When last we left our grumpy and sunshine, things were going well for our sweet pair. We’re being set up for angst.
But things are still good for now
Our guys assess each other’s outfits before taking the bus to Seoul. Once there, they enjoy the sparse snow spread across the ground.
Ju Yeong gets spotted by an old acquaintance who scolds him. They go to a cafe and Ju Yeong is still nervous about being seen. Do Hoe is studying and Ju Yeong is flirting.
They go to the university where Do Hoe wants to major in architecture. Because they’re minors, no hotel will let them stay. I think they sneak into a dorm and hang out in the common room.
Ju Yeong tells Do Hoe that he was expelled for hitting a teacher who always hit his friend. Oh, I thought he’d been caught doing something with another man. But this is about the violence theme, not being gay. I don’t know if I’m disappointed.
Do Hoe didn’t need this explanation and accepted him no matter what. There’s teasing and flirting and talking about their future in Seoul together. Do Hoe gives Ju Yeong a wallet.
No really, things are going great
Ju Yeong is more motivated than ever, working hard on his sparring. They make out in the van. They eat fried chicken with spring onion which must be a thing because they make a big deal of it.
There’s only one month left. Do Hoe’s father is a dark cloud that ruins the mood when the phone rings. I’m shown an injured ankle and I’m not sure whose ankle it is.
Ju Yeong goes to Seoul for a taekwondo thing while Do Hoe prepares for college entrance exams. Hyeon Ho wants to talk to Do Hoe about how Do Hoe isn’t talking to him. We still don’t know what any of this is about.
Ju Yeong shows up ready to fight Hyeon Ho but Do Hoe gets him to walk away. He got onto the team or accepted to college or whatever he was doing. There’s jumping and hugging! Do Hoe is so happy he kisses Ju Yeong even though they’re in the house.
Yup, time for things to get grim
The phone rings in the middle of the night. Ju Yeong goes down and gets money from the horrible old men to get them cigarettes. On his way out he asks them to keep their voices down, and Do Hoe’s dad looks upset.
Ju Yeong leaves breakfast for Do Hoe. Do Hoe sticks something under Ju Yeong’s door and leaves. Inside the taekwondo studio, Ju Yeong takes a beating from Do Hoe’s dad to keep him from getting in Do Hoe’s way. I think.
It’s snowing hard for the first time as exams start, but Do Hoe comes running out at some point. The police are at his place. His father is bruised, smoking, and saying he needed to whip Ju Yeong into shape. He says Ju Yeong isn’t nice because he’s adopted.
Do Hoe picks up a knife, but does not murder his father.
In his parent’s car, Ju Yeong tries to call Do Hoe but his phone gets taken away. Despite everything, he’s still got his college admissions.
We see someone, Do Hoe maybe, walking through the quiet, empty town.
12 Years Later
There she is. We hit the time jump. I feel less anxious now.
We get half-told what happened in those 12 years. Over the phone, Ju Yeong promises to explain but Do Hoe won’t meet with him. Ju Yeong looks for him in Seoul, but can’t find him. Do Hoe has cut everyone off, including his old friends.
Ju Yeong does not move on. He goes crazy over snow, gets drunk, and cries. All his new friends know someone broke his heart. He didn’t go onto the national team or become a grandmaster but works at a taekwondo school with kids. The school isn’t doing great and he’s mainly a bus driver to the kids.
Here’s something fun, he’s still in touch with Do Hoe’s dad! Do Hoe isn’t. Good. They have lunch because Do Hoe’s dad is in Seoul, and Do Hoe’s Dad wants him to take over the gym. He even asks nicely.
Later though, Ju Yeong sees news about a major traffic accident. Do Hoe’s Dad is dead.
Nothing like a funeral to bring old flames together
Do Hoe arrives late, with Hyeon Ho and a casual attitude. Ju Yeong can’t stop staring at him. Neither can anyone else. Hyeon Ho is vague about how they arrived together.
Ju Yeong works hard helping with the memorial and staring at Do Hoe, eventually napping against a wall. Do Hoe stares at him, but walks away before Ju Yeong wakes up. He’s definitely avoiding him.
After it’s over, Ju Yeong approaches Do Hoe, ignoring Hyeon Ho. Do Hoe says he’s finally free and will see Ju Yeong if he needs to. Hyeon Ho gives Ju Yeong his card, he’s a lawyer.
As they walk away, Hyeon Ho asks Do Hoe if he’s okay, and he says he’s not.
But Do Hoe hasn’t escaped. Ju Yeong spots him down the street from the taekwondo studio, and can’t believe he didn’t know they were in the same neighborhood. Hyeon Ho arrives on schedule, trying to get Do Hoe away. But Ju Yeong is pushy, and Do Hoe agrees to have dinner.
This was the part I wanted to see
I knew we were heading for a big time jump. I knew Ju Yeong was going to be tortured by Do Hoe’s behavior. And what can I say, I like suffering for love (in fiction). I didn’t know when it was coming and I’m glad it’s before the midpoint.
Now I want to see Ju Yeong’s smiles win Do Hoe over. Yeah, I want to see Ju Yeong do the work. Is that fair to Ju Yeong? No. It’s just what I want. And I resent him being nice to Do Hoe’s dad, though I suspect he did that for Do Hoe.
And I resent the mysteries in this show which don’t need to be mysteries. It’s one thing for The Boy Next World to leave me with questions. This show doesn’t have potential parallel worlds and I’m irritated certain things have been left in the dark. What really went on with Do Hoe’s dad and Ju Yeong? Especially towards the end? What’s Hyeon Ho and Do Hoe’s deal?
I think these mysteries make some people excited for the eventual answers. I get irritated because I’m waiting for the reveal instead of enjoying the character’s emotional journey.
But I’m invested in our guys and their deep love that can’t be destroyed even by… whatever happened and twelve years apart. Do Hoe seems like a real jerk this episode, but I assume this will be explained.
I’m looking forward to seeing Do Hoe torture Ju Yeong a little more. What can I say, I’m horrible.
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