Flower Boy Next Door E9

There is something amazing about the quality of the writing – it fills a void where longing resided. With every word of encouragement, your spirit is lifted and with every painful word, you feel that character’s anguish to the core. Each time they individually stared out their windows hoping to catch a glimpse of the other, my heart just ached. I don’t think it’s a matter of who fell in love first anymore. The important thing is who is going to be brave enough to own up to that love. I really hoped that it’s E, but the preview shows that it might end up being D. Even without saying anything so far, all her staring and sad faces at the thought of him leaving said enough for everything she is feeling in her heart. That’s why it’s going to be so perfect that the one person who could read her thoughts might also be the one to read what’s inside her heart.

Written before it aired: We are almost at episode ten so it is high time Enrique makes some kind of declaration about his feelings for D. Yes it’s adorable that Jin and E had a sing off competition for Dokmi’s attention, but that’s just scratching the surface. I need E to admit aloud to someone his growing feelings for Dokmi -even if it happens to be his rival for her affections. At this point I don’t even know why E cares anymore about protecting Jin’s feelings cuz someone needs to tell E his feelings matter just as much. Like E said about reserving seats on a plane–just cuz Jin saw her first and watched over her for three years doesn’t make him the better man for her. What should matter is what Jin couldn’t do in those three years, E managed to do in less than a month. He brought her out into the world, but more importantly, E gave her the confidence to have her voice back. If he is going to keep urging her to communicate, he needs to take his own advice. Admit his feelings and let Jin have his say as well and let the chips fall where they may.

Ever since I saw the preview for E7 last Tuesday and replayed his tears, I was wondering why Enrique cried at the hospital. He was standing alone and tears were just streaming down. I am assuming by then the farewell party for him already took place. Something must have triggered Dokmi to faint again – the likely culprit is obviously DH and her spiteful words. I wonder if Enrique realized that and felt guilty for bringing that evil witch back into Dokmi’s life. He played a hand in it cuz he was so adamant about giving her a chance to reconcile with Dokmi. She even remembered his words so she was about to go get DH from that bar that night. Then I realized those can’t be just tears of guilt. It has to be more – something like he wants to be sitting by her side like Jin, but he can’t go to her. Enrique already offered to help Jin out with getting together with Dokmi so he feels obligated to stick to that. The other reason is more complicated – maybe he thinks he doesn’t have the right to sit next to her bedside and hold her hand if he indirectly assisted in bringing about her relapse or cuz he is leaving soon. There is no question that he decided to go back earlier with S since he told Dokmi that he would never turn his back on a friend in need so he isn’t going to change overnight just cuz he has feelings for Dokmi now.  What has changed will be S (I’m hoping) cuz I don’t think she will ask that of him once she realizes how strong his feelings are for Dokmi. It will be S’s turn to be a good friend for a change and not take advantage of their friendship by taking him away from Dokmi earlier than necessary. Boy I hope I am right about S cuz we already have one evil witch in this story and DH is plenty, we don’t need another one.

This drama really knows how to break your heart just from a look or a photo. When I saw the collage he was making for D, I almost burst into tears again. It seems sort of cruel to show her just how much she lived in such a short time if he isn’t going to be around to watch the fruits of his labor. It makes you think how empty and sad she will feel once he is gone – maybe even lonelier than she was before. But I still believe his influence will remain and she will venture out more.  She did find her ability to communicate again thanks to him so if anything – he did his job really well. I bet what he didn’t count on was how he would feel in the process. While helping her, he realized how much he needed this interaction more than her. All the loneliness he suppressed or masked over the years came bubbling to the surface as he watched her take baby steps out of isolation. When is he going to realize that by now he needs her more than he is willing to admit.

In the back of my mind, I already have the last scene of this drama mapped out. At first I pictured Dokmi and Enrique on some trip overseas together cuz he knows she will love traveling for real, but that just didn’t fit the theme of this story well enough. Even though it’s not as exciting, all I picture is the two of them back in her room and this time instead of being all over the place, Enrique finally settles down and focuses his attention on one thing – her.

I love this look in his eyes – it’s like he is saying “don’t push me too far cuz I have a limit to how much I will hold back my own feelings for her sake.”

E9

Starts from S saying I am going back with Kaegeum to Spain. E says dont just say anything – think about what you are saying. She says I saw the photos – I didnt know those pics existed. why did you have those . Cuz I am hurting I finally know how you were hurting. She shows 2 plane tickets and says I want to leave right now. Let’s go together.

