Can You Hear My Heart E30

When I think of CYHMH, a smile automatically forms -it welcomes you in with open arms, makes you comfortable, shares its wonderful stories, warms your heart so you feel cozy like you belong here, and all you can think is -if this is bliss, I want to make this my home. For the past months – that is exactly what this drama was to each and every one of us – thank you everyone for all your support and dedication. 🙂

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There are some dramas that just speak directly to its viewers and reach a core audience to enthrall, amaze, and elevate the stakes for any future dramas -you will be hard pressed to find another that even comes close to meeting even an ounce of CYHMH’s caliber. They didn’t just set the bar too high for greatness, they made it impossible for another drama to have a fighting chance to even knock it down. People looked at the number of episodes and shied away from it, but for those of us who were lucky enough to follow our instincts, we were rewarded in the best way a viewer can be – we got to be the few who watched this beauty unfold week after week. Like an extension of the family on the screen, we came together to laugh, cheer on, and mostly cry along with these characters. No other drama can boast such a loyal following so quickly- it only takes one episode – one scene and you lose yourself. Even though you tell yourself you’ve heard the lines and seen those plots before, CYHMH reinvents it and makes your breath catch in wonder. Pretty soon the characters take up a permanent resident in the recesses of your heart where just the names evoke warmth and comfort. When a drama gets it right – all the pieces fall in place. We get our comedy, our angst, our bromance, our OTP, our heartache, our jubilation, and a triumphant resolution. Suddenly it becomes a classic in its own right. When a drama gets it right, there is only one title that should come to mind-Can You Hear My Heart.

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Anybody that knows me can attest to the fact that I am totally incapable of remembering Korean celebrity names. Guess which two are now one hundred percent memorized. Part of the joy of this drama stemmed from discovering these two talents. Each brought to the table a vulnerability that is hard to emote for most actors and they did it effortlessly. Once they stepped into their character shells as CDJ and BM on screen, they never stepped out. They embodied their characters in a way most young actors would envy and I can’t begin to count how many times I paused the video to just stop and stare in awe. Whether they were frolicking in bed and making our cheeks ache from grinning so much or when their tears made us reach for yet another kleenex, they kept me marveling at how natural they seemed to be in their roles. They didn’t overreact or downplay their expressions and blended the perfect balance of reality and conviction. I applaud D for being able to achieve his objective without sacrificing a part of his humanity to do it. Till the very end, he remained a man who wished to look at his face in the mirror and not be ashamed. Though M should have qualms about his actions in the past, that fact that he rushed into danger to save his brother wiped his slate full of past sins clean. Even tonight as M looked over to his ailing father, he did so with a subtle trace of quiet dignity that belied his true nature. For all the hours they invested in their roles, I just hope they know that their work on this drama left an imprint on all of us and that it will follow them the rest of their career. Every actor has a role that they were born to play and some are lucky enough to have it happen more than once. With these two talents, I’m sure this is just the stepping stone to a great many more.

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Illustration by Fanderay

It’s hard not to get emotional about this family – they make you look at your own and feel grateful that you have one just as good, enviable that you wish you could, or hopeful to have one of your own someday. When W’s mom left her daughter in Y’s care, she died in peace knowing W would be loved and well taken care of by a father whose only instinct is to love his family unconditionally. Y only knows one kind of love – one that doesn’t discriminate age, status, or gender.  His love doesn’t wane or lessen with insults. Like his flowers, he cultivates it and makes it thrive on a daily basis. Though W may have grown up poor, she was rich beyond imagination for the sole reason that she has something she can count on for the rest of her life – the security of being loved by her father.

