Ok-Dong & Dong-Seok 3
Episode 20 of Our Blues is a long episode, clocking in at over 90 minutes. There are a lot of story threads left hanging, so let’s dive in. ..
Given what’s going on with Dong-Seok right now, there’s a reprieve in the form of Seon-A booking a flight to Jeju Island. She’s got her life together, working in construction, while simultaneously keeping up appearances for Yeol. Later in the episode though, she does message Dong-Seok and cancel on him, given Yeol has hurt himself. As we soon find out, this happens to be a blessing in disguise.
What happened on Ok-Dong’s past?
Dong-Seok and Ok-Dong head up to Madang-Ri, wandering through the forest to find the spot where her village was. The thing is, she’s not exactly wearing ideal footwear and ends up twisting her ankle. Eventually they make it to the other side of the reservoir, where Dong-Seok learns Ok-Dong only really visited this spot once after having Dong-I.
Since Ok-Dong’s parents passed away, she has been living with her grandparents. She is also the only living relative of her father’s family.
Dong-Seok, a Korean immigrant, learns more about his mother’s past and takes pity on her when he sees her limping. ..
Dong-Seok tells his story of the day he lost his mother, and how he took her away from him. He describes how that day was a difficult one for him, as his mother was his only support system. Despite this, Dong-Seok says that he still tries to make the best of what happened that day. He thanks Ok-Dong for taking care of him and helping him find a new home.
Does Ok-Dong apologize?
“I was so scared,” Ok-Dong says, her voice breaking. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Dong-Seok takes Ok-Dong to the hospital, where it is revealed that she needs to stay hospitalized in order to survive. Ok-Dong does not want to stay though and tells him to take her back home. It is against the doctor’s orders but Dong-Seok does it anyway. After all, when has he ever followed the rules? ..
Dong-Seok and Ok-Dong head out to a Chinese restaurant for some jajangmyeon. This time though it’s much more civilized, with Dong-Seok even cutting Ok-Dong’s noodles up for her. Dong-Seok used to eat this before his father passed away.
Next, they head to Gusa Town, which is quite far away but it’s the spot she met Dong-Seok’s father. It’s here he understands how rough she’s had it in the past.
Do Ok-Dong and Dong-Seok heal their wounds?
After their trip, the group returns to the boat where Dong-Seok shows a picture of Yeong-Ju and Hyeon’s baby girl. Dong-Seok also helps Ok-Dong with her writing, spelling out all of the family names on the window. ..
Dong-Seok takes a taxi to Mount Halla, a place he used to frequent when he was angry. He does so because he knows that she will never have been there before and that it will give her some good memories at the end of her life.
Dong-Seok and Ok-Dong walk for hours, talking about their favorite memories. Dong-Seok reassures her that the deaths in the past are not her fault, and encourages her to open up about what her happiest memory is. They sit down in the wilderness and talk for hours.
Does Ok-Dong make it to the lake?
Dong-Seok realizes she may not make it to the lake for her planned photo session, so she decides to go ahead and take a picture herself. While Dong-Seok is heading up the mountain alone, determined to do the best for her, Ok-Dong attempts to ring Jong-U. After, she slumps down on the table.
Meanwhile, Dong-Seok continues forward but he’s unable to go any further due to the deteriorating weather. This journey is as much a cathartic journey of healing as it is doing something for his mum, and he records a video for her, encouraging Ok-Dong to head out to the Lake just them two together.
Dong-Seok drives Ok-Dong back to Jeju Island again, with the trip having done wonders to heal their wounds. He even takes her up to the house he’s been fixing up for Seon-A. In fact, Seon-A and Yeol are both there together. Ok-Dong gets to meet them both, uttering to Seon-A that Dong-Seok has a very kind heart, watching as he and Yeol swing together on the seat outside, discussing horse riding.
Does Ok-Dong pass away?
OK-Dong fixes up some stew for her son to enjoy. She has a big smile on her face, as Dong-Seok heads over that morning to see her. Only, she’s lying down and not moving. She’s passed away.
Dong-Seok reflects on how he never really resented his mother, he just wanted to reconcile with her and make up. As he lets the tears flow, he hugs her tightly; the other residents around Jeju rush up to check on him.
How does Our Blues end?
We follow Dong-Seok and Chun-Hui for the upcoming Athletic meet, as they help out each other out for the event. The load has definitely been lifted from them, as everyone in the community joins in on the event.
The different groups are all there, working together. It’s a great moment to show how far they’ve come (more on this in the review part!) while Dong-Seok and Chun-Hui run together with Seon-A and Eun-Hi watching on. ..
Yeong-Ok heads over to Seon-A and encourages her to get involved too. The group have been through so much, as a beautiful montage ensues to bring this wonderful show to an end.
The Episode Review
This episode has been focused on the complicated relationship between OK-Dong and Dong-Seok, which has multiple layers of drama to it. Many people who haven’t had this sort of rocky relationship will probably not quite understand the dynamic (I know I don’t fully appreciate it, given I’m pretty close to my mum) but it’s beautifully portrayed across this season nonetheless.
This chapter has a lot of beautiful symbolic moments. Seeing Dong-Seok go on that long walk feels like a cathartic journey, something that he’s needed in order to work through his emotions and do something for his mum.
Meanwhile, Ok-Dong has been through a harrowing ordeal and has taken out her passive-aggressive feelings on Dong-Seok, remarrying just so they have a roof over their heads but losing her son in the process, as he grew more resentful of her over the years. It’s taken a long time to heal, and it’s particularly telling that when Ok-Dong attempts to ring Jong-U, wanting to resolve everything properly, and he doesn’t pick up. ..
The death of Ok-Dong hits pretty hard in that respect, and the scene itself reminds me a lot of Joyce’s death in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The silence, the raw emotion and the slow realization at what’s happened; the whole scene is pitch perfect.
The critic in me wishes that we were given more insight into the lives of the residents of the building. How are Yeong-Ju and Hyeon coping with their new baby? What’s going on with Myeong-Bo after the domestic violence? And do Dal-i and Ki-Jun actually get along? None of these storylines have really been resolved, and a bit of closure would have been nice on that front.
The final scenes of the Athletic Meet are a wonderful way of symbolically showing how everyone has come together to win in their respective journeys. Yeong-Ok and Jeong-Ju run perfectly in-sync together. In-Gwon and Ho-Sik stumble but then get back up and keep running, while Dong-Seok helps out Chun-Hui, who have both found solace in one another following Ok-Dong’s death. ..
This beautifully written anthology drama still manages to deliver the goods in this final chapter, rounding everyone out with a poignant, heartfelt and beautifully written episode. Can we please get a second season?
