Secret Love Affair Episode 2 Recap

Young Woo with much gravity shows reveals her masterful plan of revenge. She accuses Hye Won of illicit dealings to admit students into the University.  Joon Hyung is shocked – absolutely not, Hye Won is not that kind of person.

Young Woo admits she is not really after Hye Won, it’s Mme Han and Dean Min she wants to put in jail. By doing so, she could regain both his and his wife allegiances. All Joon Hyung has to do is give her the list of student’s who got in through connections, parent names and important details. Young Woo will keep his name out of it. Joon Hyung denies the list exists, and rebuts, “Do you keep a list of all your bribes?” Young Woo has proof. Why did Joon Hyung’s secretary delivery that kid to their house? She could coerce his driver into confessing. Joon Hyung smiles ruefully gulping down his drink. She has it all wrong. That kid has neither money nor pull. Joon Hyung’s afraid, really, that it may not be true but Hye Won may soon confirm if finally, Joon Hyung will have a student worth bragging about. Someone with talent who can make him proud as a teacher. He is so earnest when he says that, I want it to be true.  Young Woo, always the ambitious one, wonders if he isn’t afraid that Jo will get the Dean title? Joon Hyung shakes his head telling her she doesn’t understand. He calls makes a phone call to the ahjumma since Hye Won isn’t picking up. Hye Won hasn’t left the piano room in hours not even for lunch. Rather than disturb her, Joon Hyung says he is coming home immediately to talk to her.

Young Woo, however, has other ideas and exerts her power, stopping him with a kick to the shins. Joon Hyung is dying of curiosity about the kid his wife has been listening to all day. This must mean he is good. Young Woo throws a drink in his face, then hands a napkin to wipe it.

“You can’t go. We’re scheming a coup here.” LOL Joon Hyung is not impressed. Who would plan a coup with her? She counters that she could leak information to Jo In Seo, and the corruption scandal would bring Joon Hyung down. Young Woo would end up looking like a defender of education battling corrupt Mde Han queen of bribes. Her father may look like he loooves his Han, but it’s only because she is currently on top. She implores him to be on her side, and he won’t be hurt.

While Joon Hyung grabs at the phone she makes a call to Jo In Seo whose wife sees the call coming in at this late hour. Jo dismisses the drunk dial, as it has probably happened before.

Meanwhile Joon Hyung has grabbed the phone out of Young Woo’s hand telling Jo it’s not what it seems. A hilarious battle ensues – Young Woo who bites then slaps him while he puts up his hands in defense.  She calls him a snake and a bat. He cries out.

We find out something interesting – that Young Woo permitted Joon Hyung to marry Hye Won because of his claim that she meant nothing to him. Jo and wife who are disgusted overhear all of this.  Jo says, “That’s how they like to play.”

The failed coup team continue their partying with karaoke. Young Woo’s boyfriend has joined them, now smashed as she is and they sing a pretty love song to each other.

Awwww, I like them together here. Joon Hyung sits drunk and despondent alone at the table. He recalls Dean Min’s words about admitting enough talented students to cover for the bribing entrants. Ji Min-woo is Jo’s strength because of his talent.

Sun Jae has stopped playing long enough to ask if Hye Won wants him to play more. She stands slowly and stops the recording.

“You can go. You’re forgiven,” and walks to the door. In Hye Won speak that means he played well, but Sun Jae wants to hear with spoken words if he played OK. She repeats that he can go, he’s forgiven. She’s tired from concentrating all this time and needs to rest.

We don’t see Sun Jae’s face since the camera is behind him, but I imagine he is slightly confused.

After all he’s the one who played all day not her.  She turns to face him, hands in pocket, and she asks he doesn’t have any idea about himself (his ability) does he? She smiles, searching his face, saying nothing and approaches him slowly. “You really don’t know?” She walks back over to the piano. I don’t know if she just decided to be interested him at that moment, or if she just surrendered to the idea that he is a person worth being interested in. She asks a series of questions about his musical training.

