Watching this drama is like experiencing a roller coaster of emotions in the course of an hour, going from continuous laughter to intense cries, and vice versa. It is still unclear whether the drama will have 16 or 20 episodes but it is safe to assume that we’re entering the second part of the story, which includes the answers to the secrets and mysteries. Although the drama is promoted as a healing romance, a Korean drama is not without tears and angst…and we’re getting nearer to those. Be strong, my heart!

(I’m extremely sorry for the delay since I have only reached home from a place with limited internet access. E10 will be posted as usual later ;D)

[Episode 9]

Ri-on couldn’t shake off the sight of Ri-jin with Do-hyun earlier and on his way home, he started putting two and two together: from Ri-jin’s description of the chaebol she wanted to help and what he saw earlier, reaching the conclusion that the chaebol was no other than Do-hyun. As for Ri-jin…she fell from the bed and started blurting out a patient’s report before realizing that she wasn’t at the hospital: she was at Do-hyun’s house and recalled the kiss they had on the night before. Awwwh! She hid herself under the blanket and started kicking the poor blanket in embarrassment. Hehehehe! Do-hyun seemed calm on the treadmill but inside his brain was only full of the thoughts about the kiss, causing him to trip and almost fell down. Hahahahahaha!

Ri-jin tried to argue with herself that it wasn’t Do-hyun who kissed her (Wait, he said that he IS Do-hyun!) and he should be forgetting it already since it was his first time to be drunk. Nope, you got it wrong, Ri-jin…because he’s meditating and trying to ignore the memories of the kiss, but the ‘lust’ bugs crawling around him were too strong!

Ri-jin tried to sneak out from the house after looking around, ensuring that Do-hyun was not there, only to run into him, who sprayed his orange juice out of his mouth at the sight of her (LOL was that a revenge over Ri-jin’s coffee spray?). She wondered if he experienced any memory loss or loss of consciousness, only to have Do-hyun admitting that he didn’t lose his consciousness, he’s Cha Do-hyun, and he remembered EVERYTHING. Hahahaha! He grabbed her collar before she could run out and accidentally caused her to fall onto the floor. Oops! Ri-jin rushed out and Do-hyun just smiled.

He’s not going to let her go just like that, because he followed behind her like a good puppy (now I’m 100% sure the writer visited the DC gallery everyday!), teasing her that he might be in trouble if she left him behind. Ri-jin tried to run away from him but Do-hyun managed to catch her, asking her to have a meal together. Argh these two…why so cute, both of you?!

They had their meal at a restaurant, with Ri-jin stuffing almost everything inside her mouth complete with a loud and hearty burp while Do-hyun was all starry-eyed watching her eat as he told Se-gi something, promising that he would live as Se-gi in his next life if he’s given the chance to spend the time with Ri-jin after gaining his courage to do something for himself for the first time. He hoped that Se-gi won’t take away his love, his Ri-jin from him. Argh you tell that to Ri-jin now, dude!

Madam Yoon, Ki-joon’s mother, called Chae-yeon out to meet her and Chae-yeon knew that it was because the talks going around about her and Do-hyun’s blind date. Madam Yoon didn’t think that it was a big problem since every woman saw the situation just like Chae-yeon did, that Do-hyun didn’t deserve that girl (except that Chae-yeon didn’t really think like that). Although Madam Yoon was really confident that Ki-joon would eventually inherit Seungjin over Do-hyun, Chae-yeon’s expression showed that she didn’t think so.

Do-hyun and Ri-jin sat facing each other behind a table laden with scented candles for their consultation but Do-hyun felt that it’s like him sitting for a tarot reading session. That was exactly what Ri-jin planned to do on that day, but she has another thing to be discussed first. She touched on the subject of his feelings and advised him to mistake it as love, because it might be just him being growing attached to her as his doctor. Awwwwh, Do-hyun’s face fell but he still put on his best angelic, puppy smile, teasing Ri-jin that she looked more uncomfortable compared to him. She asked for a coffee break and left the room when Do-hyun suddenly had another wave of headache.