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Can You Hear My Heart E30 Finale

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M threw the mitt and baseball at D’s feet so they play catch at the edge of the cliff

(I had a heart attack here cuz I was afraid D would take one step back and I would have to type -bye bye dong joo- I kept yelling “move away from the edge – you have like 40 acres of land away from the cliff so go there if you are going to play catch”)

T paces in the room and hears D telling M -it changed from a long time ago huh? M asks if the kitchen is different. D: the bedrooms are the same – unpack first. D goes in and tells her M is here for a few days – doesnt she have anything to say. she asks if M’s eyes are ok. D says yes so she says that’s good. he tells her to not avoid M and meet. she says M wont want to see her. D:how do you know hyung’s heart so well? then you must know what he wants to hear the most. dont regret again –  this may be the last time you get to see him

their are two suitcases by the bed. M and D are sleeping. the lights are on so M gets up. D stops him and says: just leave it alone – I’m comfortable like this -so you can go back now hyung. M looks at D. D turns and asks: what is that expression? if you are uncomfortable go out and sleep. I’m going back to sleep. M hits him with a pillow. M: you selfish punk – I still like it here. you know – that I am more selfish than you. I am such an angel – what a nuisance. while I am saying it nicely – go (back)- listen to your hyung- so D signs that M is a fool.

more bromance ensues. M keeps asking what that means – what is it? tell me. D says he wont. D pushes him off saying it’s gross. M: even if it’s gross – I need to know – does it means I am good looking or I have a high nose? M wakes up and D is gone. one bag is missing.

M goes out and T is sitting there by the picnic table. T: i have something i want to hear from you. M: i have nothing to say to you. D left and everyone went back to their places so you can stop and go back. M turns away so T says to his back: me – dong joo – you- we said were going to the end together- did you forget that you said even if we died – to take you with us – if you give me permission-from now on – for real – I want to live as your mother- you dont have to answer now-all this time – you lived as my son – waiting and being patient -I will wait too-but please come back to mom – mom is sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry Maru ya. M is crying and turns to face her.

he calls her mom and smiles at her.

W’s sign language class. the teacher asked each student why they are taking sign language class. W: the person that is the most important to me I want him to understand the world so I am waiting for that person….. D shows up so she signs to him : I missed you. teacher asks if he is the person W is talking about so W signs something to her *”cant you see just from looking at him? he is someone who really really likes me a lot.” teacher calls for a ten min break. W introduces her teacher to D. D says hello and his name. teacher says hi and that she cant hear at all too. not being able to hear is the same for me. even tho we live being unable to hear – it was nice to meet you. he says “nice to meet you too.” D asks W how to sign “please take good care of W” and he signs it to the teacher and the class. 

D asks W if he interrupted her class but she says he came right on time cuz it was break time. he says “I came back” and hugs her

* thanks Fanderay for the “translation”- we make a great team 🙂

D and W go home. grandma is sleeping by the fish bowl with S behind her. D carries grandma to her room to sleep. D whispers he is leaving and W asks “you’re just going to leave?” D: then what?  she tells him to go.

grandma has a dream. she lost Y- she calls out for young master Young gu. she finds 6 six year old Y with a scraped knee. she asks if he got hurt and if it hurts. he cries and calls out for his mom – I want to go home. she explains she is his mom now. but he says no you’re not and calls out for his real mom. she offers to buy him candy and tries to piggyback him but he pushes her and cries out for his mom again. she carries him on her back. she stops to bind his wrist so he wont slip off- he is almost alseep and he calls out “mom.”

grandma: my heart is tearing apart -waht do I do- young master-  dont worry and just sleep- even tho I am not educated and ignorant, I will make sure to keep my promise to your parents. i might not be a good mom for you -no matter what I have to do – I will make sure you dont go hungry even a day so dont worry and sleep. since their son was “slow” -parents who throw away their child -what kind of mother and father are they -now dont cry over them and dont look for them-  he keeps mumbling “mom”. she says:young master – there is nothing much to living -you just eat rice well every day -you let each other lean on your back -if you live like this with loyalty – that’s living – so sleep and dont worry. she sings she is happy “this world is so nice-crazy woman – what’s so great- your husband left home-what am I doing”

she tells him to keep sleeping and goes back to singing-the mountains are nice -flowers are nice – let’s live like this and that-after we live together a good day will come-I like it – if we live together – I like it.”