He started at six on a former tenant’s piano. It was something to fill the time he spent locked up in the room while his mother was away working. Formal lessons didn’t begin until middle school, but is mostly self-taught. Nowadays he watches YouTube videos of the best performers to learn style, downloads the pieces, playing each a 100 times in order to memorize them. She realizes how many hours he must spend playing and wonders about injuries. He shares that he did get treated for tenosynovitis – a repetitive stress injury – that helped it go away.

Between the questions, Hye Won takes in his responses; increasingly impressed with the adversity this musical soul overcame in order to play as perfectly as he did for her today. None of which she shares with him. Not that he expects anything from her. When she asks if he wants to know anything else, he requests to play one more piece.  She seems to have an “Oh my heart cannot take anymore of this” moment, and turns. “The one from yesterday,” he says with a shy smile.

Returning to the piano room, reluctantly holding up the score, she remarks he probably wouldn’t leave anyway if she didn’t oblige him.

His suppressed grin confirms she was right. Taking control, she orders him to get the chair and what part she chose to play. They sit; she warms up her hands and does a little stretching before beginning.

It begins softly, but has a persistent rhythm, they move in synch. Not only does their playing sound well balanced – a pair who has never rehearsed before – but also they accent the playing with the same body movements. The piece gets more impassioned, she looks at him in rapture, he concentrates on his part, unaware of how she is affected.

They crescendo then climax, followed by a soft echo that ends it, leaves them both breathless and spent. Sun Jae is obviously overwhelmed by the experience and tries to recompose himself and regain his bearings. He can’t even look at Hye Won, who was equally overcome, but gets up to leave without a word. Sun Jae stands and waits for some response from her. Again she keeps her thoughts and face hidden. Until, that is, she looks at him. Mask off, her expression betrays how intimately he touched her and possibly a hunger for more. The force of this moment makes Sun Jae step back in surprise.

He knew how it electrifying it was for him, did she feel the same?  The honest moment passes; she puts back on her cool marm face and walks over to him. Still sensitive from their encounter, her proximity shocks his system enough for him to step back again. She smiles, reaches up and attempting to dismiss all adult-like feelings, pinches his cheek.

“This is a special compliment,” and walks out smooth-like.

Slowly she strolls down the hall, the ahjumma asks about the meal she has laid out for them, but Hye Won declines.

“I’m fine, but feed him before he goes.” Nice try, there, Hye Won. That is how you treat visiting help or messengers back in the day to reward them for a job well done and show your charity at the same time. She continues up her floating stairs, basking in the afterglow, touching her neck and smiling to herself.

Once inside her bedroom, she shuts the door and reveals how impressed she is with him and the fact that he figured that all by himself.

Sun Jae literally runs out of the house, refusing lunch/dinner.  His adrenaline filled body needs release. He jogs about in the night recalling her compliments and questions.

We go back to the audition conversation. They talk about the use of pedals, which Sun Jae rejects because he thinks it sounds better sans. She chides him – challenging whether it is his preference or interpretation? He defends his choice pointing to the music. It was written to be played with space between the notes. She approves of his interpretation.

Hye Won has made her way back down to the piano room, drinking tea on the sofa, and also recalling that moment happy.

Sun Jae ends up on a bridge looking out at the river. His smile transforms his face.

He brings back a memory – Hye Won asking him to play the coda to the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 23 Appassionato again. Not because he made a mistake, which was his first thought, but because she just wants to hear it one more time. The joy built up spills out. He closes his eyes and pretending the bridge rail is the piano, he performs the piece, evoking the experience of playing it again for Hye Won.

They cut back and forth between him playing on the bridge and on the piano as the piece climaxes, Sun Jae smiles marveling at these feelings, as he recalls sound of her voice requesting to hear it one more time. What follows is a gorgeous fantasy of the two of them playing the Schubert together on the bridge as the sun dawns.

A cello joins their duet in the soundtrack, as we end up back in his room and in his bed, where he pictures them performing on his piano. Hye Won, it turns out, is still on the sofa in the piano room, reliving their moments, too.

