Before I get into my feelings for the week, I just want to make one thing clear: I am on that DEFEND YOUNG EUN-SOO tip. Now, forever, and always. Not since I Hear Your Voice (or The King 2 Hearts) have I gotten a second lead I enjoyed this much, not only because of performance but also writing. Dong-jae does not receive the same level of criticism (of all people!) as she does, and it’s like her criticism is always in direct comparison to my girl Yeo-jin. Yikes. That’s not to say we can’t compare characters and how they conduct themselves, but it’s something that’s been weighing on my mind these days.
[white_box] Spoiler and text heavy. Tread carefully! [/white_box]
Episode 9
- Yeo-jin’s observations this episode were very telling, like the look she gave Shi-mok when he put away the sweaters, or his slow collection of allies. It made me look at things a little closely. I would just love to know what she’s thinking… I really love the way she operates, too; some of the things she does are so subtle and I cannot picture anyone other than Bae Doona in this role. Such a natural. She is KILLING it. I’M BLESSED. I also thought it was lowkey adorable how Shi-mok noticed that he hadn’t really talked to Yeo-jin much that day and asked her a question, but her mouth was full of bread. LOL. He’s learning to read her 😭😭😭
- I couldn’t have been the only one who thought Lee Chang-joon telling Shi-mok to roll down his sleeves and and adjusting the tie for him was a show of power, as if to say I was the one who put you here. Damn. Never in my wildest dreams did I see Bong-soon’s dad in this type of role, hahaha
- Speaking of uncomfortable moments: that dinner scene was straight out of hell. When Shi-mok didn’t recognize they were waiting for him to sit down? Kill me. Yeon-jae trying to make small talk? My ashes are scattered. Yeo-jin’s clapback? The dessert I didn’t know I needed.
- A lot is being made out of Yeon-jae (Lee Chang-joon’s wife)’s comment about introducing him to a lot of pretty ladies, and Yeo-jin’s response. I don’t believe that she was trying to stake her claim on Shi-mok or anything (and even if she was, Yeo-jin is smart: they were in the lion’s den and expressing anything like that reflects a vulnerability that can be used as a weapon IMO), but sort of like… let’s move along, we have a job to do, you’re making everyone uncomfortable. Especially poor Section Chief Yoon :\
- Jung-bon asks a lot of damn questions about everyone and I’m not sure if I trust that or him. 👀👀👀
- I THINK WE GOT A SMILE THIS EPISODE. IDK. Need to do more research, I’ve only watched it 30 times… ha… ha 🙃
. . .
Episode 10
- Eun-soo, being the person that she is, deliberately went out and did some sleuthing in order to get the guy who delivered bribe money to her father, despite Shi-mok telling her to butt out on multiple occasions. Shi-mok, my prosecutor prince.. You know she’s wild AF. When has “no” ever stopped her from doing anything? Exhibit A:
ES: Sunbae-nim, thank you. Really, thank you so much.
SM: Have you lost your mind or what? What was this about?
ES: Well, I had to do something. You were working so hard for my sake, sunbae-nim—
SM: Do you think I’m doing this for you?
ES: Thank you. Thank you so much.
SM: (yells) No! It’s not like that.
SM: (pauses and firmly grabs her by the arms) What you’re doing right now is abnormal.
ES: You’re right. I’m not in my right mind now. How could I be? We’ve been desperately waiting for this day.
GIRL.
- I think I was more startled by her relative lack of reaction to his yell. And as much as he says that he didn’t do this for her (I agree), it’s like… bro. A byproduct of finding Kim Gyu-tae was exonerating Young Il-jae, so whether he likes it or not he did help her and her family. That’s not insignificant. Of course, the level of significance is probably lost on her, haha. What also wasn’t lost on me is that I’m sure she’s very much aware of the secrets her dad holds, so I don’t doubt that she’ll have a hand in bringing it to light.. eventually.
- How do I even begin to get into the showdown between Yeo-jin and Chief Kim? The disappointment she felt was so real to me. You know that she so badly wants to be able to trust in her peers and her superiors, but how can she do that when they fail to uphold the ideals they’re supposed to represent? The betrayal runs deep. Yeo-jin is a next level detective, and I absolutely loved that she did not back down from the truth or the job that she had to do, no matter how painful it was. Anyone can say that the special investigation team is walking the path to justice together, but I think her journey is the loneliest.
- When Chief Kim asked to go to the restroom, I legitimately thought he was going to hang himself. So when he asked Jang Gun for a copy of the CCTV footage of him and Ga-young, I was like… “wow, we really can’t trust ANYONE, huh?!” My feelings validated were as soon as I saw those images in the damn box given to Lee Chang-joon. Talk about a damaging equalizer! The team’s riding on a high right now, and I bet their upcoming low — because there’s always one, will involve Lee Chang-joon making this blackmail situation go away… which may very well mean no justice for Ga-young.
- Not really related to the episode(s), but like many great dramas before it, I do not think Forest of Secrets actually has a loveline. I think there’s a lot of projecting going on. Don’t get me wrong — I love shipping. I’m all about crack ships and rare pairs! While I do think they have something special (a level of respect and understanding), I don’t see it as anything other than platonic at this stage. The same also goes for whatever the frick is going on between him and Eun-soo. It’s possible to have chemistry and not necessarily have it be of the romantic variety, you know? In the end I ship Shi-mok and JUSTICE, okay.