she opens her eyes and Y asks if she is awake. he asks if she is thirsty. she says she has to look for young master Y so please find him. Y: you are doing it again mom- I am Y.  I am your son Y. but she says my Y is only this tall- I have to find my young master Y. Y: I’m Y – I ate a lot of rice and grew this much. I’m sorry mom I ate a lot of rice and grew this much – I’m sorry mom.  he cries so W goes to comfort him. he says he isnt going to eat rice now so he can shrink back down to a smaller size. I want to be this short.  

grandma says you cant – dont do that. now that I look at you – you resemble my Y. Y:huh? grandma: you look like Y. dont cry now – eat a lot of rice and dont cry again. Y: mom if I dont cry and eat a lot of rice -am I your son? I am your son right? she nods and says you are right. Y tells W that his mom knows him. he tells grandma: mom I am not going to cry from now on so you cant forget me again ok? dont forget your son bong young gu. she nods yes.

D goes back to work. he says they are working harder cuz he wasnt here. they ask why he came so late cuz they missed him. MS asks if he had a good trip and asks about his mom and he says he entrusted his mom with her older son. MS: the two of them made up huh?

grandma holds out food to taste and W eats it and says it tastes good but Y says that was his-she was about to give it to him. grandma says dont fight cuz there is a lot here and feeds him too. he says it tastes good. SC comes in and says it smells good. he brings grandma plums to eat and tells her to eat it all by herself. grandma: it tastes better if we all eat it together. W agrees. Y says it looks good. S thanks SC. nam says this is it. this is the family she wanted from watching dramas.

D shows up. he brings lots of fruit so SC gets mad and tells him to follow him. W tries to go but Y says he will.

SC tells him not to try to be their family. D says he came to speak up formally today (as in declaring his intention for W) SC :what? why are you acting like you won on your own?I didnt give up on W yet. D: SC for your friend’s sake – just lose once for me. SC: if you talk like that is it cool? D: isnt it cool? can you just give in. I have a lot of things I lack so I need to have W to fill it up. like you said, I will take responsibility for W all the way till the end. I will promise. SC: did you come to propose to me? what a funny guy. Y runs over and says you cant to SC. Y asks if D is ok. SC: CDJ – later you need to be hit by me once. 

Y:what do we do about SC cuz his fist doesnt listen.  D asks why Y married W’s mom. Y: MS was the prettiest and she was a girl and there was only one girl -it was MS. D: to me bong woori is the prettiest and she is the only girl -just W – so could I marry W? Y: what do we do – then you have to. D:then from now on – instead of being my friend you have to be my father -you will be CDJ’s father right? Y: CDJ’s father? M’s father? CDJ’s father -if there are two it’s confusing. D: it’s not confusing – your son who is a doctor bong maru -your son who isnt a doctor CDJ. how’s that? Y: then it wont be confusing. then you cant ever be a doctor. D nods: I wont ever be a doctor. then you gave me permission to marry W. Y: yes CDJ – son who isnt a doctor.

 nam helps grandma get ready for dinner. grandma worries if she can intrude on another family’s gathering. nam: there is nothing much to family – if you live in one home and eat together. That’s family.

The whole family is there with M too. NB makes a speech about the whole family eating together for the first time in 16 yrs today. Y interrupts and says the food is getting so cold so let’s just eat.

everyone watches M eat the first spoonful of rice and they all clap. Y says it’s nice cuz there is a lot of family. grandma says it looks good cuz they look happy. NB’s wife asks why there isnt any alcohol. SC says there isnt any alcohol today cuz if he gets drunk he wont be able to hold back (he looks at D so D grins) nam leans over and asks why S is being so careful (cuz S tries to eat facing away from M) S denies it. M notices that. W feeds grandma and tells her to eat a lot. grandma says she feels sorry and grateful cuz they are being so nice to her when she isnt family. I didnt get to do anything for you and just got to receive a lot.

M looks at the family pic. W says it was when they were too young and wants to take another family picture again since he came back. he says we can take a new one when you get married. what do you want for a wedding present. since your oppa can afford it I will buy it all for you.