“He’s so beautiful” she sighs luxuriously. Yeah, we know.

Next morning, Hye Won is back to business getting flawlessly dressed and speaking into her cell phone ordering Young Woo about for the day’s events. Her husband (that’s right, she has one!) comes in and pleas with Hye Won to get a spot for Sun Jae on the admittance list from Mde Han. Hye Won tells him there is no need; he will get in on merit – even Jo would approve. The mention of his rival makes Joon Hyung bristle and he pouts.

Hye Won insists there is no reason to ask for a favor but Joon Hyung is still nervous about Joon Hyung’s prospects since the young man hasn’t done any competitions or formal lessons. Hye Won thinks there is enough time to prepare for the audition.

Joon Hyung insists that Sun Jae enroll as his student so he is marked as his. Hye Won objects to her husband dehumanizing the kid. Hye Won ends the conversation saying they can talk about it later and heads off to work. Joon Hyung calls after her, “Get a spot from Mde Han!”  And warns her not to one from take one from Young Woo. She heads down the stairs and Ahjumma offers fresh cut veggies to eat. Hye Won chooses one.stalk.of.celery. and smiles, biting into her delicious, nutritious one.stalk.of.celery.

I suddenly don’t envy the tiny figure that can wear small small clothes. She enters their home office and opens the hidden safe, taking out an undoubtedly expensive bracelet.  She agrees to meet Mde Han at the salon.

When she arrives, she greets Da Mi in the hall as they pass who seems surprised the woman remembered her name, and guiltily covers her purloined necklace as an afterthought.

Mde Han is already ready to leave. The camera shoots them from behind in the car on the way to the next gig – an interview that they are already late for.

From her IPad, Hye Won shows Mde Han the list of names that will be accepted – which of course can’t exist yet since nobody has actually auditioned. Hye Won agrees to destroy the evidence after showing Dean Min.

The interviewer has been instructed not to ask personal questions but just in case, Mde Han is prepared to reiterate that private interest of her and her husband will not affect the running of school and foundation. Adding that in reality, it is all about her personal interests. They laugh. The secretary hands Hye Won a recording to listen to. Mde Han wonders if Joon Hyung mentioned anything (about their meeting)  Nothing other than to leave Young Woo alone. Hye Won listens to the recording without reacting. While the secretary was supposed to edit out the pair “fooling around” she left some in.

We get to hear the of Young Woo’s and Joon Hyung’s conspiracy, plus the part where she slapped him and Young Woo’s cruel mention Joon Hyung considered Hye Won to be nothing to him. Mde Han knows it could upset Hye Won, who claims, actually, to be glad to hear all of it, since it confirms that Young Woo and Prof Jo are in cahoots.

They have to act before Young Woo can use her father-in-law and leak the list to the prosecutors. She asks if the Chairman is having dinner at home that evening.  Hye Won wants to be left out of this whole mess, she doesn’t want her name mentioned, and doesn’t have an interest in all the power plays.

Mde Han ribs her and says she’s not interested in the person who played for Hye Won all day then. Hye Won says, but you should be interested in him. He is just what they need right now to get ride of all charges of corruption.  That interests Mde Han.

Sun Jae brings DM home on his delivery bike. He is in a good mood.

His mother worried about him since he was missing most of the night. He gives his oma a lovely hug and says, “I love you.” He concedes to Da Mi’s unspoken request by hugging her and whispering, “I love you” in her ear.  He goes up onto the roof alone, and re-imagines the cheek pinch of approval from Hye Won.

This time we get to see his frowning reaction – that now a day later makes a huge smile break across his expression. He holds his cheek where she pinched him and laughs contentedly looking out over the street relishing the memory of her approval.

Joon Hyung follows his wife up the stairs to their bedroom, he badgers Hye Won about getting a spot for Sun Jae. Hye Won assures him that indeed, one of Young Woo’s places was secured. Joon Hyung objects but weakly- as if he just doesn’t want to be bothered with her whining.

