In this episode, Ah Jin embarks on her quest to date Heo In Gang. He puts up a good fight, but so far no man has been a match for Ah Jin. I’m worried for him—especially since he seems to struggle with his own mental health issues.
Ah Jin and Jae Oh also reunite, and their meeting is so cute! I’ve noticed Ah Jin smiles for real when she’s with him. He actually makes her laugh, and they have chemistry as well. Then again, Kim Yoo Jung has chemistry with everyone.
YES to In Gang actually trying to be a good mentor (unlike Re Na)
He really is a decent person. And smart too. He knew Ah Jin leaked the video of Re Na slapping her in the parking garage. I like that In Gang is aware of her crafty side, but still takes her out to eat and gives good advice as a sunbae. He used to be in a K-pop group, and tells Ah Jin about his own regret of letting another member eat macarons from a fan that contained nuts. In Gang knew the member was allergic, but let him eat the cookies anyway. The member got rushed to the hospital and In Gang hosted a program in his place. Hosting the program catapulted In Gang’s career, but he still feels guilty to this day. He warns Ah Jin not to compromise her morals (Ha! If he only knew…) and focus on acting since she’s talented.
YES to In Gang putting up a good fight against Ah Jin’s charms and schemes
Since the men in Ah Jin’s life have easily fallen for her in some way, shape or form, I was impressed with In Gang’s discernment. Ah Jin learns his grandmother is his soft spot, so when he catches Ah Jin at her apartment he flips out. Rightfully so. He accuses Ah Jin of setting up the whole thing to get close to him, and he’s right! The entertainment industry honed his ability to detect leeches and users, so he’s not initially fooled by Ah Jin’s wide-eyed, do-gooder persona.
Kim Yoo Jung and Hwang In Youp also have fantastic chemistry, so it heightens their emotionally volatile scenes and makes their sweet scenes feel genuine.
YES to Jun Seo and Jae Oh double-teaming the ex-lead detective
It was pretty fun watching them Mission: Impossible this “problem”. Jae Oh follows Park Da Ho to a restaurant, makes sure to get seated at his table, and switches their phones. When Park Da Ho leaves, he has time to retrieve some pertinent information off the phone before the ex-detective realizes he has the wrong phone and comes back. It was done seamlessly. Jae Oh has a future in espionage if he ever wants a serious go.
Later, Jae Oh kidnaps Park Da Ho. Him and Jun Seo threaten to reveal the fact that Da Ho’s daughter did drugs in the U.S. if Da Ho doesn’t stop working with Re Na’s reporter cousin. It’s case closed for now after that. I expected a bit more from this storyline, so I thought it was wrapped up too easily. I still enjoyed Jun Seo and Jae Oh teaming up, and forming a relationship outside of Ah Jin though.
NO to Ah Jin winning over In Gang in the end
When it comes to Ah Jin, resistance is futile. In Gang spent the entire episode questioning her motives, and even warning her to stay away from him and his grandmother, but they still end up making out in the snow before the credits roll.
To be fair, Ah Jin tracks down In Gang’s old group member so he could get closure. Then she agrees to dinner with In Gang, but asks Jae Oh to orchestrate a car accident so he could be late and marvel at the fact that she waited for him the entire time. She’s scarily good at fostering intimacy and making it seem like she cares about you, so I understand why In Gang eventually gave in.
Final Thoughts
While Ah Jin and In Gang are kissing in the snow, Jun Seo’s getting beat up at a bar. He started a fight after hearing two drunk dudes make lascivious comments at a cardboard cut-out of Ah Jin. Re Na manages to run them off, but Jun Seo lays on the ground, bloody and bruised, having flashbacks about his childhood with Ah Jin. When Jun Seo first defended the cardboard cut-out’s honor, it was funny, but then I got sad. He’s hurt that after everything, Ah Jin has decided to date In Gang for a year, and he needed physical pain to cope.
I’m curious to see if Ah Jin and In Gang’s relationship will drive Jun Seo further toward darkness or force him to look inward.
More Dear X Posts
- REVIEW: DEAR X EPISODE 5
- REVIEW: DEAR X EPISODE 4
- REVIEW: DEAR X EPISODE 3
- REVIEW: DEAR X EPISODE 1 & 2
- WELCOME TO KIMBAP AND K-DRAMAS! (AND DEAR X SUMMARY)
