My Princess Episode 8 Recap / Summary / Video

Hi! Halfway through the series now....

Video:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31635/12

Recap:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/01/my-princess-episode-8/

My Princess Episode 7 Recap / Summary / Video

Good morning!  I won't have time to recap today.  :(  However, below are the usual links to video and recap...enjoy!

Video:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31584/11

Recap:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/01/my-princess-episode-7/

Interview Update

Hi everyone!
I hope your week is going well so far. I just wanted to let you know that I received a call today. :( Due to new state budget cuts (California is going through quite an economic crisis), my college has decided not to offer ANY positions after all that work to screen/interview candidates. It wasn't just the English dept that was hit but other departments across the entire campus.  *Sigh* Let's just pray that the new budget cuts don't affect my current teaching load.

Anyhow, it was an unexpected answer--"Can't offer you job because we don't have the money"--but at least I had the experience of getting this far AND it wasn't a we-don't-want-you call.  :)
 
Have a great day as always!  Thanks for praying for me and/or wishing me good luck!  It was all very much appreciated!

Secret Garden Special

Link to the video:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31417/5
or
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31417/11
if the first link doesn't work.

Enjoy!

Short Story Done!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let those of you who were interested know that I've finally gotten around to posting my short story/chapter on my creative writing blog site, twinkiesworld.blogspot.com. It's been a while since I took the time to do some creative writing, so I'm curious to see if I was able to accurately convey my points through this story.  Please feel free to leave me thoughts or impressions of the story. I'm especially curious to hear what "Oxford" and my youngest sister in Georgia think of this piece as well as anyone else who's kind enough to read and comment.  I hope you'll give me as much constructive criticism as possible. If I can get this short story revised enough for publication, that would be fantastic!  :)

Have a great post-Secret Garden weekend!

My Princess Episode 6 Recap / Summary / Video

Hi! Recap of Episode 6 done now. I tried to be a bit more detailed today.  :) Enjoy!


Video link:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31295/11


Recap:

Seul falls asleep to the hallucination of Hae-Young caressing her hair, which is why the next morning, when she begins to wake up, she ignores Hae-Young, who’s leaning against her couch as he waits for her to wake up. Seul turns over in her sleep, assuming that he’s another hallucination, and Hae-Young gets irritated, thinking that she’s ignoring him. As she blinks her eyes open a second time, Hae-Young greets her, “Hello, Princess.” Seul’s eyes widen; he’s not an hallucination but real. Hae-Young continues, “My name is Park Hae-Young, and I’m from the diplomatic corp.” Seul jerks awake and tugs the covers all the way to her chin as Hae-Young asks, “That’s it?” Advancing on her, he then asks if she’s not going to scream, throw pillows, or does she find him that trustworthy. (Love how Seul’s eyes get so wide) Leaning over her, he asks, “Do your eyes typically glisten like that regardless of what man shows up at the foot of your bed?” (This guy is starting to demonstrate classic jealousy symptoms) “Your eyes say that you just woke up like Snow White and saw her Prince Charming.” When Seul scoffs at the suggestion, Hae-Young continues, “Even in this situation, am I dashing? Or perhaps you’re glad to see me?”  (The man does love to bait her.) Seul stutters, “How did you get in here?” Hae-Young retorts, “Not how, but why? You should be curious about why I am here.” Putting on a brave front, Seul tells him it’s obvious; he came here to kidnap her, blackmail her, etc. If that’s the case, Hae-Young wants to know why she’s not screaming. Seul blurts out, “Because it’s the first day.” At his assessing look, Seul explains that because it’s her first day as princess, she doesn’t want to cause any disturbance. When she says that she’ll do something, she wants to do it well. She then asks him to leave quietly before she calls for help. Hae-Young tells her that she looks like a princess when she acts like that. Seul comments that he obviously didn’t come to tell her that. Hae-Young explains, “I came to see your face for the last time. From here on out, our relationship will become very different” Picking up the phone, Hae-Young says that their conversation has ended. The staff can come prepare the princess for the day. At this, Seul demands to know if her staff simply let him into her bedroom because he said that he was from the diplomatic corp. Hae-Young replies, “Of course. From today onward, I’m the person responsible for you.”

             Dressed, Seul has a conference with the president, the grandfather, Hae-Young, and the rest of her staff. The president explains that since he heard the princess decided to claim her title, he took the liberty of assigning diplomat Park Hae-Young to her, to serve her for the sake of the royal family/monarchy. (True, he does have experience taking care of royalty. Flashback to episode 1 in which he had to escort the visiting foreign princess). At the president’s introduction, Hae-Young bows while Seul and the grandfather look on. (interesting development LOL) Hae-Young then lists a number of his credentials and responsibilities, one of which is to take care of the princess and teach her royal etiquette. Seul asks in disbelief that surely the princess he mentions is not her. When Hae-Young confirms that it is, she loudly protests, much to the surprise of everyone in the room. She tries to quickly cover her outburst by explaining in a much more demure voice that she protests because of their past together. They already had a scandal together, so it seems highly improper for him and her to live under the same roof. Especially since there’s a nasty rumor of how Dae Han Group was using the royal family/monarchy to its advantage, living together in the palace would only confirm those rumors. (nice save, Seul, but not good enough! LOL) The president smoothly replies, “That’s why you must be together.” Hae-Young explains that his being assigned to protect, teach, and care for her will explain why he had to make the false announcement that she was his woman and all of that. Even though he didn’t want to say things like that, he had to in order to protect the princess. (Ha! Score for Hae-Young! LOL) The grandfather agrees to the president’s decision. However, Seul continues to protest, saying that Hae-Young is too dangerous and unpredictable a person to entrust her to his care. When both the president and grandfather look startled, she covers up her language by saying that it’s because Hae-Young is so handsome that she’s not sure if she can focus on her lessons of etiquette and such. (I love how everyone doesn’t buy her excuse) The president calmly explains to her, “In all honesty, it’s not easy to find someone who is as well qualified as Diplomat Park Hae-Young. On this matter, we ask that the princess concede.” Seul looks crestfallen. (poor Seul)

