Money Game

While Money Game isn’t boring by any stretch of the imagination, there are times where the story seems to fall short of its intention and is hard to follow. Large parts of this show tackle the banking and economic implications of the Bahama sale, with emphasis on the BIS Ratio, I understand that. What I don't get is where are the checks and balances, how can Heo be allowed to do whatever he wants, I mean walking out on a Presidents’ advisor/deputy prime minister, how and why. I also don’t get Eugene’s role; his character and a lot of the things he says and does do not make much sense to me. The other thing is the sub-plot involving Hye Joon doesn’t seem to be building up to anything beyond showing how smart she is and how hard she works. Yi Heon tries his best but is always behind. Having said all that the acting is good, and the blend of Korean and English speaking adds an extra layer to the negotiations and gives the illusion that these are two opposing world forces coming together. Quite what will happen next remains to be seen

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Dangerous

I keep wondering why does Chae hate his father, other than they had opposing ideas, there must be a reason. I guess Heo trying to appease his guilt for killing the professor by appointing Chae as Director of this new department or this is a distraction tactic (I am more inclined to think its a combination but more the latter). Keep your friends close but your enemy even closer kind of thing; control. I also don't understand how Heo says he wants to go after Eugene when he was the one that brought him into the fold. This man is something else but he may be biting off more than he can chew. He has his hands in everything. It's true when they say three may keep a secret if two of them are dead, and Eugene is right, the Tobin tax thing leaked out so easily, why? He is probably the most dangerous to Heo and I will not be surprised if he tries to take him out at some point (I have a feeling Eugene turns at some point).

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Shame or Lack of it

I swear this man, Heo has no shame, uses the research of the man he killed to get himself out of the crisis he created. He is a monster, wants to be the instigator and the savior at the same time. Can he even fix the problem with the same thinking he used to create it, I very much doubt it. Heo is a hypocrite pontificating about hypocrisy. Let me say though, I loved the President, telling Heo off – fix the problem you created or go to jail. Hye Joon needs to distance herself from that toxic family, they bring her nothing but pain. I was a bit supervised to see Chae tell Hye Joon she needed to take responsibility for something she didn’t do, and his reasoning, because that’s how government works – seriously. I am disappointed in him. Did he mean it?Am I the only one that thinks Chief Jo's accident was weird. Anyways, I am glad for Eugene; he is the balance needed to control Heo. He is like a chess player always a step or two ahead. And he for sure has a spy in the ministry or else how does he know the research was Chae’s father, only four people knew (Chae, Hye Joon, Chief Jo, and Sang Min – it’s not Chae or Hye Joon so...). How about those disgusting grown good for nothing assemblymen, fighting over nothing when the livelihoods of those who elected them to represent them hang in the balance. I felt like I was in a twilight zone watching them. I was glad Chae told that assemblyman off but I also understand why he had to kneel to him -- how dreadful it must be to be shackled by politics.

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Does wishing someone dead make one a killer?

Does wishing someone dead make one a killer; does ordering a curse on someone make them a killer even if they didn't criminally intend them to die. Does it matter that the victim was evil – I doubt the law cares that Joo Hwan was evil. So many questions. So Jin has some strong supernatural powers for sure, I am completely impressed and find her quite interesting. I am glad she dealt with those bullies, there is nothing I hate more than a bully and a child abuser (well all types of abuse really). I bet they’ll think twice before they try to do anything to her again. Now that I got the back story on So Jin’s mom’s I understand why I got the sense she was possessed in some way ( I wasn’t wrong). So the chairman killed her mom to keep the fact that he is possessed a secret. Now Jin Kyung, she is a different kind of supernatural – she is the curse. The devil exists. I have a feeling it is about to get scarier from here onward. I am intrigued by this drama.

