by: Raine

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Episode 13 remained at 9.4% while episode 14 increased to 9.9 %. I’m actually happy ’cause this episode did improve! All thanks to Ga-young.

This episode really got to me and so I’m upping the rating on this recap for language. Prepare soap for your eyes. I love Young/Young even though the Young/Hyuk was ridiculously cute this episode.

“Music is My Life” –  Park Ji-min (from the Fashion King OST)

episode 14 recap

After the fashion show, Young-gul gives his employees a rousing speech about how much they rock. They have the “hottest Fast Fashion”. Il-gook asks what the “GG” stands for and Young-gul avoids the question, rousing An-na’s suspicions.

They toast and Bong-sook and Il-gook do a love shot. Everyone is happy save for Young-gul, who is pining for his doormat. He won’t answers An-na’s inquiry about the meaning of “GG” either before they head off for an interview. The ahjummas stare after them unhappily.

It says a lot when a group of gossipy ahjummas don’t like you, An-na. That means “go away”.

Jae-hyuk and Ga-young are in the car brooding over the fashion show showdown. Ga-young needs a drink so Jae-hyuk buys her one…or a million. She gets plastered yabbers on about Young-gul and Bong-sook for two hours. Apparently Young-gul told Bong Sook not to tell Ga-young anything.

Finally, Jae-hyuk shuts her up, unable to take hearing about Young-gul any longer and has to haul Ga-young to the car because she can’t even stand.

As they drive towards Dongdaemoon where Bong Sook’s place is, he tries to wake Ga-young for directions, but she passes out in his lip.

OMG, Raine is in dirty thoughts mode. Okay, I’m always that way, but the look on his face prompted it.

Young-gul arrives “home” to the apartment in Jae-hyuk’s building. It looks like Jae-hyuk’s designer decorated. Anyway, he broods over the fashion show hand hold.

All this brooding and not enough sharing. Seriously, it’s not just some random crap we tell our kids to do. Talking about emotions is a GOOD thing.

Jae-hyuk has brought Ga-young home and into his bed…no, not that way. She’s passed out drunk and he fixes the covers around her before caressing the hair off of her face. When she shifts in her sleep, he backs away and Lee Je-hoon really gets Jae-hyuk’s feeling of pain right on the money.

Young-gul is also in bed, trying to sleep, but he can’t. Ga-young’s crowned pillow bear is tucked in beside him and he remembers he sleeping with it.

AWWWWWWWWWWW1 I’m a Young/Young shipper. I can’t help it. As much as I love Jae-hyuk, I’m a Young/Young shipper. Perhaps ‘cause the feelings are mutual and I hate seeing them thwarted!

In the morning, Jae-hyuk wakes Ga-young who has shifted sideways in her sleep. He smiles at how adorable she is, but she’s embarrassed and wipes off her drool.

I like that she drools. Haha. It’s funny.

Jae-hyuk has brought her clothes and shoes to change into.

Speaking of changing, Young-gul walks into his new, massive closet and chooses his accessories for the day.

(Smile…nom nom nom…)

On their way to the elevator, Ga-young wants to make sure she behaved appropriately but he evades the question with, “Do I have to tell you that with my own mouth?” and grins at her horror. Then he tells her that she looks pretty and how he likes to see women dressed.

He likes his women glowing. The dress is neon yellow….

She is persistent in asking if she made a fool of herself, but he will leave it to her imagination. He grins.

Okay, it’s horrible to make an innocent girl squirm, but that smile was worth it.

The elevator door opens to reveal Young-gul who looks heart broken to see them together after a “night at Jae-hyuk’s”. They find out that Young-gul is now Jae-hyuk’s neighbor. Ga-young tries to explain that the situation isn’t how it looks but Young-gul storms off the elevator.

Even naive Ga-young realizes what the situation looked like. Of course, Jae-hyuk is hurt that she denied it so fervently.

In a cab on his way to work, Young-gul fights back tears.

Baby, this is what happens when you don’t communicate. But you look so hot when you’re upset. Those lips…

Ga-young can’t focus in her meetings and Jae-hyuk is brooding over how quickly she told Young-gul that things weren’t as they seemed.

An-na comes in and Jae-hyuk asks her how long she’s been working two jobs. She calls it helping out a friend and Jae-hyuk blows a gasket. Has she lost her mind? An-na says that so much happened to her because of Ga-young and he retorts that he wouldn’t have had to bring Ga-young if An-na had some talent.

…O.U.C.H…

We all know he would’ve foudn some way to bring Ga-young, as does An-na, but that is brutal.

Although An-na looks absolutely crushed, she lays it down. Young-gul makes her feel talented and worthwhile. “So go there,” Jae-hyuk quickly replies, but immediately looks regretful. It’s obvious she wants him to take back his words, hoping against hope that he’d fight for her. But he doesn’t so she resigns and thanks him for everything, including the apartment and the car that he lets her keep.