             Later in the grandfather’s study, the grandfather blasts into Hae-Young, questioning Hae-Young’s motives for entering the palace. Hae-Young coldly replies that it’s because he doesn’t want to live like his father, losing everything he knows—money, possessions, friends, etc. The grandfather returns in the same manner, “Had I known this is how you would react, I should have told you about your father years ago.” Hae-Young’s surprised at his grandfather’s coldness, especially more so when the grandfather continues that he’s not sorry to Hae-Young or to his father for the way things turned out. The grandfather says that Hae-Young can do as he pleases. They’ll see in the end who wins this battle of wills. (Dang…talk about family dysfunction)

             Walking through the halls of the palace, Seul tries to convince Hae-Young there’s a better way to deal with this situation. (Interesting choice of attire for the couple…they look well-matched in beige and blend in quite nicely with the palace coloring…obvious hint by the show?) He can simply come to the palace and play instead of taking his role seriously. However, Hae-Young replies that his personality won’t allow him to frivolously use up the country’s money and resources that way. He plans on taking his role seriously. She says he can do laundry or cleaning then since she can’t be taught by him. He calmly replies that of all the diplomats in the country, he’s the only one suited to teach her since he grew up in a royal family himself. (Without an actual royal family, Korea considers tycoon/chaebol families to be its royal family. An example would be the Samsung family right now.) Seul then plays difficult and taunts him as to what he can teach her. Hae-Young intimidates her with financial possibilities of what she’s going to do with all the Dae Han possessions and the various things she has to learn. Giving her an itinerary of tomorrow’s events, Hae-Young takes his leave. Seul glances at the schedule and freaks out that she has to start her day at 6AM.

             The next morning, the staff tries to wake her up. (She’s wearing a sparkly barrette/tiara to bed…LOL) She resists, so Hae-Young has the female staff leave, gesturing that he’ll take care of things. Turning the alarm clock on, he casually throws in under the covers so that Seul is rudely awakened by the noise. She wakes up and complains that if Hae-Young is responsible for her, he should make sure she gets enough sleep. Hae-Young lifts off the covers from her head and then reminds her that for now, the only thing she can sacrifice is her sleep since she’s not trained to do anything else. He then pointedly comments, “Didn’t you say that you would give it your all? Yet you can’t even wake up properly?” Seul complains that she’s not even scheduled for any lessons. All he’s having her do today is take tests: level 1, level 2, level 3, etc. “Are you playing here?!” Hae-Young smirks and says that it’s the first day, so he needs to assess what she knows. “Why? Do you want to die because you’re going to be taking lots of tests?” (LOL…love the way he tilts his head and mocks her. Definitely, Hae-Young has the upper hand here…poor Seul) With nothing better to say, Seul picks up on the fact that he’s not using the honorific form to address her. Hae-Young pretends to catch himself and then points out that there’s no one here to hear them. He blinks prettily while she huffs and puffs. Seul declares that she refuses to learn anything from someone who doesn’t have a teaching certificate and then hides herself under the covers, intent on going back to sleep. Hae-Young smiles a bit tightly and then tells her he has one. “Wake up!”

             Seated at a drawing room in the palace, Seul looks through Hae-Young’s many certificates. She’s amazed that he really does have teaching certificates as well as diplomas: MBA, CPA, teaching English certificate. When Seul suggests that he may have purchased the degrees, the staff verify that he was famous during his college years for being a well-educated chaebol. Irked by Hae-Young's smug expression, Seul asks if Hae-Young told them this directly. One of the female staffers says that Diplomat Park is too humble and reserved to ever praise himself; they looked up the information themselves. Seul scoffs at the idea that he's humble and reserved. She then continues to bait him with taunts. Having had enough, Hae-Young asks the female staffers to leave them so that he can start. When Seul tries to leave, he bullies her as to how princesses should behave. He teaches her than when someone grabs her hand, rather than ask the person to let her go, she should command the person to move. When Seul asks if he entered the palace to torment her, he tells her to do her duty and study her role as princess properly or he will torment her as she suspects.

             Seated at the palace library, Seul takes her first test while Hae-Young annoyingly paces.  (I love the library! Ack! What a dream library!) Hae-Young grades her test; she misses every single question (!) When she asks for the exam back, he refuses and calls it quits for the day because he’s so stunned by her poor performance. When she keeps asking for it, he tells her he needs it so that he can properly write a report to the president. Seul is mortified that the president will know of her hideous score. Hae-Young replies that her progress as a princess is of great national concern and that this test may cause the president to reconsider his position. (LOL) Later while Hae-Young eats his lunch, Seul tries to take the folder that holds her test. She fails miserably, and Hae-Young continues to tease her. She asks to speak privately with him, repeating to her staff that she is not to be interrupted, regardless of what they hear or don’t hear (LOL…great line).

             Inside Hae-Young’s room in the palace, Hae-Young continues to tease her (he looks like a monkey at one point) while Seul tries to grab the folder, saying that she doesn’t want to be embarrassed like this. She’s never even shown her mother her grades. She even gets on the bed to make a flying leap for the folder. She fakes a fall and then grabs the folder, only to be fooled because Hae-Young has the exam results in his breast pocket. Lying on his bed, she then threatens that she’s not going to leave his room until he gives her the exam. He calls her bluff and joins her on the bed. Stunned by his move, she starts to fall off the bed and he catches her…intimate look/awkward moment. They both get up hurriedly and Hae-Young tells her that if she arrives late for tomorrow’s lesson, he’ll send the exam results to the Blue House (president's house). Seul leaves, happy to have been given a reprieve.

