Where to watch it: it’s being subbed in English on viki.com, so it’ll find its way to you. If you understand Mandarin, you can find the episodes on youtube.

Number of Episodes: 35 (about 50 min per episode)

What it is about: It’s about this girl from year 2011, who suddenly finds herself transported back to the past after an accident. She knows she’s in the right place but in the wrong time, and can’t figure out how to get back. Fortunately, she’s in the body of a general’s daughter, also sister-in-law of the Eighth Prince, so she doesn’t have to worry about how to survive. Living in the house of the Eighth Prince, she naturally gets to meet and befriend the other princes, who pretty much all fall in love with her in some way. In short: a time traveling reverse harem.

What it is also about: The politics of surviving as a prince in the famous (not that I even knew about it) fight for the throne.

What it is also about: A feminist perspective on the old days where a man can have many wives.

What it is also about: A philosophical conundrum about knowing what will happen, but wondering if you should, or can, change history.

Why I think it’s great:

Well, it’s an emotional reaction. You know you’re in deep when you spend your free time reading about the show on forums (I recommend spcnet.tv), about the actual history on wikipedia (probably a poor source for chinese history), and wondering when you’ll find time to actually watch the show (answer: stay up till 3am). It’s rare that I feel this way. But what is even more important is that I know this show is going to stay in my mind forever.

Do you have the vague impression that you’ve seen a lot of shows (dramas, movies) but you can’t really remember them except for a few? This is one of those few for me. And not only that, I’m developing a huge interest in the actual history — I’m not a history person.

There have been few shows that have propelled me to look beyond the screen and into real life. One of them is Shiri, which suddenly made me realize that North Korea exists beyond the words “North Korea” that you see in newspapers. I can’t think of a second example besides Bu Bu Jing Xin right now.

A show has succeeded when it goes from being entertainment to education. It has succeeded when you see people translating chinese history pages for others in forums. I learned today that the actual 14th Prince was mostly a general in name, and flooded a town trying to create an ice rink for a married Mongolian woman. I also learned that Yongzheng was strangely buried alone. I just checked wikipedia and someone has added a lot of information on the page about the Emperor Kangxi.

I think it’s awesome that the writer of the novel, Tong Hua, was able to take a real piece of history and imagine the gaps in between. Why was the Crown Prince removed? How did the 4th prince earn the throne? What were they like in person, if you knew them personally and not as a historical character? They try to do this in history class, but it never achieves quite the effect of seeing people act in front of your eyes.

Of course it helps a lot if you get good looking actors to play the roles. The last I looked at one of the old paintings, none of the princes looked that good. And that last scene at the museum has completely changed the way I think of visiting a history museum.

Big thanks to Mrs Koala for introducing BBJX to me and other fans.

It’s actually really hard to recap 30 episodes of one drama. I wonder if it is easier to recap 30 episodes of two different dramas. I have no idea how dramabeans does it. It takes a lot of time to write recaps. At some point, you’re happy to ignore what happens next instead of plowing through writing the recap so that you can watch the next episode. I resisted the easy way out, which is to stop the recap and just watch the show. After 25 episodes, quitting at the last moment wasn’t an option.

Here you have it, my contribution to the internet archives of Korean drama.

Last Episode!

Il Jung calls the Cheongsan factory up to check on Tak Gu. Assistant Cha picks up the phone. Seeing Tak Gu’s jacket on the sofa, Assistant Cha assumes that Tak Gu is in the factory. Il Jung tells Manager Han that he doesn’t have a hold over him, so Manager Han should make his decision. The prosecuter’s office, or the airport? Manager Han gets packed into a car, and sent off.

After putting down the phone, Assistant Cha goes around the factory to actually find Tak Gu.

Il Jung asks Windmill man if he found the ledgers, and finds out that the safe was empty when Windmill man arrived. Oh well.

Ma Jun happens to be in his office that evening. He has some books on his desk, which I assume are the missing ledgers. I knew he was being weird about asking Manager Han for money, but I have no idea that he knew that Manager Han was embezzling. Ma Jun seems uneasy about possessing the books. He leaves the books in Il Jung’s office. Just as he is about to leave Il Jung’s office, the phone rings.

Manager Han asks if he can go back to Geo Seung to pick up something important. The men in the car initially deny his request, but turn around.

Ma Jun picks up the phone. It’s Assistant Cha calling from the Cheongsan factory. He is looking for Il Jung, and Ma Jun tells him that Il Jung is not in the office. Ma Jun asks what the issue is. Assistant Cha reports that he can’t find Tak Gu anywhere in the factory. A security guard (Yu Kyung’s dad) might have some leads, but we don’t hear what Assistant Cha says. Ma Jun realizes that something is wrong.

Tak Gu is asleep in the car when the shady assistant pulls in to their destination. The door opens, and some guys in black suits drag Tak Gu out. It looks like the Geo Seung building.

Windmill man is just walking out of the Geo Seung lobby area when the car with Manager Han heads back in. Curious, he turns around too.

The shady assistant enters the office and heads for his desk, looking worried about what he’d just did. He is startled by Ma Jun’s entrance. From a flashback (why do we need a flashback?), we see that Yu Kyung’s dad recognized the shady assistant who came to look for Tak Gu before Tak Gu’s disappearance.

The shady assistant asks why Ma Jun is there, and Ma Jun repeats the question in a more menacing manner. Cutting to the chase, Ma Jun asks directly where Tak Gu is. Receiving no reply, Ma Jun gets aggressive.

Manager Han is accompanied into the building by a bodyguard, but as they enter the elevator, men in black suits follow and they beat the guy up. Manager Han is escorted to the roof, where Tak Gu was left. Manager Han removes his jacket, tie and glasses, and says he’ll take care of things. I don’t know if Manager Han can really take on Tak Gu.

Tak Gu demands to know why they lied to him to bring him there. Manager Han says that he should have gotten rid of Tak Gu when he had the chance. He’ll finish the job today and accompany Tak Gu to hell. Manager Han grabs Tak Gu and tries to throw him off the building, and Tak Gu fights back. Surprisingly, Tak Gu can’t shake Manager Han off. Maybe he’s not trying hard enough…I mean he used to be a pretty strong fighter.

Windmill man finds some of Manager Han’s men entering the parking garage, and knocks out them out, rescuing the captured bodyguard. He asks where Manager Han is and is directed to the roof. Windmill man tells the injured bodyguard to call the cops. At the elevator landing of the roof, he is greeted by a strong fighter, and they have a go at it for a while before Windmill man finally prevails.

The cops arrive just as the injured guard is picking up the phone to dial. It turns out that Ma Jun has already called the police.

Tak Gu tells Manager Han that they don’t have to all suffer, but Manager Han says that the world that Tak Gu believes in doesn’t exist. Someone’s got to lose, and it’s either him or Ma Jun. Manager Han would give his life for Ma Jun’s future. With a final battle cry, Manager Han charges at Tak Gu, and we hear a cry like Tak Gu has fallen off the building.

When Windmill man finally gets to the roof,  he sees only Manager Han, and shouts for Tak Gu. He beats Manager Han up. There is a cry from the side of the building. Tak Gu is hanging on with one arm.

Windmill man offers his arm, and tells Tak Gu to hold on to him. He’s promised that he won’t let Tak Gu be harmed, and he’ll fulfill that promise. With much effort, Windmill man gets Tak Gu up to the roof, and they collapse exhausted. The cops rush onto the roof, and Windmill man points them to Manager Han.

On their way out of the building, they run into Ma Jun. Manager Han is surprised to see Ma Jun there and doesn’t know how to face him. Ma Jun walks towards them, then past Manager Han, and asks Tak Gu how he’s doing. Tak Gu says that he’s fine. Ma Jun walks off, but he slows and holds the rails for support, momentarily overwhelmed by emotions. The Yu Kyung parallel is now complete — he has turned in his biological father to the cops, and it’s not even to save his own life.

In Sook gets a phone call, informing her that Manager Han is in jail. She is shakened by the news. Il Jung comes home a moment later, and In Sook doesn’t mention Manager Han’s arrest. Il Jung tells In Sook that he’s moving into his mother’s room.

In Sook pleads with him to talk to her. He tells her that he doesn’t care if she chooses to continue to live in the Gu house, or to move out, but they won’t be talking again. In Sook insists that Ma Jun is his son, and Il Jung looks at her unbelieving. He pities her for continuing to lie to herself.

Yu Kyung witnesses the entire scene from the second floor, and she tells In Sook not to worry — she won’t be telling on her.

Il Jung heads to his mother’s room, and kneels in front of her picture. He tells her that he’s come as far as he wants to go, and it’s up to the next generation to pick things up and go forward.

Tak Gu and Windmill man head back to the bakery. Everyone is happy to see them. Windmill man finally has a chance to properly apologize to Kim Mi Sun, and she forgives him.

Tak Gu has more good news: the suspension on the bakery has been lifted. One of Manager Han’s men admitted spiking the bread with metal bits. They will be able to resume business by the next week.

Manager Han has a visitor. It’s Ma Jun. Ma Jun has come to say a final goodbye. Ma Jun tells him that he’s turned over the accounting books, and Manager Han says that he doesn’t blame Ma Jun. Ma Jun asks Manager Han why he didn’t try to live a better life, knowing that Ma Jun was watching him at every moment. If he had done even one good deed, Ma Jun would have found things easier to bear. Manager Han cries, knowing that he has lost everything and any possibility of being acknowledged as Ma Jun’s father.

In Sook is drinking in her room, and there are some really loud women laughing outside. Frustrated, she goes out to shut them up, saying that Il Jung is not well, so they shouldn’t be making so much noise.

Yu Kyung tells In Sook that she’s just in time. She was just going to show the women the bracelet. In Sook doesn’t reply, and Yu Kyung takes the oportunity to point out that In Sook seems to have been drinking. Feigning concern, Yu Kyung asks if anything is bothering In Sook, like Manager Han’s imprisonment. That earns her a slap from In Sook.

Ja Kyung and Ja Rim step in as the other two exchange words. In Sook demands to know how Yu Kyung dares to be insolent, and Yu Kyung tells her that it’s just the beginning. Ja Kyung takes charge of the situation and tell the women to leave. Ma Jun runs into the leaving women on his way into the house. He hears the women arguing upstairs.

Ja Rim asks Yu Kyung why she’s doing such things. Yu Kyung says that she had done nothing to provoke the family, yet she’s been mistreated the entire time. In Sook won’t let Yu Kyung use Ma Jun to get revenge. Yu Kyung sneers at her — Il Jung doesn’t acknowledge her, and Manager Han is in jail. In Sook has no more power.

In Sook raises her hand to strike Yu Kyung again, and Ja Rim and Ja Kyung step in to stop things before they escalate. Yu Kyung agrees to step back for the time being. We see that Ma Jun has witnessed the entire confrontation. He tries to talk to Yu Kyung but she leaves. In Sook collapses crying. Ma Jun doesn’t want to deal with In Sook, and goes to look for Yu Kyung instead.

Ma Jun heads downstairs to look for Yu Kyung. He sees Tak Gu and asks if he’s seen Yu Kyung. Tak Gu says no. He’s been with Il Jung the entire time. Also attracted by In Sook’s wailing, Tak Gu heads upstairs to find Ja Kyung and Ja Rim unsuccessfully telling In Sook to rest and stop crying.

Tak Gu drops to his knee and offers his back to In Sook. In Sook demands to know what he’s trying to do. Tak Gu says that she has no one to support her, but he is willing to help her out. In Sook refuses, but the girls helps In Sook onto Tak Gu’s back.

After they drop In Sook into her bed, Tak Gu takes his leave. Ja Rim asks if he wants to stay for dinner, but he says that he has dinner plans with his mother. In Sook pretends to sleep until Tak Gu leaves the room. She opens her eyes and starts crying.

Mi Sun brings cake up to Kim Mi Sun, and Axe Eyes sees her entering the room. He parks himself outside the door to eavesdrop. Yang Mi Sun is bringing homemade cake to Kim Mi Sun to try thinking that the latter might be bored. Y. Mi Sun offers K. Mi Sun a fork, but K. Mi Sun doesn’t receive it properly. Y. Mi Sun asks K. Mi Sun if she has problems with her eyes. K. Mi Sun lies and says that she’s just getting old, and asks Y. Mi Sun not to tell Tak Gu. Y. Mi Sun tells her to take care of herself, or else Tak Gu will worry.

K. Mi Sun thanks Y. Mi Sun for beng considerate of Tak Gu. Could it be that she likes Tak Gu? Y. Mi Sun quickly denies it loudly before pausing to ask if it’s that obvious. K. Mi Sun tells her that she’s always concerned about Tak Gu, so it would be hard to not notice it.

Y. Mi Sun wonders why Tak Gu isn’t able to see it. She’s even told Tak Gu directly to his face. Kim Mi Sun tells her that guys are a little dense. With the scoop of his life, Axe Eyes runs downstairs to report the news to the others.

Mr and Mrs Head Baker are surprised that their daughter likes Tak Gu. The Mrs can’t believe that her daughter actualy confessed to Tak Gu. Windmill man smiles knowingly. Head Baker asks what Tak Gu said in reply. Axe Eyes reports that Tak Gu totally didn’t get it. He think that they should intervene and help Y. Mi Sun. Tak Gu arrives home at this moment with Assistant Cha. Tak Gu has brought home meat and beer so they can have a barbecue to celebrate.

Over dinner, Axe Eyes tries to subtly introduce the issue of Yang Mi Sun as a potential partner for Tak Gu. Now that things are going well for Tak Gu, wouldn’t it be a good time to start thinking about marriage? Tak Gu looks a little uncomfortable, and shoots a quick look sideways at Mi Sun. Mi Sun stuffs her mouth with lettuce in surprise. Axe Eyes asks if Tak Gu’s had marriage offers. Tak Gu says no.

Axe Eyes notes that it’s a matter of staking claim on Tak Gu, and Mi Sun chokes on her food. Delighting in the awkwardness, Axe Eyes continues on, saying that very often, one’s mate is never too far away, and encourages Tak Gu to look around him. Assistant Cha jumps in and agrees. They can start by looking within the company. Tak Gu is apparently very popular at work.

The sudden turn of topic annoys everyone, and Axe Eyes tells Assistant Cha to eat more and stop talking. He says he’s full, so Mrs Head Baker tells him to keep grilling. Head Baker proposes a toast to Tak Gu and his mother. Y. Mi Sun excuses herself and runs out. Tak Gu follows.

Thinking that she’s alone, Mi Sun vents her frustrations. She can’t believe that after all her efforts, Tak Gu is going to pick some girl from the company, and calls him a jerk. Tak Gu overhears her rant, and asks if she just called him a jerk. He pretend-storms over and takes a seat beside her. Mi Sun denies it, and says she called him a busy man.

Changing the subject, Mi Sun asks Tak Gu why he’s out, and if he’s done eating. Tak Gu gives a non-reply, and asks her why she’s out. Tak Gu takes Mi Sun’s hand, surprising her. He wonders why her hand is so cold. Mi Sun tries to take her hand back, but Tak Gu holds on to it. He tells her that he’s aware of her feelings, but he’s an old fashioned kind of guy. He doesn’t want to approach her before forgetting the other girl in his heart. However, he knows that they will make many more memories in the future.

Mi Sun asks if this means that he likes her. I like a girl who cuts to the chase, and Tak Gu says he was trying to convey that sentiment. Tak Gu offers his shoulder to her, and Mi Sun leans on him.

Ma Jun finds Yu Kyung drinking in a pub. He tries to get her to stop, but she refuses. Ma Jun tells her that they should stop now. Yu Kyung is not happy with his request: she’s just getting started. Ma Jun tells her to stop anyway. Yu Kyung demands to know what she’ll do now that she’s come so far. They shouldn’t have even started. Ma Jun apologizes to Yu Kyung for making her into the monster that she is. He draws her into a hug, and she resists. He says that he did all that because he does love her.

Kim Mi Sun takes Tak Gu aside and tells him that she’s giving him her 3.8% of the Geo Seung shares. He should do what he wants with it. She has also gotten pledges of support from 2 other board members so he should be able to retain his position at Geo Seung easily.

Tak Gu tells his mother that he doesn’t need her to help him in this way. If he’s not good enough, he should be removed. Kim Mi Sun should focus on taking care of her eyes. He’s heard the truth from Dr. Yoon, and persuades Mi Sun to get treatment. She’s more important to him than being President of Geo Seung.

Ma Jun takes care of matters with In Sook. He tells her that he’s sent Yu Kyung to a friend’s place, and he’s going down to stay there with her after the Board of Directors’ meeting. In Sook tells him to break up with Yu Kyung or something will happen. Ma Jun tells In Sook to let it go. As long as she stays as she is, she will never be happy. He’s lived for Il Jung, and for In Sook. Now, he wants to live for himself. He returns her bracelet, and takes off.

In Sook doesn’t attend the shareholder’s meeting. Tak Gu and Ma Jun smile to each other from across the room. Tak Gu starts the meeting. The lawyer tells him that there is only one issue on the agenda, that is the vote for the president. The shareholders are very pleased with Tak Gu’s results at the Cheongsan factory, and are ready to keep him on as president. However, Tak Gu has other plans.

He would like to recommend someone else for the position. Tak Gu thinks that he’s better suited as a baker. Management and baking are very different. In the past month, he’s received a lot of help from Ja Kyung the last month in terms of managing the company. Since the president is a management position, he thinks that Ja Kyung should be the next president. The shareholders do not like the sound of it, and start to protest.

The lawyer reminds everyone that this is a vote. Tak Gu controls 38% of shares from Il Jung, and another 3.8% from Kim Mi Sun. He only needs another 9% to pass the vote. Ma Jun raises his hand. He agrees that Ja Kyung deserves to be president. Tak Gu asks him how much voting power he holds, and Ma Jun reveals that he has control over 15.6%. With that, the vote is over. They have the necessary shares to choose Ja Kyung as the next president.

The shareholders start to protest again but Tak Gu quietens them. He knows that the biggest problem is that Ja Kyung is a woman. But she also has the skills and experience to be president. He tells the shareholders to give her a year, and to decide again after they see Ja Kyung’s abilities for themselves. With that, Tak Gu declares the meeting over, and walks out. Ma Jun walks out as well, leaving Ja Kyung awkwardly in her seat as the directors shift their focus to her.

Tak Gu and Ma Jun wait at the Assistant’s office for Ja Kyung. When she arrives, she calls them into the president’s office. The doors safely closed, she asks Ma Jun and Tak Gu what they think they are doing. They tell her that they are giving her what she deserves. She doesn’t want their help, but Ma Jun points out that she needs their help. Between them, they control 57% of the company. She has always wanted to be president, and they know that she can do the job. In fact, the assistants have already prepared her name plate for her.

Ja Kyung asks what the guys are planning, leaving everything with her. Tak Gu says that he’s going back to Pal Bong bakery. Ma Jun tells Ja Kyung that he’ll be traveling, but he’ll leave her a contact number. He promises to come back to help if she has issues with the bread. Unable to refuse, Ja Kyung embraces them both, thanking them for the opportunity.

On the way out of Geo Seung, Tak Gu asks Ma Jun about his plans. Ma Jun tells him that while traveling, he wants to seriously think about what he wants to do with his life.