M: woori ya – bong maru’s younger sibling bong woori -you suffered a lot taking care of grandma and dad in your brother’s place. W: bong woori oppa bong maru thank you for keeping your promise to come back.  M: your wish was to wear a dress so oppa will pick out the dress. D:what is this? why are you going to choose the dress hyung? M: cuz I am the oppa – oppa will buy you the dress.  D: jang junha W: he isnt J. he is bong maru. M: did you see that – she said I was bong maru. D: bong maru

T is making food for D. when he comes in she tells him to wash up and come out cuz she made him mixed noodles and he says he already ate. T:what? D: out of all your clothes this is the prettiest. T: she says M bought it for her in Saipan. D: he stole you away again – I shouldnt have made you two reconcile. T: you still have a chance-in order to be like long time ago with M- it will take some time.  D: I will decline cuz there is only one girl for me. T: a girl? it isnt that ugly girl right? not her.  D: how is she ugly? she is cute. T: that girl is ugly.  I told you ever since you were young. dont play with her and play with pretty girls. D: i told you there was no other girl prettier than you mom.

Y is planting stuff and looking over at grandma who is sleeping. he asks her to hurry and wake up and swear at him just once (her way of cursing) . you have to swear to be my mom for real. Y gets a call and it’s from W. he tells her how grandma is sleeping again-she must be sleepy cuz she keeps sleeping. I will watch over mom well so you dont have to worry and have fun with DJ -dad doesnt need to see and knows everything. grandma says “crazy” and Y tells W to hang up. she is talking to the flower. all the flowers arent so why did you bloom all by yourself. Y: mom you cursed – my mom cursed. it is her – it is her- it’s my mom. mom thank you for cursing. she says he is thankful about nothing special. he asks her to do it again  -to curse but she turns and says another bad word. Y is happy and thanks her. she tells him not to worry about her and finish his work. he says he will finish soon and will come back. he gives her candy to eat while she waits cuz she will be bored. I will be right back. she says she is thankful to him. they wave at each other.

Y is piggybacking her home. he says he has a secret -but since you are my mom I will just tell you. D said W is the only girl (for him) to me MS is a girl. mom – this is just what I think but D and W might marry – I married my MS too. mom this is a secret you cant tell anyone. he asks if she is sleeping. he says she must be tired cuz she cursed after a long time not doing it. he tells her to sleep and he will sing for her (*but I dont think she is sleeping) her hands drop down. he offers to sing it again but tells her to wait and ties her wrists so she wont fall off like she used to do for him when he was young when she piggybacked him. he says one more time and sings again.

fades to white

Y drew a picture of grandma and is tying it to a tree. he is wearing a black suit. he looks at it and says mom. everyone is there.

M buries her ashes in the ground by the tree. D and SC help him. everyone is crying but S is the loudest – (omg I cant see the keys) …..

Y goes over and touches the mound and says -mom even though ppl say I am a fool -I’m ok cuz your son young gu is the best. you said “my son Young gu is the best” -mom i wish i could hear that just one more time -also mom you are the best- since from a long time ago – I liked you mom the most more than my mother – my mother threw me away but you raised me so thank you mom.

he bows and says thank you and doesnt get back up and cries.mom i’m sorry i wasnt going to cry but but tears keep coming out mom I’m sorry. W goes over and holds Y up. D cries. M cries.

W and D are sitting. D: bong woori – to be honest I lied – what I said when I left for saipan to go get my mom – that I was going on my first mission as indiana jones  -that was a lie-  when I was 13 -after chasing after a frog –  I saw a pretty 9 yr old girl – she wasnt stepping on the pedals and pretending to play the organ -also that pretty little girl said she lost something very important to her – so I saved that hackysack and that pretty girl-after I did that- that pretty little girl said thank you and gave me that hackysack which was the most precious to her. D takes it out and holds it up and she takes it. D: I think I started loving her from that day-that pretty little girl I didnt even know the name of –  for 16 yrs every time I saw that hackysack – while thinking of that memory back then – to me – that piano sound I heard then – it was the last time – it was the last time I heard the sound of the world during that time we met – cuz of that memory I was able to endure the hard times.