            As Seul gets ready to sleep, she sets three different alarm clocks and plays with the lights, unable to fall asleep. She paces on top of the bed and fans herself as she reflects on the day. She’s afraid that she won't be able to wake up due to lack of sleep, so she does an Internet search on how to go to sleep when her heart pounds because of a man, no a diplomat. (LOL) She proceeds to do bunny hops, jumping backs, push-ups, etc.

             Still unable to go to sleep, Seul goes out to get some water. Gun sees her and sneaks up on her as a trick. Surprised, Seul ends up spraying his face with water. When Gun makes her a drink to aid in her sleeping, she exclaims that the drink tastes so good even though it’s just honey and milk. Gun cheekily replies that it’s because the drink was made with love.

             Early the next morning, Hae-Young, in exercise wear, waits by the palace fountain for Seul to arrive.  When she doesn’t, he barges into her bedroom despite the protests of the female staffers. Leaning over her bed, he gently advises her that it would be wise to wake up now. In reply, Seul murmurs in her sleep, “Professor.” (LOL) She puckers her lips. In disbelief, Hae-Young bodiy wakes her up, slinging her (with comforter and all) over his shoulders in a threat to dump her in the fountain.  When she quickly assures him that she’s awake, he dumps her in the fountain anyhow (payback for the professor comment? LOL). Chaos ensures.

             Seul, now dressed and ready for the day, bursts into the library and asks him for the exam. He pretends that he sent off the exam already. Seul freaks and asks how he sent it. After letting her worry for a bit, he gives her the exam and then sternly tells her to take her role and training seriously: daily running 30 laps around the grounds, being prompt, etc. When she asks if he’s serious—she feels like he’s training her as a high school student preparing for the college entrance exam—he tells her to take it seriously or he will, in fact, revert to training her as if it’s 100 days before the college entrance exam (huge deal for Korean seniors).

             Director Oh (grandfather’s right-hand man) prepares her for the press conference and tells her that she should memorize names and faces of the reporters. When Seul exclaims that she’s happy to finally be able to clear her father’s name with reporters who are on her side, the director tells her that she will not be fielding any questions about her late father. At her surprise (since this is why she entered the palace), Hae-Young comments that this is the way his grandfather works and takes his leave so that Director Oh can speak with Seul freely.

             Yoon-Ju has a farewell party with her staff before she assumes her new role. One of Seul’s female staffers comes to talk with Yoon-Ju, and we find out that she’s a spy for Yoon-Ju. The staffer comments that Park Hae-Young has entered the palace as the princess’ teacher, and their relationship is ambiguous; at times, they fight, but at other times, they seem close. This report gives Yoon-Ju pause.

             Later that evening, Hae-Young has dinner with the corrupt politician who says empty words of praise to him. Hae-Young says he shouldn’t say words he doesn’t mean and that he doesn’t keep his promises. Then mentioning the report file the politician sent him, Hae-Young clarifies that he asked the politician not to release any news until the information had been accurately confirmed. The politician, drunk as a skunk, tells him that released news has a tendency to become confirmed news. Hae-Young cuts him short and tells him that asking the politician to lift the transport ban was a test. Next time, the politician should be responsible about the information he leaks. Someday, Hae-Young will assume the position of his grandfather and the politician would do well to not get on his bad side.

             The next morning, Seul asks for permission to leave the palace. She assures the grandfather that he doesn’t need to fear if she’ll return. She’s determined now to be the princess.

             At the professor’s office, Seul comes to visit and asks the Professor to buy her lunch. Unable to tear her eyes from his face, she sneaks peeks as she eats. The professor discovers that Hae-Young has been assigned her teacher. She seeks his consult and hopes that the professor will help her. To her surprise, he merely advises her to use Park Hae-Young to her advantage, to test if he’s truly trustworthy. (My suspicion is that Professor Nam is going to take Yoon-Ju up on her offer now that Hae-Young is in the palace.)

             Back at the palace, Hae-Young asks where she went. When she explains that she went to see the professor, Hae-Young tells her that he doesn’t want to hear the Professor’s name from her anymore. (jealousy?) He then reminds her that he will treat her viciously if she doesn’t act properly.

             Lounging at his apartment, Hae-Young laughs victoriously as his apartment is released back to him and the black suits remove the red tags. 

             Yoon-Ju visits Hae-Young with wine and announces that she’s been made director of the palace. Hae-Young then tells her that the president has asked him to also enter the palace and take responsibility of training the princess. She feigns ignorance and then goes to the kitchen to prepare him dinner. Meanwhile, Professor Nam Jung Woo calls her cell, Hae-Young answers and gives her the phone, and she answers the call professionally because Hae-Young’s in the room.   

             Immediately, Yoon-Ju goes to meet Jung Woo, who tells her that he’ll take the position at the palace and would have accepted earlier had it not been for her. (Seriously, I think he’s going there to provide Seul with support as well as do the research that he so loves...love triangle, here we come!) He then concludes by telling her that she means nothing to him now. He returns home and symbolically ends his relationship with her by turning down their photo frame. Meanwhile, Yoon-Ju slightly tears up, still at the café. (I guess a part of her did love him…either that or she’s tearing up because of wounded pride) At the same time, Hae-Young peruses a book by Professor Nam and notices that the dedication is made out to Oh Yoon-Ju.

             Seul, on the other hand, is found doodling in her diary: mean comments about Hae-Young, love comments about Professor Nam (hearts all over the place LOL), and missing comments about her mom and her sister, etc. She falls asleep with the diary open.

             The next morning, Seul is excited to hear that her mom and sister have come to visit. She embraces her mom warmly while Dan looks on in disgust. The mom pretends that she needs to use the restroom and uses that excuse to speak privately with Hae-Young, who apologizes for his earlier pretense of engagement. She tells him it’s all right--when would she ever get a chance to call such a handsome man her son-in-law. He then tells her that son-in-law Park is his nickname and that she can continue to call him that. (Aw...) She asks for his care in looking after Seul and tries to give him some money to accompany the request. While they tussle because it's inappropriate for him to take the "bribe," Yoon-Ju interrupts and says that she’s asked the mom to come here so that they can sort through the formal lineage documentation.

