Nice Guy - episodes 9 and 10

[dangermousie]

These are very much game-changers, but I shocked myself by loving them.


(Thoughts and caps)

First, let's get this out in the open - hello, terminal illness! I was wondering when you'd show up. So, Maru has some sort of blood clot in his head from the collision. Hmmm. I could see him dying at the end (ffs, get surgery!) or becoming a cripple or something. With Lee Kyung Hee, it's safe to go for the worst scenario.

Anyway, on to the other topics...

The break-up at the beach was brutal. I really hate when characters don't say really feel but behave as if it's opposite day - is there any doubt it would have been better for EG in short and long term if Maru told the truth about his feelings as opposed to trying to pretend he was some sort of monster? (No wonder EG was devastated - she opened herself up like this only to get that in return). But for once I don't blame the person doing it because Maru is so very messed-up, it makes perfect sense for him to behave the way he does. What gets me is his standing there and gulping after he drove EG away. Oh, Maru.





















The collision. What gets me is the peaceful, even happy expression on Maru's face - as if death is what he seeks and feels he deserves. What is your opinion on whether EG and/or Maru realized who was in the other car? I don't think either did - have you ever driven on a dark night with lights blazing in your face? It's pretty hard to tell who is in another car. I do think it makes sense EG temporarily snapped into a suicidal mode - she was always very fragile under her shell.














When we see Maru again, he's clearly gone. What is left is a desperate, death-seeking shell. Oh. The guilt must be immense, especially since it's pretty clear he loved her. And not knowing if she is alive or dead, knowing he drove her to this - it is no wonder he snapped. You know, what he is doing for a living by now is despicable, but I can't bring myself to feel anything but pity and desperate hope for him - he is clearly in as much or more of a hell than any of his marks.








This scene, I could go about it forever - the symbolism, the chemistry, the way he can't stop but is devouring her with his eyes, not saying a word, almost, as if he can't trust his voice.

















He might desperately try to act as if he doesn't care, but his eyes keep giving him away.


























You know what else gives him away? His fierce protectiveness - from JH's brother here, but is almost feels as if he wants to protect her from the world. And nobody will convince me that an inchoate part of this hug wasn't his need to feel her alive and solid in his arms.
































He tries to push her away again but he really is bad at it because he just keeps looking and looking at her, drinking her in, almost not daring. And then there are her simple words about her heart knowing him - how can you fight someone who is not fighting back but is simply letting you in?














Nightmares. But what strikes me is his immense loneliness here.

















But when she is in danger due to JH's awful brother, Maru ditches everything and runs to the rescue - and that stunt with the car - wow, he really is willing to risk his life for her. Granted, he views his life as worthless but he would never do this for anyone else. Prickly or sweet, pre or post amnesia, EG is under his skin.

Comments

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Hmm, so, let me get this straight...

The "terminal illness" thing is a result from the collision with Eun Gi? The one that cost her her memory?

Oh, this is so going to end in disaster... Wait until she realizes it's her suicidal impulse that brought this on...

And just when I was almost to the point of caving in and watching it after reading recaps saying Maru might have turned the JH page. I think I'll wait until the drama is over and decide then.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not a terminal illness per se - he can be treated, it's just risky.

But yeah, with LKH dramas you never know when the doom hammer will fall.

[iviih.livejournal.com]

Having Misa vibes .....

and Not sure, if Maru dies = EG kills herself too.

Btw, I also think EG didn't know it was Maru's car and just wanted to kill herself (why try to kill another innocent live together EG? I'll just think you were out of your right mind, that is beliveable), I believe Maru knew it was her... because of the way he looked... plus Maru, again leaving without any care for your sister? I feel bad for her....

Well, even if it is impossible to see each other, or recognize their car, it is a kdrama, everything is possible.

I think EG just saw in the last second it was Maru (or maybe she snapped out of her suicidal/insane state) tried to avoid his car, but it was too late so both crashed but dnot front to front...if they did crash front to front, both would be dead.... or their car really destroyed and they weren't that destroyed imo.

