“Big” is Killing Me (Episodes 9-10)
Big leaves me so emotionally drained and confused. At the base of my confused state, there lies a complete love of Gong Yoo. He has me in shackles every moment he is on screen. On top of that wonderful foundation, there is a layer of love for the small, quiet moments in this drama. But above all this love there is a thick block of frustration that unfortunately can be written out as a list. Here it is.
1) I had this feeling I couldn’t shake off that the big mystery about the relationship between Yoon Jae and Kyung Joon wasn’t going to be that shocking. But the drama was trying to make believe that it was.
2) Therefore the mystery was being drawn out when it was so obvious what the answer was. So those moments of slow revelation with the mother and Hee Jin were annoying me. And what is point of Se Young? She feels superfluous to the story…
3) As do most of the side characters. I know they are there to provide comedy but their stories aren’t even funny and aren’t built in to the larger story.
4) And Mari. She’s delusional and it’s starting to get on my nerves.
5) Finally, now that we know for sure how Da Ran feels, I can’t stand these misunderstandings between Da Ran and Kyung Jae, especially because it seems Kyung Joon’s days as Kyung Jae are numbered. They have enough problems without these misunderstandings.
Gong Yoo is hitting it out the park as Kyung Jae, a nineteen year-old boy stuck in a thirty-one year-old’s body. His face shows the vulnerability, hurt, and innocence of Kyung Joon, especially when he is around Da Ran. This level of acting really enhances the writing and I can prepare myself for a real Kyung Joon and Da Ran romance when he returns to his original body. Gong Yoo is creating this aura of love that will stay around even the character of Kyung Joon even if Shin Won Ho returns as Kyung Joon. So I think I can happily board this ship now.
Kyung Jae running home to Da Ran to bring her food and alcohol from her parents. Happiness shines on his face as he runs and Da Ran is also happily waiting for him.
Kyung Jae thinking that Da Ran can’t forget Yoon Jae when he sees Da Ran bring home the box of Yoon Jae souvenirs. They argue and Kyung Jae breaks Yoon Jae’s Walkman. Kyung Jae breaks my heart when he says, “I need to draw the line and keep my distance so I don’t get confused. I’m not the one that is really becoming part of your family.”
I think this is really the first time that Da Ran saw Kyung Jae as Kyung Joon and her heart skipped a beat for the young boy. She isn’t happy because Kyung Joon fixed Yoon Jae’s Walkman but because he came to her.
What I love about the Hong Sisters’ writing is the way they portray love in the smallest, most innocent gestures. Love is beautifully innocent in their eyes, isn’t it? So pure that it is almost childish. Da Ran wants Kyung Jae to eat the black beans in the rice. Kyung Jae refuses and Da Ran gets upset. She leaves and Kyung Jae forces himself to eat the black beans, downed with a cup of water.
This scene killed me. Da Ran running home to Kyung Jae, thinking that the souls might have been switched back to their rightful bodies. What really gets to me is how this parallels the scene in the first episode when Da Ran first found Kyung Jae in his small bed at his house. She called Kyung Joon’s name that time too but she was hoping it was Yoon Jae. When she realized that it was Kyung Joon in Yoon Jae’s body, she was disappointed. But in episode 10, she calls out Kyung Joon’s name hoping that it is still Kyung Joon. This time she is relieved that Kyung Joon is still here and also upset at realizing her true feelings about Kyung Joon. And Kyung Joon’s face when he says sorry that he is not Yoon Jae? Kills me.
Scattered Joonni 
I don’t even how to start…I’m feeling numb all over. I hate angst…it sucks out the energy in me and that was what episodes 9 & 10 offered me this week. BIG is without doubt emotionally draining. I’m happy that the confusion I’ve felt before is already gone now that everything’s been revealed, sort of. However, that prior emotion has been replaced by a whole lot of complex feelings.
