Pinocchio - Episode 4

Titled "Romeo and Juliet," this episode grabbed our leads' usual family dynamic and took it apart. Dal Po and In Ha come to a point when they begin to realize that they're not really uncle and niece, but rather people from different families, aspiring reporters with rivaling beliefs, and potential love interests. Awww yeahh.

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As a fan of the William Shakespeare classic (Weird right? We exist), I get annoyed with loose 'Romeo and Juliet' comparisons in pop culture very easily. The allusion kind of works in this episode, though, because as a title, it's a nice reminder for the viewers that our two leads come from two families that should be "enemies" in a sense. In Ha is the daughter of the reporter whom Dal Po blames for destroying his once happy family. Although In Ha isn't exactly like her "Snow Queen" of a mother, Dal Po can't help but associate In Ha with her, especially when, in this episode, In Ha seems to take her mother's side. Dal Po evidently cares for In Ha, but family ties at this point prove to be way stronger than any romantic feelings, and, in the end, Dal Po lashes out at In Ha as his Juliet, whom, although he likes, he naturally can't help but consider the daughter of his enemy.

While Dal Po and In Ha's relationship gets more and more complex, our supporting characters get more and more interesting. I love that everyone seems to have their own quirk, not just the protagonists. From the grandpa's endearing arrogance, Reporter Jang Hyun Gyu (Min Sung Wook)'s trollish behavior ("Biscuit, coffee, yoohoo"), Yoon Yoo Rae (Lee Yu Bi)'s sasaeng habits, and Beom Jo's even creepier tendencies, 'Pinocchio' features a fleshed out, entertaining world to watch.

I especially enjoyed Dal Pyeong's paranoia regarding Dal Po and In Ha's relationship. Fathers from all over the world would probably be able to relate to his pain as he, on one hand, attempts to protect his daughter from lusty boys and on the other, is annoyed with his own daughter's filth. I love the banter between him and In Ha, too. This relationship is very realistic to me. Reminds me of my own naggy dad. Hee.

We have now been introduced to most of the cast and the world has been pieced together. Looking forward to how our supporting characters will mix into Dal Po and In Ha's drama for the laughs and also for more serious developments. 

Highlights:

Dad does not approve of the wrist grab. Welcome to the K-Drama world, dad, welcome. 

This moment was sweet. The father-daughter feels.

Of course, he regrets his words immediately after seeing her. 

"Sigh. Why is my daughter such a slob." My dad would probably be like, "Word." 

"Oh my," indeed. Or more like, "HOT DAYUM THAT IS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. SOMEONE GO BURN THAT WIG FOR COMMITTING A GREAT SIN OF UGLINESS TO SUCH A HANDSOME FACE, OH MY LORD." 

Gramps getting sentimental with Dal Po. The feeeeeels in this episode. 

Meanwhile, Dal Pyeong is still savoring the taste of regret. You've got to admit, Papa Choi, the idea of wearing your hoodie backwards to make a makeshift snack-bag is kind of genius, though. 

Of course he overhears this part of the conversation...

... and not this part. Oh drama world, you can be so cruel. 

Meanwhile, Beom Jo be creepin'.

"ACHOO."

Okay, back to creepin'. 

Five hours prior, he even sends our heroine a wink. On one hand, Beom Jo's cute in his own weird way. On the other hand, this would kind of not be okay in real life. 

Looks like these two are having a battle of who can be the better hero. Dal Po be like:

"Challenge accepted." 

Meanwhile, Yoo Rae's using her past sasaeng experience to discreetly listen in on the employers. Ever so discreetly.

Omo. 

"Excuse me." *Sinks slowly.*

Escape plan did not work. Not that anyone (In Ha included) minds. Teehee.

Actually, he minds. Way to yell at the lead couple while they're having their moment, bruh. (Just kidding. This was cute.)

Meanwhile, Dal Pyeong helps us fangirls imagine what that scene could have been. Ooh. La. La. 

The moment they found Ho Sang's body was the moment our two brothers could have their late mourning. So sad.

Disagree. People with the Pinocchio syndrome, or "Pinocchios," can speculate too. The witness who thought that he had seen Ho Sang could've simply been mistaken. He probably was mistaken, considering that they just found Ho Sang's body.  He merely believed it to be true; this doesn't mean it was.

Dal Po argues (in his rage) that Pinocchios and reporters should be careful with their words, knowing that people would take what they said to be the absolute truth. 

In Ha argues that Pinocchios and reporters have a duty to say what they think to be true. I'm more on Dal Po's side than In Ha's here. Just because you think something is true doesn't mean it is. By reporting your speculations, there's a chance you're spreading lies--dangerous ones at that. Like Dal Po said, Pinocchios and reporters should be careful with what they say to the public.  

And then Dal Po makes it personal, which he shouldn't have, but I sympathize. Dal Po was probably hurt that In Ha, whom he wanted on his side, would imply that the reporters had no choice but to do what they did to his family. In his fury, he decides to hurt her back by calling her out on her Pinocchio syndrome and saying she can't be a reporter. Low blow, but understandable all the same. 

Guess who just won the hero game though. 

The moment In Ha realizes she wants Dal Po to always be on her side because... "You like him?" 

Hiccup. Beom Jo be like:

"Giiiiiiiiirl, I see right through you." 

Dal Po's late mourning.

Girl, you actually believed that?! I know this was supposed to be a serious moment, but I couldn't help but giggle over this part. (And she proves my previous point by not hiccuping here because she believes this to be true when it isn't.)

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