Drama Review: A Gentleman’s Dignity 신사의 품격 – Episodes 15, 16

**Warning: Spoiler Alert** and it’s super long too because so much happened. And as always, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you watch this fabulous drama. I watch it on DramaFever as I like their subs and the quality of their video but there are lots of spots to watch K-dramas online.

Episode 15

As much as I love Korean culture and have a pretty decent understanding of it for a non-Korean, there are some elements of it that my heart doesn’t understand. Notice I said my heart not my head. One of my Korean friends explained why my heart will always have difficulty with certain aspects of Korean culture. You see, I’m too romantic (my words) or to put it another way, too naïve (his words). You see I believe love will triumph and that it’s the most important thing; no, that it’s the only important thing in a relationship. The rest is just details.

And this is why I’ve spent most of episode 14 and now 15 alternately crying and angry with various characters. I just want to shout “stop being so noble” and “fight for him”. Oh wait; I did yell that at my TV.

*cry* Do Jin *cry* Why do guys always have to do the ‘right thing’ – in their minds anyways – and ‘protect’ the girl? Seriously, she’s an adult, let her make up her own mind if she wants to be with you. Because the ‘right thing’ you’re doing is the wrong thing! Now I’m crying and angry at both Do Jin and Yi Soo. Grr… I’m never gonna to fall asleep tonight with all these emotions boiling to the surface.

While Se Ra and I will never be best buds, I am growing to like her more. The scene with her and Mi Ah Ri trying to cheer Yi Soo up is sweet and shows that Se Ra isn’t so bad when she’s not feeling insecure. Her character is slowly growing on me.

Can you say awkward? The meeting between Colin and the three ‘uncles’ just shouted it. But the occasional awkwardness in this drama is part of what makes it cute.

And on a completely different plot line, I feel really bad for Dong Hyub. His character had so much potential at the start of the drama, all attitude and adorableness, but he hasn’t really been used. And now it’s like they want to him to be all pathetic. Boo. Not liking this new development.

Hmm… I may have to alter my initial impression of Eun Hee. It still think it was wrong for her to leave without letting Do Jin know she was pregnant or at least not contacting him soon after the baby was born. And the scene with Colin was whack. But it took serious guts (and strength of character) to set up a meeting with Yi Soo. I hope that Yi Soo takes some of what she said to heart.

*cry* More crying for/with Do Jin and Yi Soo. My eyes are going to be red and puffy at this rate. Better make some chamomile tea (chamomile tea bags are the best for red, puffy eyes) as I’m going to need it.

Ahh… the oppas are soo cute trying to fix things. It doesn’t balance out all the crying but it helps.

Go Min Sook! Wow, she rocks. ^^ I totally love how she stepped in and helped Yi Soo with Dong Hyub, and made the crazy mom apologize. Money does talk everywhere! Every episode makes me like her more. Yeah, she’s cold and hard on the outside but she’s nice and caring on the inside. I really hope that the writers allow her and Jung Rok to have a happily ever after!

*Cry* More crying to a classic K-drama scene where both sad people are listening to the same song and crying. Which of course, meant I was crying too. Good thing I made chamomile tea (I wasn’t joking earlier). I’m not sure who made me sadder – Do Jin or Yi Soo?

But my crying doesn’t stop there. Seriously, this has to be the saddest episode ever! Ya! Stop it – people need to be happy not sad. The noraebang (노래방) scene with Mi Ah Ri was so sad. She’s been fighting for her guy – everything I want Yi Soo to do but I suppose with a new relationship it’s harder – but keeps running against roadblocks (Tae San being an autocratic ass and Yoon being noble). My heart was breaking for her. Tae San, on the other hand, I want to smack!

Okay, there needs to be a balance between having a backbone and fighting for what you want AND torturing someone’s feelings. I love that Yi Soo is standing up for herself finally but hate that she’s decided to torture Do Jin. Not cool! Either forgive him or let him go… don’t make his life miserable too. Seriously, what does that get you? You hurt him too – remember the shoes? – so don’t be a bitch about it. Okay, I know she has family issues – her mom is a piece of work – but don’t take it out on Do Jin. I thought you were better than that. You’re an Ethics teacher!

Episode 16

*cry* What a sad way to start the episode! Poor Yoon, to lose a wife that he so obviously loved deeply at such a young age. I know that we always knew he was a widower but this scene just made it so much more real.

Wow, Yi Soo’s mom is cold. No wonder she has abandonment issues.

As sad as the last few episodes have been and as angry as they’ve made me, one of the bright notes has been how cute and at times awkward the oppas are. The guys were hilarious and adorable trying to cheer Do Jin up and make him smile. Friendships like that are priceless.

Yes! Yi Soo realizes she’s being mean. I knew she was better than that. No! Do Jin stop being a noble ass! Why? 왜? Will things ever work out between them?

Tae San’s blind date was just what this episode needed. I was getting all angry and maudlin and then Tae San’s mom arranges for him to go on a blind date. Which was the funniest thing ever! I’ve been on a few and never quite had one like that. Seriously, who says – like 10 minutes after first meeting someone – that they are prepared to have 2 or 3 kids, spaced every other year of course, and will cook twice a day. I only date guys but does anyone say really say that? And while I may not like Tae San, I’m happy that he and Se Ra seem to have found their way back to each other.

Yay! Some more lighthearted scenes. I love Jung Rok, he’s so funny and adorable, as well as being cutely attentive. I was so happy to be *sighing* from the romance of it all rather than crying. Picking Min Sook up on a bicycle was so sweet and romantic. Hmm… maybe I like the wrong character? Nah, he would take longer than me to get ready in the morning… remember all the product he uses in the change room scene!

What do you know? Colin does have some different expressions. Sorry, dude’s cute and can sing but he’s not the best actor… well, other than to look cute and slightly arrogant.

*cry* More crying… the picnic scene was so sad. I can’t stop crying again and want to hug both Yi Soo and Do Jin. My stuffed animal – Q-vo (and yes, I named my stuffed animal after my favourite club in Seoul) – is going to be squished with all the hugging.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse… holy step-brothers from hell Batman. But loved how the guys swooped in and saved the day (even if they did leave Yi Soo with the bill). I may not like Tae San but when he loses his temper, he’s so funny.

Mi Ah Ri, my heart breaks for you. The scene at Yoon’s wife’s grave was so heartbreaking I just don’t have words. She’s begging for an answer from a dead lady and Yoon is frozen with pain. You can see he wants to comfort her but knows he can’t. I try very hard not to curse on my blog (and just in general) but all I want to do is curse at Tae San. Dude, she really and truly loves him… and you are killing her by forbidding it. Let them live their own lives and make their own choices! Let your sister and one of your best friends BE HAPPY!

Best ending ever, okay not the best but after spending the better part of two hours crying (I watched episodes 15 and 16 together) it ended on a hopeful note. I absolutely loved Yi Soo giving Do Jin the shoes and throwing his line back at her. This is what I wanted… her to fight for him and to let him know she would stand by him. Yes! You go girl!!

What did you think of episodes 15 and 16? How much did you cry? Who do you like better of the oppas?