Live Recap: Trot Lovers Episode 6

  Oh my, Geun Woo! While these stills make me want to coo at how cute he is, the other part of me worries for SI. The more he is nice to her, the more hurt she will be when he pays attention to Choon Hee. Please don’t fan the flames of jealousy, Geun Woo. Does Shin Sung Rok look more like a panther or what with those ears? He had that feline look as Jae Kyung in “You Who Came from the Stars,” and those ears complete the image. Except Geun Woo looks more like the pink panther, don’t you think?

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 sister

 Yang Joo Hee (JH)- Park Soo In’s mom

 Jo Hee Moon (HM)- Jo Geun Woo’s dad  

Shine Star People

 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Episode 6

JH rushes into the hospital. Sees GW. SI comes in, sees GW too, but no one else has seen her yet.

JH asks CH what happened. Byul reminds him that he didn’t pick up. GW says thanks to JH, he was the one that brought in CH. JH touches CH’s cheeks to see if she is all right. GW gives him a look. SI leaves hospital pissed.

Nurse calls for guardian. JH and GW both volunteer, but GW leaves as guardian because Byul stops JH, saying GW is the CEO.

GW volunteers to drive CH home, of course not offering JH a ride since he doesn’t know JH is living with CH and Byul. CH has to go along because GW can’t find out JH is living with them.

GW, Byul, and CH have arrived home. Byul has fallen asleep in car, or at least pretends to, so GW volunteers to bring her up. JH has already arrived home, unfortunately, and CH, who has come in before GW to clean the house, sees JH and hides him inside the closet just in time as GW comes in with Byul.

JH is inside closet listening to CH and GW. GW asks for water when CH says she as nothing good to offer him to drink. JH mutters underneath his breath- why did GW come into a woman’s house this late at night?

As GW is getting some water from CH,  JH watches from behind the door into the kitchen. GW compliments CH saying that regardless of the results, she was good; she moved the audience. CH gets txt message from JH telling her to send GW away quickly. CH says it is just spam when GW asks about the text. JH gets angry as he sees GW drinking from his special cup.

GW asks CH if she and her sister are living alone together still without dad. JH keeps texting CH, telling her to switch out GW’s cup. While CH tries to, she ends up her hands wrapped around GW’s. As she is getting another cup out of the cupboard, the door is about to fall off but GW helps her just in time. He ends up standing very close behind her. GW, like a playboy, says, “You should be more careful.”

JH who has just had about enough of this tries to leave the room but Byul pulls him back. GW thinks he hears something but CH just passes it off as an awakened Byul. Inside the room, Byul won’t move out of JH’s way. She thinks if GW sees JH, GW will think something is up between JH and CH. Byul says GW and sis are getting along well, you are our family now, please help.

CH pours GW a new cup of water. GW gulps it down and gets up to leave. CH looks relieved. Outside, he tells her to take care of herself.

As GW passes by, GW’s dad comes out of his door, and is almost caught by GW, but thankfully GW didn’t catch him. Dad wonders why GW came to CH’s house.

Inside the house, JH has started to nail the cupboard door. CH asks why he is doing that this late, makes fun of him for not being able to do it properly. JH yells at her for letting GW use his cup, but CH thinks JH is just mad disappointed in her because of the contest. JH explains that he is mad because he suspected something fishy going on with the votes. CH says forget it, she is just happy she got to go on the show and leave a message for dad.

In restaurant, CH’s dad sees CH’s appearance on the show and hears her message and tears up.

At Shine Star, SI and other trainees watch an interview taking place at an amusement park. SI likes the idea, saying she hasn’t been there since childhood. GW comes and sits next to her, reminding her of a meeting with TV producers later. Together they watch news about the original singer of SI’s song supports CH instead of SI.

In bathroom, SI finds out that her mom and Wang did something to help SI win the competition yesterday. SI gets mad, saying she could have won on her own talent alone, why is mom making her into a weird person?

