I NEED ROMANCE 3, EPISODE 15

The show opens with Joo Wan radio DJing as Allen Joo, which over in the U.S. screams "My music career is over," but may mean something different here.  He reads many messages sent to him by Joo Yeon, and answers one, saying that "it's not enough," meaning whether she washes his clothes, cleans his room, or waters his plants in hopes of his coming back, all of these are not signs of love.

And that's the message we get throughout the episode, although Wan explains it about midway through: Joo Yeon thinks too much. She asks herself what to do if things go sour? What happens if love is not enough? Isn't it better to be rational about things rather than impulsive? Of course, Wan's idea is that you start by taking the plunge, and then work things out as you go along. Love is not something that can really be analyzed or tamed, it is something that should be experienced. It's a wave that washes over you, it's the tingle in your chest when your heart skips a beat, it's that moment when your breath catches and you are mesmerized. Joo Yeon needs to get out of her own way and just let it happen. Joo Yeon kind of stumbles through the episode only getting it near the end.  

And what we've waited 15 episodes to see finally happens! Joo Yeon chases after Wan. After a cold reception during a visit, Joo Yeon goes back to Wan and finally (finally!) says that she loves him. At last, we get to see them together. Kissing, caressing, loving each other. Magic! The fairy-tale romance has begun. But after one little fight over stupid things, she's concerned. The "dating hell" has started again. But Wan simply thinks, "We've got a long way to go." I'm guessing that she's over-analyzing things again, ready like a timid rabbit to bolt down her hole again at the first sign of trouble. Wan will have his hands full with this one. Where can it go from here? I'm hoping only up, since we have one more episode to go.

Min Jung and Min Seok are still getting used to the idea of parenthood with the mannequin baby as their only guide. He's extremely concerned about her cavalier attitude about the "child," and is uncertain what she'd do in a real situation. When they fight at her home, she tells him that if he's so worried, then he does have the skills to be a good father. And then drops the bombshell: she's having twins! With only one episode left after this one, it would be wonderful to do a fast forward, where maybe these thoughts of Joo Yeon's or Wan's are part of a memoir or something -- Min Jung won't even have the twins by the time the series ends.

Of course things are not all right with Se Ryung. Kang and Joo Yeon are taken to task by the Director, who tells them Se Ryung has been approached by a rival company for twice her salary. Oddly enough, Se Ryung doesn't deny it when the team interrogates her, even though she actually has no intention of accepting the offer. Her explanation was rather stunning, since I was convinced she was scheming once again; she says everyone just assumed she was taking the deal, rather than asking if it were true. She just wants what everyone else does: to be treated well, to be trusted. I found it a bit unfair because the writers set us up to believe she was betraying the team. She has been untrustworthy in the past; because of those indiscretions, any little rumor will stick. I now have a better understanding of how people get bad reputations and how difficult it is to shake them off. As delicious as it to see how evil she can be, I want to believe that somewhere inside is a good person.

Woo Young and Hee Jae are now officially dating. Hee Jae initially appears confused while speaking with the other team members, so Woo Young clears it up for her -- in front of the team. He announces they're a couple and asks for time off. The looks on the others' faces are hilarious, Hee Jae in bashful mode, Min Jung and Yoo Jeon with eyes wide and grinning. Woo Young and Hee Jae go on vacation to either a rental house or a bed & breakfast (not sure which), and asks her to live with him. This is the way young love should be. Not entirely certain, but not entirely rational. She's got baggage that she's worked her way through, and he's tired of the dating scene. They both understand the demands of their work, and they are very, very comfortable with each other. The sneak peek for the next episode scares me, though.

Waiting with bated breath for the final episode. You've heard my 2 cents worth, now let's hear yours!

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