Original Title:응급남녀
Episodes: 21
Year: 2014
Channel: TVN
Theme: Rom-com
Oh Jin Hee and Oh Chang Min meet at the university. They are both studying in different fields of medicine – nutrition for Jin Hee and pre-med for Chang Min. They instantly connect and develop romantic feelings for each other. Nothing wrong with that so far… Problems arise when the two decide to get married. They are both very young and haven’t been dating for that long (At least that’s the impression that the drama gives). Plus Chang Min’s mother is the mother in law from hell (We will just call her MIL from now on). She has high expectations for her son since he comes from a prestigious family of doctors. He is also the only son and she has high expectations for him. Chang Min’s parents have been separated – not divorced – for quite some time now.
Chang Min goes against his mother’s wishes and marries Jin Hee. The decision to get married pushes MIL to cut all forms of financial support to Chang Min. Chang Min is forced to drop out of university and starts working as a drugs’ salesperson. He basically goes from hospital to hospital trying to sell drugs. The couple slowly feels the financial strains, and familial pressure. Arguments between Jin Hee and Chang Min become recurrent. Jin Hee starts losing weight, hair, and even develops heart problems at some point.
Chang Min often blames Jin Hee for being in this situation and the couple ends up getting a divorce…
FAST FORWARD SIX YEARS LATER
Chang Min is back from abroad and is now an intern in a Seoul Hospital. Jin Hee also studied medicine and is an intern in the same hospital. The two are shocked to learn that they will have to work together until the end of their internship. They decide to hide their past relationship from their colleagues and Chang Min keeps trying to pressure Jin Hee to quit. Jin Hee doesn’t give up. She has sacrificed so much to be where she is now. Who is he to tell her to quit?
As both go through hardships as interns, they rediscover each other. Chang Min is the first to realize that he still has DEEP feelings for Jin Hee. He starts missing her and thinking about the moments they shared. Jin Hee also proves herself a dedicated and talented intern, which makes Chang Min see her in a different light. When they were married, Chang Min had seen her as bothersome and useless.
While Chang Min is determined to get back with Jin Hee, the latter is determined to forget about him. She doesn’t want another trip in hell. Jin Hee clearly remembers everything MIL put her through and the way he neglected her toward the end. Jin Hee is also attracted to Chief Gook, a resident doctor. Chief Gook is cold and distant but warms up to Jin Hee. Chief Gook and Chang Min inevitably have to compete for Jin Hee’s heart. Meanwhile Han Ah Reum, another intern develops feelings for Chang Min. Ah Reum is also the perfect daughter in law in MIL’s eyes. Ah Reum is pretty, educated, and she is the daughter of a minister…
Another significant character is Ji Hye. She is another doctor and the former love interest of Chief Gook. Ji Hye still has feelings for Chief Gook but believes that it would be hard for them to get back. She is now a single mother and her main concern now is her daughter’s happiness. Plus she notices the feelings Chief Gook has for Jin Hee so she pushes him to confront his feelings. Ji Hye wants the best for Chief Gook even if it means not them being together.
Spoilers and Comments
The first few episodes bothered me a lot because of Chang Min’s behavior but it got a lot better. Chang Min trying to pressure Jin Hee to quit and his nasty behavior toward her was #@$%&U&@@*&!!! After Chang Min accepts the fact that Jin Hee is there to stay as an intern it was a little easier to watch. I liked the pace of the drama but I seriously would have liked more insights about the couple’s separation. Viewers know the reasons why they got divorced – money and family – but except the fight scenes and Chang Min leaving their apartment, there isn’t much about their daily hardships. Once Chang Min started developing feelings for Jin Hee again, all I saw was him remembering their beautiful memories. What about the times he hurt her? What about their daily lives when everything was not all beautiful? Pretty much nothing about that… I think the show could have had more of their past as a married couple within the 21 episodes.
The death of Chang Min’s father was something that I thought was a little useless. Yes, it helped bring the characters closer. Jin Hee acknowledged her feelings for Chang Min and MIL became more understanding; but I think those things could have happened if Jin Hee and Chang Min had fought for their relationship instead of running away, which is what they did when they were married. I wanted Chang Min and Jin Hee to show that they had grown and that they could handle life struggles.
Jin Hee shows that a relationship with Chang Min would have been impossible if she hadn’t learn about self worth. Learning to love herself first, Jin Hee was able to enter another relationship.
The ending of the drama was realistic. It’s sort of an open ending. Jin Hee and Chang Min got back together but they are not married. The open ending shows that it’s possible for divorced couples to get back together although not getting married again. Getting married again is pretty unrealistic. I heard of divorce partners, who get married again, but how often does that happen?
The stigma about divorce is highlighted so well in the drama. I think this stigma is not only common in Korea. It is prevalent in other countries too. MIL always tried to lie about her son’s divorce. It was like a stain on his record that she wished he never had. Chief Gook’s reaction was the most hurtful. After learning that Jin Hee was divorced he turned extra icy cold with her. Divorced people? They are all reckless. I understand that Chief Gook was scared by his parents but seriously not everyone divorce for the same reasons.
Two more reasons to watch the drama…
A cameo by Gary !!!
And Baby Gook ~
Also I think this year’s trend in Dramaland is all about: marriage, divorce, remarriage, and love affairs… (Cunning Single Lady, Secret Love Affair, etc.)
~ maniac Ride
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