SI’s mom and Wang are there at restaurant having the meeting with the TV producers. SI’s mom is waiting for SI to arrive when she gets texts from SI to say she is getting some air. GW comes and learns SI isn’t here. Wang says he will look for her, while GW and mom have dinner.

SI is at the amusement park and people start crowding around her recognizing her. She texts GW for help. GW comes like a knight in shining armor, puts hat on SI’s head  and takes her away. But SI doesn’t want to leave just yet, and she buys some animal ear headbands for GW and herself. They each wear one and have fun at the amusement park.

We learn GW can’t handle scary rides. Later on SI thanks GW for helping her. She asks if GW already knew that her win was fixed. GW says it is first time he has heard this, and SI learns her mom kept this even from GW. SI feels embarrassed she was happy to win when this was going on behind her back. GW compliments her, saying he heard her singing was flawless. SI feels grateful. She says when she is with him, difficult problems become easy.

GW drives SI home. Si thanks him for helping her with the interview before and complimenting her on doing a good interview. She has never been complimented on anything else besides singing. Si was worried that GW would see her as foolish and he replies no- she grew up well under a strict mom. SI is happy- this means he thinks she is good as a person, not just as a singer. SI asks how she is as a woman. GW says of course, a woman like SI is very good. He says more softly- all woman have a pretty side to them. He gets a far away look in his eyes.

CH and JH are having naengmyun (cold noodle) at nearby cafeteria? Restaurant? Bickering as usual- JH says CH is not eating like a proper lady. GW and SI have also come to the restaurant. They join CH and JH. GW says to CH his back hurt because of her yesterday. CH starts eating the noodles more ladylike. JH grumbles to say to CH to just eat like she used to. GW asks about her cupboard door, SI finds out GW went to CH’s house this way. JH and CH bicker and kick each other under the table. CH ends up needing napkin because she spills soup when JH steps on her foot.  JH and GW both offer. CH takes GW’s napkin, not JH’s.

Before GW drives SI home, he gives CH the animal ears headband to give to Byul. SI is disappointed. They drive away. JH tells CH she looks bad in the headband when she puts it on.

Back home, JH helps CH put on medicine on her burn on her hand from before. They end up bickering again about CH eating prettily in front of GW, also CH not taking JH’s napkin. He asks do you like the CEO? CH denies it. JH makes funs of GW, saying he looks like a psychopath (LOL. A nod to “You Who Came From the Stars”). Loan sharks come to say they have set up fan club opening party for CH.

At Shine Star, JH and CH fight about the fan club party. GW butts into conversation and finds out there is a fan club party for CH, says he will come and Shine Star will pay for the food. CH is happy to hear he is coming.

SI is at home reading the bad comments to her online saying she won through money, give back trophy to SI. SI calls GW, having heard before about the fan club party, pretending that someone has entered her house. She can’t contact anyone else, can he come help her?

The fan club party is taking place at coach’s restaurant. TS has found out CH will be here, therefore JH will be here. He hesitates whether he should go in but he wants to see JH.

Loan shark and TS both see the coach and give her the googly eyes.

GW comes into SI’s room to find it a mess, SI hugs him saying she is scared, she started getting mean messages online too. GW sees it and calls the police to report. SI did not expect this to go that far.

At restaurant, all the fans have now left. CH looks outside door and JH thinks she his waiting for GW, explains CEO’s usually just say they are coming and don’t. CH denies waiting for GW. JH spots TS. TS hugs JH, apologizing, but JH is still too mad. He hits TS and won’t forgive him. Loan sharks send TS safely away.

GW has tucked SI into bed. SI grabs his arm asking him to stay a little more. SI’s mom comes in, shocked to see the mess. GW tells her what happened, tells her police came too. GW now takes his leave.

CH and JH are cleaning up the banner hanging outside the restaurant. GW shows up like prince charming with a potted plant. JH gets mad, pulls at the banner, and inadvertently creates a romantic atmosphere for the two with the fallen banner. CH offers GW coffee. She goes in.