E looks at D and S looks at TJ. TJ tells S to go well and leaves with his dog. S says go well oppa. Bye hippo. S waves goodbye as TJ drives away.  She turns back and looks at E. she says it hurts to send off your first love. I did it well didn’t i?  it was hard but you couldn’t tell right? She walks away

D says S will have a hard time so be with her. E says look at her back – it says don’t say anything at all- leave me alone. I cant help now. D says she asked to go together so it means stay by my side. E: “I am having a hard time – stay by my side.” Have you ever said that to someone. try saying it once. Hearing that from you ajumma -there will be someone who would really like that a lot – he will like it so much he will go flying off into the universe. She thanks him for letting her say goodbye to hippo for the last time. Go well. E mutters -you always say “go well.” he looks right at her and asks couldn’t you be a little sad? “it would have been nice if you left a little later so it’s too bad. even though I suffered a lot cuz of your meddling – I think I will think of you often.”  Stuff like this – even if it’s just to be polite it’s ok so you could say it. She looks down and says I think I will think of you often. she looks up and says “satisfied now?” She walks off.

*I couldnt help but cry when I keep thinking of how they say exactly what they are feeling inside, but mask their words with something else – there is something so tragic about being that guarded that you cant let yourself be vulnerable – even though you know you are with the safest person you will ever find.

When she gets home she looks across and watches him come in with S. D closes her curtain. She gets a prick on her finger from the safety pin and it bleeds. She crouches in pain – the internal kind. she was already in tears so it’s like she found an excuse to cry so she lets herself.

E is looking across at D’s window. S asks- the girl who turned your key search words into trash is that unni from a while ago isnt it? E: why do you have to go so far as to say trash. S: I felt a weird air between you guys. E sniffs the air and his clothes and says it’s normally smells weird cuz of Seoul’s pollution. E mutters in a complaining tone: she is perfectly fine if I leave (meaning she feels nothing) she said “go well.” S: can you leave? if it’s cuz of me… He cuts her off and says let’s hurry and leave as soon as we can -I dont know why but I think I should

D is trying to watch TV but remembers how E said “I think I will think of you often.”  Stuff like this – even if it’s just to be polite it’s ok so people say it

There is a cooking class and the landlady is smelling the cheese and guard Hong sniffs too and startles her. Hong says the scent is really good. she wonders why the others didn’t come

Dong asks what Jin thinks of what he drew (the character’s faces) Jin: it’s good better than what I drew. happy? Dong tries to hold back his grin. Jin says I am going to make all the outlines (for the story) though. Hong comes over and asks them to join the cooking class today cuz all the cooking preparations have been bought so you must attend. D tries to bow out but Hong says you must attend. Hurry and come.

They are all cooking. DH asks D if this reminds her of when they were in high school during home ec. The landlady asks why the good looking guy across the street is not coming cuz he made it fun. D looks back and looks sad.

Suddenly E shows up with a lot of wine. He says wine goes well with cheese so he prepared wine that suits it the best. they all welcome him. he makes/boils some alcoholic drink. E smiles at her and D keeps staring at him

They all toast and drink but D just smells her glass. E tells them he is going back to spain. It’s so nice to spend this last time together with you having wine.  they asks why are you suddenly leaving. stay longer and then go. Jin pretends to be upset and asks why suddenly?  E asks D to hurry and drink it all down cuz it’s for farewell. she starts drinking. E: It’s hot so be careful drinking it.

*it cant be easy for Jin to keep watching how easily D goes along with everything E asks her to do.

They are taking pics and E makes Jin and D stand close together. you look good together. Then they take a group photo cuz E wanted to get in too so he sets his camera on a timer.

E goes around giving hugs and says come and visit me in spain. He hugs Jin. Jin says go well. E calls out ajumma and goes over to hug D but Jin holds him again and hugs him saying it’s too bad (you are leaving). E knows what Jin is trying to do so he smiles and says sit down. E goes over and hugs D and says you have to live well. make sure you come outside to the world. Jin pulls him away and says let’s drink more.

Dong realizes they drank all the alcohol but it was D who drank a lot. D is drunk so she lets DH take pics with her. E and Jin clap saying they look good. W says the more you drink wine and eat cheese –the longer you eat it the better it gets.   The landlady says let’s all stay together a long time. E: what about me? she replies dont leave. guard says I mistook him (E) as a pervert once so to apologize I will pay for singing room. E: I really wanted to go. he asks D to sing for him.

They all leave but D can barely walk straight so Jin helps her from behind while E tries to help too.