Ri-jin chided herself in the kitchen and she knew that she was the one being attached to Do-hyun, despite him being her patient. Uh-oh, admit it! 😉 She headed back to the room, only to find a drawing of purple teddy bear left behind by Nana. Ohhhh~! Ri-jin searched for the ‘girl’ in every corner of the house until she reached her bedroom, now a bit messy thanks to someone digging through her luggage, wearing a bunny suit. Was that Nana?

Well, a 7 year-old girl surely didn’t know swear words and it turned out to be Yo-na, munching the pastry and wearing Ri-jin’s bunny pajamas while looking for skirts and make-up. HAHAHAHA! She hit Ri-jin’s head because Ri-jin couldn’t remember her name but wanted to share the pajamas with Ri-jin. This teenage girl was sure a sassy one! Yo-na threw Ri-jin on the bed when the latter tried to take away her clothes and Ri-jin realized that the teddy bear Se-gi gave her was there. Yo-na said that Nana was playing with it, but soon, enough, she saw Ri-on on Ri-jin’s family photo and took a liking to the handsome Ri-on almost instantly, to the point of putting her stamp on the photo. Kekekekeke~

Ri-jin already knew how to handle Yo-na this time and she’s not going easy on her, refusing to give in when Yo-na asked for Ri-on’s phone number, Yo-na spotted Ri-jin’s phone and managed to get hold of it before running out of the room. Ri-jin grabbed the bunny pajamas’ ear and ripped it off, causing Yo-na to fall down the stairs…and passed out after staring at her Prince Charming Ri-on’s photo for one last time. I really hope Do-hyun won’t suffer any concussion from all the falls he’s experiencing!

Do-hyun woke up in his bed, wearing clothes which weren’t really his style, hooked to an IV bag. It was already 3 AM but Ri-jin was still awake, stitching the teddy bear’s split back (remember that Do-hyun cut it in episode 5?) using the first aid kit in front of the empty soju bottles. Do-hyun was surprised that she found the bear but there were more things he should be shocked about…like his alters who made their appearances.

Back to the moment following Yo-na’s fall, Ri-jin drag her to Do-hyun’s bedroom and smacked Do-hyun’s body twice: first because he made her use her energy to pull him onto the bed and second because Yo-na refused to let go of her phone. She went back to her room and fell asleep until it was dark…before she heard the rice cooker reminder repeating itself. She recalled Ferry’s rice cooker bombs and hid in case of any explosion, but soon realized that nothing had happened yet. Ferry was drinking soju while ‘operating’ the rice cooker for his bomb (because he had nothing to do) when Ri-jin went to the kitchen and he was so relieved that she was still alive after being kidnapped. Ri-jin tried to stop him from making bombs but got chided by Ferry because she was talking informally to him. Fitting his status as an ahjusshi in his 40s, he told her to use formal speech when speaking with him, complete with saturi. Hehehehe!

In order to distract him from his dangerous hobby, Ri-jin persuaded Uncle Ferry to play with her…and they ended up dancing in the living room. LOL where did she get that green skirt? Ferry was a dancing machine but he got bored pretty easily and tried to go back to his bombs but Ri-jin managed to show him her killer dance moves to keep him entertained. She finally got him to sleep after dancing for three hours with him (as if they’re shooting Dancing with the Stars, according to her. HAHAHA!) and was just trying to close her eyes when Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 started blaring from the stereo. Who was it this time?

The one who was looking at the art book was no other that Yo-sub, who sat in the study and told Ri-jin to leave him alone. Ri-jin didn’t back off easily, wondering if her was upset because he failed to commit suicide back then. She consoled him, saying that he won’t be able to listen to the music, look at the drawings, or even meet her again if he died on that day, so wasn’t he curious about the future from now on? The boy chose to avoid the conversation, deciding that he wanted to go to sleep, but stopped halfway on his way out.