Ma Jun tells Tak Gu that he has one last confession to make: they are not really brothers. Tak Gu says that they are brothers. Ma Jun doesn’t press the issue and thanks him for everything. Tak Gu sends his best wishes to Yu Kyung.

Ma Jun drives out to meet Yu Kyung, and they have a picnic. Ma Jun unveils his newest bread, and asks Yu Kyung to taste it. He wanted her to be the first. She says it’s delicious. He presents her with the air tickets, and asks her to go to Europe with him. She agrees. They seem to have finally settled down.

Everyone else has their happy endings. Dr. Yoon goes back to being a doctor, the people at the Cheongsan factory do well, Ja Kyung does well as president. Even Ja Rim is inspired to find something for herself to do. Tak Gu goes back to Pal Bong bakery where the two Mi Sun’s in his life are waiting. The only person without a happy ending is In Sook. She wanders around the empty house, proclaiming herself Seo In Sook of Geo Seung.

On the first day of the bakery’s re-opening, everyone stands in the morning line up. There is an addition to the line-up: Assistant Cha has decided to quit his job and join Tak Gu as a baker. They are all fulfilling their destinies, like their teacher, Pal Bong, had hoped.

Comments:
I like how there are parallels and second chances in the show. In this episode, Ma Jun completes his parallel with Yu Kyung by turning Manager Han over to the cops. I like how Windmill man gets a second chance to save Tak Gu/Kim Mi Sun from falling from a tall place.

I love the scenes dealing with Yang Mi Sun and Tak Gu’s relationship. How Mi Sun looks so clueless…how Head Baker keeps looking to the floor while Axe Eyes goes on and on…how Mi Sun is choking on her food…

However, I thought the conclusion of the romance was awkward. I found it completely believeable that Tak Gu was oblivious to Yang Mi Sun’s feelings. The fact that he would choose to hide it for so long doesn’t seem quite his character. The fact that they were acting kinda close to each other (like feeding each other) in recent episodes was cute enough for me. The sudden confession from Tak Gu seemed a little off.

So this is my version of their happy ending: a playful scene, and then an accidental fall and thus a kiss. Except instead of acting awkward, Mi Sun would look secretly pleased, and Tak Gu would look surprised, like he’s realized something. Something cute and light is more inline with their relationship with each other. Instead of confessing to Kim Mi Sun, and having Axe Eyes broadcast it to everyone else, we’ll have Axe Eyes stumble upon Tak Gu and Mi Sun in that kiss. I mean, the show is cliched enough that this is not out of character.

That said, I did like seeing the reaction of the rest of the cast.

The one other weird thing was the roof scene. Why was Tak Gu only hanging on with one arm? If he can hang off with one arm, he can probably pull himself up with two. Just saying.

Anyway, thanks for putting up with my slow recaps. It’s been a fun ride. I’ll finish up the High Kick summaries like I promised, and then take a break. Do continue to leave me comments though.

Black is really good for setting the mood.

episode 29 recaps

As usual, the ending of the previous episode was a truncated version of what happened. In Sook’s first reaction was to ask when Il Jung woke up. Il Jung is more interested in the details of what happened 14 years ago. He confronts Manager Han and In Sook, and asks how they could have done such terrible things to his mother. Manager Han denies doing anything. It was an accident.

Il Jung reminds Manager Han that he was treated like a son. Manager Han disputes it: he was given material benefits, but he was never treated as an equal. Il Jung tells him that he would have kicked Manager Han out a long time ago if he didn’t treat him as a friend. He knows that he is not Ma Jun’s real dad, but he had to pretend that he didn’t know. However, he cannot do that with regards to his mother’s death.

Manager Han and In Sook are only slightly stunned. Manager Han challenges Il Jung and asks what he’s going to do about it. Call the cops? Manager Han tells Il Jung that he’s in no shape to deal with him and shoves Il Jung to the floor. In Sook stays behind, and tearfully approaches Il Jung. Il Jung tells In Sook that he didn’t want to believe it, and she tells him that everything is not as he thinks. Il Jung is the only one for her. She tries to help him up, but he refuses her.

Ma Jun steps into the room, and asks Il Jung if he’s able to grab his shoulder. Il Jung takes Ma Jun’s shoulder, and stands up. The men exit the room, leaving In Sook on the floor. Yu Kyung approaches the room slowly, and In Sook notices her presence. Yu Kyung gives In Sook a look, and walks away. Somehow it feels like In Sook has lost.

Ma Jun delivers Il Jung back to his room, and Il Jung tells him that he can leave. Ma Jun tells Il Jung that he’s sorry. He wasn’t strong enough or smart enough to help Grandma 14 years ago. Il Jung looks disturbed, and asks Ma Jun what he’s refering to. Ma Jun said that all he could do was to knock on Il Jung’s door that night. Il Jung finally understands. Ma Jun apologizes for not telling Il Jung sooner, and apologizes for being born. He is in tears at this point.

Leaving Il Jung’s room, Ma Jun pauses a while to shed his tears. He realizes that Yu Kyung is around, and immediately his tears dry up. She asks him if he’s satisfied. If he is, it’s all good. Ma Jun looks as though he’s seeing the monster he’s created for the first time.

In the meantime, Ja Kyung finds Tak Gu at the Cheongsan factory. She hands him a stack of papers, and tell him that it’s research material. Il Jung had once indicated interest in creating a bread with rice. Ja Kyung is now handing the project to Tak Gu. She tells him that the factory has a special place in Il Jung’s heart — it was his first factory. Tak Gu is delighted by Ja Kyung’s olive branch. Ja Kyung reminds him that she will not hesitate to remove him if he doesn’t do his work well.

However, when he announces the latest project to the bakers to ask for help, Tak Gu meets with pessimism. Rice flour won’t behave like wheat flour. Axe Eyes says that it’s clear that the Gu family and the people in Geo Seung are out to get him. Tak Gu looks for support, and Yang Mi Sun says that it’s not impossible. She begins to list a few things to try, and the others are persuaded that they can at least try and help Tak Gu out.

Head Baker, Axe Eyes, and Yang Mi Sun help Tak Gu in the kitchen. In the meantime, Tak Gu keeps trying to talk to the buyers, asking for time to develop a new product that they will definitely like. However, all their efforts are met with failure.

Eventually in the middle of one meeting, Tak Gu hits upon an idea about fermentation. He exclaims aloud, and Ja Kyung and everyone else looks surprised at his outburst. Ja Kyung reminds him that he’s at a meeting, and Tak Gu says he’s just had an idea. He asks Ja Kyung to take over chairing the meeting, and runs off. Ja Kyung looks surprised, but happy to indulge.

She reports Tak Gu’s actions to Il Jung , and says that she understands why Il Jung was so drawn to Tak Gu. They are completely alike in the way they live with bread as their foremost passion.

Tak Gu’s newest bread looks strangely pale. Axe Eyes asks if that’s how it’s supposed to be. However, they all take a bite and pronounce it a delicious success. The next step is to try sell the bread.

Tak Gu calls for a meeting with the bread buyers, and introduces the new bread. He tells them to try the bread. If they like it, he will distribute the first batch exclusively through them. He hopes that in return they will forget about the previous incident and the damages. He will honor the payment of the damages if the bread doesn’t sell.

The buyers try the bread. They look at each other meaningfully, and taking his cue from the factory manager, one of the buyers declares that the bread is not worth eating. Following his example, the other buyers discard their bread. However, on their way out, the leader of the group looks like he’s tempted by Tak Gu’s bread.

Tak Gu heads back to his office, defeated. Yang Mi Sun and her mother hear the news about the bread being rejected from the men, and are incredulous. Axe Eyes deduces that it’s all a conspiracy. From behind a pillar, Kim Mi Sun hears everything.

The factory manager reports to Manager Han that he was successful in preventing the buyers from striking a deal with Tak Gu. Manager Han says he will meet with the presidents of the other companies (I call them buyers). The factory manager tries to say something about Tak Gu’s bread, but changes his mind. After he puts down the phone, he looks at the remaining bread in the bread basket, and takes one to taste. He makes a thoughtful face as he chews, and smiles. What amazing bread.

As expected, Kim Mi Sun tries to help Tak Gu in her own way. She calls Dr. Yoon and her assistant, and meets them in a cafe. They are happy to see that she is safe, but Mi Sun’s first priority is to gain more shares or support to ensure that Tak Gu will not get kicked out at the next board meeting. Dr. Yoon looks disapprovingly at her. Her first priority should be her eyes. Kim Mi Sun refuses to be persuaded. She will show Tak Gu that good and innocent people will prevail over evil plotters.

In Sook and Yu Kyung have a talk. In Sook wants to know what Yu Kyung’s plans are. Yu Kyung asks if In Sook is blaming her for what happened the night that Il Jung found out the truth. She points out that In Sook was the one who created the problem in the first place.

Yu Kyung reminds In Sook that she knows a lot of other dirty little secrets. She can’t prove them, but she doesn’t have to. It’s enough to have people talking. In Sook asks what Yu Kyung wants, and Yu Kyung says she will be the first lady of Geo Seung.

Manager Han is checking in with the product development lab, and finds out that Ma Jun has not been there since he assumed the position as Head of Product Development. He heads to Ma Jun’s office to ask him what is going on. He can try his best for Ma Jun, but Ma Jun needs to take some responsibility to inherit the company. Ma Jun asks why Manager Han is working so hard to make him the president of Geo Seung. Manager Han tries to give some logical reasons, but Ma Jun tells him that he just wants Geo Seung for himself.

Manager Han insists that he just wants Ma Jun to do well. Ma Jun demands to know why Manager Han cares. But he doesn’t want to hear what Manager Han has to say. Who is Manager Han to him anyway? Ma Jun declares that he’s Gu Ma Jun, and his dad is Gu Il Jung. Since Manager Han betrayed his father, he has also betrayed Ma Jun. He storms out of the office, leaving Manager Han looking stunned.

Tak Gu bumps into Ma Jun in the building lobby, and Ma Jun walks by angrily. Tak Gu stops him to ask if the wedding went well. Seeing the tears in Ma Jun’s eyes, Tak Gu asks if everything is well. Ma Jun walks away. Assistant Cha tells Tak Gu that there have been rumors about Ma Jun, that he’s been going out to party all night and how he smells of alcohol the next morning at work. Tak Gu looks concerned.

Later that evening, Tak Gu talks to Ja Rim to find out what is going on. Ja Rim says she doesn’t know.

In the meantime in her room, Yu Kyung is listening to Edith Piaf, and fiddling with the bracelet. She’s not taking things too well. In Sook is brooding over her loss of power over Yu Kyung. Il Jung is on the phone, and plotting. He reveals to the other party that In Sook has discovered that he’s conscious and says something about seizing the opportunity. I can’t tell what is happening. This is a dysfunctional family.

Tak Gu decides to take matters into his own hands. Ma Jun is on the verge of getting beatened up for bumping into another guy at the club. Tak Gu appears just in time to apologize and extract him from the situation. He takes Ma Jun back to Pal Bong bakery.

Ma Jun asks why they are there. Tak Gu asks why he’s living so pathetically. Ma Jun says he can’t bear it otherwise; he doesn’t have anything. Tak Gu points out that he has a family, the company and even Yu Kyung. Ma Jun says it’s all a lie. Tak Gu points to the scroll that Grandpa had left behind. They are not done with their final task yet. Tak Gu tells Ma Jun that Grandpa’s last words were for him to take care of Tae Jo. Surprised, Ma Jun breaks down completely.

The shift of power in the Gu household is obvious the next morning at breakfast. Yu Kyung notices that In Sook has a few appointments with the other first ladies of the big companies, and proposes that she takes over In Sook’s place. After all with Il Jung sick, In Sook probably needs to spend more time with him. In Sook doesn’t reply. Ja Kyung and Ja Rim look curiously on.

Yu Kyung mentions that a new maid will arrive in the afternoon. She’s noticed that In Sook has no interest in housework, so she’s figured that she can step up. She will eventually be taking on the responsibilities anyway. Ja Kyung tells Yu Kyung not to be rude. Yu Kyung looks to In Sook and asks if she thought that it was rude of her. In Sook tells her to go ahead with what she wants to do. Saying that she doesn’t have much of an appetite, In Sook excuses herself.

The next morning, Ma Jun wakes up in his old room, and Tak Gu is sleeping next to him. Ma Jun thinks back to their conversation from the night before. He asked Tak Gu how he manages to be so happy when he has nothing. Can he not feel? Or is he really okay with everything? Tak Gu tells him that happiness and sadness are both transient. Ma Jun doesn’t think he can understand that.

The Windmill man looks for Manager Han in his office. Manager Han puts some books into a safe, and Windmill man looks on with interest. Manager Han has asked Windmill man over to find out about his progress with finding Kim Mi Sun. Windmill man reports that he’s had no success. Manager Han tells him that Dr. Yoon and President Na have been approaching the shareholders. He wants to locate Kim Mi Sun soon.

Ma Jun comes looking for Manager Han, and is surprised to see Windmill man. However, he refrains from acting too surprised. He asks Manager Han why Windmill man was there, and Manager Han says that they have some work together.

Ma Jun tells Manager Han that he wants to start developing new products. He would like an advance from Manager Han since it would take weeks for funds to come in from the proper channels. Manager Han is delighted by Ma Jun’s change of heart, and agrees to help. There is something strange about this scene, like Ma Jun is asking for money but he may have other plans for Manager Han.

When he gets to the office, Tak Gu sees one of the buyers lurking in the lobby. It’s not hard to see what he’s after. Tak Gu calls out to the buyer, and asks what brings him to the office. The buyer has come to ask when the new bread will be made. He says he’d like to try selling it for a week, and see how the response is. If it fails, he wants the promised compensation. Tak Gu happily thanks him.

Upstairs in the office, Tak Gu is informed that other distribution companies have called to ask about the new bread.

Tak Gu has one last task, which is to persuade the factory manager to cooperate. He tells the factory manager to prepare the factory to make the new bread. In addition, he’s promoted Head Baker and Axe Eyes to higher positions in the factory to help out, which really means to ensure that things go well.

He notes that the manager has been in charge for the last 20 years. Yes, the factory is falling apart, but they can rebuild it. Surely he wants to the factory to do well? The factory manager doesn’t quite reply immediately. However, he is eventually won over. Furthermore, Tak Gu promises better pay and benefits to the employees, and raises morale. The first breads go into production successfully.

Time passes, and Tak Gu’s bread sells well. The Cheongsan factory’s situation is improving rapidly. Manager Han gets nervous and checks in with Ma Jun on his progress. Ma Jun reports that he hasn’t been successful and tells Manager Han that he needs to be paitent. However, Ma Jun is lying.

Manager Han meets up with In Sook to discuss measures since Tak Gu is doing well. In Sook looks pale and listless. Manager Han asks if everything is fine. She replies that she hasn’t seen Il Jung since that day. Manager Han doesn’t like the sound of it. Il Jung is not the most important thing right now. In Sook suggests that they stop their plan. Manager Han says that they are almost at their goal. Ma Jun will get the company and then she can finally leave Il Jung and come to him.

In Sook looks at Manager Han in horror, asking if he did everything just for this. He tells her that this is all that he is living for. She finally realizes that he’s serious. She apologizes but she can’t keep her promise. Manager Han gets really upset but tells her that they will talk again. He’ll pick her up for the director’s meeting.

Now that Windmill Man knows the location of Manager Han’s safe, he’s trying to break into it. However, just when he cracks it open, Manager Han’s men walk in and capture him. Manager Han asks if this is how he should be repaid for paying his sister’s surgery bills. Windmill man reveals that he has another boss. Manager Han tells his men to take Windmill man away.

Manager Han checks his safe to make sure that the contents are intact, but it is empty. In a panic, he searches his office. The phone rings, and it’s Il Jung, who wants him to go over to his office. Manager Han goes out and sees that his men have been held captive. Windmill man is free, and he tells Manager Han that Il Jung is waiting.

In the meantime, the shady assistant is telling Tak Gu that Il Jung is conscious, and offers to drive him to see the president. Happily, Tak Gu gets into the car. He realizes that the car doesn’t seem to be going to Seoul, but the assistant admits to having a bad sense of direction. Appeased, Tak Gu looks forward to seeing Il Jung.

Manager Han asks Il Jung if this is all part of his plan. Did he fake being unconscious? Il Jung says he was unconscious, but he woke up immediately. He needed to find out the truth and investigate how much of Geo Seung Manager Han had touched.

Il Jung tells him that his game is up. Manager Han has two options: to get sent to the police, or to leave the country forever. Manager Han seems more angry than flustered. Il Jung says that he needs to protect his two sons. Confidently, Manager Han tells Il Jung that he will give him the options instead: one, the company, or two, Kim Tak Gu.

Comments:

And Tak Gu saves the day again and again! He sorts out the issue with Ja Kyung and the factory, and then Ma Jun. In a sense, he has fulfilled what the audience expects of him, and he will get his happy ending (not that happy ending). I really like how Tak Gu is the first person to pay Ja Kyung any attention and shares his position, and she’s playing fair and acknowledging his efforts. Ja Kyung is a good character, even though she’s not openly warm and fuzzy.

I don’t really get why Yu Kyung is descending into the abyss that she seems to have created out of nowhere. I swear her character is suffering without reason, maybe just to make it dramatic. I find her hotter, and kinda scary, but still not sympathetic. I see that she’s got a job to torment In Sook, and she’s going with the flow. Unfortunately, she’s letting things get to her. She’s not really doing anything bad (IMO), just keeping In Sook in check so that she doesn’t go around terrorizing other people. I don’t know why it’s so hard on her emotionally.

Onward to the last episode!

episode 28

It turns out that it wasn’t just Windmill man and Kim Mi Sun in the car. One of Manager Han’s men is in the front seat. Thus even if he was tempted to, Windmill man couldn’t do anything to help Tak Gu.

Tak Gu gives up chasing on foot, and runs towards his car. He jumps into the front seat and takes the steering wheel and drives off, leaving his assistant behind. Wait…since when did Tak Gu learn to drive? The other Manager Han thugs give chase as well.

Initially they are driving on the roads, but Windmill man decides to take a mud track to try shake his pursuers off. Surely enough, Tak Gu’s car gets stuck in the mud. He abandons his car and continues his chase on foot, running. Windmill man doesn’t get that far either — he meets a farmer driving a tractor. It’s really deja vu isn’t it?

Manager Han’s thug gets out and shouts for the farmer to back off. Windmill man takes the opportunity to unlock the door for Mi Sun. He looks back at her to make sure she understands, and Mi Sun seizes the chance to run off. She gets a bit of a headstart, but the thug notices her running away and gives chase. Windmill man catches up with him and knocks him out.

With her bad eyesight, Mi Sun can’t run confidently. She encounters the second group of thugs (who were after Tak Gu) who grab her. Tak Gu finally catches up with them, and tells them to move aside so that he can see his mother. The head thug beats Tak Gu up while Mi Sun keeps pleading for him to stop. Tak Gu doesn’t retaliate. After he throws Tak Gu aside, Tak Gu gets back up and demands that the head thug allow him to see his mother again. And again, the head thug beats him up and tries to toss him aside.

