Best Love Episode 13 Recap
This recap was so hard to write. So hard that I don’t even want to think about how I’m going to write the next three remaining ones. I was quaking inside from so many feelings bumping up against each other. Best Love (The Greatest Love) is the first Hong Sisters drama for me that has not taken a second half dip in quality and instead continues to get better and better with each episode. It’s mirroring 49 Days in building the tension and angst, and hopefully delivering an equally well-earned payoff (but it better be the opposite of what happened at the end of 49 Days, is all I’m going to say).
Cha Seung Won and Gong Hyo Jin are so good in their roles that all I see is the love story between Jin and Ae Jung, with all the rich dramatic emotion that elevates this from a story about ordinary people in normal situations. They make the story feel so real, even if we can’t personally relate to it. But what this couple does is make you believe it, deep down you believe this story is happening and it makes you smile, rage, and cry in equal measure.
For those of you not watching BL, I suggest you get onboard and marathon this baby now. I have a feeling next week’s finale is going to be one of the most memorable Hong Sister’s endings ever.
Episode 13 Recap:
Ae Jung walks out of her house to head over to Jin’s and check on him. Too bad she’s waylaid by Mina, who gets out of her car and approaches Ae Jung. Mina, who hasn’t bothered to contact Ae Jung in ten years, and the first words she speaks to Ae Jung are to ask her unni to save her. Yeah, Mina, you are a piece of crap.
We flash to Mina’s meeting with Manager Jang. She tries to lie that she changed her name simply because she’s left the entertainment world. That doesn’t fly, and Manager Jang is keen on getting to the truth about why the Treasure Girls disbanded. Why would Ae Jung break up the band when all she needed to do was explain why she slapped Se Ri and everything would blow over?
Mina says that she’s forgotten since it’s so long ago. Manager Jang says Mina was close to Ae Jung. If the breakup wasn’t because of Ae Jung, then was it because something happened to Mina? He implies to Mina that one word and her name will be back in the news again. He doesn’t force Mina to divulge anything, merely telling her that he’ll contact her again.
Back in the present, Mina asks Ae Jung if she’ll protect her again the same way she protected her 10 years ago. Ae Jung says that she has something she needs to protect now as well. Mina tearfully concedes that she’s a coward wanting to hide behind Ae Jung again. But her life is so happy and good right now, she doesn’t want to mess it up. Ae Jung wishes that she were a superwoman so she can protect everyone. Damn, I say throw Mina to the wolves, she deserves to grow some spine.
Ae Jung doesn’t end up going to Jin’s house. She heads home and sits on the bench outside and broods. She wishes that she can just get out of Mina’s mess now. Jin comes to see Ae Jung since she never came to see him. He tells her to be honored that he came because he needs to listen to her song now. But Ae Jung doesn’t want to sing the Treasure Girls song.
She shows Jin the new song she’s readying for her upcoming album and it’s a ballad. They share a set of headphones and listen to the song. The singer who sang the demo is very talented, and Ae Jung worries that when she sings it people will insult her. Jin says Ae Jung didn’t become famous because she could sing. Ae Jung says she become famous for her good looks and her body.
Jin lays down and Ae Jung naturally laws down next to him because they are still sharing the same set of earphones. He says that he hasn’t recharged in a long time, he’s exhausted. Ae Jung wonders if Jin’s heart is broken, wouldn’t his eyes be broken as well so he should think Ae Jung is the prettiest. Jin says that he is broken, and flashes back to his conversation with Pil Joo.
Pil Joo thinks that Jin staying with Ae Jung will bring her more pain. Jin thinks the way for Ae Jung to deal with losing him isn’t by giving her less pain by leaving her, it’s by giving her more love when he’s still around. Because he is so famous, when he dies, his fame will linger and always bring Ae Jung pain. Pil Joo wonders if Jin is saying that Ae Jung will never be able to forget Jin?
Back on the bench, Jin says that his eyes are broken so he can say that Ae Jung is the prettiest, and his mouth is broken so he can spout such a lie. Ae Jung is just so loveable! Ae Jung says that Jin is covered with oil (i.e. such a smooth talker) today and she’s about to slip off him. He wonders if they should light a fire under the oil. Ae Jung thinks they should just toss a grenade instead.