JH yells at GW saying he should have come on time if he was going to come. GW steps closer to JH and asks if he likes CH. JH vehemently denies, saying he used to be loved by thousands of women. GW replies, “good for me then.”

Inside as CH is preparing coffee, she fixes her hair. GW had read the notes that the fans left, says CH has a lot of popularity. Coach comes in, sees GW. Tells CH he looks sexy. GW gets a call, it is his dad.

At another restaurant, GW’s dad tells GW to prepare CH’s album. (What is with the weird zoom in effect here?)

At office, GW tells CH and JH the good news- CH will be releasing a remake album. Except one condition, they have to get this famous composer, Go Eun Tae, to arrange the songs. GW says to JH you need to have the album be a success so he can get back the guitar. CH finds out JH put his guitar as deposit to get CH’s contract. Outside, CH asks why to JH when his guitar is so precious? JH replies nonchalantly that they just needed the money to get her contract; he’ll get the guitar back soon.

JH and CH have come to see the famous composer. He asks why she is singing trot. CH replies because of family and now she heard her singing makes other happy and she becomes happy because of that. Go Eun Tae says then CH might be able to make his wife happy. He gives her a mission- make his wife with dementia/Alzheimer’s smile within 24hrs. She hasn’t laugh since she got Alzheimer’s  and she loved trot. CH sings various songs in front of wife but she won’t laugh.

JH and CH are going home on bus. JH thinks the guy is weird for asking CH to do that. CH says she understands the guy, wanting to make family member happy. CH asks about JH’s family. JH says he has a mom, lives in the US, doesn’t call often. CH says he should call often, she can’t call her dad even if she wants too. Radio comes on in bus. Dad has submitted a request into the radio show, saying he has two daughters, wants to tell them he is doing well, not to worry, he loves them. He want the song “Pepper” (CH’s audition song) to be played. It is played and CH recognizes it as her dad’s request. She cries, relieved her dad saw her on TV.

At home, CH tells Byul what happened. Byul is happy but misses dad. CH hugs her. Byul says CH should go on tv more often. CH sings Byul to sleep. JH has been listening from his room.

Outside, JH calls his mom but no one answers. Says this is just like his mom. Mom calls back. Mom sounds happy, in California, on date with white male. Mom says she is thinking of having a baby. JH tries to sound happy. Mom asks if nothing is wrong, he is doing well right? She trusts him. Before JH can really say anything, mom hangs up.

JH comes inside, sees CH still singing to Byul. He gives a soft smile. Sits outside her door, listening. Tears are in his eyes.

CH has come to the composer’s house again to make his wife smile. She tells wife about what happened last night with her dad. She is happy today because of that. CH introduces the song she is singing today. She thinks of her mom and dad a lot when she sings this song. She hopes wife is able to smile a little today. Holds her hand. CH starts singing, remembering back to her happier days with her mom and dad.

JH and CH say goodbye to composer. CH apologizes for not being able complete his request. CH says she also wants to change her answer from before. She doesn’t sing to make others happy. She sings to make herself happy. She realizes she has to be happy to make others happy. JH and CH walk away. JH teases her that the album chance is gone, but CH shrugs it off, saying another chance will come. Composer goes back to wife. Wife starts singing CH’s song. Wife says she is reminded of her own deceased mom. Composer cries.

HH and CH is at GW’s office to report their failure. JH asks if GW sent them knowing they would fail. GW smiles, CH can start making album now. Composer has agreed to work on her album.

GW’s dad and composer talk. Composer says to GW’s dad he has found talent. GW’s dad says of course, she is Sung Joo’s daughter (CH’s mom’s name is Sung Joo).

JH and CH work on producing CH’s single album. He pushes CH hard, which makes her scribble his insults on her paper. Album comes out. CH is really happy.

SI goes into GW’s room and sees CH’s fan club stuff on his desk. Says “So he did end up going.”

TS peers into coach’s restaurant. TS tells coach what happened between himself and JH. Coach advices him on how to win over JH- keep pleading and pleading for forgiveness. TS has also come to ask for a part-time job here.