The rest of the thugs start to look uncomfortable at the situation. Finally, head thug himself hesitates, giving Tak Gu a chance to ask how much more he needs to be beatened before the thug will let him see his mother. Tak Gu explains that he’s been separated from his mother for 14 years. He’s willing to endure anything so that he can see his mother again. He tells head thug to beat him up till he’s satisfied. Head thug gives up and lets Tak Gu through.

Mi Sun and Tak Gu are finally reunited. Of course, there are tears. The thugs hang around for a while, and decide to leave, saving Windmill man from throwing a few more punches. Finally, Tak Gu tells Mi Sun that they should head home. There is plenty of time to talk.

In Sook is sitting at home when Ja Kyung and Ja Rim get back from the wedding.  In Sook sort of implies that they are late, and Ja Kyung explains that they took the newly weds out to dinner. Ja Rim asks if she was waiting for them. In Sook denies it angrily.

Ja Kyung tells In Sook that the wedding ceremony was simple and serious. In Sook says that she doesn’t care. Indeed, she seems to be more upset about being betrayed.

Ma Jun and Yu Kyung are spending their first night in what looks like a hotel. Ma Jun asks how she feels about finally being the daughter-in-law of Geo Seung.  Yu Kyung tries to avoid Ma Jun’s unpleasant tone, and says that she is tired. Ma Jun asks why Yu Kyung likes Tak Gu so much. He has deduced that she was thinking of Tak Gu when she hesitated during the ceremony. Yu Kyung doesn’t answer.

Ma Jun tells her that she’s gotten what she wanted, now it’s his turn. Yu Kyung looks perturbed.

Ma Jun says that he will tell her a secret, and it has to do with the bracelet. He’s carried the secret alone since he was twelve. He leans over and whispers into her ear. We can’t hear what he is saying, but we know the story. Ma Jun’s face is one of detached amusement. Did a switch flip in him? Yu Kyung looks stunned at the story. Ma Jun tells her to rest well, and heads down to a party.

The party consists of a group of young partiers, who congratulate him on his marriage. He has his arms around a couple of girls. One of them ask where his wife is, and he says she’s resting. Ma Jun proceeds to kiss the girl.

It’s the next morning and Yang Mi Sun is outside the house, sweeping up the leaves, when Tak Gu and Mi Sun arrive, driven by Assistant Cha. She looks curiously at the woman cradling a sleeping Tak Gu. Tak Gu wakes up, and smiles at her, and Yang Mi Sun smiles back, knowing that this is the mother he’s been desperately seeking.

They proceed into the house, and Tak Gu introduces his mother to the family. He promises Kim Mi Sun that he’ll be back as soon as Il Jung regains consciousness. He will visit her often, and they can get their own place someday.

When Yang Mi Sun goes to call Tak Gu and his mother for breakfast, she finds them asleep together.

Manager Han can’t believe that his men let Mi Sun and Tak Gu get away. Head thug explains that they may be thugs, but they have the ability to sympathize. Representing his men, he tells Manager Han that they will no longer work for him. I find this a little hard to swallow, but I get the point: Manager Han is losing support, and the tide is turning.

Windmill man tells Manager Han to give him independent assignments from now on, seeing that he can’t trust the other men. Manager Han looks doubtful. The other man who was in the car with Windmill man reports that it was Windmill man who knocked him out.

Il Jung is out of his bed, getting a phone report from Windmill man. They talk about some document that Il Jung is trying to locate. He warns Windmill man to be cautious because Manager Han is naturally suspicious. Indeed, Windmill man is being watched as he makes the call from a public phone.

While he looked normal talking on the phone, we see that Il Jung is not all well. The arm that was giving him troubles is permanently cramping, and he’s hobbling with a walking stick. Despite his best efforts, Il Jung falls as he tries to get back into bed, and his inadvertent cry draws Ja Kyung into the room.

Ja Kyung is completely taken aback at the sight of her father on the floor. She checks if he’s okay, but Il Jung tells her to shut the door. Ja Kyung obeys, and then helps Il Jung up. Il Jung tells her to keep the secret from everyone. Ja Kyung looked perplexed, and agrees on the condition that he explains why he’s faking his coma. Il Jung tells her that he’s looking for the truth.

Yu Kyung is woken up by a phone call the next morning. The first thing she notices is that Ma Jun didn’t go back to the room last night. It’s In Sook on the phone, and she wants to meet to talk. They meet in the hotel lobby.

Seeing Yu Kyung alone, In Sook asks whether Ma Jun is still sleeping. Yu Kyung lies and says yes. In Sook tells Yu Kyung that they should move back into the Gu house. It looks bad if their only son moved out of the family home after marriage. In Sook has remodeled Ma Jun’s room so that they can stay there. She reminds Yu Kyung that she needs to bear a son before she will be acknowledged.

In Sook gets up to leave and suddenly freezes in displeasure. Yu Kyung looks, and sees Ma Jun with his arms around a girl, who gives him a kiss before she leaves. Ma Jun notices the women looking at him, and he heads over casually. He asks why In Sook is visiting. She is more interested in the girl he was with. Yu Kyung looks upset, and Ma Jun notes it with delight.

Ma Jun excuses himself, saying that he’s late for work.

Yu Kyung follows In Sook home, suitcase in tow. In Sook barely acknowledges her, and leaves it to Ja Rim to show Yu Kyung to Ma Jun’s room. In the privacy of the room, Ja Rim finally addresses Yu Kyung. She knows that Yu Kyung didn’t marry Ma Jun because she loves him, and asks what Yu Kyung’s aim is. Ja Rim hopes that Yu Kyung can find happiness although she doubts it.

Tak Gu arrives at Geo Seung in a good mood. At the lobby he runs into Manager Han, and Tak Gu thanks him for the reunion with his mother. Manager Han denies any knowledge of what Tak Gu is talking about. Tak Gu tells him to drop the act and to act like an adult. Manager Han tells Tak Gu that it’s not right to rely on his father’s backing to get to where he is. I like how Tak Gu is directly confronting Manager Han these days.

The other assistant meets Tak Gu in the lobby to give him bad news. The Cheongsan factory has failed to ship goods.

A group of customers are complaining that they have not received their orders, and they are demanding compensation. Tak Gu tries to plead with them since it’s the first time they have failed to ship. First time? The customers get upset. It’s been many times. Tak Gu looks to the factory manager, who doesn’t acknowledge responsibility and only says “I told you so”.

Back at the office, Tak Gu gets a visit from Ja Kyung who is furious about the situation since her job is to handle the press. Tak Gu promises to try resolve the issue, and Ja Kyung doesn’t accept it. Does he have a plan? He needs to do better than try. A whole company’s worth of employees and their families are relying on him to keep them fed.

Tak Gu tells Ja Kyung that he’s willing to learn if she teaches him. She is taken aback by his humble approach, but asks him why she should. Ja Kyung had to work from bottom up to reach where she is in the company, while Ma Jun and Tak Gu were given high positions from the get-go because they are sons. Tak Gu acknowledges that her situation was difficult, but he also can tell that she’s worried about Geo Seung. He’s her little brother, and she should teach him what is right. He can tell that she cares about the company, so she wouldn’t let it go like this.

Yu Kyung asks Ma Jun out in the middle of the day to have a talk. She is willing to tell him why she likes Tak Gu. She likes him because he makes her feel like a good person. However, she’s afraid to stay around for too long because he will find out that she is not who he thought she was. On the other hand, she and Ma Jun are the same. They are people who can’t forgive and seek the painful route. Ma Jun asks if she married him out of pity.

Yu Kyung tells Ma Jun that a tiny part of her hoped that Ma Jun had true feelings for her, and that they will be happy. Yu Kyung says that she realizes that she was being naive. I like how without referring to the girl from that morning, Yu Kyung manages to convey her disappointment.

Yu Kyung dresses up that night. She hangs around the house like she’s waiting and runs into In Sook. Ma Jun is partying away with some girls like the night before. I think she’s waiting for Ma Jun. Unlike the previous night, Ma Jun is feeling guilty being in another girl’s arms.

Kim Mi Sun is walking in the hallway, squinting. I think she might be worried about her eyes, but she’s not letting on. Yang Mi Sun comes along and asks her if she’s waiting for Tak Gu. Kim Mi Sun says she can’t sleep and Yang Mi Sun says she can’t sleep either. Yang Mi Sun introduces the flowers in the garden to Kim Mi Sun, and as they are talking, Tak Gu appears.

They head downstairs and Yang Mi Sun brings out her newest cake. It’s a cheesecake, and she’s made it with Tak Gu in mind. Tak Gu takes a forkful, and declares the cake delicious. However, he doesn’t have the appetite for much. Yang Mi Sun asks if his work has been hard, and Tak Gu changes the topic so that Kim Mi Sun doesn’t worry. He notes that Yang Mi Sun has improved, and calls her by her nickname.

Yang Mi Sun protests the use of her nickname. She tells Kim Mi Sun that because they have the same name, Tak Gu refuses to call her by name, preferring to call her Fallen Soybeans. Given how terrible it has been trying to describe these two scenes, I’m tempted to call her Fallen Soybeans as well.

K. Mi Sun tells Tak Gu to stop it, since it’s not nice. Tak Gu defends himself, saying that he can call Y. Mi Sun Fallen Soybeans because she is pretty. He would only be cruel if she wasn’t pretty, and he called her that. Tak Gu offers Y. Mi Sun some cake, and she directs the fork into his mouth. They play a little, and end up feeding each other with the same fork while K. Mi Sun watches on. They look very natural and comfortable with each other, but it feels awkward (to me) to have his mom looking at them. Kim Mi Sun seems a little surprised herself.

Breakfast time at the Gu house is a women only affair. In Sook asks if Ma Jun stayed out again. She remarks that Ma Jun is acting very differently from when he was dying to get married. Yu Kyung changes the topic and raises her wrist, showing the bracelet. She tells In Sook that she didn’t realize that the bracelet was hers. She heard from Ma Jun that he picked it up at the lower garden a rainy night 14 years ago.

In Sook pales and Ja Kyung tells Yu Kyung to speak clearly instead of speaking in code. Yu Kyung says that In Sook understands her perfectly well. In Sook gets very worried.

Ja Kyung looks like she might have started to piece things together. She thinks back to the time when Ma Jun raised Yu Kyung’s arm to show the bracelet and told In Sook that he didn’t want to hurt her. She remembers the night when she found a cold and frightened Ma Jun holding onto a piece of jewelry, and how In Sook was rubbing her right wrist. Finally, we see the flashback when Il Jung said that he’s seeking the truth. He didn’t say much after that revelation, only saying that he can’t say anymore. His other words were to ask Ja Kyung to take care of Tak Gu.

Ja Kyung makes a decision. She picks up the phone and calls someone to ask where Tak Gu is.

Tak Gu is at the office of one of the angry customers to try talk to him. Tak Gu acknowledges his mistake, but pleads for leniency. The customer tells Tak Gu that the missing shipment is not the real problem. The real problem is that the quality of the bread has gone down. He laments the fact that Il Jung no longer takes care of the Cheongsan factory.

Tak Gu eventually heads back to the factory, despondent, and Ja Kyung finds him there.

Manager Han looks up In Sook in Il Jung’s room. She tells him that they need to talk, and that they should head to the study. A car arrives at the Gu’s house. Ma Jun has finally decided to come home.

In Sook tells Manager Han that the bracelet has resurfaced, and that Yu Kyung was able to furnish details about the rainy night. She thinks that Ma Jun saw something that night, and he’s told Yu Kyung. He’s had the bracelet the entire 14 years and has managed to hide everything. Manager Han doesn’t want to believe it, and says he will go upstairs to talk to Yu Kyung to check. As he turns to the door, Manager Han sees Il Jung standing outside with his walking stick. Did I mention that there was lightning that night?

Il Jung takes a step into the study with aid from his walking stick, in a way that completely reminds me of how Grandma was walking. He starts to speak, demanding to know where they were the night his mother died. He tells Manager Han and In Sook that he will never forgive them. Deja vu again.

Outside the study, Ma Jun witnesses the entire encounter.

Comments:
I love this deja vu thing that the drama writer has set up not once, but twice. It makes for really good story telling. And we know this time, things will end differently. I like how we didn’t have to repeat cycles before getting to the solution.

I like this episode for the increased screentime and importance of Ja Kyung and Ja Rim. Finally we get to hear what else they have to say besides publicly agreeing with their mother. Ja Kyung will probably have a larger role to play in the next 2 episodes, but I can’t see where Ja Rim can fit in. However at least now, we can see that adult Ja Rim does have her own opinions, even though she’s not as mature as Ja Kyung. They made adult Ja Rim such a ditz, I don’t know if it’s possible to redeem her fully. I thought she was cynical and wise when she was a kid.

The part where the gangsters quit working for Manager Han was just unbelievable. I wasn’t expecting Tak Gu to stand and get beatened, although he’s been good about it for a long time. I don’t think it would have spoiled the story for me if he fought for one last time to save his mother. Maybe he can show mercy or something. The non-retaliation strategy really wasn’t that convincing.

I was thankful that they resolved the situation with Yu Kyung’s dad in the simplest and cleanest possible way. The rest of the script is pretty predictable since there are many loose ends and the solutions are obvious. Endings are pretty predictable aren’t they? The one thing I can’t imagine right now is how Yang Mi Sun will finally get together with Tak Gu. There are many possible intermediaries. I hope it happens soon so that we can have some cute moments, but it’s likely they will just show them getting together and end the story that way.

episode 27 recaps

Tak Gu asks Dr. Yun who is he. Dr. Yun introduces himself, and says that he’s an old friend of Kim Mi Sun. Tak Gu asks where she is right now, and if she is well. Dr. Yun says that Mi Sun is slightly sick, and offers to take Tak Gu to her.

Back at the bridal dress store, the first person to say anything is Ma Jun. Ma Jun asks who the man that Manager Han brought is. Manager Han says that he’s Yu Kyung’s father. No one says anything. In Sook asks if it’s true. She says it’s disgusting how Yu Kyung lied about her foster home and being an orphan when she had a father all along. Yu Kyung’s father looks uncomfortable. Ma Jun asks if it’s real. Yu Kyung decides to take control of the situation.

She asks him who he is. Her father doesn’t reply. Yu Kyung declares that he is not her father. Her father is a man who is loud and who always swears at her and beats her. Her father is not the silent man who is standing before her. Manager Han should have picked a more suitable man if he wanted her to give up on the marriage. She excuses herself and heads to the dressing room to change.

Ma Jun asks what just happened. Manager Han insists that the man is Yu Kyung’s true father. In Sook tells Ma Jun to see what kind of person Yu Kyung is. She’s a liar who would forsake her father. Also, Ma Jun would be stuck with having to care for him after the wedding.

As soon as Yu Kyung is hidden behind the curtains of the dressing room, her confident composure cracks and she starts to hyperventilate and tear. Yu Kyung sways a little, but she holds herself up. She looks faint as the attendants are helping her with the dress, as she recalls the words of abuse her dad had said to her. Finally, she collapses. The attendants shriek in surprise and horror, and Ma Jun hurriedly opens the curtains, revealing Yu Kyung on the floor.

Tak Gu follows Dr. Yun to the hospital. As they approach Mi Sun’s room, Tak Gu slows down as he gets nervous. Hand trembling, he opens the door to her room. It is empty. Puzzled, he turns to Dr. Yun who is equally surprised. A nurse enters, and Dr. Yun asks where the patient is. She informs him that the patient was discharged and she left a note. She hands the note to Dr. Yun, but Tak Gu grabs it before the doctor could read it.

Mi Sun’s note says that she’s going on vacation. Tak Gu is unwilling to give up, and asks the nurse when Mi Sun left. The nurse reports that it was 5 or 10 minutes ago. Hearing that, Tak Gu rushes out. Of course, he narrowly misses catching Mi Sun, who is being driven away by Windmill man.

In Sook and Manager Han are talking in Il Jung’s room. She tells him that he did a good job with Yu Kyung’s dad. Manager Han asks if it is possible to get back the marriage alliance with the produce company. In Sook says it’s not a problem — they have actually asked if Ma Jun would change his mind about marrying their daughter.

As for the shares, they need another 5.8% to guarantee Ma Jun’s position in the company. Manager Han says that he’s found someone with 3.8% and is currently working on it.

Manager Han asks how Il Jung is doing, and In Sook says that he’s not regaining consciousness. Manager Han takes her hand, and tells her to remember that he’s there for her. In Sook yanks her hand away and changes the topic.

Yu Kyung is lying in her apartment, and Ma Jun is watching her. In her sleep, Yu Kyung begs her father for forgiveness, and begs him not to beat her.

Tak Gu returns to the Cheongsan factory. It’s dark, and he’s exhausted by the day’s events. He thinks back to what Dr. Yun said about his mother avoiding him so that she doesn’t get in his way, and realizes that his mother hasn’t changed at all.

A bunch of guys come out of the factory. It’s Yu Kyung’s father, and he’s getting beaten by a group of men. Tak Gu tries to stop them, and they tell him that Yu Kyung’s dad stole their money. Tak Gu offers to pay them back if they stop beating Yu Kyung’s dad.

With help from Assistant Cha, Tak Gu pays the men, and they go off. Tak Gu brings over a first aid box, and proceeds to clean his wounds up. Yu Kyung’s dad kicks up a fuss and tells Tak Gu to leave him alone. Tak Gu tells him that he’s doing this for Yu Kyung, not because he likes the guy. Yu Kyung’s dad quietens down.

Tak Gu asks if he saw Yu Kyung, and how he felt. Was he happy? Or was he dying to hit her again? Yu Kyung’s dad doesn’t take well to the questions. Tak Gu reminds him that he’s a father, and asks if his heart feels bad for treating his daughter in that manner. Doesn’t he feel ashamed?

Yu Kyung’s dad tells him that he’s not going to sit around and listen to Tak Gu preach. As he gets up to leave, Tak Gu hands Yu Kyung’s father a bunch of money. He tells him to stop stealing. If he needs money, he can come to Tak Gu. His friend’s dad is like his dad. Yu Kyung’s dad looks surprised, but accepts the money and goes off.

Once he’s alone, Yu Kyung’s dad recalls how his daughter denied knowing him earlier that day, and cries.

It’s night when Yu Kyung finally wakes up. She finds herself being cradled by a sleeping Ma Jun. Ma Jun asks if she’s okay. He tells her that she should forget what has happened today, and forget that she has such a terrible father. Yu Kyung replies that parent-child relationships are impossible to deny. Ma Jun tells her that they don’t need people who hurt them.

Ma Jun asks her to take time off on Sunday. Yu Kyung asks what is happening on that day. Ma Jun says he would like to marry her. It won’t be a fancy wedding, and they will probably have no guests. He asks if she’s willing. Yu Kyung asks if he’s for real. He says yes, and they finally kiss. Yu Kyung is finally able to bring herself to touch Ma Jun.

Mi Sun is walking to her bedroom when she notices that the door to Tak Gu’s room is open. She goes in and finds Tak Gu lying on the floor, sleeping. She says his name, and Tak Gu replies, eyes still closed. Mi Sun asks what he’s doing there, and Tak Gu says he’s very tired, and needs to sleep. He’ll be fine after he sleeps. Mi Sun doesn’t question him, and gets out his blanket and covers him. She tells him to sleep well and he thanks her.

Over at Dr. Yun’s, he’s really believing that Mi Sun has decided to hide somewhere with Mrs Gong. However, someone is struggling inside a janitor’s closet.

