8/10 - I knew there was more to this mom!

There's very few dramas in which the male and female leads have real conversation. Be honest with yourself. it's true. Especially for this genre/type. So when Kyung Suk admits that he admires Mi Rae for how she stood up to her middle school bully I was moved! So moved! Then as they talk he states that they are friends. That he's no longer an outcast!! Oh, my!!

Of course Soo Ah is picking up on how much more crafty she needs to be. Mi Rae is starting to suspect how Soo Ah is acting. While Soo Ah is being even sneaker on how she gets to Kyung Suk, and it does work a bit here. Even makes him question his assumptions about her. It's impressive, but we clearly still need more on Soo Ah's motivations.

I debated about whether I should give this episode an 8/10. The pacing is slower, but that is due to everything coming out. Mi Rae allows Kyung Suk to make up his own mind about whether or not he wants to see his mother in the hospital. She doesn't pressure him. Tells him what she's seen and that after this she won't bring it up again.

The power of this episode is seeing Kyung Suk memories of an unstable mother who cheated on her husband comes to light. Realizing the man that she supposedly had an affair with never happened. That her manic episode was after she lost her dream and her grief over it. That his father kept her away, and so much more. The realization that his mother was a modern woman, with a traditional husband. The confrontation with both parents is moving and so well handled. With some shocking dialogue leading up to a moment that I will share, but not spoil.

"I have no intention of living my life in a way you've decided for me. I'm doing my best right now!" - Hye Seong
"You're just going to keep talking back, aren't you? Way to talk back when a man is talking to you!" - Sang Won

This whole scene and story behind Hye Seong resonates well. Around here it's the wife's duty to at home and take care of the kids. If she does have a job then it's still her duty. Most of the time how dare she ask for help from the man! Standards that have long needed to change are addressed. Because this isn't just a Korean standard, this a world wide. Hearing Hye Seong confess that she never thought she'd be faced with the decision of choosing between work (her dream) and her children.

Thankfully all this heaviness is balanced by the healing in Mi Rae's family! You can truly see the amazing bond that Mi Rae has with her dad. Especially when they go out for karaoke. It's hilarious to see her mom be excited, but know what's ahead and be exhausted from it! It's so cute! I love dramas where the parents actually have a great relationship with their kids.

Overall this has been an impressive journey. Are the stereotypes of a drama are here, but we're being taken on a journey to see the deeper meaning being it all. I love the balance between the real issues and the joys.

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