Then She Found Me- Episode 5 Powerful Opponents Review
Then She Found Me
Episode 5 Powerful Opponents Review
Tonight’s episode the drama establishes that Gwang Pil is capable of smiling… Yes, I am serious.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Just when his eyes light up and his lines crease in happiness… it was like a whole different person walked into the room. All because of one little charmer geared with a backpack … the little girl who seems to give a burst of sunshine and endless chuckles into the story, but at the same time unveiling certain mysteries that builds us into this whole new plot-arc and a bit of a curveball.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Gwang Pil’s smile says a lot about this episode … with enough comedy, tinges of romance, and drama … not to mention, character deconstructing and never ending questions to keep us wracking our brains out, “Powerful Opponents” yet again realizes that it is a romantic comedy first and foremost. Even without the shoot-em-up treatment this episode shows us its magic.
We start off feeling for Young Jin… the girl has enough problems in her life. Being a super agent working for the Blue House, having her higher ups always breathing down her neck, her silly family always getting themselves into trouble and debt, having to do an interrogation with the sleazy gangster… and then her silly family’s rather romantic notions and reactions to their hero, Gwang Pil.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Chae Rim’s facial expressions and the family’s constant questions and cajoling were enough to keep me in stitches. Add all this with Gwang Pil’s still very deadpan and extremely formal ways makes the best out of the rather awkward situation.
Watching the stark difference at how Young Jin and Gwang Pil deals with every circumstance pushed to them is one of the key factors of the comedy in here. Right when Chief Mr. Hulk (Robbers shout-out!) was interrogating the perverted thug, he decides to pound the table … almost to smithereens.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Young Jin sits there her eyes about to pop out and Gwang Pil hardly budges… he doesn’t even blink.
Yet, he sees through Young Jin’s frustration, emotional aggression, and controlled tears. I was quite surprised that so early in the episode they already gave us a taste of poignancy.
Chae Rim as usual, played the headstrong heroine with enough believability but at the same time, she brings us a girl who has lost face, her emotional frailty emerges again, but building her defenses as quick as possible before he can look even further. Her anger may seem piercing but there is something from the way her eyes seem to plead to the sudden break in her voice.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Gwang Pil on the other hand, looked at her not in his usual cold exterior or dry manner, but something with concern… heartfelt almost. But like her, he builds a wall as soon as he can. Quickly, falling into angry tirades with her. Lee Jong Hyuk throughout, nailed it with yet again a nuanced performance. I like how hjkomo kind of compared the layers of his character to the way Jang Hyuk attacked his character in “Robbers”. Really, I was no fan of LJH before all this, but the way he just uses this seductive kind of subtlety just pulls me into his mysterious character. *I* would like to smash into Gwang Pil’s walls.
I’ll be popping my champagne once this two will have their share of wall smashing.
But here they are busy with their bickering, not realizing they left Soo Ho … forgetting the stakes of their job.
In this episode, Soo Ho is more conflicted, however, there are times when he still seems whiney rather than a deranged individual (which I think is what the writer is aiming for), but it was still better than the campy way they wrote him back in the earlier episodes.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
He seems to be completely fascinated with Young Jin even studying her old album and giving into moments of interaction with her. I think he seems a bit close to being mildly infatuated with her. The potential for the triangle is still being built upon, but so far their interactions are not as in-depth as Gwang Pil and Young Jin’s, so it is a bit hard to judge his place in this drama in terms of a love interest.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Lee Jin Wook shines in the scenes when his angst treads on him, when he suddenly talked about his anguish to his sister, he was near-silent but it was effective. His sister silently breaking down with him made the scene more moving. Plus, just with their hidden cries, it’s like you just continuously ask yourself why all this damage. One of the questions that I seem to ask in this drama as I keep watching.
The tension between Gwang Pil and Soo Ho is like a searing knife as I watched them in the family dinner. It was like watching Gwang Pil shrivel up in front of them, and Soo Ho just filled with so much intense hatred for the man who sat across the table. Lee Jong Hyuk, I can feel him just feel so small as he ate that bowl of rice, it’s like I felt being watched and magnified like so… with ten times the hatred put upon me. I felt like choking on my own meal when I watched the tension cut in once more.
Yet, we are driven about this story about two good friends who became this bitter rivals because of this certain woman in their past.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Soo Ho goes into moments of turmoil hearing a shrill violin tune. The face of the woman haunting him ‘til this day.
While, Gwang Pil has a daughter, who played the violin and of course, possesses a photograph of that same woman.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
This kid is just adorable and very beautiful … she comes in with wit, spunk, and charm as she meets Young Jin. She seems to take after Gwang Pil’s rather straightforward ways, even enough to call our Young Jin the ajumma!