The guard is singing. E looks over at drunk D and smiles

DH asks why Jin called her out separately to talk. He says you know who I am dont you? how did you know I am Oh JW. she lies and says I was there with you before when the law office was looking for Oh JW. Jin: you got used to saying a name you heard once? you keep calling me OJW.  did you fix your whole current face (as in have plastic surgery) or did you go on some extreme diet? DH: what? Jin: cuz I have a great memory and I suddenly remember your voice from somewhere before. how did you know about this neighborhood to come here? she brings up how you never know when fate will pop up. my confession must have confused you. jin: why do you keep talking nonsense. I am not confused at all -don’t you remember my confession. I clearly said I like someone else. She tries to kiss him again so he covers his mouth but E comes over and it looks like Jin was kissing her.

D and W are singing and dancing for the landlady, but guard Hong gets jealous and makes them stop saying it’s too loud.

E asks hyung what are you. why confess to ajumma-you confess to Dokmi shi so why kiss DH shi. jin: it wasnt a kiss – didnt you see?  i had my mouth covered like this.  E: hyung think it over carefully – this kind of complication cant happen to D and DH you playboy. Jin: I said it’s not-it’s only D for me. E: then hurry and settle/resolve things with DH. Jin: there has to be something to resolve to settle it. I dont know anything about that woman and I am not interested in her. E: if you dont have any interest then why kiss her here? jin: I said I didnt kiss her. I swear on the heavens. I cant even call that a kiss – I didnt even open my mouth. why do I have to keep explaining this to you here -you are leaving for spain-  aren’t you going. E: that’s why – take good care of D. look – he points to the room – she changed a lot. even though she came here cuz she was drunk. she came to a singing room and learning to cook. hyung you drag her out into the world. do well  – I will ask as a favor. Jin: I will hold it in (my anger) thinking that you said that cuz you are leaving but you are going overboard right now. I am the one who waited for D a long time. not cuz of your request – cuz of my heart – I am going to do it with my sincerity/true feelings. (to take care of her). I don’t know when you will leave for spain but don’t show up in front of D again. E looks at him with a defiant glare

Jin is singing but E comes along and sings with him. they compete for D’s attention but neither wins that. they only succeed in making everyone lose their hearing for a bit

when they head home, D is not walking straight so Jin is helping her

E wont let DH go and interrupt between Jin and D. E: Don’t you recall the literature teacher. first love – the literature teacher. you said that teacher was only good to D. this time – think the opposite happened and give up. you said you want to reconcile with your friend so you cant get involved/make it complicated. Hyung liked D a long time from before so admit you were too late and give up. call? (deal?) DH: what is too late? does a person’s heart have a cut off time? my shopping mall is 24 hrs. also D likes you – don’t you know that. he accuses her of throwing assumptions again. E: cuz I look like the teacher? then D should like me. DJ: D told me she liked you. E is surprised by that

Jin catches D before she falls so DH tries to go over but E holds her arm to stop her. DH: why are you like this? in a serious tone he says: give up now cuz I promised I wouldn’t interfere anymore. He changes his tone to a happy one and pushes DH away from D saying “let’s go. what was that song you sang a while ago ajumma.”

E pushed his way in between Jin and D just as D was telling Jin – I am really ok. D watches E leave like that with DH and looks sad. Jin takes note of that.

E whines: you said you wanted to reconcile with your friend. so you cant do that -why dont you understand my words. so frustrating.  DH says If it’s hard to reconcile then I have to find another way then. E: another way? have an event for D -a party. I will put some magic. DH is happy cuz Jin will come too. so she agrees to it. S comes over and says – kaegeum – you dont have a phone and knew perfectly well I am alone. S and DH admire each other’s clothes and ask “where did you buy it” at the same time. DH: it’s so pretty. S: where did you get this fur – it looks so expensive. DH invites S to model for her shopping mall and gives her card. E makes a face at them getting along and thinks D will look funny in this style of clothes. he imagines D wearing them and says it might look good on her. he shakes his head to wipe the image and says let’s not do this.

Jin asks you are cold arent you? he offers his jacket and asks if I take this off will you wear it? but D says it’s ok I think I  am sobering up now. He says when you go in, drink a lot of warm water. D: have you been inside the guard’s office. Jin says I havent gone in. D: First time I came here to see the home, I waited in there. I saw the imprint of the guard’s hat on the wall. guard Hong came in and hung his hat there. it seemed like he was there for a long time. like his hat’s imprint explained – he guarded this place so I thought I want to live here. Jin says don’t we have some imprints on this neighborhood and this street.