Yo-sub: Noona, thank you. It was a pity for me but others seem happy that we’re still alive. I’m not planning to kill myself for the time being, so don’t worry.

That’s got to be one of the most satisfying lines Ri-jin have ever heard. :’)

Do-hyun only woke up after Yo-sub went to sleep and Ri-jin only realized that every alter appeared except for Se-gi. He didn’t believe her at first but he was only relieved that she wasn’t hurt this time. Awwwww even Ri-jin thought that the line was better than his usual apology. Do-hyun checked the CCTV recordings (I wonder if he saw Ri-jin smacking his head before that…) and he was wondering if Se-gi was planning something worse in the future since he’s been hiding for quite some time.

Chae-yeon and Ki-joon were still in bad terms with each other and it just got worse when Do-hyun accidentally joined them in the awkward elevator ride. Ki-joon brought up the blind date issue again,  poking the wounds of both Do-hyun and Chae-yeon. Do-hyun didn’t flinch this time, even when his cousin brought up the matters of Ri-jin and Dr. Seok; instead, he expressed his amazement at how predictable Ki-joon was. He told Ki-joon that he hid his Ri-jin in the safest place instead of abandoning her just like that.

And there she was, standing in front of the elevator when the doors opened! Ri-jin greeted the wide-eyed Ki-joon and Chae-yeon, while Do-hyun whispered to Ki-joon that by hiding Ri-jin in the safest place that was the company, he could also see his her anytime he wanted to. Yesssssss that’s the spirit! They walked away together side by side, leaving Chae-yeon and Ki-joon fuming inside the elevator. The sight of Do-hyun and Ri-jin drove Chae-yeon into insisting that Ki-joon make the announcement of their engagement as soon as possible. Someone’s jealous~

Madam Shin was already waiting for her son inside when Do-hyun and Ri-jin entered his office. She sent Ri-jin out before she started asking Do-hyun about his blind date and got angry when she found out that her son was dumped. Chairman Seo happened to pass by the office and overheard Madam Shin’s voice, causing her to go inside Do-hyun’s office. Ri-jin was alarmed and thought that she had to devise a plan to take Do-hyun away. Chairman Seo started scolding Madam Shin for coming to the company and Do-hyun was again stuck in between the two ladies…before Ri-jin came to the rescue, with the excuse of an appointment. She felt that Ferry might jump out if she let him stay.

Chairman Seo was angry that Madam Shin dared to come to the company since the staff would start talking about her if they learned about her real relationship with Do-hyun. Instead of arguing with her mother-in-law like she usually did, Madam Shin pleaded for the chairman to give more power and support to Do-hyun, because Do-hyun’s father might never wake up. Yeah, someone should tell her that it’s like waiting for a miracle to hope for her son’s recovery. Plus, the risk of having President Min’s missing child coming back and trying to take away Seungjin was also possible, and Madam Shin was no the only one who was searching for that child; Ki-joon’s father learned about her movement but not that detailed yet.

Ri-jin and Do-hyun hung out at a cafe and Ri-jin admitted that she had heard everything about his family, joking that her family also had their own past, just like his. Secretary Ahn joined them to escort Do-hyun to meet someone while Ri-jin had a separate appointment. It turned out that Dr. Seok was waiting for her at the garden he met Do-hyun before. He was a bit mad at her for lying about her plan and it was so sweet that he regarded her as his own daughter! Ri-jin nearly cried because she could imagine how hard it was for Do-hyun to lie to everyone around him for the past 11 years!

Do-hyun was on his way to meet Writer Omega, who had contacted them and agreed to reveal his identity only to Do-hyun. Secretary Ahn was more curious on whether he really resembled Won Bin and reminded Do-hyun to tell him about it later. I’m a bit apprehensive and thought that Ri-on might use someone else as decoy…but he was there, all suited up and styled like a fine man he was! Do-hyun was taken aback, of course, to see Ri-on in front of him.