Ae Jung thinks that she needs to protect Jin until the end, she vows to protect him until the end. Oh god, am starting to cry like a stuck pig already. Ae Jung tells Jin that once he’s fixed, he can leave her, she won’t cling to him. And if one day she wakes up and asks him to let her go, he needs to let her go. She asks him to pinky swear with her, and he does.
Jin says that if he leaves her, she can’t be hurt, she’ll have to endure it, okay? Ae Jung nods and Jin slowly grabs her hand in his. His eyes start to redden, as does hers. They both start to cry silently, their hands held together.
Pil Joo drives and thinks back to the rest of the conversation with Jin. What Jin can do is give Ae Jung more love, and he will spend what time he has left loving her. Jin asks Pil Joo to let go for the rest of the time Jin has left. Pil Joo asks if Jin is threatening him? Jin says he has no time for pride anymore, he is pleading with Pil Joo if that works.
Pil Joo gets a call from Se Ri and meets her at the playground. He confesses that he went somewhere weird. Pil Joo asks Se Ri if she knows the manhwa story of Paul in a Strange Land. Paul went to save a crying Nina, but was always too late, so the evil king took Nina away. Finally Paul grabbed hold of Nina to rescue her, but Nina let go of Paul’s hand. She said that the evil king was so lonely, so she went back to him. Paul went to ask the evil king to let Nina go, but she said that she was happy now and wanted to stay there.
Se Ri realizes that Pil Joo is talking about saving Ae Jung (Nina) from the evil king (Jin). Then who is Se Ri in this story? Pik Joo says Se Ri is a fairy who works for the evil king but later became close to Paul. Se Ri smiles, happy with the thought that she can get close to Paul.
Ae Jung meets with the production of Couple Making Season 3, who have asked her to convince Pil Joo to keep doing the show. But Ae Jung confesses that Pil Joo quit because of her, and that she can’t do it anymore. She apologizes to the production team. Ae Jung tells Ae Hwan that she needs to film a final episode with Pil Joo and settle things with him. They see Manager Jang but decide to ignore him.
Manager Jang meets with Se Ri, explaining that he met with Mina, who turned all white in the face the second he mentioned Ae Jung and why the Treasure Girls disbanded 10 years ago. Se Ri hopes that Manager Jang’s attempt to ruin Ae Jung won’t implicate her. Manager Jang thinks that if Mina showed up and the public knew Se Ri played a prank that got her slapped, that would be bad.
He asks Se Ri to tell the public that the reason she and Jin broke up was because of Ae Jung. Since he can’t mess with Jin, he wants Se Ri to do it. Ooooh, he is such vermin. Manager Jang leaves, and Se Ri looks upset that things are spiraling out of control. She mutters that she was simply looking for an excuse to talk with Pil Joo. I hope Se Ri grows a conscience and stops Manager Jang before it’s too late.
Se Ri goes to the clinic to once again try to get Mina’s contact information. She runs into Pil Joo’s mom, and not so accidentally let’s slip that Ae Jung was already dating another celebrity before the show started. Pil Joo’s mom is furious and goes to scream at the production. A reporter overhears this and approaches Pil Joo’s mom, who gives an interview wanting to let the world know about something which is wrong and unfair about the show.
Jin is helping Ding Dong with his homework. He’s agreed to take Ding Dong along on his picnic date with Ae Jung, but the kid needs to skedaddle whenever Jin asks him to be scarce so that he can have some alone time with Ae Jung. Ding Dong understands but doesn’t know how to read signals on when to make himself scarce. Jin shows Ding Dong his patented hand signal, which means Ding Dong needs to toddle off elsewhere.
They get some food first before heading out on the picnic. Set to the music of Mission Impossible, Jin and Ae Jung separately buy food and drinks. To keep a low profile, Ae Jung and Jin continue to keep their distance from each other and use Ding Dong as a go-between. OMG this is like the cutest oddball date ever.
Ding Dong walks back and forth between Jin and Ae Jung, to exchange beverages and food when it’s delivered incorrectly. Ae Jung even has Ding Dong wipe Jin’s mouth with a napkin on her behalf. Agent Moon talks with Ae Hwan about the news article about Ae Jung having a celebrity boyfriend already but still doing the show. She wants to know where Ae Jung is right now. Some girls spot Ae Jung and think she is on a date with her secret boyfriend.