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
The most memorable scenes in this episode is between Chae Rim the chopsticks killer and the kid, so definitely watch out for that.
The daughter may be an adorable addition, but she opens up jolts of mystery yet again into this whole story. I mean is it really as face value as Gwang Pil stole Soo Ho’s girlfriend and had a baby with her? Is this why Soo Ho is disturbed? I personally do not think so.
One of the themes in the story is the father-daughter relationship parallels between Gwang Pil and his daughter, who seem at bliss with family life. And Young Jin and her father, who once were like that but something damaged their relationship. This is one of the prime things that I believe the story will delve upon, and I am glad they are going to becuase I believe these relationships will push the characters to certain arcs. Young Jin should see her old self in the daughter, it seems like she was once a daddy's girl. This could effect her relationship with Gwang Pil.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
And another theme is the romance. All in the name of rivals. Young Jin and Gwang Pil’s story seems to be the usual love/hate scenario, the rivals, but what is so endearing about them is you watch them reach certain levels of their relationship, cracking a real smile out of Gwang Pil as they played around with the sticky wallpaper glue shows that he really only gets out of his element because of two people… his daughter and now Young Jin.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Now, Soo Ho acted more like a bystander this time who calculated his moves. The guy may be insane in the membrane but he can tell when there is obvious flirting. So he plans his next attack and it seems like another rivalry may be brewing.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
One of the good things about the triangle is, I absolutely have no farkin’ clue where it can be leading us. And that makes it exhilarating to watch.
So far, Soo Ho’s character’s motivation is blurring my lines of real empathy. There are moments when I totally feel for him but his cliché ridden vengeance kind of actions makes me feel frustrated yet again with the character. I really hope they are taking us somewhere substantial with this character’s motivations.
We end the episode with a lot of questions in mind as layers of mysteries are painted on once again. It almost feels like I’m back to square one. Which is actually a good thing. Deconstructing the characters here is not easy, but the more questions I ask, the more I get drawn in. It is a breath of fresh air to see that TPTB knows that their strength is not to make the best action-packed story, but to tell us A STORY with characters that I am coming to be really invested on. Just as long as they keep this, they are on the right path. Depth and fun does not come easy these days.
Episode 5 Powerful Opponents Review
Tonight’s episode the drama establishes that Gwang Pil is capable of smiling… Yes, I am serious.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Just when his eyes light up and his lines crease in happiness… it was like a whole different person walked into the room. All because of one little charmer geared with a backpack … the little girl who seems to give a burst of sunshine and endless chuckles into the story, but at the same time unveiling certain mysteries that builds us into this whole new plot-arc and a bit of a curveball.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Gwang Pil’s smile says a lot about this episode … with enough comedy, tinges of romance, and drama … not to mention, character deconstructing and never ending questions to keep us wracking our brains out, “Powerful Opponents” yet again realizes that it is a romantic comedy first and foremost. Even without the shoot-em-up treatment this episode shows us its magic.
We start off feeling for Young Jin… the girl has enough problems in her life. Being a super agent working for the Blue House, having her higher ups always breathing down her neck, her silly family always getting themselves into trouble and debt, having to do an interrogation with the sleazy gangster… and then her silly family’s rather romantic notions and reactions to their hero, Gwang Pil.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Chae Rim’s facial expressions and the family’s constant questions and cajoling were enough to keep me in stitches. Add all this with Gwang Pil’s still very deadpan and extremely formal ways makes the best out of the rather awkward situation.
Watching the stark difference at how Young Jin and Gwang Pil deals with every circumstance pushed to them is one of the key factors of the comedy in here. Right when Chief Mr. Hulk (Robbers shout-out!) was interrogating the perverted thug, he decides to pound the table … almost to smithereens.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Young Jin sits there her eyes about to pop out and Gwang Pil hardly budges… he doesn’t even blink.
Yet, he sees through Young Jin’s frustration, emotional aggression, and controlled tears. I was quite surprised that so early in the episode they already gave us a taste of poignancy.
Chae Rim as usual, played the headstrong heroine with enough believability but at the same time, she brings us a girl who has lost face, her emotional frailty emerges again, but building her defenses as quick as possible before he can look even further. Her anger may seem piercing but there is something from the way her eyes seem to plead to the sudden break in her voice.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Gwang Pil on the other hand, looked at her not in his usual cold exterior or dry manner, but something with concern… heartfelt almost. But like her, he builds a wall as soon as he can. Quickly, falling into angry tirades with her. Lee Jong Hyuk throughout, nailed it with yet again a nuanced performance. I like how hjkomo kind of compared the layers of his character to the way Jang Hyuk attacked his character in “Robbers”. Really, I was no fan of LJH before all this, but the way he just uses this seductive kind of subtlety just pulls me into his mysterious character. *I* would like to smash into Gwang Pil’s walls.
