Live Recap: Trot Lovers Episode 5

These stills slay me.

Live streaming link – http://www.kbs.co.kr/player/player_playlist.php?ch=12#kbs

Character Key for live recap shorthand

Leads

 Jang Joon Hyun (JH)- Hot kpop star

 Choi Choon Hee (CH)- loves the unsophisticated trot music

 Park Soo In (SI)- singer in training at Shine Star agency

 Jo Geun Woo (GW)- Shine Star’s CEO

Leads’ families

 Choi Byul (CB)- Choi Choon Hee’s sister

 Choi Myung Shik (MS)- Choi Choon Hee’s father

 Yang Joo Hee (JH)- Park Soo In’s mom

 Jo Hee Moon (HM)- Jo Geun Woo’s dad

 Shine Star staff

 Na Pil Nyeo (PN)- Shine Star trainee for 10 years

 Director Wang (Wang)- a director (not film, just a title at company) at Shine Star

Other minor characters

 Kim Woo Gab (WG)- Midas CEO

 Team leader Nam (Nam)- Heads planning team at Midas

 Seol Tae Song (TS)- Jang Joon Hyun’s manager

 Lee Chul Man (CM)- loan shark

 Lee Yoo Shik (YS)- loan shark, Lee Chul Man’s cousin

 Bang Ji Sook (JS)- Choi Choon Hee’s marathon coach and mentor

 Shin Ho Yeol (HY)- Jang Joon Hyun’s rival

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Episode 5

At the market. JH finally arrives with the one ball. Wang tries to stop him, saying they don’t know where the ball came from. But the market person takes the ball and puts into container. GW announces CH’s success- 1000 balls! CH and JH hug, swirling around.

Back outside CH’s house, JH tries to go in, but CH stops him, reminding JH he sleeps outside. JH points out she never said thank you for the ball. CH cheekily says thank you but she still doesn’t let JH in. JH mutters underneath his breath, “The evil girl.”

Inside, CH happily tells a sleeping Byul happily that she successfully passed her first test.

CH gets a call from Heo. She forgot to give back her stage outfit. Outside, she doesn’t see JH on the table sleeping like she expected.

At the noraebang of the nightclub, JH is still singing. He enters room where he sees his rival HY. JH runs out to get a mask before HY sees. He plays with the mask on in front of HY. HY’s friend notes that the masked guy plays guitar like JH. HY gets mad that the masked guy is playing like JH. He gives the mask guy money to take off the mask. Before HY can force it off him, JH runs out of room, but HY catches up to him and pulls off mask. HY starts making fun of JH, saying JH should be his manager. CH has arrived at the nightclub and overhears.

HY pours beer on JH. JH makes a fist, angry. HY taunts JH to hit him, but before JH can, Heo stops him. HY throws dry cleaning money at JH. HY leaves.

Heo gets mad at JH- “Did I say to do this? You’re the one who said you would to pay back CH’s debt.” CH now finds out what JH has been doing.

HY is in room drinking. CH hits him upside the head, pretending she mistook him for someone else. HJ says leave. CH then hits him again. HY can’t hit her back even if he wants too. CH warns him that he won’t be famous forever. She saw what he did to JH and she couldn’t just let it slide.  HY asks if CH is JH’s girlfriend, did he tell her to bring back money. CH gives her money to get her to leave. Right at that time a picture is taken. CH throws money back. She leaves.

CH comes home. JH is outside sleeping on the table. She looks at him sadly.

Next morning, Byul wakes up JH to come inside the house and eat. JH is happy with the breakfast. He asks CH were his suitcase is; he can’t see it  in the living room where he left it.

CH has put the suitcase in her dad’s room. He can stay inside the house. CH says she repaid her debt, JH asks what does she mean. CH doesn’t explain. Nevertheless, JH is really happy.

CH finds that JH has made a mess in the bathroom and used all the toothpaste, so she gives him a list of rules to follow- use towels, toothpaste, water, toilet paper sparingly. Only six sheets max for number two. They will also take turns doing dishes. JH can’t believe she is making him dishes with hands that play the guitar. Still, JH does what he is told.