First, there’s anger and disappointment counted as one especially towards our main OTP because they’re just plainly stubborn. They both think that the other think otherwise when in fact it’s totally the opposite! If I can only appear right in front of them, I’d be pinching their noses for them to realize the truth. But heck I can’t since this is only a drama and their on TV. 🙂
There’s also annoyance in the form of Gil Da Ran. She’s being so insensitive and unfair to Kyung Joon when she acts the way she does! I guess I need not elaborate further because it’s obvious. Although she’s finally sort out her feelings, I still feel the realization came to her so slow and a little late. I hope she gets to be brave enough and show her heart out before he literally disappears. And Kyung Joon…he’s acting that typical drama martyr that I just hate! I know he just wants her to be happy and all but he’s totally doing it the wrong way, with which I know it doubles the pain more on his part. But even so, I want to hug him and give him all the comfort he possibly needs because Gong Yoo oppa just makes KJ so likable amidst everything. The depression…the sadness…it’s totally heartfelt. GY oppa makes me so proud that I got to know him as an actor. The moment KJ said sorry to DR and cried that one single tear, it felt so overwhelming and I cried alongside with him too. GY oppa…you got me there and you’re the best tearjerker ever!
Lastly, the most dreaded feeling ever…FEAR, which this drama is unknowingly giving me, served in golden platter. Even from the start, the miracle cherubs’ concept already gave me chills. Before I don’t know why but now it’s quite clear. Given our newfound knowledge that KJ is YJ’s brother by surrogate birth and that he was only born for the sole purpose of saving YJ plus the theory of one saving the other so the other can save someone else, is already telling us that there’s a likely threat of only one brother surviving in the end. Although I am still hoping for some divine interventions whatsoever for both brothers to end up alive later but I’m getting eerie bad vibes. Seems like this is going to be HGD part 2 as you predicted Joonni but still…still! *fingers crossed*
I feel frustration with the couple too. I understand the confusion that Da Ran feels and Kyung Jae’s reaction but I need these two to talk straight out about their feelings.
I’m not even going to speculate on the ending. I don’t think it’s going to satisfy everyone in every way so I’m just going to watch this drama passively. I refuse to get too emotionally involved. *crosses fingers*
Yes and yes. Thanks for your thoughts!
In front of the movie theatre, LMJ played the realization of her love for KJ, followed by the realization of what that means soooo beautifully. Just her eyes and face. Like the circling Audi scene in QIHM, when YIN experience the same thing, this is great storytelling in very little screen time.
I noticed the parallel search and discovery for DR looking for YJ/KJ in YJ’s shell.
How about adding this? In the first episode, she finds him lying in his little kid bed, but in this episode, he’s on the newlywed couch adding visually that KJ has come a looooooooong way from that teenager. He really has. God, I love that character. Good job, Hongs.
Yes, I just love how Lee Min Jung played those emotions. I think she carries the soft, quiet scenes very well.
And another yes! I noticed the parallel you brought up as well. I really appreciate these juxtapositions; they’re really useful in showing progress in the characters and in the relationship as well.
*Spoiler*
I just wanted to point out that DR and officially “married” to YJ to the rest of the world.
When they switch back she is gonna be in love with the 18/19 yr old who just happens to be her “husband’s” younger brother.
ummm oh boy!
Right, right. You reminded me. Omg, it’s so complicated. It’s going to be so weird if the souls switch back.
I have an answer to this:
And what is point of Hee Jin? She feels superfluous to the story…
We know that KJ’s arrival in SK had to have been caused by something. His mother’s death, and thereby her existence, provides this as a plot mover. Plus, heroes need to be alone in the world, his mother’s death, and thereby her existence, removes any other support from his life and opening the door for DR to step into that emptiness.
In addition, in the presence of a very loving mother for KJ is crucial to him when he finds out he was born to save YJ, and not born as a result of two people loving each other. Although, I would argue that KJ’s mother’s sacrifice is the biggest of them all, and
agreeing to birth and raise this child was an extreme show of love, no matter how much money was given her.
What if we find out that she rejected financial payment for the surrogacy, and just accepted child support?
KJ’s mother is also the anti YJ’s mother. The flavor of love YJ’s mom gave was very different from KJ’s mom.
The contrast in the mother/son relationships could be (armchair psychology here) reflected in how they treat Daran.
One warm and close and the other shy and distant.
I agree with your analysis about the mothers but what about Hee Jin?
I hate the fact that Hee Jin knows about the relationship between Kyung Joon and Yoon Jae before anyone else. I hope she doesn’t use this knowledge as a weapon.
Isn’t Hee Jin KJ’s mother’s name?
Gah! My mistake. I was thinking of Se Young. The actress’ name is Jang Hee Jin. Sorry for the confusion!
LOL!
Isn’t it Kang Hee Soo?
From a narrative perspective, I think her purpose at the moment is to give Yoon Jae’s mom a voice: they needed an excuse for mom to explain her motivation.