That evening Mde Han makes her move on Chairman husband, bringing up Young Woo. His reaction – to the mention of his grown-up daughter makes me laugh – “What now?”

We see the fall out of the attempted coup the next day. Han sits at the Chairman’s side while he holds up the list of Young Woo’s list of approved applicants. A guilty Princess sits across from the King, lady-in-waiting Hye Woo at her side. He is angry with his daughter, but complains that Hye Won is at fault for being too soft and not keeping a closer eye on things.

Mde Han takes the blame – she shouldn’t have been so indulgent with Young Woo who looks on incredulous, “How, again, were you understanding?”

Mde Han keeps the charade going lamenting she shouldn’t have bent her own code of conduct but remained true to her principles. After all, the Chairman founded the school, so the admission process should be fair. Hye Won interrupts to remind her that she needs to talk to the press. They leave daddy and daughter alone. Young Woo is shocked that he would believe them, but he drops the phony. He scolds her for losing again to Mde Han when she is supposed to be learning from the fighting. If she wants to be taken seriously for the Dean or director positions, she has to succeed at something, not get embroiled in scandals like these. Learn from the big fox and the small fox.

After the humiliation of the meeting, Young Woo bullies Hye Won again, throwing papers at a fleeing Hye Won. Blame flows downhill, and it is Hye Won’s fault now that she got caught. Hye Won counters saying she could have turned down the requests. But Young Woo defends herself. How does she say no to her boyfriend’s niece.

The word boyfriend irritates Hye Won. “You are married, for God’s sake!”  Young Woo brings back the accusation that the young man who played for Hye Won shows that her hands are dirty, too. Hye Won says she wouldn’t recommend just anyone.

Young Woo wonders jus how good could he be? Hye Won replies that he is beyond her imagination good adding he will be glory to Seohan University catching her breath after running around the office.

Sun Jae meets Joon Hyung in a restaurant.

Joon Hyung declares their meeting to be fateful and offers Sun Jae a spot in the University. He just has to audition and pass the first and second rounds. Joon Hyung paints a picture of future glory. If he places in any major competitions, he gets more money, and he will be exempt from military service.

Hye Won is eating dinner with Jo’s wife and the secretary who gave her the recording. They are talking about Young Woo and her boyfriend who will probably leave her once he gets enough money.  Young Woo calling her boy toy her boyfriend is ridiculous to Hye Won, but she has to admit YH does fill her empty life with him. Jo’s wife says wryly it ‘s not as if their lives are any better. Secretary begs to differ despite going to the same high school as them, she spends all day kissing Hye Won and Young Woo ass. They play one downmanship: Looks whose salary is higher. Look who’s not married.  They decide that Jo’s wife – with four kids to testify to her good relationship – is the happiest of them all. They are the perfect couple. Jo’s wife shares a secret, any time she had the urge to cheat, she “used” her husband to satisfy her. Hye Won tells her she’s fortunate, at least that means they have chemistry. But Jo’s wife claims she would trade lives with Hye Won anytime — how about for a month? They agree she has the best life – she gets to go on business trips and hang with the rich girls and she still has her tiny figure. Jo’s wife would LOVE to go out of the home to work every day. She fantasizes about it.

Oh really? Does she want Kang Joon Hyung as a husband? Hye Won wins this round. Who wants to babysit a husband after all? They laugh at Hye Won’s lot in life. Jo’s wife brings up the drunken fooling around phone call from Young Woo and Joon Hyung the other night. What the heck is that all about? Doesn’t it bother Hye Won?

She claims since Young Woo employed both of them before they were married, they have no choice but to put up with her shenanigans.  Prof Jo arrives and eats off his wife’s plate.

They get grossed out because he drinks from the same place on the wine glass – indirect kiss. Jo wants to know about the kid?

Hye Won gets all excited (ahem) and emails the file of the audition over to Jo. The fact that she even told Han about this one means something and makes Jo curious.

Sun Jae goes to his high school teacher to let him know he will be leaving. It wasn’t until Sun Jae calls Joon Hyung on the phone that they believe him.

