Episode Title: A Diligent Lifer
- Aired: March 29, 2018
My Mister Episode 4 Reactions
My main issue has been waiting to get into the hearts of Ji An and Dong Hoon. They are both very aloof and cold characters to approach. Dong Hoon became a bit clear the last episode and I felt a complete disconnect from Ji Ah. I realized what it was. She's completely unsympathetic.
Ji An has had a rough life. She wasn't lying when she'd said she had killed a man. Not even a stupid drama style one. Nope she knifed a man to death. From the details given I've pieced together that her grandmother was in debt to some loan sharks. The man came and was beating on Ji An. Her deaf grandmother came to help and the man started beating on the grandma. The episode reflects on what family is willing to do to protect each other. Ji An knifes the man, who happens to be the father of the loan shark harassing. Ji An. It's chilling to know that this loan shark can't see past the murder of his father to the brutality that Ji An was protecting herself from. Then again his brutal beatings and unwillingness to make it easy for her to pay off her debt is proof the apple does not fall far from the tree.
That said Ji An can't see past her own struggle and sympathize with other. All she can see is that Dong Hoon makes 5 million won a month and is unhappy/bored. She can't think that maybe he's in the same predicament as her, but just a bit different. At times I thought she might have been trying to get Dong Hoon to see his wife's affair. I just think she was feeling for what she could use against him. Even thinking she could plan to frame Dong Hoon for having an affair! (The irony, and bless that smart employee looking out for her honest boss. I thought that tippi-toes and his arms in his coat was a dead giveaway too) Ji An has software on Dong Hoon's fun and is spying on everything he says and makes it into range of the speaker. Dong Hoon is ashamed of the miserable person Ji An can see. She sees the real him. But he's selling himself short. Soon Ji An gets a picture of his real life outside of her thoughts of how much money he makes. Especially when he goes and stands up for his brother. Up until this point Dong Hoon has just been taking every hit and rolling over belly exposed. He showed scary gumption to protect his family. As Ji An remembers what she did to protect her family she sees the real Dong Hoon.
We all get to see a glimpse of the real Dong Hoon. (I also thought his big bro had cancer or something instead of humiliation!)
Notes for thoughts the poor guy who got framed and "demoted" should have gone for drug testing. His whole freak out should have been handled better and I thought it was crazy he did that. Though it can be shocking to see how far the enemy was willing to go. Which makes me think that's why Ji An picked Joon Yeong. He has no morals and she could to whatever possible to earn the money. Dong Hoon's wife is scary. At least if it's true that they lost their child. I mean . . . why wouldn't Dong Hoon have been altered. I'd really like to know. Also, I get that Ji An killed his father but why is she talking that abuse. Ji An is hardcore. Couldn't she have the cops come and help her make payments? Why wouldn't Dong Hoon immediately state why he wanted Ji An fired? Clearly waiting for things to fall as they may do not work great for him. Pity does not feel like enough.
In the end many of the characters are going from cold or annoying to finally "being seen". I hope this means My Mister can truly take off for me. It's complex and very real feeling. Now that the characters are finally starting to feel real, and in cases likable, or at least approachable, I feel like the "magic" should start happening.
I'm really shocked, because drama gets better and better. It has enough suspense to make you crazy, but also its characters touch you deeply. My heart crushed when Ji An started to cry, that was her firts emotional reaction and was for Dong Hoon's words. I can't handle my excitement.
Beyond wanting to match them (I do), I wanted them to achieve this connection. I'm overwhelmed. After listening to Dong Hoon threaten the idiot (with a hammer), just to protect the dignity and pride of his family, I don't think Ji An will remain indifferent. At least,she will stop feeling boring.
Inside, Ji An and Dong Hoon are so broken, I truly feel sad for them. But more than considering them regrettable, I have a lot of respect for them. Not once we have seen them protest, they are people who act are firmness. So, both are able to cross any limit for the welfare of their people, but without being totally self-denying. They flow in solitude, trying to avoid further disappointments and deceptions, enduring the fact that they don't trust anyone.That's why discovering that the other can see through the shell makes them feel embarrased and angry. They're mutually destroying their armors.
When Dong Hoon's brother knelt ... that scene hited me. I'm not capable to imagine how hard is being humilliated in that way, and in front your own mother. Those brothers... they make me uncomfortable, I still do not like to have them hanging around. But they give a certain spark to this drama. I apreciated a lot this nuance of reality that is beginning to characterize My Ajusshi.
I am more and more convinced: it will be one of the best dramas of the year.
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