SI is practicing dancing. Smiles at memory of GW taking her side against mom. PN comes into room to note SI smiling. Thinks it is because of her appearance on the program “Survival Hit Songs.” GW calls to say he is picking her up to take her to the  TV station. SI gets excited, puts on makeup.

SI,GW, and Wang having meeting with TV station department head guy. Head guy praises SI. Another guy comes into to say another singer had to drop out of the show. GW offers a replacement- CH, a trainee in his company. TV guys are hesitant. GW shows video of CH singing. Lower guy doesn’t think CH fits but head guy likes CH. CH is in.

Outside in the hallway, Wang complains- CH is still too green and it looks like she is being tagged on with SI. GW says it is good for label-mates to help each other out.

Someone calls Wang- shows pictures of HY giving money to CH. The reporter has already negotiated with the HY’s agency, Midas. What is Shine Star going to do?

CH is stretching in the practice room. JH brings her a fan or tiny A/C. Wang comes in to say that CH is going on the TV show. JH and CH is happy.

Other trainees tell PN about CH going on show- GW put her in. PN gets call. Wang offers PN a chance; if she does it what he wants her to do well, she might get a chance to appear on the show.

Late at night, PN is on the computer, uploading something onto Shine Star’s website board.

Next day, a trainee sees the post that a shine star trainee is working at a nightclub, singing in the rooms. There are blurred images of HY and CY, but most of the trainees can guess it is CY. Of course, PN pretends she just saw these photos.

In GW’s office. Wang is putting the pictures on the table like he just saw them. I HATE HIM. CH explains she was at the nightclub to give back outfit. Wang can’t believe she used to work there. The past is the past, but is she still working there when she is a trainee for Shine Star. CH can’t explain why she is getting the money from HY because she has to protect JH. GW wants CH to tell the truth, but CH can’t.

JH and CH are outside. JH asks if CH really did sing at the nightclub like the post said. When CH can’t respond, JH starts yelling at her, angry she would do something like that; did she want money that bad? Is she a real singer?! CH in return gets mad that JH would think she would do that. She won’t explain because he isn’t going to believe her anyway. She knows he is disappointed in her but she is disappointed in him too. JH yells as disappearing CH, “Who said I didn’t believe you?”

JH storms in GW’s room, asking why GW can’t do anything to help CH. JH knows CH isn’t the type of person to do other things while she is training here. GW responds JH should learn the facts before speculating about CH singing in the nightclub. It isn’t helpful to speculate when the person isn’t saying anything. JH blinks rapidly in confusion.

CH is with her coach, wondering if she should have just told the truth. But she couldn’t then because she saw that someone’s pride would be hurt. But Coach says if she first thought she shouldn’t, then its the right decision. Stick with that decision. It is most like CH.

JH goes to see HY. HY starts dissing CH, calling her JH’s girlfriend, she doesn’t have a good body, a country girl. JH punches him.  JH finds out that CH came to HY because of him.

CH sits in front of all the board members of Shine Star. GW is giving her a chance to say something, but CH wont’ say anything. Before CH gets thrown out, JH rushes in to tell the truth of why CH was there. Wang and SI’s mom laugh to learn that JH sang at the nightclub. I HATE THEM.

PN gets kicked out by Wang, saying she needs to take responsibility for uploading the photos. He says she may get a chance again to come back to Shine Star.

Walking home, JH nags CH, half grateful, half upset that CH did that to HY and didn’t say anything. He grabs her shoulder, makes her promise not to do something like that again and to call him if something happens. CH is a little flustered by his sincerity.

CH and JH happily go up the stairs making fun of HY. GW’s dad sees, wonders if something is going on between the two.

Inside the house, JH find the best cup and claims it as his own. CH has to change the ceiling lights. Asks JH to hold the stool while she climbs it to change the lights. He gulps at her bare legs right in front of her face. CH loses balance. Falls on top of JH. Both are embarrassed. JH holds his beating heart, wondering why it is so fast.