he closes his eyes and puts his hand over his ears-“koong-koong- koong” cuz I knew how to hear the heart like that girl taught me- Woori ya even tho i cant hear and listen to my voice – i remember your voice – that’s why when you say “CDJ” and call my name – I am the happiest -I only hear your voice – he signs *”will you stay by my side? so I can hear your voice” she nods yes. 

he pretends his ears hurt and pulls out a ring- I must not have been able to hear cuz of this – please marry CDJ.

she nods and he puts it on her finger. W: now can you hear me? he shrugs then she does and they both laugh.

* best proposal in the history of kdrama 🙂 thanks Fanderay for the sign part

D gives SC some chicken and says get some strength. Nb grabs it and says it tastes better cuz his friend gave it to him.

SC: anyway  what are you  going to do? are you going on the trip or not? D: why do I have to go with you? SC: you said let’s be friends – your friend is depressed and you cant even do that much? these days I cant even sleep…his mom comes over and says if SC made up his mind to stop liking W then he should make a clean break and send her.  she tells him dont think of sleep and prepare for the second store so that it it does well then we can open the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth and make a chain. SC:what are we going to do if we make all that money – there is no one to spend it with. NB:why? you have me- I can spend money well. D says the chicken looks tasty and asks them to wrap a variety of them for his staff.

SC grabs D’s hand and says: I said let’s go on a trip together. D puts his hand on top of SC’s and says in a soft voice : ok should we go on a 1 night 2 day trip? SC pulls his hand away : what is that – so gross. NB’s wife says :why? his voice is so nice that is why our W likes him. NB explains she didnt mean “W” but “our” SC yells out “stop talking about W” so D jokes – when are “we” going on a trip by “ourselves” and leave “W” out? SC yells for them to stop. * in Korean “woori” means “us, our, we”

W meets MS. W asks why they are having ice cream and asks to go get some drinks. MS: answer me truthfully to what I ask. when did you start liking D. W says when she was 9 or 10 it’s been too long so I cant remember well. MS pretends to hit W. W: I’m sorry I was going to tell you in advance -things got complicated so please forgive me. the girl who works there comes over with the cake MS got boxed up and receives a free bag to use on trips or vacations. MS gives it to W to keep. W: it’s pretty – I should take it when I go somewhere with CDJ. MS says it wont work and that W has to go drink with her and drags W to go drink alcohol

M is getting dressed. S comes in and asks for a plane ticket. S says she feels stuffy since her mom isnt around. my mom isnt here so what do I do here. even when she was here I didnt do much for her. anyway instead of here I think I will be more comfortable in America. M:why do I have to give you a plane ticket? you didnt do anything for me. I cant either. S: not seeing me would be better for you….M interrupts: dont use me as an excuse. for your sake at least – live properly. that’s what you can do for me. I wont give you anything at all. if you want to go that much – show me that you can live properly even once before you go. she promises to live the right away. M politely says “I’ll be back” and leaves. S: thank you for holding onto me.

M is back to work as a doctor. he sees an old woman -it’s grandma. he asks if her legs hurt and offers to piggyback her. she asks him to take her to the place on the paper. he piggybacks her and she says it’s comfortable. thank you doctor.

T comes out of the elevator and sees M piggybacking a different grandma. who he saw wasnt his grandma. the grandma thanks him and he tells her to sit and wait a little till her prescription is filled.  T smiles watching him

doctor tells T and M that choi needs a second surgery but choi is refusing to have it so the doctor called T and M. she asks if choi’s condition isnt well.  doctor says the first time something burst – something goes up-  and if choi leaves it alone it will get dangerous. your son already came and signed for the surgery.T asks son? and M says D must have come. doctor offers to convince choi again. M looks up and sees choi trying to walk along the wall. doctor says they have to open choi’s head for the surgery so the patient needs to prepare for death. choi sees them and avoids them and falls. M watches choi and choi averts his face. M tells her to go for today. she thinks she should see choi for a second. M  explains that in his condition even if she did meet him, choi wont be able to talk properly.

