Love Actually
In the 13th episode of Our Beloved Summer, Choi-Ung and Yeon-Su spend time together while they’re dating. Embracing Yeon-Su’s way of life is something Choi-ung isn’t accustomed to, but he remains determined to embrace this. Both he and Yeon-Su remain cautiously optimistic over their future. ..
Yeon-Su is determined not to make the same mistakes again. She’s been searching online for relationship advice, and while she finds some helpful tips, she’s also come across a few articles that seem to offer no real solutions. She’s curious about what other people have gone through, so she decides to write a blog post about it.
Ji-Ung shows the first draft of the documentary to the team. Ms Kim is happy, as are the others too who decide to run with this – after a bit of editing of course. While the gang all want to go out and celebrate, Ji-ung remains guarded and trying not to let his emotions get the better of him, snatching up his phone and leaving the room.
In other parts of the world, NJ is preparing for the 10 year anniversary of her fans. During her interview, she’s asked about her dating life and what’s happening regarding Choi-Ung. She reaches out and asks the public not to jump to conclusions, and points out how she’s grown distant with Choi-Ung as a result of this.
Eun-Ho ends up seeing this broadcast while he’s over at Choi-ung’s place. He speaks to his client and mentions how concerned he is. Not necessarily with NJ but more so with Yeon-Su. After all, he was there to see the state Choi-Ung became after the break-up. He’s concerned things could end up ugly again. ..
Choi-Ung agrees to talk to Eun-Ho about a raise, but Eun-Ho immediately jumps in with a 30% offer. Choi-Ung’s incredulous look sees him instantly drop his own offer to 20%. ..
That night, Yeon-Su waits for Choi-Ung outside work. She’s chivalrous and helps her into the car but Yeon-Su is not herself. After asking one of her work colleagues for dating advice, Yeon-Su hilariously takes this wildly out of hand and Choi-ung can sense it.
After airing out their problems, Yeon-Su and Choi-Ung agree to redo their date. This time, they go to Sol-Yi’s restaurant. ..
In the morning, Choi-Ung messages NJ and thanks her for the article and what she said on the interview. Despite it taking days to message back, NJ tries in vain to stop herself from replying immediately, given her keen interest in him. So to stop herself, she goes to extreme measures to hide her phone. ..
Ji-Ung is obsessed with his documentary. He works long hours, refuses to leave the editing room and pushes away everyone who tries to check up on him. That is, until Yeon-Su arrives. She calls him out for skipping meals and grabs his hand, forcing him outside to go and eat dinner. Ji-ung admits he’s a mess but does his best to be polite with her. Through it all though, he struggles to open up and tell her the truth about how he feels.
Meanwhile, Sol-Yi heads out on her blind date but it doesn’t go to plan. It’s slightly awkward, especially when the older guy tells her he didn’t realize what the time was (despite it being really early.) The thing is, Eun-Ho obviously has the hots for her and this causes a bit of awkwardness before she heads out for a date.
Eun-Ho is there helping to sort out the clams, and Sol-Yi is immediately looking at him in a different light. She suggests that they drink all the soju in the fridge together and eat clam stew.
NJ visits Choi-ung to clear the air after confessing her feelings for him during their phone interview. However, the atmosphere is tense between them and NJ leaves soon after. ..
NJ makes a clear stand and decides that she will not be friends with him anymore after he breaks up with Yeon-Su. This also means that they will not be able to see each other anymore, given NJ’s strong feelings. Just before leaving, NJ tells him to call her if they break up again. As she turns to leave, NJ clearly looks disappointed.
Ji-Ung and Yeon-Su head back to the editing room after eating. Ji-Ung is staring at Yeon-Su, and Chae-Ran shows up with takeaway. She sees the pair together in the editing room and she’s crushed.
Yeon-Su visits Choi-ung at his house and finds a brochure for an architecture school in his book. Choi-Ung has his reservations about going, and even admits that he doesn’t have a university degree. The only reason he went in the first place is for her, and besides, he hasn’t needed it to make his career a success. Yeon-Su though, she’s pretty shocked by this turn of events.
The pair sit together and Choi-Ung asks openly about exactly why they broke up in the past.
In the epilogue, Chae-Ran calls out Ji-Ung’s affection for Yeon-Su and likens it to Love Actually. In particular, the infamous scene with the placards. She asks how his story is going to end but Ji-Ung simply tells her he’s in a documentary, not a movie.
The Episode Review
The episode begins with Yeon-Su and Choi-ung trying to get through the first few weeks of their relationship. They are both struggling with the newness of the relationship and how to handle the early days. However, they manage to overcome their differences and work together to make things work.
The real elephant in the room is what led to the break-up between Choi-ung and Yeon-Su in the first place. After so many episodes, it’s about time Choi-ung learned the truth and hopefully Yeon-Su has the courage to open up and discuss this with him.
Ji-ung continues to just hang around and mope his way through these episodes. I know it must be difficult for him, seeing his best friend with Yeon-Su but he’s missing out on the best thing in his life right now – Chae-Ran. Hopefully he sees sense before the end of the season and the pair do end up together.
The NJ subplot looks to finally come to a close after not really going anywhere. The commentary about celebrity culture and how difficult it must be for her to find love is welcome, but it never really materialized into a love triangle, beyond a few misunderstandings. ..
Despite some flaws, the summer series “Our Beloved Summer” has been entertaining so far and the finale hints at more drama to come in tomorrow’s follow-up episode. ..