             Outside, Seul asks Dan if the mother knows why they’ve come. Seul worries about how her mother will take the news that Seul can’t be her daughter anymore and how Seul will explain this. Dan tells her coldly to watch herself then. “Make sure you act properly so that no one can blame mom for raising you poorly.” She then bitterly remarks that things have always come easily for Seul while she’s had to work hard at getting into college and being a good daughter. 

             Yoon-Ju presents the final document for the mother to sign in order for Seul to be consider officially princess and not her daughter. Before the mother signs, she asks what will happen then to the insurance and savings she established for when her daughters get married. She’s not very educated and so wants to confirm that Seul can still receive the benefits before she signs away her parental rights. “Will my daughter receive the money when I die?” Seul and she have a good cry as the separation becomes finalized. Mom leaves with Dan, asking Hae-Young to take good care of her princess. As he watches the car leave, Hae-Young softly apologizes to her.(Ugh...harbinger of bad things to come.)

             Crying mournfully in her bedroom, Seul cries out “Mom” repeatedly while Hae-Young listens thoughtfully outside. (She’s lost her father and now her mother due to her title.)

             The next morning, Hae-Young enters Seul’s bedroom and announces, “Let’s study.” When she remains silent on her bed, he apologizes and says that he’s done wrong, not to her but to her mother. He then repeats, “Let’s study.” Seul gets up and walks past him. He asks where she’s going, and she answers with resolve, “To study.”

             Surrounded by stacks of books, Seul and Hae-Young bury themselves in the library and pour over documents, newspapers, etc.

             In one of the sitting rooms, Seul prepares for her first press conference while Hae-Young continues to coach her: you’re not here to flirt, you’re not going out for Miss Korea, etc. She continues to practice her televised speech (I think Hae-Young flinches a bit when she explains that Hae-Young was just pretending to be her fiance). Hae-Young then tells her that her adoptive father had sold a royal artifact for money. She has a decision to make: does she want her real father to be consider a schemer or her adoptive father. They are interrupted by a request for the princess to go pick out her press conference outfit.

             At the designer’s place, Yoon-Ju shares a warm moment with the designer until Seul walks in. The designer, thrilled by Seul’s beauty, greets her ecstatically and shows enthusiasm at the prospect of clothing Seul, which irks Yoon-Ju. Offering to take Seul downstairs, Yoon-Ju tells Seul to enjoy things while she can. Yoon-Ju then unveils her real nature and tells Seul that either they’ll forcibly drag her out of the palace or she can walk quietly on her own. Shaken, Seul prepares to try on clothes. (poor Seul...she has no one to trust in the palace...can't wait for Professor Nam to come to protect her.)

PREVIEW: Yoon-Ju looks on in envy and spite as Seul tries on clothes and gets praised. Yoon-Ju’s probably thinking that she should be the one wearing those clothes and getting admired. Hae-Young looks on as if he can’t take his eyes off her. (looking forward to the day everyone finds out how witchy Yoon-Ju really is) Later on in the preview, after all the recap scenes, Hae-Young gets word that Seul has disappeared. He searches the palace grounds for her. 

Hope you enjoyed the read! Off to go do some work now. 

My Princess Episode 5 Recap / Summary / Video

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoy the recap, despite the fact that I didn't get to spend as much time on the recap as I would have liked. Overall, I hope you can make sense of the summary.

Video Link:

http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31272/11

Recap:

Seul is amazed that such a beautiful palace was built just for her. When a butterfly, which typically is never found in that region, lands on Seul’s shoulder, everyone takes it as a good omen. Seul explains to the grandfather that the main reason why she’s decided to acknowledge being a princess is to prevent her father from being wrongly accused of /associated with false rumors. She then has a heart-warming reunion with her mom, who at first is afraid to embrace Seul because of her princess status. (so sad how the mother feels that she has to ask permission before she can embrace Seul)

             Meanwhile at his workplace, Hae-Young discovers that he’s been transferred and then has an encounter with the persistent reporter.

             Around the same time at Seul’s mom’s place, Seul’s older sister has a conversation with the museum curator (Yoon-Ju) and is told that the family will be protected by secret service. The older sister caustically remarks that unless the protection is permanent, she has no need for temporary things as she hates people giving and taking things away from her. Yoon-Ju leaves her business card and asks the older sister to contact her if she needs anything. Afterward, the older sister keeps Yoon-Ju’s business card in a safe place for future use and then notices Seul’s silk pouch. She carefully cradles it in her hands with a devious glint in her eyes. (Ominous harbinger of evil doing on the sister’s part?…I hope she’s not planning on claiming that she’s the princess if she possesses the pouch)

            At the palace, the mom takes her leave, and Seul promises that she’ll work to assume her position as princess. After Seul retires to bed, Yoon-Ju joins her father and the grandfather in the study and is surprised to hear that the process of officially reinstating the princess needs to be hurried now that the princess has agreed to claim her title. Yoon-Ju tries to cover her shock and is further surprised when the grandfather asks her what he can offer her for all her years of service before he donates his entire wealth. She modestly declines and asks that simply being allowed to serve him in the years to come will be more than enough. The grandfather tells her he thought about giving her the Hae-Young Museum. Her father seems a bit surprised at that but is further surprised when Yoon-Ju asks the grandfather if she can be the executor of reestablishing the monarchy. This way, she can also moderate Hae-Young’s rash behavior if she’s intimately involved in the process. The grandfather is thrilled and entrusts the matter in her hands. However, her father, perhaps suspecting ulterior motives, tells her to rescind her offer. She refuses and asks her father to trust her. 

             Seul enters her bedroom and, after a brief introduction to her two staff, is ecstatic over the wall of shoes (Love how she catapults over her bed to get to the wall). She then spends times exploring her expansive bedroom and wardrobe, trying on various outfits and parading in front of the mirror. Yes, she even falls down while trying on a pair of stylish shoes because they don’t fit her. This deflates her excitement and causes her to wonder if she really belongs in the palace. In much the same way that the shoes didn't fit her, she wonders if the palace is where she belongs.