Dr. Seok heard from Ri-jin about Do-hyun’s alters coming out one after another in the course of one night except for Se-gi and it was a very rare occurrence, considering that it took him ten years to meet the four alters. He recalled Do-hyun’s theory about Ri-jin being the switch for the alters to appear since she was always there before they jump out.

Ri-on opened up about his cover first: from the jobless bum to the neighbourhood’s fool, only his immediate family and his editor knew his real identity. Do-hyun was curious about the reason why he suddenly decided to let his identity known to him and whether Ri-on approached him knowing everything from the start. Ri-on only said that he knew his real name and thought that Ferry was only his cover in order to hide his real identity. So Do-hyun was working on securing the copyright for Ri-on’s novel to be adapted into a film and Ri-on agreed to hand over the rights to ID Ent, but with the conditions that he was to decide on the scenario himself since he was the original writer but showing himself as Omega’s replacement writer.

Ri-jin was told about the switch theory and Dr. Seok asked whether she had met Do-hyun or Se-gi before this. She couldn’t remember meeting any of them but Dr. Seok thought that both of them might had forgotten their encounter. Meeting her like this could be a lucky thing to happen to Do-hyun, because Ri-jin might be the key to Do-hyun’s memory to be recovered. Do-hyun asked about the tale of the children in the basement as he was curious whether the boy ended up finding the reason of his fear. Ri-on answered that it was love and it made him pretended to be afraid of the basement after witnessing how the girl trembled in fear. Do-hyun had a slight headache but he wanted to know the reason that caused the girl’s fear, but Ri-on himself didn’t know yet. They’re totally talking about Ri-jin there, right?

Do-hyun remarked that Ri-on and him had a strange fate binding them together and Ri-on only hoped that it turned to be a good fate. Ohhhhh~ Ri-on suddenly asked about Ri-jin (as if Do-hyun wasn’t suspecting him enough!) and wanted to meet Ri-jin as his last condition. Do-hyun called Ri-jin to meet up at a cafe but it was Ri-on who was waiting there, ready to confront his sister. Ri-jin tried to run away but still got caught by Ri-on. As for Do-hyun, he barely managed to go back home before his headache got worse as he couldn’t stop thinking about the basement children and Se-gi’s words about his inability to handle the painful truth. Nooooo don’t lose your consciousness, Do-hyun!

Ri-jin had no other choice but to explain everything to Ri-on, who was angry at her but he couldn’t say anything, since he was the one who stated that he would support her no matter what decision she ended up taking. She promised that it would be only for three months and Ri-on left without saying anything, except warning her not to turn off her phone. He drove back home as he blamed himself for causing Ri-jin and Do-hyun to meet each other.

Ri-on: Creating the coincidence was my first mistake. Changing that coincidence into fate was my second mistake. Endless encouragement and changing that fate into destiny was my third mistake. Letting you go was my last mistake.

Ri-on ahh…don’t be like that ㅠㅠ

Ri-jin went back to Do-hyun’s home and heard his voice from the bedroom, clearly disturbed about something. He already lied down but he was delirious and didn’t wake up when Ri-jin called his name. The image he had of the basement was more vivid this time: little Do-hyun was sitting in the basement, looking at the toy trains and a pair of toy snails before he lifted the trains and handed it to another child beside him. When Ri-jin tried to walk out to bring his medicine, Do-hyun grabbed his hand, as little Do-hyun grabbed the other child’s hand, pleading for that child not to go and to play with him. He was still unconscious but became calmer when he held Ri-jin’s hand close to his heart.

Just like what Ri-jin told Do-hyun, the Oh Family also had their own secrets and one of them with Mama Ji being a friend of President Min Seo-yeon! She brought out the picture as she wondered if she made the right decision to raise her friend’s child. Daddy Oh consoled her, saying that she shouldn’t think too much of it and the child was already theirs. They sighed, expressing their faith over Ri-on being only a good brother to Ri-jin…while Ri-on was listening to everything they said outside. Gaaaaahhh this boy!! Don’t be sad like that 😦

Ri-jin fell asleep on the bed with Do-hyun while holding his hand and he was the one who stirred up awake first. His eyes grew wider to see her in front of him and she opened her eyes, asking whether he was okay. Except that the man in front of her was no longer Do-hyun, but Se-gi. Ack!