Ma Jun arrives home the next morning, and heads straight to Il Jung’s room. Ja Kyung and Ja Rim also enter. In Sook is already there. Ma Jun says that he has something to tell Il Jung, and announces that he will marry Yu Kyung on Sunday. He apologizes to Il Jung for not waiting, but it doesn’t seem to be working out.

In Sook is livid at the announcement, and asks him exactly what he’s doing. Ma Jun tells her that it’s better if she didn’t turn up at the wedding since she’ll make a fuss. Turning to his sisters, Ma Jun says that he would understand it if no one turned up at his wedding. He needed to at least inform everyone.

Dr. Yun receives a call from Tak Gu, who is calling from the factory. He asks if Mi Sun has called. Dr. Yun tells Tak Gu to be patient. He will call the moment he hears news of Mi Sun. Disappointed, Tak Gu puts down the phone and turns to his next task. He puts on his baking hat, and gets to work. Today, he will start work on making the new bread.

Despite Dr. Yun’s promise to call, Tak Gu takes every opportunity to check in with him for news.

The new bread doesn’t taste good. Head Baker, Axe Eyes and Curly are there for the tasting, and in the presence of the factory manager, they can only give each other looks. Talking privately, Head Baker thinks that the flour is the problem. But how are they going to deal with the problem of the suspicious inventory? Head Baker says that the only thing to do is to change the supplier. The factory manager is spying on Tak Gu and Head Baker, and reports what he overheard.

Surely enough, Manager Han confronts Tak Gu about changing suppliers. They’ve been doing business with the same supplier for over 10 years. How can Tak Gu suddenly decide to switch? Tak Gu counters that the supplier gives them low quality flour for exorbitant prices. There will be a penalty for breaking the contract? Since they broke their end of the contract, Geo Seung should be able to get out without having to pay penalties.

Tak Gu asks Manager Han if there is some reason that Manager Han is unwilling to change suppliers. Receiving poor quality goods for high prices means that someone is embezzling in the factory. Tak Gu asks if Manager Han has a hand in it, which would explain his insistence on the supplier. Manager Han tells Tak Gu to obey the authority in the company.

Tak Gu reminds Manager Han that as the President Pro Tem, he is ranks higher than Manager Han. He’s been studying what his rights as President pro tem are, and human resources fall within his scope of responsibilities. This means that he has the right to switch Manager Han out of his current position. Manager Han doesn’t take to Tak Gu’s words well, and storms out.

On the other side of the door, the assistants are listening in. They pretend to be working when Manager Han opens the door. Tak Gu goes out and asks his assistants how he did. He did everything as they had practiced the day before, but was he too harsh on Manager Han? Assistant Cha assures him that he did everything perfectly.

One of the assistants is not joining in on the congratulations. He reports to Manager Han that the Assistant’s Office has completely taken Tak Gu’s side. Ah yes, it would be too easy if everyone was on Tak Gu’s side.

Manager Han checks in on the progress with Kim Mi Sun. Windmill man reports that she is still refusing. Windmill man and Kim Mi Sun seem to be in a fancy house. She looks more energetic compared to when she was in the hospital. She remarks that she thought that Windmill man was working for Il Jung, but is wrong. Windmill man doesn’t reply, and tells her to rest. He goes outside, where we see several guards in the compound.

The janitor is getting her cleaning supplies when she hears some noises coming from the closet. She walks over, and notices that it’s been shut. She opens it and finds Mrs Gong inside, gagged and bound.

Dr. Yun and the secretary rush to the hospital. Mrs Gong tells them that she has no idea what happened, only that she was tied up and left in the closet.

Yu Kyung’s dad shows up at Geo Seong, neatly dressed for once. Yu Kyung happens to see him, but he doesn’t acknowledge her. Ma Jun is called down and he meets with Yu Kyung’s dad while she eavesdrop from behind a pillar. To Ma Jun’s surprise, Yu Kyung’s dad came to deny that he has any relationship with Yu Kyung. He admits that Manager Han paid him, but he’s now giving the money back. He apologizes for the furor he caused, and wishes Ma Jun and Yu Kyung a happy marriage.

Yu Kyung follows her dad as he makes his way out of the Geo Seong building. She calls out to him, and he turns around. She asks him why he just did what he did, and he said it’s because of Tak Gu. He tells her to hurry away, in case someone saw them talking.

Ma Jun goes to Manager Han’s office to return the money that Yu Kyung’s dad handed him. He tells Manager Han that he’s getting married on Sunday, and that he shouldn’t try to stop him. Manager Han tells him to reconsider, but Ma Jun tells him that he doesn’t want to live looking at a woman he can’t have. Even Yu Kyung’s dad had the decency to do the right thing in the end. He threatens to sever ties with the family if they try to stop the marriage.

Ma Jun leaves Manager Han’s office, but stops when he reaches the hallway.

Tak Gu is in his office. Someone knocks on the door, and Tak Gu says to enter. Yu Kyung comes in, and she notes that Tak Gu is eating bread. He says it’s to get ideas for new breads. He is happy that she’s speaking informally with him. Yu Kyung sets down a resignation letter in front of him. She tells him that she’s getting married. Despite earlier warning, Tak Gu is slightly surprised.

Yu Kyung thanks him for everything, and says that she’ll always remember and hold him dear in her heart. She approaches and gives Tak Gu a hug. We see the door to Tak Gu’s office was left open, which was unprofessional. The door leading to the assistant’s office was also left open, and just outside, Ma Jun is standing and looking in. He looks really angry.

It’s Sunday. Yu Kyung is in the church early, waiting for everyone else to arrive.

Tak Gu is getting dressed for the wedding when he gets a call. He rushes over to the hospital, where Dr. Yun is looking over CCTV footage. They find a video showing Windmill man pushing Mi Sun out on a wheelchair. Tak Gu can’t believe his eyes. He rushes off to Pal Bong bakery, and asks Head Baker where Windmill man went.

Tak Gu explains that he thinks that Windmill man is with his mother. He needs to get to them before the police find them. Reluctantly, Head Baker says that all he knows is that a man called Han Seung Jae paid for Windmill man’s sister’s surgery. It’s enough to send Tak Gu rushing off again.

Ma Jun arrives at the church. He still looks bothered by the hug, and is a little hesitant. Eventually, he makes his way into the church, and hands Yu Kyung her flowers.

A couple of cars arrive, bringing Ja Kyung, Ja Rim and Manager Han. A couple of the secretaries have also arrived. In Sook has stayed home. The guests enter just as Ma Jun and Yu Kyung walk down the aisle. Tak Gu is unable to attend the ceremony after all.

Ma Jun says his vows, but Yu Kyung is silent, thinking about Tak Gu. The priest prompts her again, and she finally replies. Ma Jun is not happy about it.

The vows over, Manager Han heads out.

Tak Gu is waiting at Pal Bong bakery. His assistant pulls up in the car and reports that Manager Han is leaving the wedding for Cheongpyong. Yang Mi Sun overhears their conversation.

Manager Han hands the papers to Mi Sun to sign, threatening her with harm. Mi Sun picks the papers up and tears them up. This is her reply. She wants to see what Manager Han will do.  He orders his men to take her out. Just as two men start to drag Mi Sun away, Windmill man intervenes. Let him finish the job he didn’t complete 14 years ago.

Tak Gu arrives at the Cheongpyong house. He takes off his jacket in anticipation of a fight. He goes to the men at the door and says that he’s looking for his mother. The men laugh at him, and try to chase him away. Tak Gu shouts for his mother, and surprisingly, she replies, calling his name.

Tak Gu pushes his way through the men, and runs towards the voice. He’s just in time to see Mi Sun being shoved into the backseat of a black Jeep, and runs desperately after the car. Oh, the deja vu.

Comments:
A lot of little incidents in this episode. The seeds were sowed a few episodes before, and it’s just following through with the conclusions for now.

I like it that they wrapped up the problem with Yu Kyung’s father simply and quickly. I like it that Ma Jun is doing what he wants for once, although with a vengeful heart. My favorite part is when they re-created the scene of Tak Gu running after his mother. I like it when they round back to the start, especially when I wasn’t expecting it.

I’m looking forward to seeing more ends being tied next episode.

The one thing I really hated was how In Sook found Yu Kyung’s dad and said that she lied about being an orphan. Could she imagine other situations where parents can’t take care of their children, like poverty or abuse? Sympathy points for Yu Kyung there. Also, Yu Kyung looked great in the wedding scenes.

episode 26 recaps

Tak Gu tries to start the meeting, but ends up dropping his files on the floor. He loses his cool and desperately tries to gather his papers. In Sook and Ma Jun smirk from their seats. Ja Kyung betrays no emotion.

Ma Jun takes the opportunity to make his presentation. He directs everyone’s attention to the folders that he has placed in front of them. It’s his business plan for the next 10 years. He talks about how Geo Seung’s product line is dated, and he plans to focus on small batch production of high quality bread. The directors nod approvingly at the business proposal.

Finally, it’s Tak Gu’s turn. In Sook leads the attack, asking why he should be allowed to remain as acting president. Tak Gu is nervous after his first false start. He stands up, and takes a deep breath, and remembers Mi Sun’s words: Be yourself, be Kim Tak Gu.

Tak Gu starts off with admitting that he’s not qualified to be there. He doesn’t even know how to conduct a meeting. However, he has prepared in the way that he only knows. The assistants roll in trays of bread and distribute them. Tak Gu encourages the directors to try the bread. The directors taste the bread, and recognize it as Geo Seung’s bread.

Tak Gu says that the bread is not from the factory. He made them himself this morning. He continues on, explaining that he’s a baker, and he has no idea what ordinary profits are. He can only make bread. Tak Gu says that he believes that this is Il Jung’s reason to appoint him as acting president — he is a baker. Tak Gu gets approving nods from both sides of the table. The directors appreciate Tak Gu’s interpretation of Il Jung’s vision.

Ma Jun interrupts to ask if all Tak Gu is planning is to sell the bread that Il Jung created. Tak Gu explains that they can make their own signature flavor. Before they are a company, they are really just people who make bread.

In the background, Lawyer Park looks approvingly. He recalls what Il Jung said to him about Tak Gu, that Tak Gu will be able to convince anyone because he has truth in him. He has now seen it for himself.

Yu Kyung nervously gets the results of the meeting from the other assistants who got to attend the meeting. Ma Jun gets to head the Product Development group. Tak Gu’s fate will be decided again in a month.

Tak Gu meets Lawyer Park on the roof after the meeting has ended. He’s being sent to the Cheongsan factory.

Manager Han reports the decision to In Sook. Manager Han knows that the situation in the Cheongsan factory is bad. He thinks it’s a death sentence, a way to push Tak Gu out.

Tak Gu doesn’t like the decision. He asks if Manager Han is responsible for it. Lawyer Park admits that it’s his doing. Tak Gu asks if he’s being tested. The lawyer admits that Tak Gu needs to earn his position.

Yu Kyung gets to serve Tak Gu water again. Curious, she asks him if he’s going to Cheongsan. Tak Gu says it’s the directors’ orders, so he’ll have to. He seems somewhat happy about it, and says that he will do his best. Wistfully, he adds that it would be nice if they could both go back to their hometown. This spoils the mood. Tak Gu calls for his assistant so that they can head over to Cheongsan immediately.

Kim Mi Sun is in the Geo Seung lobby. It seems that her plan to meet Tak Gu had nothing to do with showing up at the director’s meeting. Indeed, she is having troubles even getting into the elevator. She wonders if they should head back, seeing how Tak Gu survived without her. The elevator arrives and Mi Sun slowly approaches. She takes a step, but suddenly feels dizzy.

In the meantime, Tak Gu is getting ready to head out. He takes the elevator down, which means that the mother and son could miss each other if Mi Sun had decided to head up. When Tak Gu reaches the ground level, Mi Sun is still outside the elevator trying to get over her dizziness. Tak Gu and his assistant walk past them, but he notices that Mi Sun is not feeling well and stops and asks if everything is okay. Mi Sun keeps her face turned away from Tak Gu, and her secretary rejects his offer of help.

“Kim Tak Gu!” Someone calls out to Tak Gu, and Tak Gu turns. It’s the directors, and Tak Gu turns to talk to them. They tell him that they enjoyed his bread and his vision, and look forward to good things from him. Mi Sun hears the directors and realize that she had just spoken to her son. She turns and looks at him for the first time.

Mi Sun watches Tak Gu from a distance, marveling at the young man that he’s become. Her vision starts to blur, and she blinks but the blurry vision doesn’t go away. Her assistant notices that something is wrong, and tries to ask if Mi Sun is okay. Mi Sun collapses, and her assistant catches her. As she falls, Mi Sun mentally calls out Tak Gu’s name.

Tak Gu thanks the last director, and lets out a whoop of joy at his relative success. He stops and asks his assistant if he hears someone calling his name. But there is no one in the lobby, so he must have misheard. They head off to Cheongsan.

Lawyer Park is reporting on the board meeting to Il Jung. Il Jung doesn’t repond, and Lawyer Park calls him again. Finally, Il Jung opens his eyes. Lawyer Park asks if the decision to send Tak Gu to the Cheongsan factory is right. The factory is in bad shape. It’ll be hard to reform it, especially in a month.

Ma Jun is in his new office when In Sook drops by to talk. She asks if he likes his office. He says it’s fine. She tells him to stay there for 6 months, and promises to make him an executive director early next year. She tells him not to make any mistakes in the meantime, and prepares to leave.

Before In Sook can leave, Ma Jun tells her that he would like to proceed with his wedding as soon as possible. In Sook tells him not to spoil the mood, but Ma Jun tells her that it’s time he got to do what he wants.

In Sook tries to fight back. Why should she listen to him? Ma Jun tells her it’s because of the place he picked up the bracelet. In Sook demands to know what he knows about the bracelet. He says that it was found at the place where Grandma died. In Sook looks slightly shocked, but asks what he heard or saw. Ma Jun refuses to divulge anything.

Yu Kyung shows up at the Gu’s house. Apparently, In Sook called her. To her surprise, In Sook tells Yu Kyung to kneel. Yu Kyung is unwilling but she complies. In Sook tells her that she can guess the feeling of humiliation and shame, and says that this is how Yu Kyung will live for the rest of her life in the house.

There won’t be a glorious wedding showered with blessings. Moreover, she will not be added to the family register until she bears a son. She warns Yu Kyung that it’s not certain that she can hold on to Ma Jun for long. A man loses at least half of his feelings after marriage. That’s harsh. Was Grandma even this harsh on In Sook?

It is dark by the time they reach Cheongsan. Tak Gu gets out of the car, and is reminded of all the things that happened in the past. He smiles, and his assistant asks why he’s smiling. Tak Gu recounts how he first met Il Jung at the factory 14 years ago when he was stealing bread.

Tak Gu’s expression suddenly changes as he picks up a smell and gets curious about it. He follows the smell to the source, and heads into the factory. His assistant tries to stop him since the factory manager hasn’t shown up to meet them yet. Failing, he follows Tak Gu in. Someone has noticed their presence.

It is dark in the factory. Tak Gu notices that the temperature and humidity in the factory are wrong for making bread. He notices a moving figure and calls out to see if that person will respond. There is no reply. He wanders around looking for a light switch, and finds a flashlight instead. He finally sees the shadowy figure running and gives chase.

Tak Gu follows the figure down a hallway where there is a door. Thinking he’s gotten the guy for good, Tak Gu opens the door, and the guy hits Tak Gu and they struggle. The lights suddenly turn on, and Tak Gu finally sees the face of the man, and it’s Yu Kyung’s dad.

The factory manager comes over to check what is happening. Assistant Cha explains that they came from the main office. He introduces Tak Gu, and Yu Kyung’s father looks like he recognizes the name.

Yu Kyung looks for Ma Jun in his office, and tells him that she has met with In Sook, and she has given her permission for the wedding. Ma Jun is pleased with the development. Yu Kyung asks Ma Jun what the story behind the bracelet is, and his mood darkens. He tells her that there is no story, and tells her never to ask again.

Tak Gu and Assistant Cha head to the manager’s office to have a talk. Tak Gu asks who the man he encountered earlier was and the manager tells him that his name is Shin Shin Ho, and he was homeless and jobless. They took him in as a security guard 5-6 years ago out of pity. The manager asks if Tak Gu know the man, and Tak Gu denies it.

The manager asks why Tak Gu is suddenly visiting. Tak Gu explains that he’s heard that the situation in the factory is not good, and came to check it out. The manager reports that the workers are quitting because they think the factory will shut down soon, and orders are down by a third. He doesn’t think that Tak Gu should bother with the Cheongsan factory. Tak Gu looks slightly discouraged, but he tells the manager that he has to stay there for a month, under the orders of the board. Honestly, I can’t describe why, but the manager is acting suspiciously.

Tak Gu takes a quick look around the factory. Yu Kyung’s dad is watching him as he checks the flour. Tak Gu catches sight of Yu Kyung’s dad, who reacts by trying to leave nonchalently. Tak Gu follows him out.

Tak Gu approaches him, and asks if he’s Yu Kyung’s father. Yu Kyung’s dad doesn’t reply. He doesn’t look happy about being recognized and approached. Tak Gu asks if he has news of Yu Kyung, and her dad says that he’d kill her if he saw her.  He is bitter about how she got him thrown into jail many years ago. Tak Gu realizes that Yu Kyung’s dad has not changed despite all the years. Yu Kyung’s dad tells him to go back to Seoul, and threatens to kill him if he does anything wrong.

The manager sees Tak Gu’s exchange with Yu Kyung’s dad, and he calls someone to report the discovery.

Manager Han finally has an assignment for Windmill man. He hands him as sheet, and tells him that he needs to bring the mysterious holder of 3.8% of company shares. Windmill man doesn’t seem to want the assignment. He asks Manager Han if he was hired to deal with Tak Gu. Manager Han tells him that it is related, and he’ll find out how.

Kim Mi Sun is lying in bed in a hospital. Dr. Yun tells her that she needs a cornea transplant soon. If nothing comes up in the next month, they will leave the country to seek other sources. Mrs Gong says that Mi Sun needs to get better before the surgery. She chides Mi Sun for not following through with her mission to see Tak Gu.

Mi Sun says that she was too ashamed to meet Tak Gu. She can’t believe that her son has grown up to be a handsome and decent young man. Dr. Yun offers to bring Tak Gu to her. Mi Sun refuses. Having finally seen him with her own eyes, she feels like she could die without regrets.

In Sook is having tea with Manager Han at his office. He asks her if she’s really going to let the marriage happen. In Sook hands him a slip of paper and tells him to track down Yu Kyung’s biological parents. She’s gotten information about the orphanage. Yu Kyung only entered at age 12. Moreover, she was badly injured when she was admitted. If Ma Jun refuses to give up on the wedding, they’ll have to make Yu Kyung give it up. Finally understanding In Sook’s plan, Manager Han relaxes.

There is a knock on the door, and it’s Yu Kyung. In Sook wants her to go out. They end up going to a jewelry store.

Tak Gu drops by the office in the morning to look for Yu Kyung, but she’s not there. Ma Jun happens to come by and overhears Tak Gu asking for Yu Kyung. He is unhappy about it, and asks Tak Gu what he has to say to Yu Kyung. He informs Tak Gu that Yu Kyung will soon be a married woman. Tak Gu is upset by the news, but he tries to hide it. He makes Ma Jun promise that he’ll make Yu Kyung happy.

