for all he put them both through?

While I have seen some arguements to the contrary, most agree that “Tell Me That You Love Me” has a happy ending.  First, Jin Woo meets his mom and gets some closure to that story. He also has a heart to heart with Seo Kyung where they both have a chance to share their true feelings.  And Seo Kyung has finally realized that it wasn’t as much Jin Woo she has been chasing all this time, but a sense of who she was back then.  She also forgives Do Hoon and, strangely enough,  there seems to be some hint that Do Hoon may finally win her heart after all.  Jin Woo and Mo Eun break up, although they are both brokenhearted to have come to this.  But both of their careers take off and offer them some distraction.  A year later, Jin Woo is finally back in Korea, after showing his art around the world.  Ki Hyun and So Hee are expecting another baby, which everyone is thrilled about.  Jin Woo’s old students are doing well and gift him a ticket to a play.  Mo Eun is starring in the play and the lines are the opening segment from episode 1.  And it’s clear that Mo Eun is speaking them directly at Jin Woo.  When the play is over, Mo Eun rushes to talk to Jin Woo and has to chase him outside.  Jin Woo walks slowly toward her and introduces himself, as if it’s the first time they met.  The credits roll as we see the couple, back “on track” in the same place they had broken up. Now arm in arm and happy together.  Some believe this last segment is just a bittersweet glimpse into what could have been.  But I prefer to believe that they have finally found a way to embrace their differences and stay together.