Exhibition of Fireworks 13: Finally some comic relief

[rosdrise]

The only thing that saves this episode from being as boring as the last is we get two really good Na Ra/In Jae interactions, and perhaps one of my favorite scenes in the entire series. Besides that - Dullsville. It was never brilliant, but at least the first part of this drama was quick-moving and goofy. The rest of it just feels like a chore to get through in comparison.

We begin where we left off last time. Seung Woo has just appeared in the hospital with the knowledge that Mi Rae is preggers with his demon baby. He doesn't announce it (how can he hold it over her head in the future if he did that?), but he and Na Ra do step out for some bonding time.

Basically, Seung Woo doesn't want Na Ra to give up on In Jae (not for her own sake, but because it helps his plans). She says she is trying to move on and focus on her career.









Na Ra doesn't care that the VP only favors her because she wants to undermine Mi Rae. She'll just use it as a stepping stone on her career path. A girl has to work with what she is given.

Seung Woo and VP Momma continue to hash out their evil scheme. A scheme that involves being vaguely mean and inconvenient. That'll teach 'em!







Mi Rae is feeling pretty good because her little stint in the hospital has reinforced In Jae's need to save her from all the evils of the world.







She's still sporting the PONYTAIL OF EVIL you will notice.

The next day at work VP Momma announces that In Jae will now be moving up to a managerial position. He'll be working directly under Na Ra now.







That also means that Mi Rae will no longer be needed at that Face Story branch. She'll spend most of her time at the main office. Because you can only have a successful relationship with someone you work with everyday? IDK. Seems like a lame tactic on VP Momma's part, but everyone is of course shocked and horrified at this development.

Except for Na Ra, of course.



Next on the agenda: Harrass Mi Rae.





Sounds like she meant it, right?

After the meeting she pulls Na Ra aside. I guess now is as good a time as any to mention that VP Momma has met with Na Ra's mom several times over the course of the series. They used to be classmates/neighbors when their kids were little. They lost touch and In Jae's mom went on to be super successful. It isn't until now that she realizes who Na Ra is.











That of course means In Jae was the bratty little kid that tagged along with his mom.



Na Ra can hardly believe it herself.







Yeah, stories about the ahjumma's son who would cry and EAT DOG BISCUITS.







In Jae has NO recollection of those events which makes it even more hilarious. What cool guy wants to remember that he used to eat dog food when he was a kid?



Oh you know she is delighted.

Na Ra later tells him that she wants to move out of his apartment since Mi Rae is now aware of the situation. She's probably not interested in bearing the brunt of Mi Rae's wrath again.









In Jae has other pressing matters, however:





HA.

Na Ra's mom is on her way to Face Story as the branch is celebrating Na Ra's proposal being selected. She runs into Mi Rae and somehow the topic of Na Ra and In Jae's childhood comes up - because Mi Rae really needs more of a reason to hate Na Ra.









NICE. Mi Rae is probably aware of the drama/movie rule that whoever meets the guy/girl first is the one that will win in the end. Uh oh!

Anyway, her mom is crazy thrilled at her daughter's success. In Jae's mom is out of her mind with delight that Na Ra is her friend's daughter.







WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DRINKING?!









Not having been invited to the party, Mi Rae is being emo in her car. Seung Woo is being super-stalkery.





It's always nice when you have the mom on your side, even if she is being completely unreasonable. At least the anger is directed at someone other than the heroine.





I don't think she needs to tell In Jae that. I think he is fully aware of how much he likes Na Ra, that isn't the problem. The problem is the rampant guilt disguised as love that he feels for Mi Rae. And the mother's hateful actions towards her is only making it worse.

Seung Woo continues to be quite the charmer...













In a move his mother would fully approve of, In Jae inserts himself into Na Ra's product research.



It's completely ludicrious that a successful company like Face Story would have a single branch manager doing all the research, development, and marketing for a product. But I let it slide because it's one of my favorite bits of the entire series.

The premise is that Na Ra wants to test all of the leading competitors, so she runs In Jae around a track.



Because he is a child - or at least doesn't live under a cloud of grief when he is with Na Ra - he cartwheels and his phone falls out of his pocket. Because the entire series is just a string of contrivances, Na Ra steps on and breaks it.












For whatever reason, Na Ra decides to put the DEODORANT on AFTER they've run around. I don't know how effective these trials are going to be, but whatever, I don't care - I LOVE THIS SCENE.



Kang Ji Hwan does such an amazing job with this. You can completely feel his desire for Na Ra with just the looks he gives her. GUH. Fantastic.







I may have gone a little cap crazy with what was essentially a ten second clip. I am not ashamed.









Homeboy can't take it, so he shrinks from her touch and waves her off nervously.



Na Ra smirks and asks him "What, are you suddenly attracted to me?





Why then, she asks, is your heart racing?





Of course, Na Ra get a phone call from Seung Woo who wants to know where she is for whatever reason.





So Na Ra and In Jae apparently just stand around for the next couple minutes waiting for Seung Woo too arrive.



Cause that's not awkward at all...



In Jae! Your BFF is here, why aren't you happy?





SPORTS COMPETITION!



Na Ra finds it as amusing as I do. Seung Woo did well for someone who was running around a track in dress shoes. That can't be comfortable.



The next day at work the Face Story girls find themselves suddenly attracted to In Jae on account of him being the VP's son. Apparently they were BLIND before now.





The High Schooler finally makes an appearance because he's learned that Na Ra is actually 30. He once balked at the idea of dating a 24 year old, but he takes this news suprisingly well.







Na Ra: What do I have to do to get rid of this kid?!



Ooo, burn. She then passes him on to her coworker who liked him to begin with.



He isn't exactly thrilled, but that's the end of that storyline.

Somewhere else VP Momma is harrassing Mi Rae some more.





Since In Jae has been promoted, Mi Rae won't need to work at that branch of Face Story.



Mi Rae tries to call In Jae, but his phone is broken so she can't get a hold of him.





So she has to cry by herself this time. See, this is one of the instances that I genuinely feel sorry for her. I mean, In Jae's mom is being a total bitch while Mi Rae continues to try and respond with kindness. It has to be driving her insane. But on the other hand, Mi Rae can be a total bitch herself, but you forget that for a moment when she is all alone and miserable.

In Jae tries to have another talk with his mother, but she's not budging.





And again, he chooses to deal with it as any responsible adult would: Drinking and kicking soccer balls at his friends head.





After In Jae sobers up, he meets Mi Rae the next day. She is suprisingly, almost eerily calm about her job reassignment. This can't be good.







BAM.