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life is a series of choices

A fantastic episode, Jo Yi-seo is fierce, the way she handled that annoying guy was epic, but really its more like the way she handles everything. It’s quite interesting how so very opposite Yi-seo and Soo-Ah are but what's even more interesting is how fast Yi-seo caught on to Soo-Ah. I understand it’s too early to expect Sae Royi to see Soo-Ah for what she is and not what he's made her be, ten years is an investment; one he's decided to value no matter the circumstances. Well, at least for now. One thing is for sure though, Yi-seo has started to make a dent in that investment and from here on its Jo Yi-seo vs. Soo-Ah and I don't mean just romantically but business-wise. Like Yi-seo said life is a series of choices producing results that match one's values. And when it comes to Sae Royi, they've both chosen according to how much they each value him. Waiting on the next episode is torture but what choice do we have but to wait!

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Itaewon Class

Spoiler Itaewon Class opens up with Park Seo-Joon still in high school, a headstrong teenager with uncompromising ideals. On his first day in the new school, he is expelled for refusing to compromise on his ideals and convictions which also leads to his father being fired -- all for standing up for a bullied student and, of course, the twists is the bully is the son of a powerful local businessman where Park's father also works. This very son causes the father's death and to top it off Park is sent to prison. All in all an overwhelming start to the drama with a lot of bad things happening to our lead. This is, however, a stellar show with an amazing slew of cast members who promise to make this "the" drama of 2020. I can’t wait to meet the full ensemble of characters as this story unfolds.

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Sae-ro-yi

I've always liked Park Seo Joon as an actor I think he's quite refined but just two episodes in and I am completely blown by him and by his portrayal of Park Sae Roy, just amazing. I must say I've never really cared for Nara much but I really do not like Oh Soo Ah (I was really shocked to hear myself say that out loud while watching this episode). She does not deserve an ounce of his love, she is not only selfish and disloyal but also a coward. I just couldn't understand how she stood by silently, I mean she might as well had testified against Sae-ro-yi, the son of the man (who was brutally murdered might I add) she says she respected and loved to go to jail (wrongly) but not only that she accepts money in the form of a scholarship (which is money) and no it doesn't end there; she ends up working for the company that ruined her friend's life and murdered his father. Side by side with his killer, what?I hope Sae-ro-yi gets to meet someone else who shows what true love means and only then will Soo Ah understand what she truly lost when she choose herself over her friend. I wasn't sure how I would feel about this drama but I must say I find myself already invested in Sae-ro-yi and Dan-bam!

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Jo Yi Seo

I want to be Jo Yi Seo; I love everything about her, I found myself consciously or unconsciously falling in love with the person she is and despising Soo-Ah for the friend she is not. Its official, I hate her and I very much doubt time will change that. I find her to be even eviler than the President as he does not disguise himself nor does he pretend to be anything he is not. She on the other hand acts like a friend dolled up in sheep's clothing but inwardly is a ravening wolf. Sae-ro-yi is very much a man's man, he's the real class act. While he is polite, he is not a pushover and most importantly, he has no issue admitting his faults and errors, because that is what real men do (where can I find one of him, lol). I knew Sae-ro-yi had a plan, what I did know nor imagined was that he had a 15-year plan. I am in awe of him. I admire his perseverance and consistency and regardless of what comes next I’m rooting for him, and with Jo Yi Seo and his Dan-bam team by his side, he is already a winner. I can’t wait for the next episode!

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Best Episode

Probably the best episode to date. All the double-crossing, the shifting of alliances and allegiance all for the money – it was also sad but noble to see Seo’s brother resign to giving up his life to save his sister’s – everything and everyone revolves around Seo Yeon, even Kang gave up on the evidence for her. Finally, we get to see Leon and he’s not that big of a deal is he and of course, he already knows Seo Yeon is Baek’s sister. I am sad to see Baek depart, I liked him, and he is the only one that knew what Leon looked like, well Seo's husband saw him but does he know he's Leon?And, of course, the most unexpected person (Seo's husband) shoots Leon and gets away with the money and even more ironic Seo ends up saving (not wanting to leave anyone behind, again), the one person, she shouldn't, Leon, and thinks the money is gone. Her greed and obsession with that money are costing her a lot. Is it worth it? I hope it is in the end. Towards the end of the episode, I found myself thinking, Seo truly deserves the money, the source of it is bad but with Seo it may end up being good. I dislike Hee, I find her manipulative, arrogant and, at times, downright cruel --- at best she is morally ambiguous, not purely evil nor purely good -- she's a floater and based on the circumstances and the situation she can be either, and, or.