With the news of her marriage, Tak Gu decides that he doesn’t need to tell Yu Kyung about her father. Tak Gu meets Assistant Cha in front of the building. Are they headed to Cheongsan now? Tak Gu tells him to head to Incheon instead. He promised to visit the Pal Bong bakery.

Everyone comes out to greet Tak Gu as he gets out of the car. Tak Gu asks the bakers for a favor, and brings out a box of packaged bread. Axe Eyes takes a bite, and makes a face. This prompts everyone else to try some, and Mi Sun asks what is wrong with the taste. Tak Gu tells them that these are bread made at the Cheongsan factory. Axe Eyes thinks the factory should be closed down. Tak Gu says that he would like to get their help to diagnose the problem.

Tak Gu tells them that to remain as president pro tem, he was given the task of developing a new bread at the factory. Mi Sun thinks it’s a way of forcing him out. Nonetheless, Tak Gu needs to put up a fight, and he asks the bakers for their help. He wants them to infiltrate the factory, and gather information about it.

Head Baker, Axe Eyes, and Curly turn up in the manager’s office. The manager asks if they have experience. Head Baker says he’s always worked with dough, and Axe Eyes says he’s knows a little about shaping. Curly says he’ll do whatever odd jobs are available. The manager asks them why they are looking for work in such a badly run factory, and they say something about needing to get whatever work they can get.

They get hired, and the plan goes into action. Head Baker’s task is to report on the bread making process. Axe Eyes needs to check on employees’ morale, and Curly gets to check the inventory. The four men work in the factory, pretending not to know each other.

They gather in Tak Gu’s office to deliver their report. Curly says that the inventory doesn’t agree with the sheets that Tak Gu gave him. Moreover, any bags of flour are older than a year. Head Baker says that the fermentation room is in such a mess that it’s amazing that they are even making bread. Axe Eyes reports that employee morale is low — they have more work because of the number of people who quit, and they are not getting more pay.

Tak Gu realizes that this could mean billions of won of mismanaged money. Such a sum probably wasn’t embezzled by the factory manager alone. It’s a tricky situation. Tak Gu asks for their continued help in monitering the situation.

Yu Kyung joins the family for dinner that evening. It’s quiet and awkward at the dinner table. Ma Jun breaks the silence, asking when they can hold the wedding. Everyone looks a little upset. Deliberately oblivious, Ma Jun says he would like to have the wedding soon. Ja Kyung reminds him that Il Jung is still ill. Ma Jun says he is being filial by marrying soon so that Il Jung can see it before he passes on.

In Sook interrupts to say that it’s a crucial time for Il Jung. She tells Ma Jun that they can start preparing for the wedding. Disgusted by Ma Jun and In Sook, Ja Kyung and Ja Rim walk away from the table.

Ma Jun and Yu Kyung leave the house after dinner, probably to send her home. Yu Kyung tells Ma Jun to stop making things difficult for her. How could he be so insensitive given his father’s condition? Ma Jun tells her that he’s worried that the wedding can’t proceed if they don’t hurry. He draws her into an embrace, but Yu Kyung finds herself reluctant to hold him

Tak Gu is just arriving home as Ma Jun and Yu Kyung are making up. He sees them but walks on.

Tak Gu heads straight to Il Jung’s room. Ja Kyung is there. Tak Gu sets down his box, and greets her. He proceeds to sit next to Il Jung on his bed, and talk to him. He tells Il Jung that he’s back from work, and asks if he’s been bored. Tak Gu massages his legs as well. Ja Kyung looks surprised to see how comfortable Tak Gu is with her father.

Kim Mi Sun is not getting better. Mrs Gong asks Dr. Yun to try get Tak Gu over. He agrees to pay Tak Gu a visit. As he leaves, Dr. Yun walks by the Windmill man.

Manager Han shows up at the factory to see Yu Kyung’s dad. Yu Kyung’s dad recognizes him, and doesn’t look happy to see him.

Tak Gu shows up at the factory in time to see Yu Kyung’s father leaving with Manager Han. Realizing what is going to happen, he runs over to Yu Kyung’s dad to confirm his suspicions, and begs him to behave like a real father for once. Yu Kyung’s dad is unrepentent. He is going to see his daughter. Tak Gu gets into his car and heads back to Seoul as well.

Tak Gu ends up rushing back to the office to look for Yu Kyung. Yu Kyung has gone out with In Sook again, but they have no idea where. The head secretary offers to call and find out.

In the meantime, Yu Kyung is looking at wedding dresses with In Sook and Ma Jun. She picks one to try out. Ma Jun is enthralled by how lovely Yu Kyung looks, and In Sook notes it, annoyed. She looks at her watch, and glances outside.

Dr. Yun had actually arrived a step after Tak Gu. As the timing works out, Dr. Yun’s elevator takes him up to Tak Gu’s office just as Tak Gu is rushing out. He exits the elevator while Tak Gu rushes in. As the door closes, Dr. Yun turns back and stops the door. He asks if Tak Gu is Kim Tak Gu. Tak Gu doesn’t reply. Dr. Yun asks if he knows Kim Mi Sun who lives in Cheongsan. Tak Gu is surprised beyond words.

Windmill man is at the hospital. He’s taken the opportunity while Mrs Gong is out to enter the room. He has a wheelchair. Kim Mi Sun realizes that someone is in the room, and calls out to ask who it it.

Seeing Manager Han finally approach the store, In Sook looks delighted. Manager Han heads in, and Yu Kyung’s father follows. He doesn’t notice her immediately, until Manager Han tells him to go greet his daughter.

Comments:

I can’t believe they did the almost-meeting scene between Tak Gu and Kim Mi Sun. I thought it might happen, but figured it was too cheap a trick. I guess not. And now, we have to deal with Kim Mi Sun lying around being pitiful. Vengeful Mi Sun is so much more interesting than lying down Mi Sun. I’m glad that Dr. Yun is doing something about it.

Tak Gu’s performance at the director’s meeting was disappointing. It’s hard to believe that the directors were won over by his little spiel about being a baker, and the tiny offering of a piece of bread. It’s unrealistic. However, the fact that the directors gave him a chance to develop a new bread (even under Il Jung’s suggestion) seems reasonable. What else can a baker do?

Il Jung is being such a puppet master. First, he guilt-trips Tak Gu into working in the company. Now, he’s trying to make his sons work and show their worth before handing them the company. To avoid showing favoritism, he’s decided to act unconscious and let the directors do the dirty work for him. I think it’s fair, but I also think it’s cowardly of him. I feel like he could arrange for tasks for his sons, and get the directors to judge independently of him.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t see more of Yang Mi Sun in this episode. However, I did like it that it was her words that gave Tak Gu the courage to proceed with the director’s meeting when he floundered.

I also thought it was hilarious how the Pal Bong bakers were roped back into the story as industrial spies. It actually makes sense, and makes for a few laughs, which is rare in this serious episode. I like how Tak Gu is able to fall back on trusted friends to help him out. So different from Il Jung and Ma Jun.

I had almost forgotten about Yu Kyung’s father. Initially when we transitioned to adulthood, I wondered if he was coming back into the show. After so many episodes, I happily forgot about him. Actually, I didn’t want him to show up. Something about his character makes me really uncomfortable. The fact that he’s hopeless and unrepentent..I don’t really want to deal with him. I hope they resolve the issue and he goes away soon.

Ja Rim gets the task of calling In Sook out of the room. She doesn’t tell In Sook immediately what is going on, but In Sook realizes quickly that something is up.

In Sook is shocked to see Tak Gu. She demands to know how he got in and how dare he step foot into the house. Tak Gu says he’s there to see Il Jung, to see how sick he really is. This makes In Sook ask him what right he has to be there. Tak Gu announces that he has the right to be there because he’s Il Jung’s son. Because they are talking loudly, everyone can hear the conversation.

In Sook raises her hand to Tak Gu but before she can hit him, Tak Gu grabs her wrist. He doesn’t back down, and demands to see Il Jung.

Ja Kyung steps in and tells Tak Gu to let go, and In Sook to back off. In Sook refuses, and Ja Kyung reminds her that the directors are looking at them, so she shouldn’t make a fuss. In Sook has to take a step back, and give in.

Tak Gu goes into Il Jung’s room, and sees him lying in his bed unconscious. From a flashback, we see that the conversation with Lawyer Park went on for a bit longer. He told Tak Gu that Il Jung was in a car accident two weeks ago, and that he has felt unsafe since. This is why he approached and gave Lawyer Park the documents to give to Tak Gu.

Tak Gu asks Il Jung if he’s too late. He doesn’t know how to protect Il Jung, but he will do his best. It’s bad enough that he’s lost his teacher (Grandpa) recently. He doesn’t want to lose Il Jung as well, so he’ll stay and protect him. Tak Gu finally calls Il Jung “father”.

When Tak Gu emerges from the room, the family is gathered. Ja Kyung asks him to stay and talk a while. The directors seem to have left while Tak Gu was in the room.

As Tak Gu approaches, Ja Rim gets up to give him her seat. A sign of goodwill. Ja Kyung asks him why he came. Before he can say anything, In Sook laughs that he’s probably read from the newspapers that Il Jung is not well, and came to see if he gets any part of the inheritance. Ja Rim tries to stop In Sook from continuing.

Tak Gu coolly takes out a letter, and says that it’s a mandate. He has already gained possession of all of Il Jung’s shares in the company. In Sook grabs it to read. She can’t believe what she’s seeing. Tak Gu explains that Lawyer Park gave him the documents the day after Il Jung collapsed.

Ma Jun doesn’t want to believe Tak Gu’s story. So Il Jung thought he was in danger, and left Lawyer Park to hand the shares to Tak Gu to protect? Tak Gu doesn’t give a straight reply. He is also curious about why Il Jung would be so worried to have to protect himself in this way. Why did he leave everything to Tak Gu, and nothing to the family? He announces his intent to obey Il Jung’s orders.

Manager Han interrupts. What gives Tak gu the ability to manage the company? He’s got no skills. Tak Gu agrees that he’s not qualified, but he has been appointed Il Jung’s proxy. Clearly, Il Jung believed that Tak Gu is up to the job. In Sook dares him to take up his role, and Tak Gu challenges her to get rid of him again. He tells them that he’s going to move into the house to take care of Il Jung until he regains consciousness.

In Sook can’t believe that Tak Gu is thinking of moving in. Tak Gu tells her that Lawyer Park has confirmed that he has every right to do so.

With that, Tak Gu takes his leave. In Sook immediately tells Manager Han to call Lawyer Park for the full story. Ma Jun takes off after Tak Gu, and catches up with him outside. He warns Tak Gu not to interfere with family business. He should go back to the bakery. Tak Gu tells him that he would do that, but the bakery has been suspended for 3 months. He thinks he’ll make bread at Geo Seung in the meantime.

Ma Jun tells him that a bakery and an office are different. Tak Gu disagrees. Both companies make bread to feed people. Ma Jun warns Tak Gu that he’ll get hurt, and Tak Gu says he’ll try to watch out.

Ja Kyung enters Il Jung’s room, and looks disturbed.

In Sook and Manager Han meet to discuss the turn of events. In Sook estimates that Tak Gu has at least 38% of the shares. How could Il Jung not leave Ma Jun a single share? Manager Han asks if Il Jung suspects Ma Jun’s true parentage. In Sook says no. Ma Jun is Il Jung’s son. Manager Han looks grim.

The news travels quickly. Dr. Yun tells Kim Mi Sun that Il Jung has been discharged. Moreover, a young man claiming to be Il Jung’s eldest son showed up at the residence, witnessed by the directors. Mi Sun is excited by the news, and asks Dr. Yun to gather more information.

Despite his confidence at the Gu’s residence, it’s a heavyhearted Tak Gu that walks back slowly to the bakery. Mi Sun is outside the store. She perks up when he greets her, but grows hesitant. Tak Gu says that they should head in, but Mi Sun spaces out for a while. Head Baker had spoken to Mi Sun sometime earlier, and had revealed that Tak Gu is Il Jung’s eldest son. Given the circumstances, he expects that Tak Gu might need to leave the bakery.

Tak Gu asks Mi Sun if everything is okay. She says that she’s fine. She cautiously asks Tak Gu if he met his father. Tak Gu surprisingly doesn’t look surprised. Mi Sun tells him that Head Baker told her about everything, and said that he might leave. She expresses disappointment that he hid the truth from her. After all, she tells him everything.

Tak Gu says that he’s not leaving for good. Did Mi Sun think that he was going to do that? She admits that she did. Tak Gu tells her that she’s dumb for thinking that. Pal Bong bakery is his home now. Mi Sun cries tears of relief.

Tak Gu thanks her for being sad when she thought that he is leaving. Mi Sun says of course she’d be sad…she likes him a lot. Did he know that? That she likes him a lot?

Tak Gu greets her confession with a big smile. He likes her a lot too, and he ruffles her hair. But for now, they should get back into the house. It’s late. Mi Sun’s face falls at Tak Gu’s response. Affirmative: she meant it as a confession. With any other guy, I would have thought he was acting dense, but we know that Tak Gu is truly dense.

Mi Sun gets really annoyed and catches up after Tak Gu and hits him. She’s not a puppy so he shouldn’t pat her head like that. Mi Sun storms into the house, leaving Tak Gu to wonder why she’s so mad.

Tak Gu bids farewell to Grandpa before he leaves, and promises that he’ll be back soon.

Yu Kyung reports back for her first day of work. At the same time, a car rolls up to the Geo Seung building, and we see that Tak Gu is being driven in by Lawyer Park. They get out of the car, and Tak Gu admits that he’s not feeling so good. Lawyer Park tells Tak Gu that there is no turning back after he enters the building. It’ll be war.

Tak Gu tells the lawyer that he is not confident, but there are things that one must do even without confidence. And they march in.

The secretaries are at the lobby waiting to greet the acting president. Lawyer Park introduces Tak Gu to the secretaries, and then it’s Tak Gu’s turn to introduce himself. His voice suddenly gets a lot louder, and Tak Gu introduces himself as Kim Tak Gu, complete with an explanation of his name. His energetic introduction gets the secretaries giggling. Lawyer Park cringes a little, and tells Tak Gu not to be overly respectful. It will make his subordinates uncomfortable.

As Tak Gu prepares to enter the elevator, In Sook and Manager Han get out of the other one. In Sook exclaims that she can’t believe he actually dare show up. Lawyer Park states that there are no legal issues with Tak Gu being the legal proxy. In Sook doesn’t have the right to challenge it, although she may bring up the issue at the director’s meeting on Friday.

Up in the office, Yu Kyung is slightly surprised to see an empty office. The chief secretary enters, and welcomes her back. She says that the should catch up later because the president’s proxy is coming in.

Tak Gu walks in with Lawyer Park. Both Yu Kyung and Tak Gu are surprised to see each other, and they freeze for a moment. Naturally, someone asks if everything is okay, and Tak Gu proceeds on to his office.

Ma Jun enters Il Jung room, and talks to him. He is angry that Il Jung gave everything to Tak Gu, and he swears to show Il Jung how he’s going to crush Tak Gu, not once, but repeatedly. After Ma Jun leaves, Il Jung’s finger twitches.

In the meantime, In Sook and Manager Han are meeting with the board of directors. She tells them that they need to come together to set things right come the director’s meeting on Friday before the useless proxy messes things up further. A couple of directors agree with her. What’s with the sudden appointment of a random young man as the president pro tem? On the other side of the table, the directors think that Il Jung chose this young man for a reason. They are willing to see what he can do, and think that there is no point in staying at the meeting for longer.

As they get up to leave, Ma Jun walks in. Are the directors who are standing the ones who are against him? He coldly tells the directors that the young man they are backing dropped out of elementary school, and lived on the streets for years before learning to bake the last couple of years. Is this who they want to trust? The directors look like they are still going to leave, and Ma Jun warns them that whoever steps out will become his enemy. Given the uncertainty of Il Jung’s recovery, shouldn’t they stay on his good side?

In Sook can’t help smiling proudly at Ma Jun’s actions. The directors take their seats. Manager Han quietly betrays his pride at Ma Jun’s handling of the incident.

Lawyer Park orders for many huge binders to be delivered to Tak Gu. He needs to get up to speed with the company’s affairs so that he can attend the director’s meeting on Friday. I assume it’s Monday. They’ll start with something simple, like ordinary profit. Tak Gu stumbles at the English word and picks up a random file.

Lawyer Park hands him the right file and repeats ordinary profit in Korean. Tak Gu understands that a little better. Ordinary profit is the quickest way of seeing the health of the company. Isn’t this a bread company? Tak Gu says he doesn’t really understand the numbers. Lawyer Park tells him that they manage the company, not make bread directly. He reminds Tak Gu that he was told not to enter if he can’t deal with what’s coming. This shuts Tak Gu up, and he tries his best to read the documents.

Tak Gu pokes his head out of his office and ask the secretaries for some colored pens. Tak Gu then gets pulled into meetings all day, and he looks uncomfortable. Back in his office, he pokes his head out again and asks for dictionaries. A while later, he self consciously sticks his head out of the room, and asks for a glass of water. The secretaries are somewhat frustrated. Is he going to be thanking them all day?

Yu Kyung gets to deliver the glass of water to Tak Gu. In his hurry to respond, Tak Gu knocks over some files. Yu Kyung closes the door, sets the water down, and helps him pick up the files. Tak Gu apologizes and tells her that he can do it. Yu Kyung tells him to pick up the phone and dial 0. Tak Gu is surprised by the sudden change of topic, but complies.

Secretary Yoon’s voice greets him and asks if he needed something. Tak Gu confusedly greets her and asks how she’s doing and to keep up the good work before hanging up. Yu Kyung tells him to do that the next time he needs something.

She carries on with some advice. The secretaries are there to work for him. They don’t need to be thanked everytime. Instead, they would appreciate it more if they knew that their work is contributing in some way. Yu Kyung turns to leave.

Tak Gu calls out to Yu Kyung and apologizes for making her uncomfortable. He asks her if she’s doing well. Yu Kyung says that his job shouldn’t leave him time to enquire after little things like that. She tells him that since he’s taken up the job, he should do it well. If he slips up and makes a mistake, everyone will be ready to pounce on him.

Yu Kyung heads up to the rooftop to relax. Ma Jun finds her there a while later. He asks her if she regrets her decision now that Tak Gu has returned. Yu Kyung is annoyed but Ma Jun doesn’t allow her to get a word in. Even if she regrets it, it’s too bad. He’s never going to let her be. Ma Jun notes that she’s wearing the bracelet and tells her that they will have dinner together.

Mi Sun excitedly runs towards Tak Gu’s room, thinking that he’s back. Instead, it’s her mother and one of the assistants. Her mom explains that the assistant has come to pick up Tak Gu’s things. The assistant explains that Tak Gu will be staying at Geo Seung for a while. Mi Sun looks deeply disappointed, but she isn’t ready to go away.

Sure enough, Mi Sun goes along with the assistant back to Geo Seung. As she enters the cafe area where Tak Gu is waiting, she overhears some men talking about how Tak Gu didn’t even finish elementary school, and how he embarassed himself at a meeting earlier. In a loud voice, Mi Sun calls out to Tak Gu. Alarmed, the men quickly leave their seats.

