[Drama Review] 'The Legend of The Blue Sea' - Episode 12

AKP STAFF

As expected, 'The Legend of The Blue Sea' is raising the bar higher and higher with an attention-grabbing storyline and great plot development altogether in episode 12. Our favorite romance of 2016 between Heo Joon Jae (Lee Min Ho) and Shim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun) has sparks flying left and right while mayhem continues to brew in the background.

Everyone saw it coming but we hoped it wouldn't happen. Ma Dae Young successfully kidnapped and doped Shim Cheong and takes her to an abandoned hospital. She wakes up clenching her legs in pain and I'm sure I wasn't the only one worried if he damaged her legs and ruined her life as a mermaid.

Instead, he had weirder intentions. His dreams of his noble past life sparked curiosity in him and gave him the plan to dump Shim Cheong in a bucket of water to see if she would really turn into a mermaid. Where is that superhuman strength now Shim Cheong?

Fortunately, Ma Dae Young was unsuccessful in dumping her in water as Shim Cheong threatens, "If you know I am a mermaid then you know I can erase your memories and steal your soul if you harm me. Touch me - confirm it." Her bold threat was enough to send him packing and have Heo Joon Jae rescue her in time, alongside the cops who arrested him.

The only thing bothering about this drama so far is the sudden absence of Shim Cheong's absolute, brute strength and Heo Joon Jae's magic abilities. There were many moments that all of this nonsense would come in handy, yet I see nothing.

A visit to the doctor's office is like a family vacation - no one wants to go.

Seo Hee remains as ambiguous as ever. Ahn Jin Joo appeared to know a lot about Seo Hee, stating she left her husband for another man in order to ruin a family. How she knows this, I'm not too certain (because I don't believe her saying she read this info in a magazine!), but Ahn Jin Joo definitely called her out.

I am sure viewers are pondering why exactly Seo Hee left Ma Dae Young. Does she hustle rich men and support Ma Dae Young's criminal habits or are they simply both diabolical characters? Either way, I'm hoping they get Ma Dae Young out of their hair sooner or later because things escalated enough in this episode.

I feel that the story will touch base on this more in future episodes but they dropped a real plot bomb when Seo Hee and Heo Joon Jae's brother Chi Hyun is revealed to be the son of killer Ma Dae young! Hope you didn't just drop your laptop out of pure shock!

Although Chi Hyun seemed like a real antagonist in the beginning, he seems to have some underlying, good intentions. His phone call to Heo Joon Jae was unexpected but now that we know Chi Hyun's learned about his mother switching Heo Joon Jae's father's medicine, it was only a matter of time before he decided to act.

Although Heo Joon Jae's family has little information regarding them, it seems his brother is a secondary character that contributes to reuniting the family instead of sabotaging them. I just can't get over his cool but ominous warning to Heo Joon Jae when he mentions Heo Joon Jae should keep an eye on his father, "Consider this a gift from the fake to the real."

But Heo Joon Jae's family relationships aren't the only one suffering as there was a slight "trouble in paradise" scenario.

For real Shim Cheong? This is what you wear to show up Si Ah? She looks like a hairy pickle.

While it is quite clear that Heo Joon Jae and Shim Cheong like each other, it appears now that Shim Cheong is the one becoming most uncertain. Of course she knows her feelings are true but she finds herself struggling to accept Heo Joon Jae. When Cha Si Ah questions Shim Cheong still living at Heo Joon Jae's house, she puts a negative thought in Shim Cheong's mind saying, "Heo Joon Jae has a way of maintaining his goldfish pond," meaning he has a way of keeping many girls happy.

Usually, Shim Cheong has the upper hand but she appeared to give in a little as she suddenly overflowed with worries and concerns regarding how Heo Joon Jae views their relationship. I only like this scenario because it shows Shim Cheong is growing to be less naive and more cautious and realistic about human life. However, Shim Cheong keeps her cool and tries to (hilariously) find the answer online and asks Tae Oh how to use computers.

"Every Kiss begins with Kay," - hums to myself.

As of late, due to the high-stress situations, Shim Cheong seems to be a little less comically expressive and great at portraying her fears, anxiety and overall rough demeanor - such as in scenes with Ma Dae Young.

However, the adorable mermaid we all fell in love with came back in the end! The moment everyone was waiting for came true! Heo Joon Jae and Shim Cheong romantically kiss again - and this time it wasn't done in a silly way hoping the other "would forget." In order to ease Shim Cheong's relentless thoughts and worrisome heart, Heo Joon Jae tells her to sleep in her bed, calm her thoughts and kisses her on the forehead and then the lips to ensure her of his true feelings! This ultimately cements their relationship in my book!

Until next week, we are left craving more of this wonderful romance as deep as the sea.