They bow to each other and are about to go in but Jin says I don’t like winter. In spring,summer, and fall your windows are open so scent from your home comes out. it’s for real. the scent of your herbs. at night the smell from your cooking. Your curtains blowing in the wind. on days when it rains you hold out your hand and feel the rain. It feels like you are right next to me. I just want to be by your side for a long time.if I do that – my imprint too – like that hat, wont a little bit be left. Like now, you just have to stay there. she seems moved by his words and gives him a sad smile

E is making a game out of a collage of photos.

D is editing but cant focus. She looks up at the ceiling at the painted tree.

E is looking at her photo and says ajumma really drank a lot.

Jin is drawing and put in the guard’s hat in his webtoon just the way D described it and wrote like that woman who lived in the tower like Rapunzel, that man wanted to leave an imprint

next day E is having a meeting about his game and trying to get them to say he has to stay. they say don’t worry about here too much cuz the play test results came out well. E eagerly says oh yeah that’s right. the tests. there were some adjustments to make. I forgot about them. I have to be here dont I? it’s become a nuisance. it cant be helped, I have to push back going back to spain. what an annoyance. he laughs. But the woman says it’s ok – it’s so simple the interns can do it. right now there is no problems. it’s perfect.

Another man from the 4D movie complex says it’s too bad cuz I really wanted to work with you. E tries to get him to make him stay by saying it really is too bad huh? arent you angry? I acted like I was going to do it all and suddenly turned that upside down. even a verbal agreement is a contract.  isnt it a little too much to go back to Spain like this. are you really ok? but the man says next time you have to work with me ok? E: yes.

DH is telling her friends to prepare perfectly for the party cuz on that day I am going to send D off properly. S shows up to meet DH. DH invites her in.

E goes to her home and hangs a bag on her door knob and puts his note in the shape of a plane through her mail slot. He calls out loudly to Jin for D to hear– it’s me hyung I came to say bye before I leave. He tries to sneak inside when Jin opens the door but Jin stops him. jin: in korea trying to go into someone’s home on your own is not polite. E: you have some kind of secret at home too dont you? he mutters that Jin is resembling D cuz Jin likes her. Jin asks you arent going to say goodbye separately to D. E: she said “go well” the most.  I am hungry so Jin takes him out to eat saying let’s go i made reservations at a great place. E: where?

They go to W’s work place and tells E to choose whatever he wants to eat. dong shows up too. dong whispers to Jin: you said you werent going to eat and for me to eat alone. Jin tells Dong this is his (E’s) last goodbye (so that is why Jin is feeding E). W asks what topping E likes. E says I really cant choose. E is about to talk but a girl in a panda hat orders what E was going to like she already knows his answer/choice. E goes over and says I was going to choose that. he compliments her scarf and shoes and says it’s cute fashion.

DH invites the guys via a video message to the party. please attend. the ones who received this you must attend. She invited D as well. D gets a text from her. DH: I think we opened our hearts. I want to tell you now why I did that back then.  will you hear me out? I will be waiting. Your dohee. D remembers how DH said let’s not do this and get along well.

E shows the guys the look Jin should be going for when he goes to DH’s party. It’s a photo of TJ. dong says how TJ’s fashion style is opposite of Jin cuz TJ’s style is great so Jin takes offense and says I am too. E tells Jin -you can do it too. sometimes you need to change 100%. smile more. Jin strains his face to comply and smiles. Jin: what else? E: free style. Just leave her alone sometimes. Then one day just knock on her door and come outside with her. show her a really beautiful view. so she can think  “the world is worth living” so her heart will feel like it’s healing. then you leave her alone casually. then sometimes -“I know your pain. I wont ever act like I dont know cuz I know your pain better than anyone so cant you get a little closer? Give her this kind of signal. dong says ya why do you talk so much for a guy who is leaving – just say goodbye see you again in a cool way-cant you do that. even saying farewell it sure is like you.  E: that’s not it – you have to say farewell properly.  Jin gives him a present to open only when he gets to spain (it’s a USB memory stick)

D writes: there are times when a relationship/connection/fate that was about to just pass by is left in the heart. It is only after you part that you can fully understand the depth of that connection. that woman thought that life was belated realization.

E is looking at her pics and looks over to her window. He looks so sad

Jin goes over and picks up her milk. He puts a post it on it. E’s note is still on the ground by her door.

E looks at the time (9am) and looks at her window – waiting eagerly

Jin looks out and her milk is still there.

D is resting from working

E is packing and looks at her window and then at the time

D gets up and goes to sleep.

E is packed and ready to go. S comes in and says let’s go. He looks at D’s window one last time.