I’ll be popping my champagne once this two will have their share of wall smashing.
But here they are busy with their bickering, not realizing they left Soo Ho … forgetting the stakes of their job.
In this episode, Soo Ho is more conflicted, however, there are times when he still seems whiney rather than a deranged individual (which I think is what the writer is aiming for), but it was still better than the campy way they wrote him back in the earlier episodes.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
He seems to be completely fascinated with Young Jin even studying her old album and giving into moments of interaction with her. I think he seems a bit close to being mildly infatuated with her. The potential for the triangle is still being built upon, but so far their interactions are not as in-depth as Gwang Pil and Young Jin’s, so it is a bit hard to judge his place in this drama in terms of a love interest.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Lee Jin Wook shines in the scenes when his angst treads on him, when he suddenly talked about his anguish to his sister, he was near-silent but it was effective. His sister silently breaking down with him made the scene more moving. Plus, just with their hidden cries, it’s like you just continuously ask yourself why all this damage. One of the questions that I seem to ask in this drama as I keep watching.
The tension between Gwang Pil and Soo Ho is like a searing knife as I watched them in the family dinner. It was like watching Gwang Pil shrivel up in front of them, and Soo Ho just filled with so much intense hatred for the man who sat across the table. Lee Jong Hyuk, I can feel him just feel so small as he ate that bowl of rice, it’s like I felt being watched and magnified like so… with ten times the hatred put upon me. I felt like choking on my own meal when I watched the tension cut in once more.
Yet, we are driven about this story about two good friends who became this bitter rivals because of this certain woman in their past.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Soo Ho goes into moments of turmoil hearing a shrill violin tune. The face of the woman haunting him ‘til this day.
While, Gwang Pil has a daughter, who played the violin and of course, possesses a photograph of that same woman.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
This kid is just adorable and very beautiful … she comes in with wit, spunk, and charm as she meets Young Jin. She seems to take after Gwang Pil’s rather straightforward ways, even enough to call our Young Jin the ajumma!
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
The most memorable scenes in this episode is between Chae Rim the chopsticks killer and the kid, so definitely watch out for that.
The daughter may be an adorable addition, but she opens up jolts of mystery yet again into this whole story. I mean is it really as face value as Gwang Pil stole Soo Ho’s girlfriend and had a baby with her? Is this why Soo Ho is disturbed? I personally do not think so.
One of the themes in the story is the father-daughter relationship parallels between Gwang Pil and his daughter, who seem at bliss with family life. And Young Jin and her father, who once were like that but something damaged their relationship. This is one of the prime things that I believe the story will delve upon, and I am glad they are going to becuase I believe these relationships will push the characters to certain arcs. Young Jin should see her old self in the daughter, it seems like she was once a daddy's girl. This could effect her relationship with Gwang Pil.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
And another theme is the romance. All in the name of rivals. Young Jin and Gwang Pil’s story seems to be the usual love/hate scenario, the rivals, but what is so endearing about them is you watch them reach certain levels of their relationship, cracking a real smile out of Gwang Pil as they played around with the sticky wallpaper glue shows that he really only gets out of his element because of two people… his daughter and now Young Jin.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Now, Soo Ho acted more like a bystander this time who calculated his moves. The guy may be insane in the membrane but he can tell when there is obvious flirting. So he plans his next attack and it seems like another rivalry may be brewing.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
One of the good things about the triangle is, I absolutely have no farkin’ clue where it can be leading us. And that makes it exhilarating to watch.
So far, Soo Ho’s character’s motivation is blurring my lines of real empathy. There are moments when I totally feel for him but his cliché ridden vengeance kind of actions makes me feel frustrated yet again with the character. I really hope they are taking us somewhere substantial with this character’s motivations.
We end the episode with a lot of questions in mind as layers of mysteries are painted on once again. It almost feels like I’m back to square one. Which is actually a good thing. Deconstructing the characters here is not easy, but the more questions I ask, the more I get drawn in. It is a breath of fresh air to see that TPTB knows that their strength is not to make the best action-packed story, but to tell us A STORY with characters that I am coming to be really invested on. Just as long as they keep this, they are on the right path. Depth and fun does not come easy these days.