Jae-hyuk is looking guilty. GOOD. It’s that nasty temper dude. Control it. It works wonders when you think before you speak.

It’s time for An-na to go and her team is sad. Even Director Kim is tearing up and cries pitifully, “Oh my god.” BWAHAHAHAHA!

Then it’s the show down of the neon yellows. I forgot to mention before, but An-na is wearing a neon yellow mini skirt. If we’re going by neon offensiveness, Ga-young wins because I’m more blinded by that dress.

But it’s a showdown of “I got your man”. An-na says she got fired and she’s going to apply for Young Young Apparel, what does Ga-young think?

Sure, blame Ga-young for everything.

That night, Bong Sook whines about “that fox” poking around Young-gul as Ga-young tries to ignore the incessant chatter and sketch. Apparently, Young-gul does everything she says. Bong Sook figures out that Ga-young wasn’t with Young-gul and wonders if she was with “that guy”.

This misunderstanding puts Ga-young over the edge and she hurries to Young Young Apparel. She is shocked to find her bed is gone. THE WARM BED IS GONE! *Wails*

She overhears Young-gul talking on the phone about how pretty and talented An-na is. He comes out of the office and hangs up when he sees Ga-young.

They make not-so-pleasant pleasantries and she takes a deep breath before saying,

‬This may sound like an excuse, but after I saw your show last night, I got so upset  that I had quite a few drinks. I drank too much. I don’t remember what happened afterwards. Anyway, that’s what happened. That can happen right?

Young-gul looks hurt and ready to cry. She’s crying as she continues.

‬Why are you looking at me with such eyes? I’m not your woman. You’re not my man either.

He smirks and says he has to leave. She’s stricken that he can’t give her a bit of his time. “Do we have anything to say to each other?”

SMACK.

YES! You deserved that. Of course you have stuff to say to each other. You have a million and one misunderstandings to clear up.

‬Why are you getting so angry at me? Is it because I left the company? You received five million for it. Isn’t that enough?

Guh, you were doing so good ‘til you said that, Ga-young.

Young-gul asks her to leave and she does so, sobbing.

You prick. Seriously, she’s trying to apologize. Its obvious she didn’t mean to hurt you. She’s trying to TALK. For once in this show, someone is trying to talk.

Outside, Ga-young almost breaks down, but pulls it together and leaves. At home, she sews and remembers all the good times in New York and in Dongdaemoon.

The next day Young-gul introduces An-na as their new designer. Although the ahjummas aren’t happy, Chil-book and Il-gook are.

Everyone works, pretending everything is fine. But at the end of the day, everyone’s sad and broody.

Assisstant Kim comes in and raves about how awesome Young-gul is as a business man. He’s turning a an awesome profit. Jae-hyuk sends Kim away and remembers the first time that he met Young-gul who’d come to ask for a loan.

Jae-hyuk gets a call from the parents. Dad is pissed that An-na resigned, but mom keeps up a running commentary about how nice it is that An-na is gone.

I think this scene is kinda funny because mom doesn’s really have any power in this situation, but her verbal barbs are driving her husband bonkers. You can tell he wants to yell at her, but is too image conscious in front of his kid to do so.

Dad questions Jae-hyuk about Young-gul, his former classmate. Did he go to school? Does he have a fashion degree? Really? He works in Dongdaemoon?

Mom notes that he’s handsome, pissing off dad.

BWAHAHA! I like seeing asshole dad poked like that.

So Dad wants Jae-hyuk to invite Young-gul for dinner because Young-gul is a talented businessman and J Fashion might need him one day.

This suggestion makes Jae-hyuk looks like he just ate a roly poly.

Then the scene that makes me want to scream.

Young-gul is brooding over Ga-young…WHILE he has an arm around a sleeping An-na.

WHAT. THE. FUCK?! @#$%%^*^&*$%^@#$%!@#$%#$&%^&(^&*($%^@#$%!@#$@#$^$%^*%^&*&$%@#$%@#$^#$%^&$%^@#$%@#$%@$%&$%^*%^&#$%@#$@#$%&$%^*%^$#@!%^&*%$!@#$@#$%^#$%^&$%^&$%^#$%#$%^*%^&*$%^@#$%@#$%

For lunch, Jae-hyuk sets up a few bentos in his “relaxing room” *titter* and smiles to himself. Then he gets a text from Ga-young saying she’s going to eat in the workroom and Jae-hyuk is all disappointed.

He visits her in the workroom and watches her eat as she works. He wonders why she has no time to eat. Well, she has regular work, Fashion King and sewing to do, as do all of the designers. Everyone is skipping lunch.