Jin is buying things and is also recognized. The two ladies are getting ready to snap a picture of whomever Ae Jung is waiting for. Jae Seok stops Jin from meeting up with Ae Jung after getting a call from Agent Moon about the impending scandal involving Ae Jung. They meet up in the parking lot away from people. Jin manages to get Ae Jung into the car with him, while Jae Seok takes Ding Dong back home. Ding Dong is sweetly understanding and tells Jin to go on the picnic alone with his aunt.
Reporters are camped out outside the clinic wanting to interview Pil Joo. The nurses can’t keep the crowd under control, so he comes out to make a statement. When asked if he knows about Ae Jung having a celebrity boyfriend, Pil Joo says that it’s true he has feelings for Ae Jung, but they have not kept any secrets from each other and have mutually agreed to end the show.
Pil Joo’s words are twisted out of context, making it seem like Pil Joo confirmed Ae Jung has a secret boyfriend. Pil Joo is upset about it and goes to ask Se Ri for help on how to clear matters up with the media. But she tells him to just get out of this mess. Everyone is interested in WHO Ae Jung’s secret boyfriend is, not in him. She asks if Pil Joo will reveal that the person is Jin? Pil Joo thinks that things are spiraling out of control.
During the drive to the picnic spot, Jin turns off Ae Jung’s cell phone as he takes her to his idea of a picnic which is different than where they initially decided to go. The public is dissecting who the secret boyfriend is with an online poll. Jin’s name is crossed out because he’s too famous and no one can believe it’s him. Jae Seok tells Agent Moon that it appears that Jin wants to make public his relationship with Ae Jung.
Jin drives Ae Jung to the countryside and they get out to enjoy a picnic box prepared by Jae Seok. When Ae Jung says that the sun is too hot, Jin takes out an umbrella and holds it up to shade her. Ae Jung teases that they are not alone, a cow is the witness this date. Jin moos to the cow that he is Dokko Jin and very rich and will sue the cow if it talks with a reporter.
Jin asks for a picture with Ae Jung, to commemorate that she went on the picnic with him. Ae Jung suggests they take a picture with that cow. Oh god I’m crying again. He makes his trademark sideways finger pose, only to unexpectedly kiss Ae Jung right when the automatic camera takes the picture. Ae Jung smiles at him and touches her lips. They look at each other with such loving smiles.
Ae Jung wants to go on another picnic like this in the countryside. When Ae Jung remarks again how hot it is, Jin moves the umbrella over her more. She pushes it back saying top-star Dokko Jin needs to protect his visage as well. Jin asks where she really wants to go. Should they do Section TV again and go on a date in front of the cameras. Ae Jung says that would be too obvious. Jin says they should just announce they are dating so they can go anywhere they want, they don’t have to hide in places without people. Ae Jung wonders if he’s got heat stroke, telling him to stop kidding around.
Ae Jung goes to buy some water, which is when she turns on her phone and finally sees the urgent messages. Jin is waiting for Ae Jung and is spotted by an elderly lady fan, who asks for a picture. Jin asks if she can just pretend she didn’t see him. But instead she whips out her cell phone to take a picture. He asks if she’s going to keep it a secret, but she says that she’s going to show it to all her elderly friends to boast that she met him.
Ae Jung finds out from Jenny the maelstrom brewing back in Seoul. She tells Jin they need to head back. Jenny thinks if Jin announces he will marry Ae Jung, then people might be more accepting than if they were just dating. Ae Jung hopes that this will blow over, as all her scandals will blow over. Jenny doesn’t think so, she has a very bad feeling about this.
Manager Jang gives an interview dissing Ae Jung as breaking up the band to go solo and backstabbing her former band mates. He implies Ae Jung has a powerful sponsor that forced all the other ladies to leave Couple Making Season 3. He also drops a hint to investigate why the Treasure Girls broke up.
