'Cheese In The Trap' - Episode 5

In this episode, Yoo Jung and Seol are seen going through a rough patch despite the fact that the two just started dating. Though it's normal for couples to be bickering back and forth even in the beginning, Yoo Jung and Seol's troubled moments leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth, and rightfully so, especially if the issues are as serious as theirs.

When Seol barked back at Yoo Jung for his immaturity especially when it came to In Ho, I felt somewhat cathartic and relieved that Seol isn't just sitting back blinded by Yoo Jung's kind gestures. Though the two were stated to have similarities in their demeanors, Seol has a sense of empathy that Yoo Jung doesn't, and I am desperately rooting for the moment that Yoo Jung finds back his compassion deep within as the drama progresses.

Episode 5 was where Park Hae Jin's acting really outperformed the others as he perfectly executed the two contrasting personalities that Yoo Jung has. Yoo Jung goes from being the sweet and all-knowing, all-understanding boyfriend one moment to a cold-hearted, unforgiving, and controlling sociopath the next, all the while gaining sympathy votes from the viewers. I honestly don't think any other actor would have done it better without making Yoo Jung's character unappealing.

There were moments, though, where I wanted to desperately give Yoo Jung the benefit of the doubt, understanding that what he does for Seol is as genuine as he can get. Of course, it's not in the most conventional or favorable way, but Yoo Jung does seem to be doing his best to maintain the relationship more than Seol.

While Seol hides away her feelings and discontent towards Yoo Jung, building up tension and misunderstanding, Yoo Jung does much more to approach Seol in a more proactive way.

On a more depressing note, In Ho and In Ha's dark past comes to light as it was revealed that the two lost their parents and grandfather and had to live with an abusive aunt.

In Ho continues to be haunted by the fact that he continued running even after seeing that In Ha was caught by the aunt, explaining how In Ha is able to manipulate In Ho to this day. The scene ends with In Ha showing her bruises all over her body to Chairman Yoo (Yoo Jung's father).

This is just the tip of the iceberg for In Ho as those who read the webtoon already know that there is much more adversities that he will be going through as the story develops. If anything, this is the only part of the storyline that I wished the producers of the drama would change drastically and bring some happiness to In Ho's life.

Once the whole In Ho situation gets resolved, Seol and Yoo Jung gets into yet another extremely discouraging predicament at the end of the episode when Seol finds out the truth behind her school grant. Seol gets angry at Yoo Jung for what he did, and seeing him not understanding her for getting mad had me wondering whether if he were ever punished by what he did wrong even back when he was a child.

It didn't make sense to me that Yoo Jung didn't understand why Seol would feel patronized by his actions, and it's even more baffling why Yoo Jung would get mad at the TA (Yoon Sub) for spilling the beans when the trouble all started with Yoo Jung acting on his own.

Going back to Yoo Jung's lack of empathy towards others, we find out that he also holds grudges and has the whole eye-for-an-eye mindset where he retaliates to make the score even. In a real life situation, this would be the kind of guy you wouldn't want your best friend to be dating...at all.

Lastly, Bora and Eun Taek remains to be my favorite non-couple couple in this drama as they are consistent in their pace and feelings in contrast to the never ending turbulence that Seol and Yoo Jung go through. I feel much more at ease watching the heartwarming interactions between Bora and Eun Taek, and it's a huge relief in my heart after being exposed to crushingly disappointing scenes with Yoo Jung and Seol.

What were your thoughts on this episode?