             Seul’s friend receives a text message from Seul saying that Seul's lonely and sad spending the first night alone in the palace with a temperature of 39.5. Professor Nam comes into the office and hears that Seul has entered the palace. Concerned and perhaps a bit curious if she asked about him, Professor Nam asks if she said anything else. (LOL) He’s then called into his supervisor’s office where he learns that Yoon-Ju has arranged for him to be a part of the palace. As he and Yoon-Ju walk out of the office, she urges him to take the position, and he declines, mentioning that for someone without money or influential connections, he’s done fairly well for himself—professor at age 30. She tells him that he does have influential connections—her. At her comment, Professor Nam says to help him and show her influence by telling him the location of the palace so that he can visit Princess Seul.

             Meanwhile, at Hae-Young’s apartment, Dae Han Groups black suits (guards) invade Hae-Young’s place and proceed to red-tag almost everything in his apartment. When Hae-Young asks what’s going on, the head guy explains that it’s because everything belongs to the grandfather. Hae-Young protests since the apartment may belong to the grandfather but not the possessions inside. However, the guard then explains that since the credit card Hae-Young used was associated with the Dae Han Group, everything is being confiscated, including the coffee mug (LOL). As for the red-tags, which are typically used in debt repossession cases, the guard explains that it’s their way of showing that they are doing their work (LOL). Handing Hae-Young a suitcase, the guard then sympathizes with him and asks Hae-Young to leave so that he doesn’t have to forcefully kick him out. (poor Hae-Young)

             Dragging his suitcase, Hae-Young meets Yoon-Ju in a café where he learns that everything he thought was his has been donated or is about to be donated by his grandfather.

             At the same time, Seul goes shopping at the department store to buy gifts for her mother and sister; she only buys a headband for herself. Unfortunately, Hae-Young is in the lingerie department and hides behind a mannequin to avoid detection by Seul. However, he gets caught red-handed (literally with a red boxer in his hands) by Seul. They exchange their usual barbs and they separate. Hae-Young tries to buy some items and discovers that his credit cards have been frozen.

             Hae-Young receives a phone call from the president’s office and has a meeting with him. There, he learns that although the president is supporting the reestablishment of the monarchy, the president isn’t thrilled with the princess or the situation. However, he feels that his hands are tied, especially after what he promised the grandfather. He asks Hae-Young what he would suggest.

             At a blood donation drive with reporters taking photos, the president and the rival politician donate blood side-by-side. Apparently, the president, who invited the politician for the publicity blood drive, tells the politician not to bother the princess anymore. (My suspicion is that something is in the works to sabotage the princess’s reinstatement...I hope the president doesn't turn out to be a devious politician.)

             Back at the palace, Seul receives word that the professor has come to visit her and flies across the palace grounds to meet him, her assistant trailing behind her with words of caution about decorum and safety. Before reaching the door, though, Seul turns around and asks how she looks. (LOL) Then bursting through the doors, she welcomes the professor. He asks after her welfare and when he says that he came to see her because he missed her, she tells him that she’s overwhelmed. (LOL) The professor tells her that as princess, there will be many things to overwhelm her and that she can come to him for counsel and support during those times. In the middle of their conversation, Hae-Young calls and interrupts them. After their usual barbs to each other, he tries to get Seul to tell him the location of the palace. She refuses. He then tells her that he’s planning on marrying her, at which point she quickly hangs up. Shocked, she excuses herself so that she can call him back privately, which she does and receives an earful about how he’s planning on holding a press conference to announce their wedding plans if she doesn’t come out of the palace to meet him. At this, she freaks and rushes back into the room to grab the professor for a consultation. Blockading the door from her assistants, she tells the assistants that she and the professor are not to be interrupted—no matter what the assistants hear or don’t hear.

             Once alone with the professor, she asks for his help because Park Hae-Young is planning on announcing wedding plans. They then try to secretly escape. (Silly moments) However, they are seen leaving the palace by the cook (the BEAST actor from the seaside restaurant) who mistakenly think that she’s being kidnapped. He follows her on his scooter in order to “save” her but only ends up helping to create an accident: the professor drives into a construction site.

             Hae-Young drives up to the hospital where Seul is overreacting to a little blood. As the doctor leaves, he tells Hae-Young that the injury doesn’t require hospitalization (Hae-Young gets irritated by the doctor’s cold bedside manners). Seul comments that Hae-Young came immediately in answer to her phone call and so hasn’t had that press conference. They squabble again. When the professor tries to interrupt, Hae-Young blames the professor and tells Seul that he warned her not to ride in the professor’s car. She takes exception to that and proceeds to blame Hae-Young, saying that it was because of him that the professor was trying to help her. Dragging her by the arms to get her to leave the hospital, Hae-Young causes her to wince in pain, and Seul fears that he may have dislocated her arm. The two men leave to take care of the hospital bills and argue over who is going to pay the bills. The professor claims that he can pay for a cherished student of his while Hae-Young claims that he should pay as her fiancé. Hae-Young wins and then tells the professor to give him and Seul some time to sort through some matters, which can bring an end to this whole fiancé business by the end of the day.

             Meanwhile in Seul’s hospital room, the kitchen help asks if she’s all right and if Hae-Young is really her fiancé. At this, Seul jerks upright in bed, much to the kitchen help’s surprise and concern. She then learns his name (Gun) and seeks his help as a nuna (LOL...nuna means older sister in Korean...definitely not appropriate to have him call her that when she's a princess...LOL).

             At the palace, while the assistants clean up her bedroom and talk with her, Gun (with headband and Seul’s pajamas on) hides under the covers while pretending to be Seul. (Hmmm…the silliness seems a bit overplayed.)