[leslie (from livejournal.com)]

THIS IS GOING TO BE MISA-like but w/ epic proportions IMO.

Maru's showing so many emotions despite him shoving her away and this makes Joongki so damn good!!! *sobs*

One reason i stay away from this author's dramas is because MISA scarred me but now im going to undergo the same heartache due to Nice Guy's impending otp doom!!!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Well, MISA had doom from the start - *crosses fingers*

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

MISA was pretty hopeless from the start - so maybe this will end well...


I think EG just saw in the last second it was Maru (or maybe she snapped out of her suicidal/insane state) tried to avoid his car, but it was too late so both crashed but dnot front to front...if they did crash front to front, both would be dead.... or their car really destroyed and they weren't that destroyed imo.

This could be interesting.

[leslie (from livejournal.com)]

true, at least w/ MISA we knew main guy would die. the thing w/ Nice Guy now is that we're a bit hopeful and it scares me hahaha. Misa's the only Kdrama that had me bawling like a baby...

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

You almost had me starting to watch this drama (esp as the lead was Yeo-Rim in Sungkyangkwan Scandal) ... then this drama turns it all around. It cannot end happily .. not with all these things happening halfways through the drama.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Heeeeee. We shall see.

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

I think I will wait till this drama is over and then decide wheether I watch it or not. Atm I am too much invested in Faith and still dreading its ending.

[(Anonymous)]

Like you I don't think they recognized eachother... how could they in this dark tunnel with the car lights!? But we will find out in flashbacks anyway, right? :-)

I have to say I'm almost amused when Maru tries to push away Eun Gi... and he is so not successful. LOL And yes, his eyes are devouring her. She is more seductive than JH with all her bling-bling femme fatale attitude. :D

Looking forward to next episode... though in the preview we can see JH coming to Maru's house. Ugh.. stay away from him, JH, and stay with your evil friend Ahn. >.>

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I want JH to be whisked to Australia or somewhere else far away.

Maru = consummate actor with others, can't control himself with EG.

[nycteris-m.livejournal.com]

Hey, why send her here? There are much further places :D Antarctica, maybe?

[algelic.livejournal.com]

I loved LOVED loved how he was devouring her with his eyes, despite trying to keep a distance. And how Eun Gi is still so open about her feelings, memory or no memory.

Of course this drama can only end in disaster. But I look forward to the next episode!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am sure it will end in death and misery but I am hooked.

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

And then they sent us into a frenzy with that whole preview for next week, "what if it's love now?" and the look on his face when she opened the door... Of course, that "love" thing could be a mislead (wouldn't be the first time with this team), but man, they know how to reel us in...


is there any doubt it would have been better for EG in short and long term if Maru told the truth about his feelings as opposed to trying to pretend he was some sort of monster?

I think he felt that if she knew the truth, she'd never give up on him, and that wasn't... right in his mind. I don't think he set out to hurt her when he rushed to her side. He just needed some answers, as much as she needed them (when did she find out? why didn't she confront him? why does it not matter?), and it's only when she asked about sleeping together that he pushed back. I don't think he told the whole truth (b/c she wasn't Jae-Hee), I think he didn't sleep with her because she was different from any other women he's met since he lost JH. If he didn't care about her and only wanted to use her to approach JH, if he's as despicable as he pretends to be, he would have slept with her, if that's what it took to further ensnare her. But that's the whole point, he couldn't make up his mind about using her because there was a part of him that was genuinely drawn to her and which had nothing to do with JH. But then EG brought that up, and that's when he became merciless. A part of her did see through his BS, but the other part which wasn't ready for the reality of his past with JH (what it must be like to have loved for so long) was vulnerable to his lies... and that's what undid her in the end.

What gets me is his standing there and gulping after he drove EG away.

That and that he couldn't bring himself to leave that beach long after she'd left. It wasn't supposed to end like that. That's not why he agreed to go on that trip. And knowing that she came to him, gave up everything to be with him, even when she knew about JH... how do you let go of someone like that...

