hospital politics

Love me some Mr. Jang updating the president (also loved how the president indulged our cutie Dr. Yun that was sweet) was so much fun, his expression "it like two skilled swordsmen going head to head" was just too funny, he always makes me smile whatever he says. The best thing the Monster can do to beat the Master is using the media to destroy someone's reputation and cover up his and his team's incompetence; and for what, for a grudge -- now that is beyond low but what's even scarier is not owning up to one's mistakes just to save face (I hate, hate hospital politics).Cha Eun-chae scored big for the Master team, she was definitely quick-witted and obviously picked the right side even if she doesn't realize it yet. But she still needs to work on herself to overcome her fears and be the best doctor she can be; evaluate her strengths vs her weakness and pick where she fits best. I admire that she is not too proud to say sorry when the occasion calls for it (she is growing on me) and so does Seo, he sees that Doldum may not be the most glamours of hospitals but it is indeed one that cares for its patients and its staff, he is in the right place. It's a place were people freely admit to their mistakes, what a concept. The Master has a great team by his side much stronger and more honest than the monster's for sure -- good will always prevail over evil. Let's all celebrate the Master!

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Doldam Hospital

I find the chaotic environment of Doldam Hospital is what makes the place more than just a hospital – it's a place for hope, healing, and service. The rest is just fluff. I have watched plenty of medical dramas and surgeries, but the gunshot surgery was so intense I felt so engrossed in it like I was a part of it – I loved every minute of how it was enacted. That Park person should be ashamed to call himself doctor, what doctor thinks to perform his sworn duty is a favor -- he is one person that needs to examine why he became a doctor, and if it’s even the right calling for him. It was interesting to see the seasoned hospital staff unfazed by Park's nonsense talk on 5% raises and paid overtime -- the fact is they are not at Doldam because of monetary incentives or because they don't have a choice -- they are at Doldam because they choose to be at a place that is willing to take risks for its patients as well as it's staff. A concept someone like Dr. Park or even the Monster will never be able to understand until they have walked an hour let alone a day in the life of a Doldom doctor.The gangsters bowing to Eun-Jae was classic my favorite moment of today’s episode – I love how passionate she has become now that she is over her phobia but I also love how strongly she feels about violence and her conviction to fighting all types of it be it physical or mental. I cannot believe they left us with that ending – seriously, how do they expect us to wait for next week with the preview -- no choice but to wait.

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What a mess

What a mess; Chairman Heo seriously thinks he knows it all and his way is the only way. The problem I see is that he has himself surrounded by people who do not have the same vision as him, faltering and making him appear weak. If I was Director Na I would resign ASAP, I mean the man was humiliated in front of everybody. I must say not even the insight in Eugene's abusive past explains him or his role just tells me he is even more dangerous than I thought and a creep. With Chae warning him off, Eugene seems to have grown more interested in Hye Joon, I doubt she's seen the last of him. It's all just a game on who can manipulate what faster than whom without care for the average citizen who is living hand to mouth and just trying to survive. Chae made a big move, I cannot wait to see what he has planned.

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Chocolate

Episodes 1 - 2 First off, I love actors Yoon Kye-sang and Ha Ji-won and have much appreciation for Jang Seung Jo and furthermore medical melodrama is my favorite genre. So far I have enjoyed the subtle build-up of the characters, their stories and getting to know them and see their pain; I could actually feel the loss each of them experience, whether it’s losing the first love, parents, or a dream. With Moon Cha-young’s loss, I sensed that she came out appreciating life and wanting to live hers to the fullest. She came out with a new dream and ended up fulfilling it; with Kang, the loss is that much deeper and he’s still drowning in it and barely surviving. I completely and utterly hate this family that appeared out of nowhere and made his life a living hell. Why did they take him in if they don't want him; that grandmother to me is the evilest of them all, she just sits there and let things happen and how she treated his mother's passing is unforgivable - are all rich S. Korean families like that? It is so painful to watch him being trapped in a family he doesn’t feel welcome in and a career he hates, with only one best friend helping him survive the madness - I must say Kang is such a good actor that you can physically feel his pain and he deserves all the praise for pretty much conveying all of it through his eyes, right there for all to see.I feel Joon's pain, his inability to express his true feelings. To me, he seems to be the only human in that family as he too is completely and utterly trapped within a family that cares more about success than loving and appreciating the true gems in any family, it's offsprings. When Joon's father suddenly announced Kang was to go to Libya I noticed how scared he looked, that was the moment I knew he loves his cousin even if he is for some reason forced to or not able to freely express how he feels. I am sure we will get to the bottom of it as the story unfolds. Joon's anger at his father for sending Kang to Libya and was even angrier when they were ready to turn off his life support. He was the only one that flew out to Libya to check on Kang, held his hand, sat by him ... those moments spoke volumes. I wonder where this relationship goes from here and how long, and at what cost before both realize they mean so much more to each other than they have been willing to admit. I hope they do not let fester for long. My heart seemed to fizzle when Moon realized the man she loved and believed to be dead was still living and that he was indeed Min-sung's best friend, this man that came into her life and confessed his love, that moment was filled with such anguish - so her solution was to run away and stay as far away as possible from Kang -- who as fate would have it a few years later, comes looking for her to fulfill his only friend's (seriously ill might I add) wish to have her food, the woman who broke his friend's heart, completely unaware of what he (Kang) means to her. If this is not what we call fate than I don't what is ... my heart felt like it would break into a thousand pieces. I must say this is one of those beautiful and heart-wrenching dramas, it promises to bring such pain and heartache and you know if you continue to watch you will only experience anguish but at the same time, it is one you do not want to miss. I look forward to what is to come and pray it's not going to be as painful a ride as I think it will.Episodes 3-4A sad yet beautiful episode 3 was. Despite knowing it was foolish to hope, I still thought that maybe a miracle would happen and Kang's friend wouldn't die .... but it wasn't, and that was truly heartbreaking, the beautiful part is Ming's attempt to bring Kang and Moon together, having known all along the man Moon spoke of one drunken night was his best friend. In that attempt, I found true love and beauty. At least, in the end, Ming dies peacefully, having had Moon's most desired dumplings while at the same time bringing his two favorite people together again. The most captivating part of this drama is the dynamics between Moon and Kang, how despite having met only once a lifetime of moments flowed between them in that one instance that has lasted to the present day - especially for Moon. I feel so torn for Kang who was already barely living and now with the loss of the one true friend he had, life, I assume will be even harder to bear. I love the acting, directing, production and music, everything fits so well and so beautifully. I am already hooked on this drama and look forward to the journey! I am completely and utterly emotionally spent after watching this episode 4, the funeral, the fateful meeting between Kang and Moon - what twisted fate they have; it seems like there is no way for her to escape him, she should just stop trying; give in and just to live with it. I really, really want to believe Joon is a good person at heart and that he didn't do anything to harm Kang; I truly hope not. It looks like Kang and I am not even gonna address that family, he seems to be stuck with, just rotten. Moon is even more connected than initially portrayed as per the flashback scene from the collapsed building. A lot happens in this episode and it seems like no matter how much time passes, it doesn't seem to get easier, on the contrary. I truly enjoyed the hospital scene where Moon pretended to have amnesia to get rid of her brother, I laughed so hard and appreciated the comedic moment that such to counteract the sad moments and boy there is plenty of that. Kang and Moon seem to be going in circles as fate seems hellbent on bringing them together. I didn't want the episode to end; look forward to the weeks to come!

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