Tak Gu seems really happy to see Mi Sun. She has brought him his belongings, and also a lunchbox. Somehow, they end up sitting on the stairs, while the secretary stands awkwardly above them.

Mi Sun unpacks the food, and tries to feed Tak Gu. He opens his mouth, but realizes that it is making the secretary uncomfortable. She tells him that he needs to eat, and insists on seeing him eat. She wins.

As he chews the food, Tak Gu relaxes for a while. Mi Sun invites the secretary to eat with them. He refuses, but she insists, and forces him to sit. He takes a bite. Because the food is delicious, he takes another bite, and they all relax, eating happily on the ground. Mi Sun takes the opportunity to ask the assistant to take care of Tak Gu and tells stories about how awesome Tak Gu is.

In Sook is bringing out the wine and clinking glasses with Manager Han and some directors, celebrating the successful meeting. Ja Kyung asks what happened to make her so happy. In Sook tells her that it’s a pity she didn’t see Ma Jun handle the situation earlier. Ja Kyung and Ja Rim look uncomfortable.

Ma Jun announces that he’s home, and In Sook heads out to greet him. The happiness fades from her face when she sees that Yu Kyung is there. She asks why Yu Kyung is in their house. Ma Jun tells her to be nicer. Yu Kyung is going to be her daughter-in-law.

Outside, the assistant is driving Tak Gu home. Mi Sun is also in the car. Tak Gu tells the assistant to drive Mi Sun home. Mi Sun asks when Tak Gu will go visit, and he promises to drop by after the director’s meeting. Before she leaves, Mi Sun tells Tak Gu to be confident, and to eat well so that he will have the strength to go on. Most of all, he has to remember to be himself, to be Kim Tak Gu. It really reminds me of what his mother said when she dropped him off many years ago.

As the car leaves, Tak Gu repeats the part about being himself, musing.

The women gather, and In Sook asks Yu Kyung if she’s really going to marry Ma Jun. Yu Kyung says yes. Ja Kyung and Ja Rim don’t seem happy about it. Yu Kyung reminds In Sook that she said that she will show her how far she can go. In Sook says she’s lost, so now will Yu Kyung break up with Ma Jun?

Yu Kyung says that they have come too far. Moreover, they have Il Jung’s blessings. In Sook starts to lose her temper, and Ma Jun emerges from behind a wall. He says that the discussion has gone far enough, and they will leave now. In Sook turns and scolds him for picking a bad time to dabble in unimportant things. Ma Jun tells her that he’s marrying Yu Kyung, so she’ll have to give in this time.

In Sook asks if he wants her to die, and Ma Jun says that he’s the one who will die instead if the marriage doesn’t happen. He walks over to Yu Kyng and pulls her hand up, as if to drag her out, but leaves her hand suspended, exposing the bracelet. In Sook is quiet from the shock, her face revealing her horror. Ma Jun tells her that he’s warned her that he didn’t want to hurt her. He begs her to let things end here.

I don’t know if Ja Kyung noticed the situation, but Yu Kyung realizes that there is something about the bracelet.

Ma Jun and Yu Kyung run into Tak Gu on the way out, and it’s awkward. Ma Jun walks out, holding on to Yu Kyung tightly. When they reach the garden, he finally relaxes. Yu Kyung asks if he’s okay, and Ma Jun draws her in and holds on to her, saying he’ll never let her go.

Tak Gu’s first stop is Il Jung’s room. He puts his things down, and massages Il Jung’s legs, telling him about his day. He didn’t realize that being president was so difficult, but he will persevere. Ja Kyung enters the room looking for Tak Gu. She asks him if he’s really moving in, and tells him that he’s making everyone uncomfortable.

Tak Gu says that he’s only staying until Il Jung wakes up. If they are uncomfortable, he’s happy to move into the smaller house. His only request is that he gets to visit Il Jung every morning and every night. Ja Kyung looks at Tak Gu with new eyes.

Tak Gu moves into the house where Il Jung has his kitchen. As he unpacks and gets things in order, he’s able to relax for a while. He gains confidence, and promises himself that he’ll remain Kim Tak Gu.

The next morning, a confident and fresh looking Tak Gu enters the office with a loud “good morning”. He opens the door to his office wide, and tells the secretaries to take all the accounting files out. He wants them to bring him every single Geo Seung product, and also make charts to show him which are the best selling breads, and which ones do not sell. He wants to know why the popular items are popular and where the unpopular items are lacking.

The secretaries get to work, looking happy at the change of direction.

They gather in Tak Gu’s office to taste the different breads and present him with charts. He decides to make his secretaries fresh bread, which they enjoy. In the meantime, Ma Jun is meeting with people in the company, and a business consultant. It’s like they are preparing for a battle, except they are not making bread this time.

Dr. Yun tells Kim Mi Sun that the young man has become president pro tem. This means he must truly be Kim Tak Gu. Mi Sun is delighted at the news.

Back at home, In Sook is talking to Il Jung. She tells him that today is the day where things will be decided between Ma Jun and Tak Gu, and she is certain that Ma Jun will prevail.

Tak Gu is sleeping in his office when Yu Kyung enters to bring him a change of clothes. She wakes him up, and for a moment he looks relaxed until she reminds him that it’s the day of the director’s meeting. He immediately sobers up and asks if he’s late. He has plenty of time. It’s rare that they have time alone. Tak Gu takes the opportunity to ask if she is doing well. Yu Kyung says that she doesn’t like to mix personal stuff with work, but replies that she’s doing just fine. She chose her path, and she’ll make it work.

In Sook’s party march into the building looking confident. As Tak Gu leaves his office, he tells everyone to work with a happy heart and says Hai! like how Head Baker always says it. The secretaries stay silent, confused. Tak Gu responds to himself, hai hai hai!, and marches out. He enters the meeting room right after In Sook. The directors were greeting In Sook as she arrived, but they ignore Tak Gu.

Tak Gu looks around the room, observing everyone, possiby making eye contact. Most of the directors look unwelcoming, although a couple look friendly. Finally Tak Gu declares the meeting starts.

Outside, Kim Mim Sun is arriving at Geo Seung to attend the director’s meeting.

Back in the Gu’s residence, Lawyer Park is reporting to Il Jung that things are going as planned. Il Jung doesn’t respond, but Lawyer Park goes over to wake him up. Il Jung’s eyes open.

Comments:

Wait…how can Lawyer Park be in two places at the same time? Is the scene in Il Jung’s room before or after the meeting?

I was expecting quite a change of pace given the firestorm the last episode promised. Things are calmer than I expected, but still exciting. I wasn’t expecting another Ma Jun vs Tak Gu battle so soon, much less a corporate battle, but it flows well with the story.

The next episode will be eventful. There will be the results of the corporate battle, and also Kim Mi Sun will finally meet Tak Gu (unless something happens). Anyone notices that the shares are kinda even? Tak Gu 38%, Kim Mi Sun ~3%, compared to the 42% that In Sook has on her side. It’s a really close call.

We’ll probably find out the details next episode, but Il Jung has not been unconscious the entire time. I just can’t tell when the act started. I don’t think he was faking the muscle spasms, but everything else after is uncertain. Is this his way of speeding things up and forcing Tak Gu to join Geo Seung? It doesn’t sound like him. I mean, why force Tak Gu to work in Geo Seung, when you’re happy to let Ma Jun figure out what he wants to do? I know he’s trying to make things right, but his logic is really inconsistent.

I’m a little annoyed about how Ja Rim and Ja Kyung don’t have the opportunities to contribute to the story. It looks like Ja Kyung has some ideas of her own, and Ja Rim is not the doormat I thought she was. But what are they thinking? Can they do anything?

A black car rolls up to the bakery, and Ma Jun gets out of the car. He’s dressed in a black suit, and he heads towards the house. There is a lantern on the door.

Things are quiet in the house. The guys are seated, and Mi Sun and her mother are in the kitchen preparing food for the guests. Mrs Head Baker is not very happy about the turnout at the funeral. Where did all the people who used to visit go?

The first person who sees Ma Jun walking in is Tak Gu, whose only reaction is to hide his bruised fist. Axe Eyes sees Ma Jun coming in, and rushes up to confront him. He demands to know why Ma Jun is even here since he’s the one who caused problems that led to Grandpa’s death. The other guys pull Axe Eyes aside, but they are unable to silence him. Finally, Head Baker interrupts Axe Eyes’ outburst, and tells Ma Jun to go in to pay his respects to Grandpa.

Ma Jun freezes for a moment when he sees Grandpa’s picture, but is jolted back to life when Il Jung tells him to pay his respects. Ma Jun takes his bows, and in the middle of the second bow, he thinks he hears Grandpa’s voice call his name, saying “come on in”.

The next morning, Head Baker and Il Jung chat. Head Baker expresses disappointment that few people turned up at the funeral. It makes him despair at humanity. Il Jung says that it might have been too sudden, and no one was able to make it at such short notice. I don’t know if it sounded convincing. Head Baker regrets that Grandpa had to lose his honor in his final days. Il Jung thinks that people who knew Grandpa would never believe those lies.

Windmill man enters the room, announcing that it’s time for the funeral procession. Ma Jun is actually one of the pallbearers, and it’s a small party with only the bakers. Mrs Head Baker and Mi Sun following behind. As they exit the house, Head Baker sees something and stops. Is it trouble…?

Marching towards the house on the road is a contingent of bakers wearing white shirts and hats. Leading them is the last judge from the evaluation panel (I think). He apologizes to Head Baker for being late. They have only just heard the news and have rushed all the way from all over Korea to pay their last respects. However, they are too late. They would like to pay their respects anyway.

The bakers all take off their hats, and bow. They part in the middle, opening the way for the funeral procession to proceed.

Il Jung returns to the office after the funeral. His secretary hands him a folder with his schedule. Just as he opens the folder, his arm started to cramp up badly and he drops it. The spasm goes away, and Il Jung dismisses it. As they approach the elevator, Manager Han comes by with a group of men in suits. They notice Il Jung, and greet him before moving on.

The secretary offers information on the situation. Manager Han has been meeting with the board of directors since Il Jung left for the funeral three days ago. This gets Il Jung worried. In case you needed confirmation, Manager Han is trying to get support to remove Il Jung, saying that he’s not as focused as he used to be.

Ma Jun doesn’t feel well after the funeral. He’s brooding a little, and he takes out the fermentation journal to look at it. After opening the book, he throws it to the ground in frustration, and a piece of paper falls out. Curious, he picks it up and reads it. It’s from Grandpa. If Ma Jun is reading the letter, he must have taken the book.

Head Baker calls Tak Gu to his room. He asks if Tak Gu is feeling better, and Tak Gu says that he is. Head Baker tells Tak Gu that Grandpa left something for him, and hands him a scroll. Tak Gu takes the scroll to the kitchen to open it. It’s the topic for the third round of the competition, and it’s to make “the happiest bread in the world”.

It turns out that Grandpa left the same message in his letter to Ma Jun. As Ma Jun reads the letter, he starts to cry.

The effect of the scroll on Tak Gu is similar. He tears up and lets out his grief. Tak Gu goes back to the kitchen, and stares at the place where Grandpa was last at, and grieves. Windmill man is standing in the corner, looking at him.

Windmill man shows up at Il Jung’s office, and asks if the offer still stands. Il Jung expresses surprise at he changed his mind. Windmill man explains that it is as Il Jung had said, that he should do it for Tak Gu. It is also as revenge for the people at the bakery. Il Jung warns him that things could get dangerous.

Manager Han tells In Sook that he’s unable to get the last 8% of shares that they need. She asks him what she can do to help. Manager Han says that she could work on ensuring that Ma Jun’s marriage happens soon. With the support of another big company, the directors will have more confidence in Ma Jun. In Sook promises to expedite the marriage.

In Sook arranges a lunch date with Ma Jun, and Na Jin and her mother. In Sook asks when Na Jin is returning to the US for her studies, and she says next week. In a straightforward manner, In Sook says that she was hoping to announce their engagement in the fall. Na Jin is looks happy at the news, and says that she can come back in the middle of the semester briefly for the event. Her mother doesn’t disagree.

Ma Jun says that he’s unwilling to go along with the marriage. He apologizes to Na Jin.

When they get home, In Sook has a go at Ma Jun for ruining what she has prepared for him. He tells her plainly that he is in love with Yu Kyung, and she is the only person he’ll marry. I didn’t count on Ma Jun being that deep in. Strangely, he says something about not having anyone left, and Yu Kyung is the last one. Did he have someone? Is he referring to the people at the bakery that he threw away?

In Sook doesn’t take well to his proclamation that he doesn’t have anyone else. Doesn’t Ma Jun have In Sook? And the company? She tells him that he’s betraying her. It doesn’t move Ma Jun who wants to be left alone with regards to the marriage. He doesn’t want to hurt her. Hmm… She threatens him with more harm to Yu Kyung.

When he gets back to his room, Ma Jun retrieves the book that contains the bracelet that In Sook lost the night Grandma fell in the rain, and stares at it.

Ma Jun takes a car out, and goes for a fast ride on the highway. Is he venting, or is he in a hurry? A passing police car notice that Ma Jun’s car is going too fast, and gives chase, signaling for him to pull over. Ma Jun just speeds on. When we see him again, Ma Jun is in the police station. Yu Kyung is there to pick him up.

After they get out of the police station, Ma Jun offers to take Yu Kyung home. She declines. He asks her how he can be happy. Will he be happy if he lives with her? Yu Kyung tells him that people like them cannot be happy. She reminds him that they are together for revenge. Ma Jun seems resigned, and doesn’t argue otherwise.

He takes out In Sook’s bracelet and puts it on Yu Kyung’s wrist.  He tells her to wear it when she goes over to his house that weekend. She asks him what the bracelet means. Ma Jun says it means that he’s going to marry her. If she’s committed to the end, he will be committed too. Ah…I see what you did there, Ma Jun.

Tak Gu goes to visit Grandpa’s room, and finds Mi Sun sitting in there. Seeing Tak Gu come in, she talks to him and starts crying, telling him that she misses her Grandpa. She didn’t realize before how great his presence was. Tak Gu consoles Mi Sun.

Tak Gu brings the scroll that Grandpa left him to the kitchen and hangs it. He puts on his lucky hat, and starts baking. He seems to be making the same kind of bread that Grandpa last made.

Over at the house, Curly notices the smell of bread from the bakery. But isn’t it closed? They hear Tak Gu shouting from downstairs, telling everyone to come down for breakfast. He’s made them bread.

Tak Gu explains that it’s the same bread that Grandpa made before he passed away. Head Baker takes a piece, and Mi Sun joins him, and everyone crowds around the dining table. They comment that the bread is tasty, and properly made. It’s almost as good as the bread that Grandpa made. Such a difference from the evaluation they had of Tak Gu’s first bread. However, Windmill man seems to be behaving strangely.

Surely enough, Mi Sun comes along to tell Tak Gu that Windmill man suddenly left the bakery. He didn’t say goodbye to anyone except for Head Baker, and didn’t give any reason for his departure. Tak Gu is puzzled.

We next see where Windmill man went: he is reporting to Manager Han. He’s become a mole.

In Sook heads to the office to look for Il Jung, but is told that he’s left for a dinner meeting. Her detector goes off, and she calls Il Jung’s driver to check where he’s at.

The In Sook detector was right. Il Jung is meeting with Kim Mi Sun. He takes a seat, and asks her why she called him out. She says that she doesn’t have a reason. She just wanted to see him and have dinner. Right.

Il Jung pours Mi Sun a glass of wine. She reaches out to get her drink, but misses. Il Jung notices it right away. What just happened?

She admits that she was injured during an accident 14 years ago. Il Jung apologizes for it. Kim Mi Sun bitterly says that she wishes that the apology would ease some of the pain she’s suffered the past 14 years. Il Jung asks what he could do to help her. Mi Sun asks if he’s willing to do her a favor. Il Jung says he can’t help her with what she wants.

Il Jung, as we know, is not dumb. He tells her frankly that he’s wondered about why she told him about Grandma’s death and all, and has come to his own conclusions. He tells her that seeking revenge is not the answer. She tells him that it’s too late. She’s spent the last 14 years dreaming of revenge. Her opponents are evil — why else would they sell a 12-year-old boy to a deep sea fishing vessel. Il Jung looks surprised. He did not know that.

Kim Mi Sun tells Il Jung that she can’t forgive the evil that has happened. She gets up to leave, but Il Jung grabs her. He asks her what he’s supposed to do if she leaves. This causes Mi Sun to hesitate a moment, but she shakes her arm free and leaves. On her way out, she notices that In Sook is outside the restaurant. She gets into her car and drives off, and In Sook tells her driver to follow.

Il Jung is left in the restaurant, and he remains seated for a while. He raises his glass of water to take a drink, but his hand cramps up and he drops the glass. His driver rushes in to check on him. Il Jung says that he’s fine, but the driver has other news. He tells Il Jung that In Sook was there, and she saw him meeting with Kim Mi Sun. She has taken off, following Mi Sun’s car. Il Jung looks worried.

Mi Sun’s secretary asks her what she wants to do about In Sook following her. Mi Sun says that they should go to that place. I think I know where she’s heading to.

In Sook gets a call in her car, and the driver answers. He reports that they are headed towards Cheongsan before In Sook yanks the phone out of his hand and hangs up.

Mi Sun’s car turns into a parking lot, and In Sook’s car follows suite. Getting out of her car, Mi Sun apologizes for the long drive. In Sook tells her that she wants to talk. Mi Sun says that she has something to say as well, and offers to show In Sook a place that they can talk. The two women leave on their own, In Sook stumbling behind Kim Mi Sun.

Il Jung reaches the same parking lot, and gets an update from the drivers — Kim Mi Sun has headed towards the cliff. Il Jung hurries after them.

In Sook asks Mi Sun where they are heading, and is informed that they are almost there. There refers to the cliff that Mi Sun fell off 14 years ago. In Sook is spooked by the place and Mi Sun’s tone, but she tries to appear confident. She asks Mi Sun if they came all the way so that she can complain.

Mi Sun asks what she can do to make In Sook’s life uncomfortable. In Sook says that she has succeeded and demands to know what she has in mind, since she seems intent on crossing the line with Il Jung. Mi Sun wants to end everything, and she’s figured the way to resolve the issues is for both of them to step off the cliff. With that, Mi Sun grabs In Sook and tries to pull her to the edge.

While they are struggling, Il Jung finally catches up and tells them to stop it. Kim Mi Sun keeps her grip on In Sook. Il Jung tries to get Mi Sun to release In Sook. The truth is, the falling off the cliff thing is his fault. He wanted to be the sole parent to Tak Gu, so he gave orders to separate them. Mi Sun is surprised by the truth. In Sook looks more angry than surprised.

Il Jung tells Mi Sun to let go, for a variety of reasons, but especially for Tak Gu. Upon hearing that Tak Gu is alive, Mi Sun finally releases In Sook. Il Jung tells her that Tak Gu has grown up to be a fine young man, which brings tears to Mi Sun’s eyes and she collapses crying. In Sook decides that it’s time to leave.

Il Jung goes over to help Mi Sun up from the ground. However, his arm starts hurting again, and he groans in agony. Alarmed, In Sook turns back and sees Il Jung collapsed on Mi Sun.

