'Pinnochio' - Episode 2

This episode was a lot more light-hearted than the previous one, which was a definite plus for me. Seems like when it comes to cute and fluff, this drama can definitely deliver.

SEE ALSO: Park Shin Hye shares behind-the-scenes moments from the 2024 SBS Drama Awards

Before I start my review, I would just like to clear something up. Some readers seem to think that I was a pure hater of this drama with my review of the first episode, and I would like to say that I'm not. As I've stated in the intro of my previous review, I'm a fan of both the actors and the premise. The only con for me were moments in the drama in which I thought characters were being too illogical for my enjoyment. I understand that K-Dramas are not supposed to reflect real life completely and can even be cartoony at times, but there's a difference between portraying a more exaggerated version of life and just showing unconvincing behavior. Why was there no one standing outside with the victims during the fire accident? Why was everyone assuming that Dal Po's father is alive just because of one witness's statement? Why would In Ha's father be so suspicious of Dal Po who's just an adopted kid?

In any case, I still don't think the drama handled some of the serious parts--mostly Dal Po's tragic past--very well. Although it successfully made me angry at Dal Po's critics, it came with the expense of making humanity look too ridiculous for my liking.

Regardless, this episode took a turn for the cute, which was a very welcome tonal shift for me. I enjoyed seeing more of our lead couple's high school dynamic. In Ha was especially adorable during this episode, and it definitely looks like Park Shin Hye is having fun with this role as a naive and clumsy yet blunt and passionate young woman. Her character and interactions with Dal Po really made the episode for me. 

The drama did a good job showing In Ha's passion for exposing the truth and just how much Dal Po likes In Ha. The episode wasn't completely sunshine and rainbows, however, as it reminded us of Dal Po's rightful grudge against the broadcasting world, showed us his constant struggle against false rumors, and ended with an ominous tone regarding the future. The romance, the dash of suspense, the gradual character development, and the beautiful cinematography rounded this up to be a pretty good episode. I look forward to more!

Highlights: 

Loved In Ha's expressions throughout this episode. I like to call this the, "OH NO YOU DIDN'T." 

Oh my sweet, summer child. How innocent you are. 

Omo! Min Joong Kook (Jung Woong In)?! 

Those who did not get the 'I Hear Your Voice' reference probably were taken back by this part. Yeah, he's crazy. (Isn't he great?!)

Not sure what this is a reference to. Any guesses? I thought maybe she was putting on some Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) airs, but I could be wrong.

Really? Just because one witness said he saw Dal Pyeong escape, he's now a suspect or a fugitive? Sigh, what a cruel world. 

Uhh, can you prove that they're true?!

Dal Po giving his teacher a taste of his own medicine. 

You just got served. 

That, sir, is called circumstantial evidence. You can't decide he's guilty just 'cause it seems to make sense in your head. 

Yeah, what she said. 

Okay, so I didn't think this was that bad, considering that In Ha was telling Ahn Chan Soo (Lee Joo Seung) to give half the prize money to Dal Po if she won instead.

That is until he did this. BRO, NOT COOL. 

When In Ha assumes Dal Po lost his mind, she loses hers instead.

So cute.

Wait... they can just let him out like that?! Even though he was knocked out to the point of being unconscious?! Shouldn't he go to the hospital for at least a check up? What?

Omo.

The cute is making me melt. 

This scene is perfect: from the awkward looks, the close proximity, the *~skinship~*, oh and of course, Dal Po's hair majestically blowing in the wind. 

Just when you think she's giving Dal Po a dreamy look. 

She's actually just fangirling the world of broadcast. Ohhhh In Ha. 

Nice to see at least one reporter realizing the effects of news manipulation. 

In other news, Dal Po has bionic hearing. 

Turns out Dal Po was willing to go on the quiz show, despite his hatred for the broadcasting world, to interfere with Chan Soo's public confession to In Ha. Ah, the things you do for young love. 

Screw umbrellas, let's just be coneheads togedda! 

In Ha insisting that she had no choice but to come for Dal Po because her grandfather told her to. Of course In Ha. That was a very convincing hiccup there. 

B-but why? This is so nice.... 

Uh oh. Stalking the witness that claimed he saw their father? Jae Myoung-ah, I hope you're not up to anything crazy. (But you probably are.) 

A shot of what I believe to be one of the firefighters' decaying bodies, reminding us that beneath all this fluff, there's still a tragic past that will eventually catch up with our characters. 

What are your thoughts on this second episode and the drama so far?