Agent Moon tells Ae Jung to reveal her real personal life at an interview she will set up – her shabby house, her family that she supports, the truth about Se Ri and Mina. Only then can Ae Jung salvage her career. Ae Jung wonders if she has to sell out her loved ones to save herself. Agent Moon tells her that it’s her remaining option, or else she needs to leave the industry. Agent Moon begs Ae Jung as a personal entreaty not to bring Jin down with her. He’s living at the pinnacle of life, she doesn’t want his career ended as well.
Jin’s doctor knows about the current scandal involving Ae Jung. He knows that Jin can’t step forward right now to protect Ae Jung. The doctor believes he can save Jin’s life, but if he gets into a scandal with Ae Jung then he’ll be hated by the public. Jin would rather live in crap with Ae Jung. Right now he desires to live, to live in a crazy way with Ae Jung.
People are gossiping about Ae Jung and Ding Dong overhears it and starts crying. Oh my poor boy. He’s holding a bag of Ironman cookies, too. The family holds a meeting discussing how Ae Jung’s activities have all been suspended. She asks her dad and brother what she’s done wrong that she needs to endure this? Has she done anything so horrible? She just tries to be genuine in everything she does.
Okay, Ae Jung, here’s the deal – I don’t know why you covered for Mina, but that is one huge reason why you’re in this mess. You did do something, you decided to take the fall for someone else. It’s time you came clean. I feel bad for Ae Jung, but she needs to tell the truth now.
Pil Joo tracks down Mina and asks her to tell the truth. He reminds Mina that she told him Ae Jung was someone who protected her and she owed something to. Mina says all she did was ask Ae Jung to keep her silence today like she did ten years ago. Pil Joo rips into her – why is she so cowardly that she will make Ae Jung take the fall for her? Mina doesn’t answer, because what is there to say other than concede that she’s a piece of trash of a human being right now.
Jenny talks with Ae Jung about her options but she has to hurry away when the reporters arrive. Ae Jung is rushing away from the reporters when she trips and falls. The reporter continues to hound Ae Jung when Pil Joo walks up. He helps Ae Jung up and tells the reporters that Ae Jung has nothing to say.
Pil Joo takes Ae Jung home and patches up her scraped knee. He tells her that he can’t ignore things anymore. He yells at her for thinking that by not explaining herself everything will go away. He tells her to leave this strange world that keeps hurting her. Whether it’s Jin or the entertainment world, it will only hurt her. It doesn’t matter if she’s just using Pil Joo, he doesn’t care, he wants to protect her.
Ae Jung says that if she runs away, then she can’t protect it anymore. She’s been hurt walking this road because she’s been protecting things. If she leaves now, she can’t protect it anymore. Ae Jung looks at a picture of her and Jin, understanding that he is what she needs to protect. She vows that she will protect him.
Ae Jung tells Agent Moon that she would rather end her entertainment career and her reputation rather than throw away the people she loves. Jenny thinks to herself that she needs to know what happened in order to reveal the truth. Writer Han asks Se Ri if she knows the truth about what is going on. Se Ri notes that Ae Jung constantly is being attacked by the public. Mina reads the newspaper and then looks at her baby. She apologizes to Ae Jung. Let me punch you in the face, Mina, and then I’ll apologize to you.
Ae Jung sits in the room and practices her speech to the media – she will apologize, explain that she has nothing to say, and that she will reflect on what she did. She starts crying as she repeats this statement over and over again.
Jin arrives at the agency and Agent Moon stops him, asking if he’s here because Ae Jung wants to drag him through the mud with her. Jin says he came because he wants Ae Jung to drag him through the mud with her. Agent Moon says that it’s not the end yet. Jin says that he wants to live, which is why he needs to jump into the mud with Ae Jung.
Jin goes to see Ae Jung right before her press conference. She asks why he’s here? He tells her that she just has to explain their relationship to the public. If she says that she is Dokko Jin’s woman, he will confirm it. She tells him not to joke, but he says he never jokes. Even if he tells her to marry him right now, he’s not joking either.
Jin then says that if he says right now that he’s very sick and could die, that is not a joke either. He tells her that he’s critically broken, and might not be able to be fixed. The reporters congregate outside for the press conference. Ae Jung asks if Jin might die, so he’s willing to reveal his relationship with her at this time.