The phone at the Gu residence rings, and Ma Jun picks up the phone. It’s In Sook sounding frantic. The family rushes to the hospital where Il Jung is unconscious.

In Sook asks the doctor when he’ll wake up, and he tells her that he can’t promise anything. Even if Il Jung wakes up, he may be paralysed on one side. Devastated, In Sook demands that the doctor bring him to consciousness. The doctor can’t. Il Jung has a brain haemorrage, and they can only wait for him to wake up. In Sook’s outburst gets Manager Han looking grim.

Outside, Kim Mi Sun is repenting. Has she done the wrong thing?

Ma Jun is left at the hospital to look after Il Jung. Taking a break, he goes out of the room, and see Yu Kyung there.

He asks her how she knew, and she tells him that she was at the office to prepare to return to her job. Ma Jun asks if she really needs to work. Yu Kyung changes the topic and asks if Il Jung is doing well. Ma Jun gives her an update. She then asks if Ma Jun is doing well, which surprises him.

He asks if she’s asking out of politeness or genuine concern. Yu Kyung says she needs to leave, but Ma Jun tells her to stay another five minutes, and he leans on her and closes his eyes.

In the middle of the night, Manager Han goes to Il Jung’s office and opens the safe. He rummages through the papers, probably looking for the stock certificates. He’s surely a man with a one track mind. He doesn’t find what he’s looking for.

In Sook is resting at home when she hears some noise outside her room. She goes out and sees that the door to Il Jung’s study is open. Walking in, she sees Manager Han rummaging through Il Jung’s desk. In Sook closes the door, and demands to know what he’s up to. Manager Han says he is looking for the stock certificates. In Sook is shocked that he is thinking about the stocks at this point, but gets jolted into action when Manager Han reminds her that the eldest son in the family register is Tak Gu, not Ma Jun.

The next morning, Ja Kyung finds In Sook in Il Jung’s study. She is shocked by the state of the room, and asks what is going on. In Sook just keeps saying that it’s not here.

Tak Gu gets a visit from a man in a suit. He identifies himself as a lawyer working for Geo Seung. A month ago, Il Jung handed him some documents, saying that they should go to Tak Gu if anything happens. Tak Gu realizes that it means that something happened, and asks the lawyer what is going on. He gets the news about Il Jung being in the hospital.

Back in his room, Tak Gu opens the envelope. Il Jung writes that he’s asking Tak Gu to take over while he’s unable to because there is no one that he trusts. He’s transfering his shares to Tak Gu. Sure enough in the big packet, we find a stack of stock certificates.

It’s a few days later, and In Sook and the family have arrived at the hospital. The doctor reports that Il Jung’s condition is stable. In Sook requests that Il Jung be shifted back home, because he hates hospitals. Ma Jun looks strangely at In Sook, but doesn’t say a thing.

The bakers are gathered for a meal. Axe Eyes brings up the fact that he read in the papers that Il Jung is in critical condition. Mi Sun notices that Tak Gu looks distracted and is not eating. Tak Gu says that he ate some bread before, so he’s not hungry. He excuses himself from the table, and heads upstairs.

He recalls how Il Jung came to him, saying that there was no one that he could trust. He remembers Mi Sun saying that she never noticed how great Grandpa’s presence was until he was gone. He probably worries that he’ll feel the same way about Il Jung.

Dressed in his only black suit, Tak Gu heads to the Gu’s residence. He pauses outside the security gates and re-lives his first memory of going to the house. Finally, he steps up to the guards and tells them that he’s Kim Tak Gu, the eldest son of Gu Il Jung.

Back in the house, there seems to be a ton of people in suits. Ma Jun picks up the call and tells the guards to let Tak Gu in. And thus, Tak Gu marches in, and he and Ma Jun meet again.

Comments:
Tagging on to the last comment I made about Grandpa being unfair to his family, we now see that he’s left both Tak Gu and Ma Jun something and nothing to Mi Sun, I think. I know we’ve rationalized how he’s taken care of Mi Sun for so long, and Tak Gu is more pressing, but I am disappointed that he didn’t seem to have left her anything.

Speaking about Mi Sun, I’m disappointed in Kim Mi Sun. I realize we can’t expect her to come up with a good revenge plan, since she’s supposed to be the good one. Still, that was lame.

It doesn’t surprise me that Grandpa predicted that Ma Jun would steal the fermentation journal. I wonder if this is when Ma Jun will start to change. He seems to have taken an interest in his own happiness. I just don’t like the kind of relationship he has with Yu Kyung. I know he loves her, but she doesn’t seem to feel quite exactly the same way.

I’m looking forward to the action in the next episode. Introducing Tak Gu as the eldest son of Gu Il Jung. What will he do now? It’ll be an action-packed ending at the rate we’re going.

It feels like the close of another chapter. I feel us being propelled towards the final stretch.

episode 23 recaps

We may have fastforwarded to the evaluation competition in the last episode, but there are still a couple of backstories to tell. Like for instance, how did Tak Gu end up being the representative for Pal Bong bakery?

Tak Gu had volunteered himself. Head Baker tells him that there is no need for him to put himself out there just because he was the one who signed the dispute petition. Tak Gu tells him that it’s not that. Tak Gu has identified the best starter culture. Does that mean…? Yes, Tak Gu has his smell and taste back.

And when he got his senses back, Tak Gu immediately realized that he’s eaten the Bong bread previously. Recall when he met Grandpa 14 years ago, Grandpa had given Tak Gu some bread to eat? That was the Bong bread. Tak Gu remembers the smell and taste well, and he is confident that he is the best person to demonstrate the making of the Bong bread.

The evaluation panel begins with the checking of the starter culture. Each side hands over a sample of their starter (it’s thick, unlike the thin runny thing that we saw in previous episodes), and the panel of seven judges take turns to sniff at it. And the baking kicks off.

Tak Gu and Ma Jun work at the same pace, mixing the dough and placing it in the fermenter at the same time. They must be using some special fermenting chamber because the dough proofs in an hour even though it’s a slow fermenting bread. Ma Jun takes his dough out of the fermenter and proceeds with shaping. Tak Gu takes his dough out and sniffs it, and decides to put it back into the fermenter for a while longer. This deviation from the protocol gets the other bakers nervous, and gets the judges talking.

Ma Jun notices Tak Gu taking extra time with his dough, but ignores it, working quickly. The truth is, he doesn’t care if Tak Gu makes better bread. He’s told Manager Han to take care of things. Elder Chun Bae, on the other hand, looks disturbed by Tak Gu’s change of plans. And we know he’s got a good nose too.

Tak Gu lets the dough ferment for an extra 15 minutes, and he’s ready to move on. Tak Gu is just taking his time to get everything right. He’s not there to beat anyone, but to repay the kindness that the Pal Bong family has shown him. From where he sits, Chun Bae can smell Tak Gu’s dough and he looks really afraid now.

The guys fill the dough with red bean, put on the finishing touches and put the trays in to bake. 15 minutes later, the competition enters the judging phase. The judges are given two plates, each with one bread, and they get to push forward the one they think is the real Bong bread.

The first few judges choose Tak Gu’s bread, but the next few judges pick Ma Jun’s bread. From flashbacks, we see that the ones who pick Ma Jun’s bread have all received envelopes of money. The score is a tie, and the last judge needs to cast the deciding vote. We see from the flashback that he was also approached by one of Manager Han’s men, but he seems to have been a little slower about picking up the envelope. He chooses Tak Gu’s bread.

Ma Jun looks furious. Chun Bae looks defeated. The bakery gang spring up in joy, and everyone takes turns to hug Tak Gu. As we saw in the flashbacks, it is really a team victory even though Tak Gu was representative. Chun Bae helps himself to one of Tak Gu’s bread.

Ma Jun confronts the last judge on his way out, demanding to know what is going on. The judge says that he did accept the money, but the bread made him change his mind; As a baker, he can’t deny the true Bong bread. He returns the envelope to Ma Jun.

Everyone heads back to the bakery to report the good news to Grandpa. Tak Gu notices Elder Chun Bae lingering outside the bakery and invites him in. Chun Bae asks if Tak Gu wants him to apologize to Grandpa. Tak Gu says that Grandpa is actually very sick and asks if they could make up. Chun Bae doesn’t answer the question. Instead, he asks Tak Gu what he put in the bread. He admits to Tak Gu that the moment Tak Gu took the bread out of the fermenter, he knew that he’d lost. There is something more to Grandpa’s bread. What is it?

Tak Gu tells him that it’s rice flour. We see a flashback — Grandpa actually woke up while they were busy preparing the Bong bread, and had told Tak Gu that he uses rice flour. Chun Bae finally understands why Grandpa’s bread always took extra long. He laments that the slowly-moving Pal Bong eventually won, while he with the genius nose and greed raced ahead and lost. He’ll take having eaten Grandpa’s Bong Bread earlier as his final farewell.

Going back to the bakery, Tak Gu bumps into a man carrying a lot of bags of bread. He apologizes, but the guy still seems annoyed. Furthermore, the man is acting strangely, glancing behind him as he walks. Tak Gu doesn’t know what to make of it.

Ma Jun shows up at home with his bag without warning. In Sook happily rushes to greet him, and asks if he’s staying for good. Ma Jun nods. In Sook tells him to go greet his father. Ma Jun looks slightly hesitant, but enters Il Jung’s study.

He announces that he’s back, and Il Jung asks if it’s for good. Ma Jun apologizes for failing in the competition, and Il Jung doesn’t look too disturbed. Ma Jun offers as amends the Bong bread recipe. He says he got the recipe from one of Grandpa’s friends. He also has the fermentation journal, which he offers for use for the company. I know…I went “what?” as well. What is he now? An industrial spy?

Il Jung says that if the recipe is from Elder Chun Bae, he has no need for it. He won’t make such bread in his factory. Ma Jun looks up in surprise. Il Jung takes it a step further — he never told Ma Jun to get a certificate. He wishes that Ma Jun would hurry up and realize that.

He heads up to his room, looking very frustrated. In Sook comes to look for him, and tells him that he doesn’t need to worry about anything. He just needs to be ready to enter the company quickly. Also, he should get ready for marriage, and break things off with Yu Kyung. Ma Jun doesn’t like the sound of that. He reminds In Sook that he is sincere and serious about Yu Kyung.

In Sook tells him that marriage is about politics and business. He needs a strong family to back him so that Ma Jun will be untouchable if Il Jung gets Tak Gu into the company. Ma Jun is surprised by the news of Tak Gu potentially joining the company.

Not so long later, a crowd of angry people are blocking the bakery’s entrance, demanding compensation for what they claim is bad bread. In the center of the crowd is the man from before. They claim that there is iron powder in the bread, and demand compensation at 100,000 won a person. The bakery doesn’t have the kind of money to pay all ten of them off. Head Baker tells everyone to keep the news from Grandpa.

Tak Gu is suspicious, having recognized the man from before, but he doesn’t say anything. He trails the man to the market, and catches him talking to someone in a black car. Tak Gu approaches them, calling out, and the man and the car hurry off. That was silly on Tak Gu’s part, and he looks frustrated that his leads have run off.

Windmill man catches up with Tak Gu and tells him not to bother chasing the car. He’s memorized the licence plate number, and he’ll get the car traced through a friend who works in the police station.

In Sook and Manager Han have a quick chat as he delivers her to a shopping date. She tells him that they should install Ma Jun during the board meeting the following week. A young lady greets In Sook as she approaches. Manager Han asks In Sook if that’s the girl she’s picked out for Ma Jun. In Sook says yes. She’s the only daughter of a big produce company worth a lot of money, so she’ll make a suitable match.

Na Jin and In Sook barely exchange words before they are approached by Kim Mi Sun. In Sook’s mood immediately darkens as Mi Sun casually greets them. In Sook excuses herself, saying that she’s run into a friend. Na Jin looks curiously at Mi Sun.

In Sook goes over to Kim Mi Sun and asks her what she wants. Mi Sun says she’s just shopping. She asks who the girl is, and notes it doesn’t look like Ja Kyung or Ja Rim. Could it be a prospective daughter-in-law for Ma Jun? She remembers that there is a son the same age as Tak Gu.

In Sook gets upset but Mi Sun changes the topic. She hands In Sook the tie that Il Jung left behind, flaunting the fact that he spent two nights at her place after the accident. She just wanted to return it. As expected, In Sook gets upset about Mi Sun meeting Il Jung. Upset enough that when she gets back to Na Jin, it’s to say that she’s not feeling well and needs to leave.

Over dinner, In Sook asks Il Jung when he’ll place Ma Jun in the company. The mood goes from bad to worse. Deliberately oblivious, In Sook suggests the programming department. Il Jung tells her that company matters will be decided in the company. Rebuffed, she asks what Tak Gu’s position will be.

Changing the subject, she tells everyone that they are meeting with the produce conglomerate family that weekend. Ma Jun says that he has other plans. In Sook tells him to cancel them, but he says he won’t cancel a date with Yu Kyung. Il Jung looks curious — is this the Shin Yu Kyung who was in the assistants’ office?

Ma Jun says yes. He also tells Il Jung that if he has to marry someone, that someone will be Yu Kyung. Il Jung looks at Ma Jun intently. In Sook tells Ma Jun that it’s not going to happen and looks to Il Jung for support. However, Il Jung tells him to introduce Yu Kyung some time. In Sook gets annoyed, and Il Jung excuses himself from the table.

In Sook gets upset, and follows Il Jung to the room, demanding to know what to do about the plans with the produce company. Il Jung says that Ma Jun doesn’t want the marriage and tells In Sook to let him be. For the first time since he was twelve, Ma Jun has finally decided on something for himself. As his father, Il Jung cannot ignore it. He won’t force Ma Jun into a marriage that he will regret.

That hits a sore spot for In Sook. She demands to know if he’s unhappy with his marriage. In fact, has he decided to go back to Mi Sun? She finally confronts him about his meeting with Mi Sun.

Il Jung asks In Sook what she is so afraid of. In Sook admits that she’s afraid that he will leave her.

Things escalate quickly and the bakery gets suspended. News reports are all over, and other bakers are gossiping about Pal Bong bringing their trade down. The bakers bang on doors, probably trying to talk to the people who complained.

It took forever, but Windmill man finally gets the information on the car. He hands the piece of paper to Tak Gu, who gets upset when he sees that the car is owned by Geo Seung. Does this mean that everyone’s suffering is because of him? Windmill man tells him that it probably is.

Il Jung meets with Yu Kyung. He tells her that he’s heard from Ma Jun, and Yu Kyung apologizes for the trouble that she’s caused. Il Jung tells her that he’s happy. He assumes that things are sincere from both sides. Yu Kyung says that she’s trying to be sincere. Il Jung asks Yu Kyung to take care of Ma Jun. He tells her that Ma Jun is a lonely person. He confesses that he’s been lacking as a father, and says he’ll be happy if she could give Ma Jun what he couldn’t.

Yu Kyung apologizes for her poor family background, and tells him that she’ll try her best. Il Jung tells her that he only needs her to be sincere. Il Jung hands her an envelope, and tells her that she can return to her old job in the assistant’s office if she wants.

Downstairs, Ma Jun is pacing, waiting for the meeting between Yu Kyung and Il Jung to end. When she finally comes down, Ma Jun asks how it went. Yu Kyung says that Il Jung is going to come down shortly to join them for dinner. Ma Jun is pleased with the development.

Tak Gu is heading to Geo Seung at this very moment, and sees Ma Jun and Yu Kyung in the building lobby. It’s awkward as Yu Kyung averts her eyes, and Tak Gu tries to ignore them. Ma Jun however meets the awkwardness face on. He asks Tak Gu what brings him to Geo Seung. Tak Gu says it’s not to meet Ma Jun, but Il Jung. Ma Jun asks if it’s something urgent, in a taunting way, and Tak Gu says that the bakery’s business has been suspended.

Ma Jun laughs and says he’s seen the news. What does the bakery have to do with Geo Seung? Tak Gu says it’s none of his business. Ma Jun tells him not to bother Il Jung over little things. Tak Gu reminds Ma Jun that he used to live at the bakery, and that Grandpa is his teacher. Ma Jun says it’s all in the past for him. Yu Kyung looks pained at Ma Jun’s petty behavior.

Tak Gu asks if Ma Jun is behind everything. Ma Jun asks what if he is. Tak Gu gets enraged, and clenches his fist in anger. He can’t hold himself back this time, and he has a go at Ma Jun. The moment the first punch lands, the security at Geo Seung are all over Tak Gu. Ma Jun screams at the men to let them be, and the guys get a real fist fight. Actually, it’s mostly Tak Gu beating the crap out of Ma Jun.

Yu Kyung tries to separate the guys, and she screams at Tak Gu to stop hitting Ma Jun. The drama ends when Il Jung shouts for them to stop. He asks what is going on, and demands an explanation from Tak Gu.

Tak Gu gives him the facts and nothing more. There have been problems at Pal Bong and Tak Gu has traced the source of the problems to the person who drives a Geo Seung car. He would like Il Jung to investigate the matter. Il Jung looks gravely at the piece of paper.

When Tak Gu gets back to Incheon, Mi Sun and Windmill man are waiting outside the house for him. Mi Sun runs up to him when she sees him coming, and asks him where he’s been. She starts to tell him that they were worried, but stops when she notices his bloodied knuckles. Tak Gu tells her that he’s sorry, but he couldn’t hold back this time. Mi Sun doesn’t shout at him. Tak gu apologizes for getting everyone into trouble. Mi Sun holds his hand, leans against him, and cries. Does this mean she guesses where he went and what he did?

Manager Han is returning to his office. Il Jung and the driver of the car are already there. Il Jung asks Manager Han if he did it, and Manager Han says there’s been a misunderstanding. Is it because of Tak Gu? Il Jung berates him for harming first his son, and now his teacher. He gives Manager Han a week to clear out. Il Jung also decides to make a trip to Incheon.

Later that night, Grandpa wakes up and works on his calligraphy. Is he writing the topic for the third round of the competition? Tak Gu is asleep, but Grandpa wakes him up and tells him to get into his baking clothes. The men head over to the kitchen, and Grandpa asks for the dough. He is itching to make some bread.

For the first time, Tak Gu gets to observe Grandpa make bread and is awed by the sight of the old man working the dough. Grandpa asks Tak Gu why he likes bread, and Tak Gu says it’s because it’s warm. Grandpa says for him, it’s because it feeds people. When it’s all done, Tak Gu pulls a chair for Grandpa.

Grandpa notices the bandage covering Tak Gu’s knuckles, and tells Tak Gu that life is for experiencing everything, the good, the bad, the happy and the sad. He tells Tak Gu that he needs to take care of his younger brother, Tae Jo/Ma Jun. He has heard everything from Il Jung. He regrets having chased his friend, Chun Bae, out so cruelly years ago, and it is his only regret. This is why he doesn’t make the Bong bread anymore. He doesn’t want Tak Gu to feel that way.

He asks Tak Gu if he knows what to do, and Tak Gu says yes. Tak Gu inserts the trays into the oven, and waits for the bread to be ready. He’ll wait for the bread to bake. (A reference to an episode from a long time ago.) Grandpa breathes slowly in his chair, and thinks about how Tak Gu has finally become an adult. Grandpa’s eyes seem a little teary, then closes.

