Dali and the Cocky Prince Bursts into Perfect Rom-com Progression and Tension in Episodes 7-8 as the Love Triangle Clicks into Place

I’ll preface this post by saying it’s going to be long (I have a lot to say) and that I LOVE THIS DRAMA!!! thank you very much. KBS Wed-Thurs rom-com Dali and the Cocky Prince (Dal Ri and Gamjatang) rounded the corner to midway airing this week, with episodes 7-8 staying at mid 5% ratings but taking off in every way narratively. This is the rom-com I’ve been praying for that I haven’t seen in years, both light in energy but with serious tension and depth at regular intervals. This drama is so so good, like so good if you miss it I don’t know when we’ll get another one like this. Of course it can fall apart in the second half but so far it’s started off well and only gotten better. Episodes 7-8 really showed us what Dali has before her in terms of her two men – first love and former fiancee Tae Jin and creditor/new potential suitor Moo Hak. That I actually like Tae Jin is a testament to Kwon Yul‘s acting and the fact that OMG you’ll get burned by the chemistry and tension between him and Park Kyu Young especially in the flashback scenes, With that said, Moo Hak all the way, Kim Min Jae‘s chemistry with Park Kyu Young is just as good if not better and more importantly Moo Hak didn’t break Dali’s heart into a billion trillion pieces 5 years ago like Tae Jin did. I don’t even care what Tae Jin’s reason was, he gave up the woman he loves and now it’s too late and I can’t wait to watch him burn with even more regret as he realizes he can’t control everything. The directing of this drama continues to be so beautiful and easy to watch, love love the artistic touches thrown here and there organically. The music is also top notch, all the OST songs are stirring and just makes the scenes pop as needed.

I like that the art museum debt debacle has a broader conspiracy because that helps fill the time and throws in obstacles here and there, but really it’s to help Dali grow stronger and also give Moo Hak a reason to also realize that he care so much about Dali and wants to help her. I think both are fully aware they have attraction/feelings for each other and Dali took the first physical move in kissing Moo Hak (you go girl!) but Moo Hak one upped her by so sternly and sincerely telling her to think about what they did (the kiss) and whether it was an accident/mistake because to him it certainly wasn’t and he doesn’t make mistakes about what he eats/says/kisses. Swoon, sometimes that gruff boy says the most insightful things. It’s even better that Moo Hak’s dad was the only one at the art exhibition to see how Da Li and Moo Hak are looking towards each other when the other is not aware. Methinks Dad would be the perfect cupid, sad Dali’s dad is no longer around to help her as well.

I found myself laughing so often at the unexpected comedy, like when Moo Hak’s stepmother freaked out seeing him in the art installation coffin, or when Dali shoved Tae Jin in the car to avoid Moo Hak seeing her at the house., and of course Kids, Keith, and Keats that Moo Hak can only associate with Kiss ahahaha. I don’t think Dali needs her two men to always save her and despite her sometimes making stupid decisions because of her own general life hardship cluelessness she’s really thoughtful and articulate when she realizes she needs to keep getting street wise which Moo Hak has in spades. But her ability isn’t useless as shown with how the art she has curated for the exhibition really touched Moo Hak and he opened up to her about his mom’s death. The kiss at the end of episode 7 was lovely of the reversal in Dali making the first move but more importantly it was chaste and that’s fine because I am now a billion percent more excited for when the time comes that Moo Hak kisses Dali, god I’m going to need to buy a large fan to fan myself when it arrives.