Se-gi was faster to pin Ri-jin to the bed before she could escape, demanding why she was there with Do-hyun, tears brimming in his angry eyes…

[END of Episode 9]

Well, if the drama is not trying to confuse us further, the Ri-jin was indeed President Min’s daughter and not Ri-on, although the drama is still hiding the child’s gender in this episode. From Do-hyun’s memory fragments to Oh Family’s conversation and also Ri-jin’s fear of the basement, little Do-hyun’s playmate in the basement was no other than little Ri-jin. Another question that I have is: who was exactly hidden in the basement? little Do-hyun or little Ri-jin? Do-hyun’s memories flash showed that he was always thrown onto the floor and threatened by an adult who wanted to hit him, so it might be that he was being locked as a punishment and encountered little Ri-jin, who had been living secretly in the basement. Or it could be that Do-hyun used to live in the basement because he was born as a mistress’s son and Ri-jin was the one who visited him every single day before she was taken away. Hmmm….

The sudden outbursts of the alters one after another might be attributed to the whirlwind of emotions experienced by Do-hyun when he realized that he’s falling for Ri-jin, just like all the cartwheels and fireworks and butterflies happening inside someone’s head and stomach when they’re in love. For someone who is as grounded and under control like Do-hyun, it’s like an out-of-body experience for him to feel happy, excited, depressed, and also fear at the same time. Just like what Dr. Seok said, she can cause an explosion of Do-hyun’s forgotten memories and in order for him to achieve that, he has to be able to get hold of his emotions first!

But then, the appearance of Yo-sub feels like he’s trying to jump out, because he wanted to thank Ri-jin for saving him. It was a simple gesture but for a doctor, or even a normal person, being able to save someone’s life is one of the best feelings in the world. It is also one step closer for Ri-jin to have the alters on her side, that is uniting them to become the one and only Cha Do-hyun, instead of living as the main person’s fragments. I’m no psychiatrist but in this drama’s context, I’d like to see the alters accepting the fact that they can’t really exist separately from Do-hyun but they should become a part of him. Since each of the alters have the characteristics of Do-hyun deep inside them, it will be a good thing to see them contributing a part of themselves to make a complete picture of Cha Do-hyun.

Even if they will disappear one day, I’ll probably miss all the alters dearly.

Do-hyun is getting stronger and braver, enough for him to plead for Se-gi to let him have his time with Ri-jin. While it was a dangerous move since we’ve seen how Se-gi was when he’s angry, it was a commendable thing for Do-hyun, since he’s proving himself to be willing to get over his problems, now that Se-gi has also grown stronger. Do-hyun needs to gain more strength emotionally to gain control of himself and his alters! Se-gi’s appearance is expected since he’s been hiding quite well and what happened between Do-hyun and Ri-jin, not to mention the constant appearance of Do-hyun’s lost memories might have caused him to be more eager to show himself. I hope that Do-hyun will come back as soon as possible before Se-gi wreck havoc in his life!

It’s a relief that Ri-jin is now aware of her possible presence in Do-hyun’s life and their encounter in the past, because two heads are better than one, right? She will try to dig around finding any clues related to their past and I won’t be surprised if Ri-jin ask her parents about their past. Did she really forget everything about her life prior to her adoption by Oh Family, or she was just hiding the fact that she knew in order not to make her parents upset? Lots of questions, not to mention the mysterious and mopey Ri-on! Don’t be weak, you’re too cool to be shaken like that, Omega! Still, did he know everything about Do-hyun, or was he trying to be cold to Do-hyun when the latter’s headache was getting worse? If not everything, to what extent did he know about Seungjin’s secrets?

Last but not least, be veeeeery afraid, everyone. Bad boy Se-gi is back.

Wait, can I have my puppies for a bit longer? ;A;