D wakes up and goes to her door. She finds the note from E. She reads – ajumma 9am I will wait for you by the window. waving my hand and smiling – I want to say goodbye. I made a game for you so do as the dice tells you.  She opens her curtains and looks across and he isnt there.

E is about to get in the cab. D is standing there remembering all the things E said to her –  until I leave for  Spain, I will drag you out and show you the whole world. Am I like armstrong on the moon – I am the first person to step foot in this home huh?  I kept getting misunderstood as a pervert starting from the beach, but don’t see me as a guy. She remembers how she said all those words were like a hollow shell… leave me out and dont talk like you know me. How D pulled him away from S and told him – I did it cuz I know the truth -cuz I know your true heart. I did it in case there would be a bigger misunderstanding – that hearts would get more tangled and not be able to untie. how E said I am going back to spain soon. His hug. Her words – I think I will think of you often. He looks back at her home and she looks at his window

S asks aren’t you going to get in. he gets in the cab

D goes out and sees the bag he left for her and takes in her milk. She sees the collage game he made for her. she plays the game. Start. ride the bike and go to the Han river. walk and  go as far as you can. go camping. take the bus and go around the city once. Yell from the mountain top -follow me “yaahoooh.” Have a fun party with your friends. She sees the note from Jin: I will wait for you at 5 on the day of the party.

At the airport E follows S inside

Jin is getting ready for the party asking if his style is similar to TJ’s. does it look good. dong says yes. Jin thinks he looks pathetic. he gets a call from the editor. So he yells there is big trouble and gives his phone to dong. Dong answers it saying this is Oh JR’s phone so she says does a phone talk. you should have said I am Yoo DH the one who is answering OhJR’s phone. dong: what is up? she yells when I said dont come he dropped by suddenly all the time very well – come right now. She hangs up. Dong says she said to come right now. Jin says tell her we cant. They go out and Jin wonders if they can make it back on time by 5 – it wont take long right. dong says how the editor will react – she will yell and then bang on her desk and say go. her personality is weird -her ups and downs are too severe. Jin agrees about the strange personality.

E says to S: From a while ago I wanted to say something – what are these clothes. she says why- I went to that shopping mall. I totally like how busy looking these clothes are. oh yeah that’s right. Is that shopping mall unni friends with D unni. E says she used to her friend. she will be from here on. S says she said today she was going to send D off at the party. but that nuance was weird. dont you remember?  when we were graduating we sent off that one person cuz we hated him/her and dunked that person in the water. I suddenly thought of that.  since it’s D unni she could be disliked since she doesnt talk much and is frustrating. E remembers how DH said if it’s hard to reconcile I have to find another way. E is alarmed and tells S to tell him exactly what DH said

The editor is slowly sipping her drink as Jin impatiently looks at the time. she gets sarcastic and says it must be nice to get 3 stars and reduce the amount to half. congratulations. cuz of the incident plagiarizing E, the guy from episode four who came from Spain- is that how you are paying E back? why did you do that to E and to me. why is the world so cruel.  Jin keeps noticing the time

The panda hat girl runs over to E. he remembers her and what she ordered. she says you remember me?  to be honest I am your fan. He says you should have told me sooner. She says you look good together. She gives him a box of kim saying they crave that when they go abroad. she asks S to prepare kim side dishes for oppa. goodbye.  He asks -are you leaving already? tell me what your name is before you go. what is your name? She  says baebok. She says do you know the flower boy next door webtoon.  she informs him about the webtoon and how the writer who supposedly plagiarized E’s work is badmouthing E and how netizens are saying the writer committed fraud before.

Dong is talking to the editor saying we will fix it right away. he is not from spain. how about papua new guinea and she stares at his lips. She keeps making him repeat that -to say “yoo” to watch his lips pucker

D is getting ready for the party

S says it’s time so E looks over at her. he doesnt seem to want to leave

D is taking some flowers over to DH. Cuz DH said I want to tell you why I did that back then. Will you hear me out?

The doorbell rings and DH has an evil smile

Jin takes off running

DH welcomes her in and says it’s cold outside huh.  you bought flowers. The former literature teacher steps out from behind DH. D drops her flowers. The guy says I wanted to be sure to meet you once DM.  D is in shock

End

preview

E says The reason why I couldn’t leave-just one reason come out. I cant end it here.

Jin tells dong: E found out about me. He said he is on his way to D

As they run, both E and Jin say why am I so nervous

E holds D in his arms and says ajumma as she cries

E hides as Jin and D stand in their hallway

E puts his finger on D’s forehead like the time when he told her one nod was enough.

D says: I thought it would be nice if there was just one person.