Sweetly, he begins to pin for her and she looks baffled by the kindness.

Do you get it yet? He likes you, you blockhead.

When she’s finally almost ready to smile, he pricks himself and testily hands back the pin cushion. Then he formally invites her to dinner and tells her to dress nicely and tells her not to back out via text.

No. You. Didn’t. He’s not really going to do what I think he’s going to do is he?

Bong Sook bitches about An-na takes all of Young-gul’s attention. They come in and leave together. Young-gul knows that Bong Sook lives with Ga-young so shouldn’t he be more careful, especially as he was able to get the factory back thanks to Ga-young? Bong Sook thinks Ga-young should just choose Jae-hyuk.

As Bong Sook yabbers, Ga-young chooses Young-gul’s dress to wear to dinner.

I think she did it on purpose because she’s pissed at Young-gul. It’s her quiet “fuck you”.

Ga-young shows up for dinner with flowers, wine and a smile. Jae-hyuk smiles beatifically in return and starts cooking. She offers to help and he puts an apron on her before they work together.

She actually smiles a little. It IS kinda overwhelming when a man that hot showers you with that sort of attention, whether you care for him or not.

When she asks him where he learned how to cook, he replies that he stayed in Italy for six months in a small town where he learned how to speak and cook.

“It’s not to impress girls?” she asks and he replies, “How did you know?” They laugh and make a really adorable domestic scene. Caught up in the moment, Jae-hyuk suggests going to Milan Fashion Week and then that small town if she wins the Fashion King contest. It would be nice to be with her everyday, he says. The whole time she is trying not to smile.

The man she really loves is pushing her away and another handsome, rich man is doting on her. Of course she’s going to smile. Every woman loves to be doted upon.

When the doorbell rings, he asks her to get it and who is at the door but Young-gul and An-na. Young-gul looks heartbroken to see her wearing his dress and An-na scoffs. Ga-young looks mortified. They all stand there staring until Jae-hyuk shows up like a husband and invites them in for the tensest dinner EVAR.

(Anyone remember the dinner where Young-gul held Ga-young’s hand and they actually stuck together?)

There are barbs thrown all around. Jae-hyuk invited Young-gul because he needs him. An-na found work that suits her ‘cause it’s not with the Jung family. Young-gul learns what the Fashion King contest is and tells Ga-young to try her best because it’s why she went to J Fashion.

At that comment, Ga-young looks ready to burst with tension.

Jae-hyuk asks about the meaning “GG” and for the third time in the episode, Young-gul refuses to answer.

Then we find out An-na has a lot of responsibility at Young Young Apparel: creative designer, strategic planning, international business and marketing. Even some secretarial work.

In a move that is so small, and yet declares so much, Jae-hyuk turns to Ga-young and wipes spaghetti sauce from her mouth. It’s a clear declaration, “This woman is mine.”

She has no idea what to do save wipe the rest from her mouth with embarrassment. Young-gul should KNOW that she is clueless. He even said it once to Jae-hyuk. She’s young and inexperienced. But he looks hurt anyway.

Jae-hyuk questions Young-gul on the international aspect of his company and notes he probably needs more funds. Wisely, Young-gul refuses to accept any investment because he doesn’t want Jae-hyuk trying to take over the company again.

Then, Jae-hyuk brings out the reason that he had the dinner in the first place, “The chairman wants to see you.”

Young-gul knows it’s Jae-hyuk’s father and doesn’t care. “Tell him to forget it, jerk,” Young-gul says, which infuriates Jae-hyuk but Young-gul doesn’t care. If Jae-hyuk’s father wants to see him, then he can come personally.

Then Young-gul leaves and An-na follows with a parting shot. “Maybe it’s time for you to try something new. You told me that this is what they ate at that Italian village,” she said and Jae-hyuk deflates while Ga-young looks ready to burst.

So you use that line on all the ladies, huh Jae-hyuk? Sad thing, he probably believes it and really does want to see Italy with Ga-young, but An-na just ruined his chances.

Point: Choi an-na.

Jae-hyuk thanks Ga-young for staying, but she can’t handle the pressure and leaves him alone. It’s quite sad how he has nobody at the end of the day.

Ga-young climbs on the elevator and tries to deal with the conflicting emotions within her. She remembers Young-gul promising to make her seaweed soup every birthday and then him asking, “Weren’t we going to go all the way together?”

Her mind made up, she goes back up to Young-gul’s floor and rings the doorbell, trying to subdue her nerves, but the tears are already welling in her eyes.

Young-gul answers coolly and comes out when she has something to tell him. What?

“I love you, president. I thought I would regret it if I didn’t tell you now. That’s why I’m here. Also, I was wrong. No matter what you think, can I come back?

