Middle Episodes 7-10 of My Roommate is a Gumiho Find Again the Right Balance Between Sweet Chemistry and Substantive Plot Development

My initial rabid adoration of tvN Wed-Thurs drama My Roommate is a Gumiho (Frightening Cohabitation) has calmed down to sweet satisfaction, this drama is still my bae in every way and I’m getting around to appreciating its unexpected cadences. It’s less hokey and slap stick, more sensitive and serious, and somehow balances staying just so cute and charming. I thought episodes 5-6 were a bit slow but the next four episodes 8-10 last week and this week picked back up. Woo Yeo sent Dam away after taking back the bead since he killed his first love by keeping it in her too long to spend time with her, but her memory isn’t wiped and the growing sadness and void leads her to figure out she likes him. He gets there too since being apart is the best catalyst for emotional realization and the two get back together (though not move back together) and start that tentative fox-human romance. The supporting characters continue to get own story lines with Jae Jin and Hye Sun’s budding romance adorable in its own right and my poor second lead sunbae Seon Woo learning he has a heart, can be a better person, and is in an unrequited crush on Dam. Woo Yeo and Dam continue to be relationship goals, her candor and clarity like a clear spring creek and his deep stirring conflict with his gumiho nature a genuine plot concern. That Woo Yeo can kiss Dam’s brains out but it kinda is caused by his “hunger” for her in the direct and not-sexual way makes me swoon and laugh at the fantasy silliness that comes out from a gumihi-girl romance. The ratings have settled into the 3-4% range which is a relief it hasn’t dropped to the 2% range.