The bread is done, and Tak Gu takes them out and places everything in a basket. He takes the bread to Grandpa, but Grandpa doesn’t respond. Tak Gu touches Grandpa’s arm to wake up, but the arm drops lifelessly to the side. Realizing what is happening, Tak Gu takes hold of Grandpa’s hand and kneels.

In the house, Mi Sun has noticed that Grandpa is not in his room. The other bakers report that Tak Gu is not in his room either, and they head over to the most probable place to find them.

Outside, they run into Il Jung who has just pulled in. Head Baker greets him, and explains that Grandpa has been very ill, and is not in his room. They are heading to the bakery’s kitchen to see if he is there with Tak Gu.

Everyone heads to the kitchen, and upon entering, they are greeted by the sight of Tak Gu kneeling in front of a seated Grandpa. Everyone stands silently for a while, and Mi Sun finally breaks the silence. Tak Gu tells her to keep quiet because Grandpa is sleeping.

They all stand quietly for a while, and one by one, everyone realizes that Grandpa is not sleeping. From in his dreams, Grandpa waves goodbye to Tak Gu, and goes on a long walk with his signature umbrella and traditional robe.

Comments:
So many comments…let’s take them one at a time in no particular order.

1. I still don’t buy that the evaluation proved that Grandpa’s Bong bread is the real thing. It proved that Grandpa’s version is better. After all, we know that Chun Bae is the “bad guy” here.

2. If there are seven judges, the minimum number of judges you have to bribe is four. Yes, Manager Han got that right. But if money is not a problem, why don’t you just bribe them all? Saves a lot of accidents from happening.

3. Elder Chun Bae is the cautionary tale of a genius nose gone wrong because he was greedy. He could have been someone, but because he was greedy, he never went anywhere. This drama is like a children’s story, very precise about what is good and bad, and what is sufficient. I like the balance.

4. I get that Il Jung follows in the footsteps of Grandpa and Grandma (grand people not related) in believing in having people reflect and learn through mistakes. Grandma’s version didn’t work for Ma Jun, and we can all say something about how she preached too much. Grandpa didn’t preach at all, and didn’t punish either, but Ma Jun didn’t learn anyway. Il Jung just lets Ma Jun be, hoping he’ll figure out what he wants in life. If a guy did not get the message the first 12 years, maybe it would be more effective if you just told him what you want from him.

Are we supposed to make something of the fact that Ma Jun has strayed even though his sisters and Tak Gu turned out fine?

5. I don’t get what Kim Mi Sun is playing at. It seems to me that she’s just trying to irritate In Sook at this point. Kinda pointless. It’s been a long time, and I am still waiting for her big revenge move. All the preparation, the threatening letters and all, mean nothing until we see what the big plan is. I hope I get blown away, coz I don’t see myself being blown away.

6. Why was Grandpa focused on only Tak Gu at his last moments? I feel like Mi Sun, Head Baker and his daughter deserved some attention too.

episode 22 recaps

Tak Gu, Mi Sun, then Head Baker react first to Grandpa’s announcement. Ma Jun is in disbelief: is he sure that Tae Jo/Ma Jun is eliminated? Grandpa says yes. Ma Jun remains calm, and demands a reason. He has clearly fulfilled the competition’s requirement of making bread without yeast. Grandpa asks if Ma Jun insists that no yeast has gone into the bread. Ma Jun says that there is no yeast. Grandpa challenges him to make the bread again before him. We hear a voiceover from Chun Bae.

Chun Bae says that there is no such thing as a delicious bread made without yeast. The trick is to use a very minimal, untraceable amount of yeast and enhance the yeast’s effect using starch. He leaves the decision to use yeast to Ma Jun. Fastforward to Ma Jun weighing out the ingredients. He hesitates, and finally decides to use the yeast-starch trick.

Grandpa tells Ma Jun that the point of the most filling bread in the world was to think of others, but he failed. The point of the most interesting bread in the world was to promote creativity. The only thing that Ma Jun cared about was winning, which is why he tried to pass off someone else’s bread as his own. Grandpa says that he is deeply disappointed.

Grandpa leaves, and Axe Eyes and Head Baker follow. Ma Jun storms out, leaving Mi Sun, Tak Gu, Windmill man and Curly. Mi Sun takes a piece of Ma Jun’s bread and takes a bite. Her expression changes. She recognizes it as the Bong bread. Not the exact recipe but very close.

Curly takes a piece of Ma Jun’s bread to try. Isn’t Grandpa the only person who knows the Bong Bread recipe? They still have no idea why Grandpa is upset.

Head Baker talks to Grandpa and asks him if it’s okay to leave things that way with Tae Jo. Axe Eyes asks what Grandpa tasted in the bread that got him so angry. Grandpa remains silent.

Ma Jun finds Chun Bae in a little restaurant, and confronts him. Who is he to cause Ma Jun to get eliminated from the competition? Chun Bae reminds him that the decision was his to make. He laughs at Ma Jun for being too greedy.

Ma Jun gets really upset. He has spent so much time and effort trying to get the certificate. Chun Bae tells Ma Jun that very soon, the certificate will mean nothing. Now, Ma Jun needs to fulfill his end of the bargain, and his task is to steal the fermentation diary. With the fermentation diary, they can strip Grandpa Pal Bong of his Master Artisan title.

Ma Jun doesn’t understand what Chun Bae is saying. Chun Bae explains that the fermentation diary belonged to him, but Grandpa stole it and used it to become a master artisan.

In Sook and Kim Mi Sun are left in the room, and they sit at the table. In Sook marvels that Kim Mi Sun was living perfectly fine the entire time. Mi Sun says that she has unfinished business. In Sook asks if sending threatening letters is part of that unfinished business. Mi Sun remarks that those letters were threatening after all. In Sook comments that Mi Sun has learned to talk back.

In Sook demands to know what Mi Sun wants. Mi Sun gives a long non-reply, telling In Sook that she’ll reap what she sowed. Mi Sun brings up how In Sook cruelly treated a young boy without qualms. In Sook says that Mi Sun should have taken care of her own son, instead of leaving her with the trauma and humiliation.

At this point, In Sook can guess what this is about. She warns Mi Sun that she’s nobody to go against In Sook. Mi Sun should stop messing around. With that, In Sook leaves.

There is a man waiting outside the room, and it turns out to be Dr. Yun. Thank goodness for that. I expected the confrontation to be a lot uglier. It was really understated and civilized.

Outside, In Sook meets with Manager Han. He asks if the meeting went as expected. In Sook is bothered by the fact that she has no idea what Kim Mi Sun is after. Manager Han says that it’s a lot easier now that they have drawn Mi Sun out. In Sook apologizes for not trusting Manager Han earlier. She tells him that the deadline with President Na is the next day at 6pm. He needs to keep their shares.

Kim Mi Sun is sobbing when Dr. Yun comes in, but she regains her composure quickly. She tells Dr. Yun that they need to ensure that things with President Na go well the next day.

Tak Gu closes up the bakery for the day. Before he leaves, he collects the scroll. As he is locking up, Il Jung’s car comes by, and the men have a talk.

Ma Jun is still thinking about what Chun Bae said about getting revenge on Grandpa. He tries to talk to Grandpa to ask for one more chance to make the bread without yeast. He’s probably hoping not to go over to the dark side. Grandpa says no to the second chance. Ma Jun has not only harmed a friend, he has also tried to deceive his teacher. Ma Jun looks surprised that he was discovered.

Grandpa says that it’s human to have bad thoughts, but it is also human to regret these mistakes. Ma Jun has failed to show remorse time and again. Ma Jun points out that he waited and endured two years for the competition. I don’t see how this is even an argument.

Grandpa says that there was a reason he made Ma Jun wait two years for the competition, but he’s failed to teach Ma Jun anything. He tells Ma Jun that he won’t kick him out yet, and he’s willing to let Ma Jun try again in another two years.

Il Jung asks Tak Gu to come help him in the company. Tak Gu reminds him that he has Ma Jun, who is more skilled and suitable. Il Jung explains that he has no one that he can trust. Tak Gu once again refuses. Il Jung asks whether things will change if he finds Kim Mi Sun. Tak Gu replies that there is even less reason for him to join Geo Seung if that happens. Il Jung’s conscience weighs on him for not telling either party the truth.

Ma Jun happens to walk out of the house at that moment, and witnesses Il Jung patting Tak Gu on the shoulder before leaving. Ma Jun seethes, but he doesn’t confront Tak Gu immediately. He continues walking to the kitchen.

Ma Jun runs his fingers across the tabletops, like he is saying goodbye. He recalls his confrontations with Grandpa in the bakery and firms his resolute. He smashes the fermentation jars and takes a lighter to the trashcan.

Tak Gu is putting the scroll away into a box when the alarms go off across the street. He rushes out, and so do the other bakers. Quickly, they head across, with Windmill man in the lead, and start to throw water on the fire.

With a bag in hand, Ma Jun heads into Grandpa’s room. (I should have seen that coming, but I wasn’t thinking.) He rummages through Grandpa’s desk and drawers, and finally goes through the wardrobe. He finds the fermentation diary in a piece of cloth and takes it.

Ma Jun hears Grandpa’s voice, and turns around. It’s part of his imagination. He puts the book in his bag, and heads out. As he walks by the dining area, he hears the voices of the other bakers and remembers when they were nice to him. “Come have something to eat, Tae Jo.” If you think about it, he’s never been that close even with his family.

Ma Jun hesitates for a few seconds, but leaves.

The fire truck has come and gone, and the fire has been put out. Windmill man gives Grandpa a report: the fire was largely contained to the trashcan, where it started. It’s mainly smoke, and that will clear off on its own. The bakery should be operational the next day.

Tak Gu looks at the broken fermentation jars on the ground and realizes something. He heads back to his room to check. Ma Jun is not there. He looks in the bathroom, and wanders downstairs to the kitchen. Mrs Head Baker asks if he needs anything, and Tak Gu wanders off again. The other bakers call out to him, asking him why he’s been wandering around the house.

Tak Gu doesn’t have a reply, but Mi Sun notices that Tae Jo is missing. This sets off a bit of chatter and confused looks. Grandpa goes to his room and sees the books strewn all over, and checks his wardrobe’s shelf. Sure enough, the fermentation diary is missing. Grandpa feels weak.

Yu Kyung is getting ready for bed when she hears a knock on her door. She goes to the door and asks who it is. After a pause, Ma Jun announces his presence. She opens the door, and he asks if he can go in. He has nowhere else to go. Yu Kyung lets him in, and Ma Jun heads to the bed and curls up in a fetal position.

It’s late in the day, past 5pm, and In Sook asks Manager Han whether he’s found President Na. Their deadline is 6pm. Manager Han hangs up, and they receive another call on the car phone. They have discovered President Na’s whereabouts. Kim Mi Sun also arrives at the same hotel.

President Na gets into the elevator. At the very last moment, a group of men in black suits rush in. He looks nervously at them. Sure enough, they take him to Manager Han in the basement and grab the suitcase out of his hands. President Na demands to know what they are doing.

Manager Han checks the briefcase and it’s empty. He looks to President Na who tells him that the shares are not going to In Sook.

Kim Mi Sun and Dr. Yun are in a hotel room going through the share certificates. Mi Sun asks Dr. Yun if they have enough shares to rival Seo In Sook, and he says they have sufficient. She tells him that she will proceed with the plan, and tells him that he shouldn’t get further involved. Dr. Yun disagrees. He’s been all in since day one when she looked for him after falling from the cliff.

They head out, but Manager Han’s men rush in as soon as the door opens. Dr. Yun steps in front of Mi Sun to protect her, but the men grab him. Manager Han tells Mi Sun to hand over the certificates to save the two men. Dr. Yun tells her not to, but Mi Sun hands the certificates over. However, she keeps her composure. She comments that this is typical of Manager Han, roughing up people to get what he wants.

Manager Han said that he is the type of person to achieve his goals regardless of methods. Even dealing with little boys like Tak Gu? Manager Han says that he had warned her when she left Tak Gu at the Gu residence. Mi Sun reminds him that she had said that she will go all out to protect her son. It’s not over. She leaves, and Dr. Yun follows.

Tak Gu spent some time the night before staring at Ma Jun’s empty wardrobe sadly. Now, he is looking listless at work. Being his usual insensitive self, Axe Eyes talks about how Tae Jo was ungrateful, setting fire to the bakery and harming his friends. The other bakers shush Axe Eyes up, and Head Baker sends Tak Gu down with the bread. They take the opportunity to ask Mi Sun if Tak Gu’s smell and taste are back, but she shakes her head.

A couple of men dressed in suits enter the bakery. They are looking for Master Artisan Pal Bong. A meeting is convened.

The men inform Grandpa that there has been a petition challenging his identity as the creator of the Bong Bread. The petitioner is Park Chun Bae. If it goes through, Grandpa will be stripped of his title as Master Artisan.

Tak Gu gets upset. Why are they talking about stripping titles before hearing the other side of the story? Grandpa tells Tak Gu to stop it. He tells the men that he understands the situation, and tells them to leave. The men tell Grandpa that he has a week to dispute the claim. Part of the process will involve re-creating the Bong bread at an evaluation panel.

The bakers, except Grandpa, gather as Head Baker and Axe Eyes fills them in on what is happening. Park Chun Bae is a childhood friend and rival of Grandpa, and he is the one with the genius nose like Tak Gu. They baked together, and the topics of the competition, the world’s most filling bread, and the world’s most interesting bread, were themes they came up with for fun to challenge each other.

Grandpa had always been interested in creating an alcohol-based bread, and was working on it for a long time. Finally, it was Chun Bae who helped solve it, so the Bong Bread actually has two creators.

The bread made them famous and rich. However one day, Grandpa realized that Chun Bae was compromising on the bread’s quality by adding yeast. Chun Bae explained that to keep up with sales, they can’t afford to have a bread with such a long fermentation time. Adding a little yeast won’t hurt, especially since the customers can’t tell the difference.

Later however, Grandpa found out that Chun Bae was adding chemical preservatives to the bread. This time, Grandpa was unrelenting, and chased Chun Bae out. Chun Bae set up his own bakery but gradually lost his customers as they found out that he added chemical preservatives to his bread, and his bakery closed down. Grandpa stuck to his original recipe and his business survived.

There is a thud then a scream from outside, and everyone rushes out to find Grandpa lying on the floor.

The doctor visits, and checks Grandpa. He says that Grandpa is a little weak because of his age, but should be fine when he wakes up. They takes turns to take care of Grandpa. Tak Gu kneels by the side, looking strickened, while Mi Sun cleans Grandpa.

Windmill man and Head Baker talk between themselves about the situation. Windmill man suggests talking to Chun Bae, but Head Baker says that they don’t have his contact information. Windmill man asks him what he intends to do about the petition now that Grandpa is lying unconscious. Head Baker says that they can’t do anything. Windmill man doesn’t look happy with the decision, but he doesn’t press on.

Mi Sun is asleep, and Tak Gu moves over to take care of Grandpa. He begs Grandpa to wake up, and promises to protect his title. Mi Sun is awoken by Tak Gu talking, and hears his promise to Grandpa. She is somewhat comforted by Tak Gu’s words.

Tak Gu announces that he’s filed a response to the petition. Head Baker gets upset. What was Tak Gu thinking, doing this on his own? Grandpa can’t do anything right now. Tak Gu says that they can. All they have to do is re-create the Bong bread. Head Baker and Axe Eyes say it’s not easy. Mi Sun says that they can refer to the fermentation diary, and Head Baker finally reveals that it went missing the same night that Tae Jo left. Everyone gets upset again for a while.

Head Baker says that even with the fermentation diary, they won’t be able to make the Bong bread consistently within a week. Tak Gu says that he will protect Grandpa’s reputation on his own if he doesn’t get help and leaves. Mi Sun excuses herself.  Curly walks out, and so does Axe Eyes. Windmill man tells Head Baker that he thinks they should try. They have already submitted the dispute claim anyway.

Axe Eyes tells Tak Gu that he has a drug to help him recover his sense of taste and smell. Mi Sun doubts the drug is for real, and they argue a little about whether it will work. Not listening to anything, Tak Gu grabs the drug and drinks it. Axe Eyes denies any responsibility if the drug doesn’t work.

Tak Gu asks Axe Eyes for the ingredients and ratios for the Bong bread. Axe Eyes says that he roughly remembers the ratios of the starter dough and produces a piece of paper. They can start from there. Tak Gu notes that it looks like his makgeolli #6 starter.

Head Baker walks over and grabs the sheet of paper out of his hand. He exclaims loudly that all the ratios are wrong. He corrects the sheet and hands it over to Tak Gu. Everyone gets to work. They also keeps asking Mi Sun if Tak Gu has his sense of smell back.

Over at Elder Chun Bae’s side, he’s recruited Ma Jun to represent him at the demonstration after seeing that Tak Gu has named himself Pal Bong’s representative.

Back at the bakery, they try various combinations, but everything fails. As usual, Tak Gu is the last one left in the kitchen, exhausted. He is surprised by Grandpa’s voice, and quickly rises to greet the old man.

Grandpa asks if his sense of smell is back, and tells him that it’s all in his mind. He won’t be able to start smelling until he believes that he can do it. Tak Gu thanks Grandpa for the advice, and Grandpa pats him on the shoulder encouragingly. Suddenly, Grandpa disappears. Tak Gu wakes up. It may have all been a dream, but Tak Gu feels encouraged anyway. He is starting to recognize the sound of fermentation as well.

The day of the demonstration arrives. Everyone gathers in a kitchen. Tak Gu represents Pal Bong bakery. Elder Chun Bae is all cleaned up for the occasion. He reveals that he will be represented by an apprentice, who is none other than Ma Jun. And the fight is on!

A side arc that I don’t know how to fit in:
In Sook dismisses Mrs Gong. Mrs Gong goes over to Kim Mi Sun’s place, where Mi Sun offers her a position.

Il Jung notices her absence. In Sook says it was an issue of trust, and this makes Il Jung think back to the discovery that Mrs Gong made. He directly asks In Sook where she was the night Grandma fell in the rain, and In Sook says that she was asleep. Il Jung tells her that she needs to tell the truth. In Sook insists on her innocence and says that Mrs Gong lied.

Comments:
This episode felt a little strange. It’s like a revenge makjang interlaced with a baking drama. I know that’s what the show is, but the scenes contrast more starkly than usual.

I don’t get how the demonstration will prove the true creator of the Bong bread, but okay. It’s just another baking competition that is Ma Jun vs Tak Gu. It makes up for the immediate lack of a third round topic, and is a nice follow up to the Bong bread arc. I like how Tak Gu is providing leadership at the bakery in this arc.

But given the way the story is going, my guess on what happened is this: after Chun Bae left and his business collapsed, Pal Bong was awarded the Master Artisan title, and he never got around to correcting the organization. I initially thought that Grandpa stopped making the Bong bread after the Chun Bae incident, but it doesn’t sound like he stopped. The timeline is still slightly strange though.

I also don’t get how shares and stocks work. Does seizing the documents mean that In Sook and Manager Han are rightful owners of the stocks? If I were Kim Mi Sun, I would give up the documents and call the cops. I’m lacking the necessary knowledge here.

I’m surprised that Tak Gu still hasn’t gotten his senses back. It’ll probably happen pretty soon, like next episode soon.