She’s crying hard and he looks absolutely torn.

An-na comes out and Young-gul sends her back in. Ga-young deflates even more and leaves.

Young-gul stands absolutely stunned and my heart is pounding as Ga-young cries her way to the elevator and sobs all the way down.

O.M.G. Go Ga-young! That was the best scene in a long, long, long time. Real honesty. No bullshit. Now An-na needs to jump off of a cliff.

In his apartment, Young-gul is staring out the window trying to deal with the confession. An-na comes up and admits she was eavesdropping. The reason she came back to Jae-hyuk who dumped her was to acknowledge the fact that she was thrown away.

That doesn’t make any sense with anything you’ve done so far. And doesn’t make any sense in terms of Ga-young. Stop talking out of your ass An-na.

Then An-na asks youn-gul to promise not to abandon her and puts her head on his shoulder as he stands there, heart broken.

Choi. An. Na. DIE. Seriously? You’re doing what Jae-hyuk did. You’re tying a man to you who really doesn’t care about you. This happened last time, too, you twit! Stop being so flippin’ selfish. Grow a spine and learn to be alone and work and live for yourself.

Bong Sook tells the ahjummas that Ga-young is really sick and whispered the whole night, “President, I was wrong.” They wonder if it’s ‘cause of Young-gul. They also think Young-gul is not right for bringing the foxy woman in as soon as Ga-young left. They hate that she’s working there, but she’s smart and speaks English well.

Speaking of the foxy woman, she’s standing behind them and asks them to fill a work order.

In the office, Young-gul is sitting, eyes closed and thinking. An-na knows he’s thinking about Ga-young and tells him to do whatever he wants. If he wants Ga-young back, An-na will quit. He wants to know why that has to happen. An-na can’t work with her. So he needs to decide what direction he wants to take the company: her way or Ga-young’s.

(This is ridiculously sweet. But too bad she’s ill because she’s heartsick over Young-gul.)

At Bong Sook’s Ga-young is alone and quite ill. When she awakens, she has an I.V. and a sleeping Jae-hyuk in a business suit beside her.

Okay, that’s just sweet.

He brings her rice porridge, but she is too stunned to eat so he feeds her the first bite. Say “Ah!”

She is shocked, but accepts the spoonful of porridge. He hands her the spoon again and she says he didn’t have to do this. In a show of false bravado that they both see through, he says that he needs her well for the meeting tomorrow.

Ga-young begins to eat on her own. He has to leave and when she rises to see him out, he pushes her down and tells her to eat, get well, and come to work tomorrow. When he departs, she picks up her phone and sees a ton of missed calls from him.

Do you understand how he feels about you now, uri Ga-young?

Young-gul is drinking and brooding, remembering Ga-young’s confession and request to return and An-na’s ultimatum.

He takes a shot of liquid courage and calls Ga-young.

Young-gul heard she was sick. Is she okay? After a long moment of silence she asks, “Hello?”

Then he says what no one wants to hear, “I don’t think you should come back.”

He looks ready to cry and she has tears running down her cheeks.

‬I’m sorry.

 Comments:

Lu-beu shot!

It’s on everyone’s minds, or maybe just mine, but I’ll address it anyway. Did Young-gul boink An-na? With his track record, I’m inclined to say “yes”. A man can be madly in love and still sleep with someone else; in this case, for comfort. Out of need for affection. But as this is K-drama, it can go the other way. She’s at his place all the time. With heightened emotions, anything can happen. In any case, it’s obvious An-na is doing a great job of separating Young-gul and Ga-young.

Why did Young-gul refuse to bring Ga-young back? I have two reasons that I can think of:

1) She left in order to better her skills and chances. With the Fashion King contest and the opportunities and J Fashion, she can do that.

2) An-na is in charge of design, national and international marketing and  strategic design. That’s a huge skill set that Ga-young doesn’t have. What made Ga-young and Young-gul so good together was his business head and her extreme talent. Although An-na isn’t a brilliant designer, she is a powerhouse, all-in-one employee. When An-na asks him which direction he wants his company to grow, I think he wants it to go the direction An-na can help him take it. Ga-young is all about high fashion. He’s all about “Fast Fashion”.

Put these two reasons together and you get one concept: having a dream. Before Ga-young, Young-gul never dared hope beyond the next hustle. But now he has a thriving business that’s going somewhere he actually wants it to go. Ga-young has a chance to learn from Director Kim and the talented designers at J Fashion and perhaps even win the Fashion King contest. If he brings her back, both dreams could be shattered.

Is this his way of finally taking responsibility? Or is he just a sucker listening to An-na’s selfish request?

I want him to just lay one on Ga-young and drag her off to that “warm bed”….

Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Character introductions.

Fashion King Episode 14 Screencaps.