SI is practicing singing. GW comes in. Says SI has grown thin. SI asks why GW suggested CH for the tv show. GW wonders if SI feels it is unfair. SI says she is just wonders why someone who doesn’t have the basics down should go on the show, why GW thinks of CH specially. GW says he doesn’t. He just finds her interesting. And  CH has something special, the ability to move people’s hearts. SI and CH are different. CH has that ability to move people’s hearts. SI simply has people admire her. This upsets SI.

At the show recording. It is just like the actual “Immortal Songs” show on KBS.  Singer picks random balls to decide their turns. CH picks 2^nd, SI picks 1^st, which makes them competitors in the first round.

SI’s mom goes to GW, saying it is not good that same agency people compete against each other. “Make sure this doesn’t happen again.” GW asks if she is saying this as SI’s mom or as Shine Star employee. This upsets SI’s mom.

CH is practicing. JH wants to sleep, how long has CH been practicing?! He says CH doesn’t know when to stop. He is about to go to sleep when loan sharks show up. Scolds JH for making CH stop.  Loan sharks, CH, and JH practice together.

TS has come to Heo, saying he wants money back he gave to Heo to make him a star. But Heo won’t give back the money, throws TS out of his office. TS bemoans this happened because he betrayed JH. He sees PN go see Heo. TS wonders if he should help her, knowing Heo is a scammer.

In the parking lot, Heo is trying to get PN in the car, saying she is going to do a photo shoot right now. He starts harassing her and TS sneaks around to help. Somehow PN and TS slam lips together as TS tries to save her, and he grabs her hand and runs.

Outside, PN falls in love with a very sweaty TS. TS tries to explain he didn’t mean to kiss her or hold her hand. He walks away. PN follows after him saying she wants to say thanks, what is his name?

CH is stretching in practice room. GW comes in, makes fun of her that she can’t stand up from that position. He pretends to help her up, but it is a prank and she slips. They have fun like this and SI sees from outside.

SI has trouble singing. SI takes pills. Doctor had said her vocal cords have strained (vocal cord nodules). Wang sees. He tells SI’s mom SI’s condition is not good. SI seems to have told him it was just a cold. SI’s mom doesn’t seem too concerned, saying a singer should be able to handle a bit of cold and strain.

CH is training with JH. CH doesn’t know the musical terms. He also finds out CH can’t read music. He tells her not to let anyone know she can’t read music, except Wang overhears. DARN.

At the show recording next day. CH gets the set list, but her song is wrong. JH argues with producer outside, saying how can her song be changed on the same day of the recording. Producer says CH’s song is being sung by no.5 singer, they told Shine Star about the change. JH says he never heard.

CH is forced to sing a new song. JH sings the new song for her since she can’t read music.

Before the stage, JH advises a nervous CH that the pitch and lyric is not important. It is important to sing with the heart.

While SI is singing her song, backstage JH is singing CH’s song to her so she can memorize. Looking into each other’s eyes, CH and JH share a significant moment. JH says CH can do it and gives her gesture CH likes to do.

CH sings at her turn. She imagines JH holding her hand, singing along with her and encouraging her. She gains more confidence.

CH sings her heart out. Gets standing ovation. GW’s dad is also in the audience, happy.

Song “미소를 띄우며 나를 보낸 그 모습처럼” (Like when you sent me away with a smile) (originally sung by Lee Eun Ha 1986)

CH runs back to JH, happy. JH squeezes her cheeks, proud of her. “It was worth teaching you.”

It is now time to find out who got the most votes. During her turn to comment, CH says she has something to say. It is a message to her dad, asking him to call her as soon as he sees this broadcast.

135 vs 63 CH wins the audience vote. JH is very happy. But SI got more online/netizen votes, and the total of all votes makes SI the winner.

CH goes backstage, apologizes to JH. He just walks away without a word. He goes to producer to complain. How could SI win with that huge gap in the audience vote?

In car, SI’s mom thanks Wang. She is glad she listened to him.

SI in the bathroom  and overhears other singers say CH was pretty amazing, as expected of someone trained by JH. They also talk about how SI could have won when the audience vote was that high for CH- how high was the netizen vote? SI suspects something.

SI runs into JH in the hallway. SI asks JH to celebrate with her. JH thinks CH already left so he agrees.

It is raining outside. CH, who has no umbrella, sees JH, runs after him, but JH gets into CH’s car.