What is your opinion on whether EG and/or Maru realized who was in the other car?

I think they recognized each other because they were in opposite lanes and the tunnel was lit. And even if he didn't... who else would deliberately veer into his car like that? He knew. What I don't think they made clear is whether she stayed the course or crashed by herself to the wall in the end, though it'd have been too late for him to escape unharmed in any case.

nobody will convince me that an inchoate part of this hug wasn't his need to feel her alive and solid in his arms.

Yeah, initially it was just pure instinct, the need to protect her. Then once he had her in his arms, he held her a bit too long, long after Jae-Shik had left, long enough that the secretary averted her eyes. And I think it really reaffirmed what EG knew in her heart, that all of that connection and feelings were very familiar to her.

Prickly or sweet, pre or post amnesia, EG is under his skin.

I think by now, she pretty much owns his soul.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That is a great analysis of when he decided to break up with her. In a way, Maru is very masochistic - he likes punishing himself, he almost needs it. So I bet the more he wanted to keep her, the more he thought he should free her.

That's a great point about the tunnel.

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

I've been enjoying your commentary more or less on the drama so far. :) (u have a tumblr right? mind telling me what it is? I need more drama watchers on my dash) I too think that they knew who was in the other car when they were both speeding towards each other. I dunno if they saw each other but on some level they just KNEW. Maru's face was so peaceful as he was careening towards her and Eun Ki had this kind of manic bitter smile on her face. so.
Also no one has mentioned this and I think its important but when Eun Ki and Maru reunite at the end of ep 9. He's dressed entirely in black but she's dressed entirely in white. I think that was deliberate. what exactly it symbolizes I'm not sure but it could be an indication of how dark and horrible Maru has become while Eun Ki's bitterness and anger and pain has been washed away with the amnesia only to leave the pure hearted caring person she was deep down all along. I do wonder what will happen to her when she realizes what happened to her mother and her father and how wrong Maru has gone. I wonder if it wouldnt be kinder for her never to remember anything. (altho that would be v boring to be sure. I am hoping for some epic Eun Ki takedowns when she remembers. and hopefully she can smack some sense into Maru. either literally or figuratively lol)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Her tumblr is clairiere.tumblr.com

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ms. Mousie. :)

re: EG's recovery:

I think it's all but certain it'll happen, or they wouldn't have gone with the amnesia plot in the first place. The question is when and how it'll happen, what EG and MR's relationship will be like by then. She'll remember those terrible moments on her final day (ok, that sounds weird but you know what I mean...), but at the same time she'll have all those new memories with MR to deal with, so it's hard to predict what her reactions will be. I've been spoiled up to my eyeballs pretty much from the moment they've announced this drama, and they still managed to surprise me, in the most pleasant way. Sincerely hoping it stays that way. :)

[berryredcherry.livejournal.com]

I looove the way you comment and give you opinion on kdramas!
I knew somehow he would have a disease, it's kind of obvious in this type of dramas...for Christ Saint, I hope this time he remains alive at the end! I really want this Eun Gi and MaRu relationship to work! He should be happy and so does she! And the b*** of Han Jae Hee should spend the rest of her pathetic life in prision.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

And I totally love your comments about what should happen - agree 100%

[winegums.livejournal.com]

The minute he was sick in that toilet, I pretty much knew this poor boy's number is up - in my head, he's doomed already by LKH, I just want a proper love confession from him to Eun Gi before one or both of them dies.

I pretty much spent the non-Maru/EG parts of this episode wanting Jae Hee and Lawyer Ahn to drown, they are the actual worst and the thought of Eun Gi being handed over to them in her current condition....NO. I'm glad at least Secretary Hyun and Cute Lawyer Park are protecting her - though I think his new hair makes him look ridiculously like he's in a idol group or something, he definitely drew the short straw when it came to the 'indicate a timeskip' look, lol (and the poor guy now has to live with the knowledge that his dad killed EG's mother on EG's dad's orders iirc? I guess that explains what happened to her, then - I thought she was alive and living elsewhere :( ) . And apropos of nothing: Jae Gil's scenes with Maru hurt to watch, I'm actually starting to like him when he isn't having pointless scenes with Choco (and 4-year-old Choco in the flashback is adorable).