M takes her away and looks back at choi. choi looks over at them too.

D is waiting in choi’s room. D tries to help choi. choi tells him to go and not come back. D: even if you dont want to see me you have to see me and talk so I can hear. J hyung, my mom and me – we all need time to forgive you. please have the surgery -you have to- not for your sake but for ours-  I am getting married soon- I will come back again.

after D leaves, choi breaks down and cries on his knees. I was wrong dong joo ya – I was wrong dong joo ya – I was wrong.

Y, NB, kim and manager are planting. NB pushes manager away from Y. they push each other claiming to be close with Y.  W asks if her dad needs anything and Y says he is thirsty. manager offers to go get it. kim has allergies so Y offers to show kim where the plant is that kim can boil and drink to alleviate his allergies. they walk off together to go get some.  NB says to W that her dad is doing well after the grandma’s passing cuz NB is often sad even. W: cuz he promised grandma he doesnt cry. NB: what’s the point of crying – it’s not like she is going to come back…he starts to cry so W tells him not to cry cuz it will make her dad cry. Y calls NB to go with them. *NB: ah you punk – what a pain – do you like me that much? Y: hurry and come you punk. NB runs over to Y.  W talks to the flower the way grandma would and says the flower is pretty

* older version of bromance

T, S, W, Y, nam, D, M, SC’s family are gathered for a picnic. SC shows up late with his mom. his mom is overdressed and her hair over -coiffed. NB asks if she is going to a cabaret. SC: that is what I am saying – it’s embarrassing me to death. he walks away from his mom. she says it’s a party so her husband corrects her saying it’s not a party but a picnic

she says that’s the same thing and asks Y (M’s dad) if she looks strange. she twirls for him. Y: no you are pretty – really. she calls him the best.

nam says before we put out the food – wait a minute. nam yells to the sky: Mi Sook shi – I am not stealing him -after living with Y as a friend – I will send him to you. S: what is this. T: it’s so fun. they smile and laugh together. M watches both his moms and smiles. D asks W: what was that? why?  W signs and says nam was proposing to her dad. D: then when do we get married? W:should we just do it here?  D nods yes -let’s do it. nam says to Y: BMS was your wife – nam MS is your friend.  in one home – let’s live together as friends. Y: live together? no we cant. nam: why cant we? mong (NB) is your friend and lives with you. why cant I? NB says that it must be nice for Y and suggest they make a toast.

MS shows up too. she asks what they are doing and leaving her out. D:who left you out? M: we contacted you – come over here. she goes over to SC and says “it’s been a long time-let’s go drink afterwards” SC to her: why would I? MS: you got rejected too – why this happened – let’s have a deep talk. Y says the ghost likes SC. SC yells out ahjusshi to Y. T says the champagne is here so SC offers to open it.

it starts to rain. they all run under grandma’s tree. T says they should have done this at home.

M puts his hands over both his mom’s heads to protect them from the rain – he says the rain is cool (refreshing). SC: I knew this would happen. whose idea was this? MS tells SC :why? this is romantic. NB asks how they are going to eat. his wife says the clothes are new. Y: it’s rain it’s rain – the flowers must like it cuz it’s raining. D has his arm around W.

the camera pans to Y’s sketch of grandma.

each character narrates starting from W, D, then M- in his world there are a lot of things you cant do  alone but if you do it together you can. cuz I had someone watching over me all the time like you so I was able to do it so-  even if they hurt you and make you cry- despite that -we love them.

W’s song comes out

end

* I am so proud of myself – I only cried like – what? 4 times? even that scene with choi made me bawl – of all the ppl- I never thought he could make me feel sorry for him

there is an emptiness – a void – can’t believe it ended – I don’t know how it can be filled again- I was bursting with so much love for this drama and now I have to let it go and say goodbye – only I don’t want to….first time withdrawl kicked in right when the credits rolled – isn’t that too early? shouldnt it kick in next weekend? waaaaaaaahh what do I do?