CH and JH are at café.

Byul tries to wake up CH for dinner by CH is feverish. Byul calls JH

SI asks JH to return to her, so he can make her next song.

SI’s mom takes out CH’s mom’s cd. She asks Wang to find out what CH’s dad is doing. (Reminder, she doesn’t know CH is their kid.)

GW calls CH to encourage her. But Byul tells him that CH is sick. GW rushes to CH’s place. Takes her to hospital.

JH thanks SI for the offer but they have different paths now. JH calls back Byul on his missed calls. He finds out about SI.

JH tries to grab taxi. SI offers him a ride to hospital.

Doctor tells GW and Byul that CH is suffering from exhaustion. CH is awake. Byul finds out GW is CH’s agency ceo. Byul asks with smile, is that it??? GW replies, for now.

  

JH rushes in. Sees GW. SI comes in, sees GW too.

End of episode, no preview for next ep. ARGH!!!!!!

Lyrics to “미소를 띄우며 나를 보낸 그 모습처럼”  (originally sung by Lee Eun Ha 1986)

날 위해 울지 말아요.
날 위해 슬퍼 말아요.
그렇게 바라보지 말아요.
의미를 잃어버린 그 표정.
날 사랑하지 말아요.
너무 늦은 얘기잖아요.
애타게 기다리지 말아요.
사랑은 끝났으니까.
그대 왜 나를 그냥 떠나가게 했나요.
이렇게 다시 후회할 줄 알았다면.
아픈 시련속에 방황하지 않았을텐데.
사랑은 이제 내게 남아 있지 않아요.
아무런 느낌 갖을 수 없어요.
미소를 띄우며 나를 보낸 그 모습처럼.

Kim Na Young & Lee Eun Ha – Trot Lovers OST

“Like when you sent me away with a smile”- Translated by Joonni

Don’t cry for me.

Don’t be sad for me.

Don’t look at me like that.

An expression that has lost all meaning.

Don’t love me.

It’s too late.

Don’t wait for me.

Love has ended.

Why did you make me leave?

If you knew you would regret again like this.

You wouldn’t be wandering in such painful hardship like this.

There is no love left for me.

I can’t feel anything.

Like when you sent me away smiling.

Comment:

Slowly but surely, I am falling in love with this drama. It’s not the most sophisticated or the most flashy, but it has heart, however simple and common it is. There is love, sincere in its desire to protect, to encourage, and to sacrifice. I love epic stories, where the human character is put to the test through situations of life and death. But I also love the quieter ones where the human heart is shown in everyday gestures and encounters with family and friends.

We can’t help but root for Choon Hee, a tough young woman who is strong and loyal, yet still a little fragile inside. She won’t embarrass JH and tell people why she was at the nightclub, even if it means losing her chance at Shine Star. She practices and practices, knowing she has to rely on her own ability, but she is open to encouragement and support from other people. It was a nice touch there, again, with Choon Hee imagining Joon Hyun there on stage singing with her. I love these little imaginative moments Choon Hee has.

Joon Hyun has grown so much, it is quite a site to see. He already seems to be completely over SI, although I’m sure he will be put to the test again, especially as he get more and more jealous of Geun Woo and Choon Hee.

Geun Woo is a little ambiguous, with him saying that last line to Byul about him not being sure he will stay just Choon Hee’s boss. I also don’t blame Soo In for being confused about Geun Woo. He is very nice too her, complimenting and all, and I can see why Soo In would get jealous when she thinks Choon Hee is stealing his affections. Geun Woo is being a good a CEO and a nice person to Soo In, but I hear this all the time in Korea- women don’t like men who are nice to every female because it is confusing. They want it clear that the man’s affections is theirs only. Geun Woo definitely doesn’t know women.

I’m delighted to see we are in for a good ol’ fashioned love square, although I would have preferred a simple triangle. They are a little hard to find these days in K-dramas, but to me, they are like the bread and butter of the industry. I’m glad I’m getting my ration with “Trot Lovers.”

What’s with this drama not showing previews at the end of the episode? Are they already live shooting or is this some kind of ploy to drive me crazy? Next episode, please!