Jin says that even if he has to leave this world, he will make it so Ae Jung can live in it. He tells Ae Jung to sell him out now in exchange for her future. He’s going to give himself to her. He says that he wants to be Gu Ae Jung’s man right now. Ae Jung yells at him to tell her that he’s just joking. And……I’m officially all cried out now.
Thoughts of Mine:
What is the meaning behind Best Love or Greatest Love? Originally the title of this drama was called The Discovery of Affection, which is just a cute name that implies love blossoming. But the final title for the drama is much deeper IMO, and encompasses love beyond the romantic kind. I think the greatest type of love in the world is the selfless kind – the love where you put the needs, wants, and interests of the person you love above your own, be it your parent, your child, your significant other. It’s not about love that makes me happy, it’s about love that makes the person I love happy.
I think it’s not a coincidence that Ae Jung’s name literally means “love” in Korean, because her character is the most selfless one in the drama. To a point that it’s borderline unrealistic, but I still buy it because Gong Hyo Jin sells her so well. For Ae Jung to accept 10 years of slings and arrows in the entertainment industry because she was protecting Mina upsets me, especially since Mina turned out to be such a spineless selfish wench.
But if Ae Jung represents love in its most selfless form, and Jin started off as the most self-absorbed of all characters, he’s now understood what the greatest love of all means as well. Honestly, so many characters pissed me off in this episode. It’s not that I don’t understand their motivations, but I hate it when being selfish butts up against telling the truth. But I’m glad that Ae Jung knows about extent of Jin’s heart condition now, so that she can make decisions not in a vacuum but with all the facts.
I’m done feeling bad for Pil Joo, because he’s really not fallen in love with Ae Jung to the extent Jin has, so his suffering (however sad) feels like it’s something he can endure and move past. I still like him lots as a character, but he’s becoming a plot driver at this point to move along the Mina issue. I can’t believe that between Mina and Se Ri I’m actually liking the latter more as a human being. Se Ri may be a brat, but at least she doesn’t hide it wear a mantle of a victim.
Jin and Ae Jung’s date was just so adorable, with Ding Dong acting as the go-between. But it was their date by the rice paddy that really stood out for me how much Jin’s changed since he met Ae Jung. The real umbrella he held over her was a giant metaphor from the Hong Sisters for himself being the fame umbrella that will shield Ae Jung from public censure. When someone received a potential death sentence, like Jin has, the first question asked is “how do I want to spend what little time I have remaining?”
Yes, Jin may live or die, but he’s living his life right now praying for the former, but preparing for the latter. He is spending time with Ae Jung, and he is setting things up so that she is taken care of and protected should he not pull through. This is not noble idiocy at work. For all of Jin’s exaggerated mannerisms and childish ticks, at heart he is a real man who dares to put everything on the line for the woman he loves. I love this love story, which has evolved from charming antics to a love so strong I can feel it radiating from both of them whenever I see them together onscreen.
First? Thanks and HEARTBREAK!!!! T.T
wahhh… been waiting for this!!!
thanks koala!! u r the best! as usual!
Ahhhhhh I can’t wait to watch this!!!! I also have to say I love the header ockoala unni! 🙂
what a good episode. I don’t normally buy the angst in hong sis’s drama. But the angst in BL is good, so good.
hehe…first one to comment? yes or no?
Thanks ockoala for recap. I watched it life few hours ago and somehow I didn’t find the portrayal of Korean celebrity world to be realistic enough for me to emote. But certainly the performances of the three leads are great, especially GHJ in this episode. ( She is my perennial love!)
I still love the doctor’s role the most since he doesn’t just walk away from AJ. He respected her emotional choice but still offered her friendship, support and substantial help. I thought Se-ri would get better, but apparently she was still a brat. I hope that the doctor will not be “relegated” to her–he deserved a much better girl than her. The doctor should just go to China to study herbs. hahaha.
Perfect! Recap was good…your thoughts of the ep. and the drama itself …perfect!
omo, tears are already forming in my eyes while reading this. I guess tonight’s episode will bring more buckets of tears.
thank you for this : )
thanks ockoala…. i really love this series! I want to watch it all over again, just for the heck of it…
by the way i watched The City Hall as per your recommendation and I really really loved it… loving it still!