             Standing watch over Seul in the hospital room, Hae-Young listens concerned over Seul’s sleeping form as she cries for her father. However, his concern switches to disbelief when her cries become cries for food. (LOL). She tricks Hae-Young into giving her water, claiming she can't use her arm, and then continues her pretense at being sick. She farts (!) in his presence and asks his help to go to the bathroom.

             As she comes out of the bathroom, she encounters a worried mother who begs the nurse for help with her overly sick child. When Seul realizes the mother’s being denied help because of a lack of beds, she gives up her bed and bravely pretends to not be sick. However, she faints outside the hospital before she can get into Hae-Young's car. Hae-Young tries to take her back into the hospital, but she refuses so that the child can continue to receive medical aid. At a loss for what to do, Hae-Young takes her back to his apartment (despite the fact that it’s no longer his) and looks after her, trying to bring her fever down. While doing so, he notices bruises on her arms and realizes that she was hurt far more than he thought and than she let on.

             The grandfather and his secretary discover the princess’s whereabouts and plan to go to her.

             Awake at Hae-Young’s place, Seul notices the wet cloth compress and water basin. Walking out of the bedroom, she finds Hae-Young making her the traditional get-well porridge. When she struggles to eat, he takes the spoon from her and feeds her. When he comments on how she got bruises all over her arms and shoulders, Seul is shocked that he changed her clothes. Hae-Young reassures her that he didn’t see anything (LOL). Seul then accuses him of having ulterior motives. Regardless, Hae-Young asks that even if she doesn’t accept his apology about telling her about her father that way, she will at least believe his sincerity. He genuinely is sorry. Finishing her breakfast, Seul is shocked to find red tags all over the apartment. Seul goes to change so that she and Hae-Young can clear up some matters. However, Seul discovers newspapers and a report on her father in Hae-Young’s room. Betrayed, she confronts Hae-Young and says that the reports are exactly the same as what she’s been hearing on the news. Hae-Young asks if she believes that he was behind this. She asks him if he concocted all of this so that she couldn’t be the princess. Hae-Young reaffirms that he was genuine in his concern for her welfare, her father, but most of all, he’s genuine in his hope that she’ll give up her title.

             Seul flees Hae-Young’s apartment, with Hae-Young in pursuit, only to meet the grandfather who takes her to meet the president. Without exchanging another word, Seul and grandfather leave with Hae-Young looking after them.

             At the president’s office, the president welcomes her, and Seul returns the greetings, saying that she, too, wanted to meet him since she elected candidate #5. They then discuss the possibility and responsibility of reestablishing the monarchy. Once done with the meeting, the grandfather tells her that it is up to her to decide where she wants to go next and what she wants to do next.

             Seul returns to the palace to get some much needed rest in her bed. She envisions Hae-Young by her side looking lovingly at her as he strokes her hair reassuringly. (I guess his charm is finally getting to her…LOL).

             The next morning, Seul wakes up to another vision of Hae-Young sitting inside her bedroom, waiting for her to wake up. Thinking that he’s another vision, she turns over in her sleep, only to realize he’s there in the flesh when he greets her, “Hello. I’m Park Hae-Young.” He’s apparently entered the palace to become her aid (!)

PREVIEW of EPISODE 6:

Interesting moments between Seul and Hae-Young. Professor Nam finally lets go of Yoon-Ju and declares that she’s nothing to him now (Hurray! He’s free to like Seul…so sad, though, that it’s going to be unrequited love *sigh*)

            

My Princess Update

So now that Secret Garden has ended, my fingers are feeling withdrawal symptoms... LOL  This blogging/recapping business can become quite an addiction, especially when my efforts are appreciated by you guys. :)

I believe I will continue my recapping activities with My Princess, a drama which is providing me with just the right amount of fluff and amusement. So to the two anonymous readers who requested recaps on this drama, I shall endeavor to try my best as time allows. 

By the way, speaking of anonymous readers, could you leave nicknames/cyber names with your comments next time so that I can identify you better? I never know if the anonymous readers have been leaving me regular feedback or if they are new readers.  It's always nicer to know to whom I'm talking/writing.  :) And this way, I'm more inclined to be swayed by suggestions from my "regulars." *chuckles* And, you don't have to create a blogspot account to do so since my sister simply signs her comments with "Bentley's mommy," and I know she doesn't have a blogspot account.

Anyhow, this is enough blogging for me today. Hope you all have a great day! I'm enjoying a day off from work due to Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday since I work in the school system. 

Secret Garden Episode 20 Recap / Summary / Link

Hi everyone! I can't wait to watch the final episode....
Below is the video link:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/31127/5

Addendum at 8:55pm: I'm such a sucker for kind words/suggestions.  LOL. I wasn't planning on writing the recap for episode 20--some of you may have noticed that I'll recap all/most of Saturday episodes but refer you to dramabeans.com for the Sunday episodes. However, wanzhaf's comment about waiting for the recap has cajoled me into recapping this last episode; it'll be a nice way to end the series. :) So...I'll try to get the recap done tonight before I go to bed, starting now. Hopefully, the recap will be posted by around 11pm. While you wait, you SKKS peeps may want to check out the link below (Ha In-Soo and Yoon-Hee...interesting pairing):
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/30553/14 (HIS's perspective)
This second one isn't as good but it's Yoon-Hee's and how she still rejects HIS because she's so in love with Lee SJ:
http://joonmedia.net/videos/play/30554/14

Recap:

             Seated across the table from his mother, Ju-won calmly tells his mother that he’s lived the first 34 years of his life as her son and will now live the rest with Ra-Im as her husband. At her disbelief, he tells her that he’s only telling her since he knows she won’t give her permission if he asks. When she tries to insult Ra-Im, blaming her for the change in him, he simply tells her that Ra-Im is not that type of woman and that he is incredibly happy right now. The mother retorts that every mother wishes the happiness of her child. However, according to her, Ju-won is not happy but momentarily entranced by Ra-Im. He’s only interested because she’s so unlike anyone he knows. She then mentions that everyone encounters a moment like that in life and this was much the same way she was with Ju-won’s father, which momentarily surprises him. Unfortunately, she continues, it’s not people like them who get tired, but the other person in the relationship who leaves. Ju-won acknowledges that such a time may come, but he’s not going to let Ra-Im leave him the way his mother allowed his father to leave. So, regardless of how long it takes for her to accept them, he will wait until she approves to have an actual wedding. He emphasizes that he is determined to have her at his wedding giving them her blessings. Vehemently, the mother tells him that she will never approve. He won’t be able to “da-da-dan” (notes to the “Wedding March”) down the aisle because she will never approve. He can wake up from his unrealistic dream. At her vicious words, Ju-won respectfully takes his leave of her.