But our OTP.....omggggggggggg. They're just slaying me. He has to fight so hard not to let himself react to her, and YES I totally believe he held on to Eun Gi a lot longer than was strictly necessary because he wanted to (and again, I see what they're doing with dressing Maru in all-black and Eun Gi in all-white at that first post-amnesia meeting, while Jae Hee also gets the darker colours for her wardrobe when we see her).

I think the lies are the best he thinks he can offer Eun Gi, and that they'll protect her - which is why he refuses to admit to Jae Hee that he actually fell for Eun Gi, when she asked, so that Jae Hee doesn't have yet another reason to take down Eun Gi (as if she needs more, ha!). It's also why he lied to Eun Gi about "pretending" to save her life while they were at the beach, and why he's still lying now, when she has no memory of what she told him - he feels she's better off without him in her life. And I suspect the lying will continue into the next episode, too - I'm not entirely sure he'll let on to JH's bro that he's here for EG because he loves her.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I saw Robbers, where the hero was a scamming gigolo and also had some sort of head thing and he still ended up living happily with his OTP. But then it wasn't a LKH drama.

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

I think if Maru dies after everything it'll be kind of a waste and I'll just end up shaking my head more than anything. It IS sad but its so expected that it wouldnt have much emotional punch for me. I'd be more liable to cry to see him live and actually embark on a better life after everything. Maybe because overcoming despair is something more relevant and affecting to me than someone dying because the narrative deems it sufficiently tragic and also the best penance for his sins. I do hope that if they DO kill him off that Eun Gi gets a proper love confession from him before the end. I think I'd love it tho if he does seem ready to die and almost does until Eun Ki screams at him and or saves him if he's about to walk into traffic or smth (IDK lol) and then he finally confesses. but I dont need another romeo and juliet style ending. where they both die to be reunited together in the afterlife or w/e. I mean it wouldnt be the worst of all endings but its kind of been done already 1000 times and the writer herself has done it 3 times already so if she insists on a tragic ending at least make it semi different! I also had a really ridiculous but kind of awesome Nice Guy dream about what happened after Eun Ki gets amnesia but ofc it was nothing like what happened in the actual episodes. and it was also rly makjang (but not sad just lots of crazy happenings hahaha)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I kinda would want him to die, but I am sadistic this way. (OTOH, I suppose it means I am less invested - if I get unhappy ending in e.g. Arang, I will scream bloody murder).

[winegums.livejournal.com]

also, shallow note on the clothes/hair in this episode - I really LOVE Secretary Hyun's outfit in the scene where she brings Eun-ki to Maru's house. Everything's so perfectly proportioned, I WANT IT. (and Maru.....appears to have got Nice Lawyer Park's pre-timeskip hair. I just noticed it when he's in motion)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I looooove Maru's new hair. Yum yum yum.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I miss his curls, but the new hair looks like it's just made to be ruffled (praying that Eun-ki gets to do this at least once omg)

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I watched these two episodes today (long live posts about them, too) and I have to say I really love the way the second half of this drama is starting. I think it could end up being full of twists and turns, but not in a 'been there, done that' way.

Re Maru's injury: it seems that he wasn't properly treated after the car crash? His old Doctor friend basically said that MR should have had the surgery much earlier. At least it isn't cancer via being run over by a car. The written preview for episode eleven talks about MR becoming ill in front of EG, so I'm hoping she pushes him for the surgery. MR is supposed to ask an old mentor to come back to Korea, but it's supposed to be for EG. So. . .maybe MR's illness is to throw us off? TBH, I'd be pissed if EG died. If MR died, I'm be sad, but if one has to go - I'd rather MR.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if one of them had to die, I am all for Maru buying it and not EG.