Pinocchio - Episode 3

The episodes keep improving as we get better acquainted with both our lovable main leads and their sad family dynamics.

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

This episode was a particularly emotional, heartbreaking one for me. I'm a sucker for parent-related issues, and when we're shown how Dal Po and In Ha are denied the parental love they so desperately want, it strikes a chord within me.

This episode is titled "Snow Queen," and it appears that "Snow Queen" is none other than In Ha's ice-cold mother, Cha Ok. I like how this episode was structured around Cha Ok--how it showed more of her work ethic, her interactions with her daughter, and how much of a powerful influence she is on both of our lead characters. While she can inspire or break In Ha's will to become a reporter, she can fuel Dal Po to want to become a reporter himself in defiance of Cha Ok's own work.

And Cha Ok is certainly what you would call a frosty person. Yet as much as she hurts In Ha and as much as it hurts to watch In Ha hurting, I can't help but like Cha Ok. As her coworkers mention in the episode, Cha Ok is one of the first women to be a department chief and an anchor in the news world. Sure, Cha Ok manipulates information and lies in order to gain views for her news station, but she's obviously a hard worker and an ambitious woman who lets nothing get in the way of her career. I find that admirable in some aspects. Flawed, but admirable. She definitely seems like a formidable opponent for both of our leads, and I look forward to the day when she finally levels with them and freely expresses herself without her ice-cold front getting in the way.

Aside from our antagonist of sorts, the episode also develops our protagonists, who have just the most adorable quirks. From In Ha's hiccups to Dal Po's tendency to talk to random objects (last episode it was his piggy bank), they make a youthful, silly, yet passionate pair heading into the news world. How will they fare against the likes of Cha Ok? Can In Ha be a reporter even when she has to be honest 100% of the time? How will Dal Po handle the world of broadcasting, which he absolutely loathes? We'll have to wait and see!

Highlights:

We open with this heartbreaking scene, which, although is a typical wakeup scene for most, is sadly not a reality for Dal Po. 

We find out what Dal Po actually thinks happened to his hyung. Explains why he wouldn't look for him now. 

This moment was great. Just makes you realize what a happy, loving family they were prior to the fire accident. This family could never imagine hurting one other and being torn apart until that fateful night. 

Dal Po's face when he's almost convinced that the dream is real. Agh. My breaking heart. 

Of course it's not the tablecloth he's feeling, but In Ha's dress. Would find this moment hilarious except I'm too busy crying into a puddle of feels. Poor, poor Dal Po. 

Whoa, we're already that far into the future? Is this the present then? Feel like I missed some kind of time jump cue card. 

Awwwww. In Ha's firm belief in her mom is so lovely but so sad. 

Turns out the girlfriend Dal Po mentioned to his grandpa is actually his GPS Hye Sung. The voice actress? None other than Lee Bo Young! Ah, my 'I Hear Your Voice' feels. 

(P.S. I failed to mention this before, but to those who were wondering, 'Pinocchio' was written and directed by the same people who worked on 'I Hear Your Voice'! Both were written by Park Hye Ryun and directed by Jo Soo Won. Explains the similar cast--Lee Jong Suk, Kim Kwang Kyu, and Kim Hae Sook--as well as the cameos!) 

To be honest if I were the dad and my adopted brother seemed to be harboring feelings for my daughter, I'd be concerned, too! 

Dal Po's attempt to cheer In Ha up by selling his dream is adorable. 

Even more adorable is that he gives her his button, which she makes into a necklace! This pair is so precious. I smell future drama merchandise. 

That moment when In Ha gets a text message from her "mom". I HAD SUCH HOPE. 

This poor guy and his judging face witnessing Dal Po's crazy.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!! JAE MYUNG LOOK UP. LOOK UP. 

AWWWW. The way she says this to herself mentally. I die. 

Well, I think Cha Ok has a point here. It's a harsh test, but In Ha needs to prove that she'll be able to get information as a reporter. Hopefully in the future, In Ha can come up with a creative way to still get that information without needing to lie. 

Gaaaaaaaasp. That was COLD. Cha Ok, I like you and all but--

Seo Beom Jo (Kim Young Kwang) makes his appearance as the receiver of In Ha's text-spams. Seriously bro, you couldn't tell her she had the wrong number or something after all these years?

The things In Ha wishes her mom said. 

Gasp.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES--I guess pretty high, considering that he's in front of her workplace....

But dayum, what are the chances of THIS?! Jae Myeong starts to piece together what actually happened the night of the fire accident.

And his anger continues to boil. I swear this boy is gonna do something drastic. 

While In Ha mourns the loss of her mother figure, Dal Po remembers his. 

Haha, I like how In Ha can be such a fail sometimes, even failing to burn her books properly. 

Bro, you wanna meet someone who's been texting you for thirteen years thinking you were her mother? Something tells me you might be kinda crazy. 

And you're encouraging this?! You're even crazier. 

The moment our leads decide to become reporters together and face off Cha Ok. 

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What did you guys think of the episode? What were your personal highlights? Let me know in the comments below!