Even Da Mi has no idea of how good a player Sun Jae has developed into. She looks crestfallen as the teacher prints out Sun Jae’s CV for the application process. Sun Jae is very happy.

Leaving a shop, Joon Hyung and Hye Won stop to buy Sun Jae candy. It’s a tradition to do wish luck to students preparing for college entrance.

The pair arrive at Sun Jae’s apartment after he hurriedly picks up the laundry and other small messes. He goes outside to greet them surprised they are together. Which turns to shock and disappointment when Joon Hyung tells them they are married.

Poor kid is soooooooooooo nervous; he bows repeatedly and frantically to her as the wife now. They think he’s cute, which he hates. They go up the embarrassingly small stairs into his embarrassingly small room. He directs them to his “bedroom” which is just a small space up a level. They look around and remark how incredible that such a talent came from there. He has layered the walls with egg cartons for soundproofing.

His sheet music is all singles as opposed to booklets because he downloads it (illegally)

They decline tea since they came to hear him play. He nervously tells them he will perform Wanderer Fantasie by Schubert, which the google tells me is an extremely difficult piece which could take years to master. Joon Hyung is so impressed he could cry. Hye Won steps on something that attaches to her shoe.

It is a super glue mousetrap from under his bed. The word mouse chases Joon Hyung out of the room into the hall.

He hates them. Meanwhile, Hye Won says her foot is burning. Sun Jae rushes over to help free her – taking her ankle in his hand he tells her that it is going to hurt so she’ll have to just bear it.

She doesn’t like that idea at all. After a couple attempts, he pulls hard enough to pull the trap off, causing Hye Won to cry out in pain.

This brings Joon Hyung back into the apartment to check on her. Hye Won good-naturedly says she’s not ok, but it’s actually funny. Joon Hyung offers to call 911. Sun Jae warns him that the mice come from the hall and to close the door. Fear of rodents overrules concern for wife and Joon Hyung calls out that he will be waiting in the car.

Taking charge, Sun Jae picks up Hye Won to her dismay and princess carries her down the small set of stairs.

Everyone loved the duet as mating dance. It is difficult to describe what goes one between them without stepping into sexual language, although I have to say it was more two souls attracted than two bodies. At least so far. I look forward to your reactions to that. Yes, he dreamed about her from his bed, and yes, she replayed their encounter languidly, but I still think it is currently a meeting of minds.

I am stealing Young Woo’s analogy of the court to describe Seohan Kingdom. Young Woo is the dissolute Crown Princess with delusions of grandeur but who is beloved by King Seo. She is inept at conspiracy, but that doesn’t stop her from trying. Queen Han currently holds the King’s heart, and can influence him enough to get her way in most things. Lady Hye Won works as everyone’s consigliere. Dependable, resourceful, dignified, she holds the family together by keeping them from each other’s throats. This Kingdom has purchased itself respectability like every other country in history, by appropriating culture. In this case, Seo uses his ill gained income to fund an Arts foundation and college. All the King’s players – from the Dean to the professors to the musicians –  they work to increase their coffers by currying favor with the wealthy aristocrats. Ones who are also willing to put out money to appear cultured.  The problem is everyone in this place is phony. All of them. The corruption is so widespread the People are suspicous. It is only a matter of time before it gets revealed. I must note the exception to the hypocrisy is Princess Young Woo, who grew on me in this episode. She’s a meanie and a jerk, but at least she isn’t hiding anything.

My favorite scene, that I have play and replayed, was when Sun Jae performed the Beethoven on the bridge. Visually stunning, editing perfectly and scored with soul touching music. It made my heart race then brought tears to my eyes because of its innocence and beauty. Yoo Ah In is spectacular as the newly awakened Sun Jae. A poor boy who is completely untainted and untested by the real world where money can’t buy love, but it can get you into an exclusive college. He has lived in a veritable musical cave all his life, yet somehow managed to develop into an exquisite lyrical entity.  His arrival into Hye Won’s fakey life has changed her. I can’t wait to see how.

Click here to watch Secret Love Affair.