             Outside, at a bus stop, Ra-Im knocks on the car window of Ju-won’s secretary and sympathizes with his plight—spying on her and reporting to the mother in the cold winter weather. She offers him a warm can of coffee, and he offers her his support, despite the role he has to play because it’s his job. He then tells her that he’ll give her a ride to wherever she needs to go. (Love how the secretary is helping out)

             The place that the secretary drives Ra-Im to is a café where she speaks with Ju-won’s psychiatrist, who asks her to explain her medical condition; she’s baffled that someone in Ra-Im’s state could wake up and resume a full life when medically speaking, Ra-Im was brain dead. Ra-Im tells her it is a miracle to which the psychiatrist states that there are no miracles, only yet-to-be-discovered scientific facts. Ra-Im tells her then that these yet-to-be-discovered scientific facts must account for her survival as well as the soul switch that she and Ju-won experienced. She continues by telling the psychiatrist that she spoke to Ju-won, not Ra-Im during that office visit.

             Meanwhile, at another café, Ju-won and Philip discuss Ra-Im. Philip asks Ju-won to take his place and be a father, brother, and man to Ra-Im. Since he’s known Ra-Im, he’s played those roles but now he rescinds those to Ju-won. However, in typical Ju-won fashion, Ju-won refuses and says that he’s only interested in being a man to Ra-Im. (LOL) Philip can continue to be the father and brother to her. Ju-won says enough to indicate to Philip that he knows how important Philip is to Ra-Im, that he’s like her family, so Philip needs to stay in her life and continue being a father and brother to her. Ju-won will take care of being the man (LOL hilarious yet sweet). 

             Later, Ra-Im and Ju-won are driving in the car while Ju-won talks to Oska, asking if he’s arrived with Seul yet. When Ra-Im inquires where they’re going, Ju-won cryptically tells that she’ll know once they get there. At city hall, Ju-won opens the door for Ra-Im (such manners compared to his earlier treatment of her! LOL), who walks inside a bit confused. When she asks why they’re here, Ju-won tells her that if she wants to run away, she should do so now because she won’t get the chance again. She questions what he means by that and then asks him if he’s…? At her questioning look, Ju-won acknowledges that he’s decided to become her husband (typical Ju-won!). Stunned, Ra-Im balks. (Dialogue time…too cute to pass up)

Ra-Im: By whose decision?

Ju-won: Because I just said so. (Ra-Im blinks her eyes widely like a doe again) This is the last 10 minutes before Kil Ra-Im becomes a married woman. Is there anything you want to do?

Ra-Im: You scoundrel. (pouts) “I love you” or such platitudes aren’t said before you marry me?

Ju-won: Why would I say meaningless words? I’m not proposing to become your husband because I love you.

Ra-Im: Then why? Because of society or something?

Ju-won: I’m telling you...it is true that you’re not very smart. It’s not because I love you but because I can love only you that I’m marrying you. I have no choice in the matter, you "amazing" (love the Korean accent) woman, you. (He offers his hand) There won’t be any flowers, candles, wine, or even the ubiquitous ring (referring to the possibility of no wedding ceremony), but will you still be my wife?

Ra-Im: Of course. (places her hand in his and they share a loving look)

             Walking into city hall to register for marriage, they are congratulated by Seul and then Oska, who crankily tells Ra-Im that she’s the only fan he’s standing in as a marriage witness and that (lightening his tone) makes him incredibly happy. (LOL. I love the way that man speaks!) The four of them look at each other with happiness. Ju-won and Ra-Im then sit down and sign their marriage license with Seul and Oska looking on as witnesses. While Ra-Im begins to sign, Ju-won gently tells her that he would like to hold off on the wedding ceremony until his mother approves. Ra-Im tells him not to worry about something like that because she, too, would like his mother there giving them her blessings. Ju-won’s relieved and thanks her, but then in typical Ju-won fashion again, teases her on why she’s taking so long to fill out her portion of the license. He wrote his super fast. (LOL) Ra-Im just looks at him indulgently and says that all she needs to do is sign her signature. Once done, the license gets passed to Oska and Seul who are a bit sickened by the way Ju-won and Ra-Im signed their names (with hearts! recall the way Ra-Im signed Ju-won's signature while in his body) At their quizzical looks, Ju-won and Ra-Im both shrug their shoulders as if to say we’re a couple now, so sue us (LOL…cute). In reply, Seul and Oska sign their signatures like stars/autographs on the official document and then shrug their shoulders/smile when Ju-won and Ra-Im look at them in much the same way. Taking the license from Oska, Ju-won shows Ra-Im the license and says that she can now squeal in her cute way “Ack!” She does so, much to the disgust of Oska, and Ju-won announces that he’s going to process the paper now so that the entire world can know that Ju-won and Ra-Im are now a married couple.