It’s kind of amazing that we’re already nearing the end of this drama—I’ll be interested to see if the Hongs are able to bring everything together into a cohesive, satisfying ending that makes sense of what’s come before. (Here’s hoping, because I really love this show and will be brutally disappointed if it doesn’t live up to my sky-high expectations.)
I’ve been repressing my expectations since the beginning of this show but it’s been hard.
I absolutely agree with you on Gong Yoo’s portrayal of Kyung Joon. Of all the things in this drama, it’s the only believable thing for me.
Though there’s this question I’ve been having about YJ’s disease. If his body is sick, why isn’t KJ feeling any of the symptoms?
I was happy to be passively watching Big and IDID and then all of sudden I crossed over to obsessive territory with Big and now I’m so vested that I’m dreading the ending b/c I just can’t see how it will satisfy me in anyway what’s so ever except by killing YJ’s soul.
I’m not annoyed with Mari or SY (the ex-GF). I am annoyed by the other side stories, mostly the DR’s parents parallel teacher/HS story which I get might be to illustrate DR/KJ’s future but onece or even twice would have been enough. To continue showing the uncle and principal still mooning over their lost love was so pointless. Also the uncle/aunt scenes.
Mari is a little crazy, true, but I think the point of her character to is still relevant to the main story, a reminder to DR that KJ’s is young, hs student, that the relationship between them is inappropriate, is filled with difficulties, etc. Even if her parents went through it, I think it’s a difficult situation to go through yourself. Plus, isn’t it always more frowned upon for older woman to be with younger man than vice-versa?
Joonni-shi, are you watching IDID at all? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on that drama if you ever get a chance.
“I’m not annoyed with Mari or SY (the ex-GF). I am annoyed by the other side stories, mostly the DR’s parents parallel teacher/HS story which I get might be to illustrate DR/KJ’s future but once or even twice would have been enough. To continue showing the uncle and principal still mooning over their lost love was so pointless. Also the uncle/aunt scenes.”
Totally agree with you, sb!
OK Dr. Se Young – What is her purpose?
Mostly, she serves as someone who challenges DR to get over her spinelessness.
She is our background mystery solver -sleuthing and ordering DNA tests because we can’t. She will be the one to say the words “survivor sibling” out loud, thus crushing KJ. If someone has to do it, let’s give it to the bad guy, right?
THIS moment of truth for KJ will be THE test of his self-worth. How does someone at the age of 20 face that fact – that you were born to save someone else, not born just to be? This scares me.
This is where DR comes in. Guessing her fierce and unrelenting love for JUST KJ – no hint of YJ left in her heart/mind – will help him recognize that his life is important on its own.
Love your description of DR.
Watch “I Do I Do” too, Jooni! The birth-half-sibling storyline in “Big” reminds me of “Rooftop Prince” and thus, a bit deja vu… Dr Seo’s soul is also taking forever to wake up; seeing Da Ran’s sulky face and their misunderstandings are getting at bit weary (How can anyone resist Gong Yoo, whoever the soul it is inside??) and there are not much episodes left to explore what happens when and if the souls switch back. Choong Sik is cute and can be funnier but under-used in the story?
“I Do I Do” is also about romantic love between an older woman and younger man (is that a trend in Korean now?!) but it’s much more believable and more chemistry between the main AND supporting actors/actresses (move aside, Se Young!). Episode 3 of IDID got me ROTFL at 2 o’clock in the morning! The fashion, bags and shoes are also very inspiring… makes me wanna go shopping now! LOL
My wish: Gong Yoo and Kim Sun Ah pair up in the next hit drama! ^_^
I’ve only skimmed recaps of Big ep11-12, but it seems that there is still a lot of territory left to cover when we only have four episodes left. So what is going to happen? Will Kyung Joon ever wake up? Don’t we need time to adjust and stuff when the souls switch back? Will we get another last minute time jump like every other drama?
The Hong sisters are taking a very thing story and just stretching it out over the 16 episodes. That’s why it feels do draggy.
I want to watch IDID for Kim Sun Ah but Lee Jang Woo and the storyline are not my thing at all. I don’t even skim recaps for this drama. But you make it sound a little bit more fun. Hmmm…I will have to try out the first episode at least.
Actually, Gong Yoo and Kim Sun Ah did a movie together called “S Diary.” It was a romantic comedy movie and they were so cute together.