I NEED ROMANCE 3, EPISODE 13

The first scene opens with Joo Yeon on her date, agonizing over how much she should tell Kang about life with Joo Wan. At dinner, he reveals it bugs him, but he's waiting for her to take care of it. This one scene sets the tone for nearly the whole episode.

Upon arriving home, Joo Yeon establishes boundaries with Wan. It's interesting, because we see how much her life has changed because of Wan in each episode. But more and more she claims she sees him like a little brother, her "sweet potato," rather than as a desirable man, which is very different from what he wants and the way he sees her. Are these boundaries realistic, though? Once you've crossed certain lines, it's a little hard to dial things back; it requires redefining the whole relationship.  Joo Yeon is very used to hugging him and violates the boundaries she set herself to keep him at arm's length. He confronts her and teases her about it, saying she must like him without even realizing it.

Things take an interesting turn when Kang suggests that she kick Wan out of the house. She doesn't want to live without him. He's become a familiar and comfortable presence, an escape from a hectic workday. It seems to be fairly important to her, since she didn't snap to like the obedient puppy that she usually plays when Kang asks her to do something.  In several episodes we've seen Joo Yeon's life go very differently because Wan is in it. She has even ruminated on it a few times and would probably be very out of sorts if she had to live without him. I've been there; coming home to an empty, cold house bites.

Wan has been taking more and more risks in the last few episodes, I'm guessing he feels Joo Yeon slipping away? She seems to be more keenly aware of herself and her reactions to things.  She's also starting to open up and feel again. When
Kang calls, Wan tells her not to go. It doesn't look like dating to him; she's not being herself, rather she's lying, trying too hard, holding it in, and enduring. Wan finally gives her an ultimatum: him or Kang? Apparently, Wan feels so threatened by Kang that he issues an ultimatum: it's Kang or him. He finally takes the initiative and leaves in the end. Is this part of another plan he has for winning her heart? Or is this a move born from desperation?  

Of course, Min Jung has her own problems. With a baby on the way, she has to take care of herself and baby daddy Min Seok fights with her, telling her to treat herself right if she's going to carry the baby. He even goes so far as to buy groceries for her, along with lectures on proper vitamins and regimens and food while pregnant. Min Seok looks very upset while he does this; I'm sure he's nervous and this is quite outside his comfort zone. He either genuinely cares for Min Jung, the baby, or both. She offers to share the ultrasound picture, but he gets flustered and leaves. One step forward and two steps back...I would love to see them get together and work it out like couples do, but I'm old-fashioned. Min Jung has figured out she wants nothing to do with men, as they've all disappointed her and shares this with Joo Yeon. In turn, Joo Yeon tells her that because they've suffered a lot, they may not believe in happily ever after or even know it when they see it. If true, it's a sad fate.

Min Jung appears to have issues at work, too. Kang reads Joo Yeon the riot act about Min Jung being pregnant. Because the company they work for is old-fashioned and conservative, a single mother is frowned upon and it will reflect badly upon Joo Yeon. He tells her to make it appear as if Min Jung were getting married. The look in Min Jung's eyes when Joo Yeon tries to tell her this lets Joo Yeon know the eyes are truly the window to the soul. Obviously her team is supportive, but it has to be just one more element of stress that she doesn't need right now. With baby daddy trying to be more involved as well as pregnancy and age issues, will this be the straw that breaks the camel's back?

Speaking of things that cause stress, Oh Se Ryung is still friends with Wan apparently. She views her workplace as some sort of wild kingdom, and says that if an animal shows that it's wounded it will be eaten. I personally think that they're coming at it from the wrong direction. Both Joo Yeon and Se Ryung view this as a contest of wills and their egos are getting in the way. Instead of doing what's good for each other and the company, they butt heads, and neither of them sees the need to give in. Giving in should be a non-issue, but not here. She admits that she's a wreck; her finances are not good at all, and she still misses Kang. Thankfully, Joo Yeon and Min Jung meet with her to continue negotiations, and they all end up drinking together as friends. How long will that last? I give it until next episode.

Woo Young and Hee Jae are still a bit uncomfortable around each other, it seems. When she has the hiccups, he says he can cure her with a kiss.  And they do kiss, though not until they're both on the floor picking up the shards of a broken teacup. Woo Young has been mostly respectful of Hee Jae, giving her space when she needs it and helping her through her issues. For example, while shopping together, Woo Young counsels Hee Jae to buy a handbag for herself, rather than limiting herself to the clothing line of the home shopping network -- to be herself and form her own dreams. Woo Young is the archetypal "great guy," and it's always fun to see those two together.

You've been able to pick my brain, let me pick yours.  What do you think will happen? Who do you want to see together? Do you like Kang or Wan better? Let us know in the comments below.

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