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Loss

I love how Seo’s face lights up when she sees Kang and how he looks at her. I have to say losing a loved one will make you want to stop and take stock of what is important in life, and I like that Seo is asking, “what is money,” rather than where is the money. How easy must it be to spend someone else’s money, it sure looked pretty easy for Seo’s husband but what I cannot reconcile is how a perceived smart man, one that is smart enough to plant listening and tracking devices be so stupid as to spend so much money that he leads Leon right to his doorstep. I have to say it’s well deserved about time someone dealt with him (crap of a man gave his wife up like she was nothing). I am not mad.All roads lead to Yoon Hee Ju; she is the instigator, double-crosser, informant, and major opportunist – she has her hands in everything. I am certain now, she is more evil than good and wish on her a completely and utterly bad ending. I liked how the writer has Seo self-reflect at this stage of the show, take the time to ask herself the important questions, getting a better understanding of her emotions, strengths, weaknesses and driving factors. Money remains central but is not the only driving factor; in this, I saw character growth and development. And Leon sets the perfect trap for Hee Ju and Jae Hoon, using Seo, ingenious, I love it.

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Guilt and Self Forgiveness

Today's episode dealt with guilt and forgiving oneself. I find it sad that Dr. Park thought the Master targeted him because of the decision he made 11 years ago to save himself rather than try and save one of the injured passengers on the bus, as a doctor that is. It's regretful that he spent all this time trying to prove he was more than the decision he made at that moment because not only did the Master not judge him, he didn't even remember him being there. It's like they say a guilty conscience needs no accuser. What would be even sadder is if Dr. Park after all that's happened doesn't get why the Master risks his life to save another; why a doctor should never give up? If he doesn't, there's no hope for him.It's good to see our three doctors slowly but surely understand how special of a place Doldam is, it's not just a hospital nor the staff just doctors, nurses, and orderlies. They are hospitalists, experts in taking care of people (patients and staff), while at the same time mentoring and imparting leadership and people skills to become the best at what they do. Hospitals should be “hubs” that contribute to better health in body and mind and not just a business. Does Dr. Park get it though; I truly hope so. We also got to see how important Master Kim is to Doldam but with him, not 100%, what happens to Doldam Hospital; will the staff have the courage to go against those who mean them and the Master harm, other than Nurse Oh, that is? I hate having to wait a whole week for answers and for Dr. Do In Bum's special appearance. I am going to take a guess and say Do In is the one who told Dr. Yun to take the job at Doldam. I absolutely love, love this show.

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doctor’s duty of care

Today’s episode focused on a doctor’s duty of care. What is a doctor’s responsibility be it sworn duty or morally and do they have an obligation of result (meaning if they try everything to save a patient’s life but are not able to do so, are they responsible for their death)? Doctors have an obligation toward those in need of medical attention no matter the circumstance or the patient.At the start of this season, we got hints that the Master might not be at 100%. We had several flashbacks to a bus accident with Master Kim performing CPR on an arrest patient while this man stares at him in shock and rather than try and help decides to save himself. We come to find out this man is Dr. Park the now president of Doldam Hospital. Both are again put in the same situation, at a scene of a bus accident with the opportunity to provide first aid to those in need. The Master, of course, does what he does best, try to save lives even at the cost of his. What does Park do, he does what he does best, run away from responsibility and his duty as a doctor. To me, it seems Dr. Park’s truth is one that needs to be revealed more to himself than to anyone else. Simply put he is nothing but a coward who deflects his shame on others as it’s the only way he can feel good about himself.In my opinion, doctors cannot guarantee a specific result, such as curing a disease or saving a life. Instead, they have a duty to take all possible and reasonable steps to reach the desired goal. As the Master has always said a doctor's mantra should be "I can save him, I must save him". Yet another great episode, I cannot wait to see how things turn out tomorrow, this is torture.

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