             Later that night, Oska and Seul are at Ju-won’s place, preparing the setting for a memorable first night for them. They bicker playfully about Oska’s memory and their past. Oska repeats that he’s going to be a good boyfriend this time and that he’s hoping she’ll direct his new music video. Seul warns that she’s going to be asking for a lot of money, to which Oska replies that he’s going to be giving her a lot of money and then hugs her. Although pleased with the way their relationship is progressing, Seul jokingly asks Oska why he keeps hugging her at random. Before he can answer, though, Ju-won walks in with Ra-Im and asks what they’re doing in someone else’s house. Breaking apart, Oska replies in his irritated voice that they were preparing the wedding night room. Ju-won points out that Oska was doing something else when they walked in. Oska defends himself and says that it was only for a moment, just a tiny moment (Seriously, I’m going to miss the cousins and their verbal spats). Oska then tells Ra-Im that this is their wedding gift, gesturing to the bedroom. Ra-Im thanks them while Ju-won mentions to Seul that it would have been nice to have met Seul when he and Seul were 21 (ah, the riling of Oska just never stops with Ju-won). Although Ra-Im just gives Ju-won a look, Oska threatens Ju-won, asking him if he wants his first night (wedding night) to be his last night on earth (love the way Oska speaks). Ju-won clarifies that he was only implying that Seul is too good for Oska. He then tells them they should leave since he and Ra-Im have something to do, but before he can properly finish his sentence, Ra-Im checks him out of embarrassment and etiquette. Oska and Seul get the message, nevertheless, and happily leave still bickering with each other. On his way out, Oska asks Seul how she’s going to get home when it’s so late at night. (LOL) Once they leave, Ra-Im tries to scold Ju-won for his embarrassing comment, but Ju-won dismisses her concern, saying that they are a married couple now. He opens his arms and motions for her to come to him. She refuses. Irked, Ju-won reminds her about the nursery rhyme he’s been saying to himself all this time and tries to capture her. She again evades his grasp and pushes him on the bed, in effect making the first move on him, and they spend a happy and blissful wedding night together. 

*Sigh* I think this is all I can do tonight.  I hope you enjoyed what I was able to recap! But for those of you just dying to know what happens, here's a quick run down of the major points for the rest of the episode:
*Ju-won and Ra-Im spend quality time together as a couple
*They go to get support from the grandfather who surprisingly tells them he won't approve until the mother approves.
*They hear news that the mother's been hospitalized because she heard the news of their marriage. Ju-won isn't surprised since he sent her the marriage license. 
*At the hospital, he and his mother come to terms: she "disowns" him but he can keep his job as president of the dept. store since he's the best person for the job. (I don't think Ju-won was really expecting her to concede defeat and then disown him like that)
*Ju-won then seeks out director Park. He acknowledges Park's skill as a businessman and would like to place his faith in him as long as Park agrees to not scheme for Ju-won's position. Ju-won plans to help him reach the highest position possible as long as it's not his. (LOL)
*Director Park is thrilled at the reinstatement as well as the acknowledgment and returns to work. He snubs Oska's mom who had ignored him when Park was unemployed. He tells her that he's the type of person to hold grudges (his over-the-top manner of speaking is actually endearing now)
*Ra-Im announces to the action school family that she's now married, so she's now technically "older" than her sunbaes (alums). Her crush is crushed by the news (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) and runs out. 
*Some of the action family go to visit Ju-won at his office and threaten him in typical Korean-older-brother-protecting-their-younger-sister style...some priceless Ju-won liners.      
*Tae-sung helps produce Oska's new album...and boy, Oska doesn't sing too well live. 
*Oska goes to film his music video and realizes that the storyline of the music video is when he and Seul first met.
*Ju-won works hard at his job while Ra-Im continues her work as a stuntwoman. 
*Oska holds a concert and regains a firm footing on his career. 
*At the concert, Tae-sung leaves because he can't stand to remain by Oska's side while Seul and Oska get back together again. When Seul tries to detain him and convince him to remain as Oska's friend, he declines and tells her that his gift to her is the title song, which is about her and Oska's love.  :) She tells him that if he ever needs help, to look her up, because she'll help him any way she can.  
*Returning to the concert, Seul holds placards during the concert that tell Oska, while he's singing Tae-sung's title song for the 7th album, that she confesses the roasted chestnuts were her but not the cheesecake. She then confesses that she loves him, too.
*More cute scenes of the Ju-won/Ra-Im couple...and she even wears a matching blue sparkly tracksuit (that tracksuit's never going to go away, huh? LOL)
*There's a scene where she gets into the elevator and Ju-won follows her in, only to be caught kissing her in the elevator by his executives. (Love how secretary Kim takes out his camera)
*5 years pass...they have 3 kids and still no wedding. The kids cry in front of their grandmother's house because their parents refuse to buy them a treat. Ra-Im realizes this was Ae-Young's dream; no evil meaning as previously feared. The grandmother opens the gates and coldly ignores the couple and takes the three grandkids into her house for a playdate. Time nor the grandkids have not mellowed the mother out toward the couple.
*Ra-Im become director of the action school and show her power in a number of scenes. 
*Oska proposes to Seul, who at first thought that Oska was cheating on her.
*Secretary Kim, walking along the Han River, finds the bottled message he wrote to Ae-Young back when he was on Jeju Island. Ae-Young is completely touched by this and hugs him...happy ending for them. :)
*Philip meets Son Ye-Jin, who tells him that she's very much interested in casting herself in his script. Apparently, Philip's efforts to get his script filmed/produced has been stalled for the past 6 months. She's interested, much to his disbelief. 
*Ju-won and Ra-Im try to get their three kids to sleep so that they can spend some time together, but the oldest one refuses to sleep and insists on sleeping with Mommy. (LOL...gotta love the competition between Ju-won and the son for Ra-Im's attention...Ra-Im's a bit "unfeeling" in her response to her firstborn, though.)
*The series ends with Ju-won and Ra-Im walking back to their house/bedroom after their kids fall asleep and enjoying the falling snow. She asks him if he's never going to tell her about the time he visited her after her father's death.  He then explains that he spent the night with her exhausted, sleeping form at the mortuary because he couldn't tell her in person how sorry he was for her loss, which happened because of him. 


Recap link:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/01/secret-garden-episode-20-final/