SI’s mom has come to Choi Myung Sik’s (CH’s dad) house and she sees Byul amd CH leave house, wonders why they are coming out of that house. Gets call from Wang who tells her not to go to the house, CH is Choi Myung Sik’s daughter.

SI’s mom comes home to see daughter drinking. Mom thinks it is because of the mean comments online. But SI says it is because she hates SI. Mom yells at SI- SI shouldn’t be affected by people like CH. She herself survived among so many people like CH. Mom calls producer guy Kim.

CH and JH go around the city, delivering her CDs to the stores and various places. Loan sharks do it too. CH stops at store with her cd, happy to see it. Owner recognizes her, asks her to sing. JH encourages her. CH sings, crowd gathers, asks for her autograph.

CH comes into SI’s mom’s room to thank her for putting in a good word for her with the tv producers.

At TV station, JH and CH are giving out cds. HY is there too and HY starts hating on her. JH first tries to leave with CH, but when HY gets more vile, JH starts to get mad. CH holds him back, goes back to HY to apologize. HY pours coffee on her cd, tells her to clean it. CH is about to bring the broom, but JH takes it from her, telling her to get ready, he will do it. JH is cleaning it, but HY puts his shoe on top of CH’s cd and tells JH to clean his shoes. JH can’t stand it anymore, grabs HY’s collar. CH calls JH’s name. JH stops, wipes HY’s shoes. CH can only look at him sadly.

Before CH goes on stage, JH encourages her, saying she is a singer, she sings her song the best, let’s do it! Producer calls over JH.

Meanwhile, CH gets text message and picture. It is of her dad and text says come here now or you will never see him again. CH is shocked, she looks at the airing sign for her turn on stage and the hallway exit. What will she do?

End of episode. No preview!

Comment: 

Today’s episode felt a little light today with no huge significant moment of character growth, just a lot of affirmation of how much Joon Hyun cares about Choon Hee. There was  also a lot of the CUTE, with Joon Hyun and Geun Woo growing jealous of each other as they both vie for Choon Hee’s attention, consciously or not. I really can’t get a hold of Geun Woo’s character, like a slimy snake he is with how much he flirts with Choon Hee, yet seemingly just being a good CEO to her. Is he serious about her or is he not? His words and actions support the argument that he does really like Choon Hee but the way he does all those things, with that slick, almost cheesy smile. Like it is doesn’t actually portray what he feels inside. Am I reading too much into his smile because of my memories of Jae Kyung from “You Who Came From The Stars”? Maybe. There are times when Geun Woo is actually smiling sincerely, like when Choon Hee is singing, but when he is trying to woo her? Freaks me out.

I could root for Soo In and Geun Woo since it seems he is good for her against her mother’s domineering attitude, only if Soo In didn’t suffer from what all evil second lead suffer- egotism of the Nth degree. She believes everything should be hers- talent, adoration, love, success, money, and men. Sure she can argue that she worked hard to earn all those, but sometimes life is b*tch and you can’t always get what you think you deserve. It feels unfair (I feel for Soo In), but in K-dramas, the heroine is always working harder. What makes the difference between a good heroine and an evil second lead is that the heroine, when faced with injustice makes the choice to fight it fairly regardless. The evil character, on the other hand,  decides to be pay back evil with evil.  That’s why, Soo In, you can only be second to Choon Hee. I mean, look at your mom. I can guess what she did to Choon Hee’s mom and now karma has come back to bite her in the butt through you, her daughter.

The drama is moving along episodically with one mission for Choon Hee to complete after another. So far, the pace isn’t dragging too much, with other plot lines moving the drama along. Through each trial Choon Hee has to endure, she and Joon Hyun learn more about themselves. Choon Hee learns more about what music means to her as well as what kind of person Joon Hyun is. Joon Hyun also learns more about himself, finding how much he can sacrifice for someone he cares about. I’m really proud of both.