Thanks again. =P
i cry like ababy reading this!
good one kcala
recap recap recap….
thanks thanks thanks!!!!
Ockoala, your final thoughts brought tears to my eyes…I LOVE YOU.
OMG! My heart! It’s breaking!
(˘̩̩﹏˘̩̩) I’m trying to hold back my tears right now. I think I’m gonna cry if I watch it.
Mature Jin is awesome! And everyone is growing as well.
Except Mina. I actually thinks that she’s going to open-up (by herself, not because someone force her to) to the public about what happen back then.
And (I can’t believe I’m saying this too) I prefer Seri than Mina. At least she is not a coward person.
Mina is still a student on your school of hard knocks in this episode. She’s being left by Sang Hee who graduated in LTM ep 12. ^^
Thanks for the great recap! I love Dokko Jin and Ae Jung’s journey from coincidental crush (due to a song) to undying love. Their moments together are just so funny, sweet, and tender that I just can’t get enough of this pairing. I am hoping that the Hong sisters don’t throw us a 49 Days ending that ends with Dokko Jin dying; I would rather see him survive his surgery, reveal that he loves Ae Jung, and then have them sort out all the messy stuff within the entertainment business that affects celebrity couples (from scandals to crazy fans, etc.) in order to become a celeb power couple.
As for the other characters I still love Pil Joo’s determination to save Ae Jung from the celebrity/entertainment world, but I think he needs to understand that she doesn’t necessarily want to quit the business and that her heart is truly with Dokko Jin. With Se Ri I think that she will be somewhat redeemed in the end, but I would rather not have her end up with Pil Joo (I just don’t think they are meant to be together, but that’s just me). I agree that Mina is cowardly and initially it was her problems that ended the Treasure Girls, so she needs to face the truth and just come clean about what happened 10 years ago. And Manager Jang, he just gives me the creeps! His character is just so scummy. His abuse of Ae Jung, from the slap to the spilling of hot coffee, earned him the beating from Jin (a few episodes back) and was well deserved. I hope they tie up this whole “Treasure Girls” mystery soon so we can remove both him and Mina from the story.
Sorry for the long rant. There are just so many things to say and talk about with this drama. Thanks again for the great recap! Looking forward to the next episode. 🙂
The Greatest Recap for the Greatest Love! Thank you!!!!
thank you ms.koala…am crying like a baby now by just reading your recap…boy, this is so sad…
huhuhu~! *sobs*
my heart aches in this episode, i so love this couple… it is indeed the greatest love they have, and i’m deeply touched..
thanks for the great recap and great comments ockoala, you’re the best!
There goes my heart shattered into pieces… Huhuhu… 🙁
I’m so affected although I can’t relate at all. OMG… what will happen next? :(( Thanks Koala for the recaps… *goes back to crying*
This thing with MiNa now has me really curious. What the hell did she do?! Why can’t she just spill it? AeJung never will because she is a decent person and she keeps her promises so MiNa has to be the one to say it. What happened?! Was it really a miscarriage?
I know that the “greatest love” is to love as unselfishly as you can with the time you have but I don’t want Jin to die. I really don’t. Just like I didn’t want MiHo to die. Please, show, don’t let Jin die.
Hmm…I may sound mean. I like the story, I really do. I love the acting as well…But, could they have chosen better-looking actors?
There are lots of better looking actors but there is only one best-acting actor that perfect as Dokko Jin. 😉
we all have different views on beauty..for me CSW is a very attractive guy and still so hot and sexy even at 41…GHJ may not be strikingly beautiful but she is a natural beauty (not surgically enhanced when i compare her with from her old dramas)…
both leads are amazing talents when it comes to acting…GHJ if you read some articles, you will see that she has many awards under her belt already…
I agree with tan.
Beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder. CSW is normally not my type, but I think he is very, very attractive. He becomes more and more attractive due to his acting. He has a tenderness, but also a fierceness about him. As for GHJ, yes, she may look plain and ordinary to some, but I think she has natural beauty. She is refreshing compared to the women who look plastic and fake.
I agree with you that his acting is very appealing. I didn’t find him a handsome guy but now I’m used to his looks and I think it is due to his acting, he is so addicting to watch. I love his acting and I rather watch something well done, well performed than see a good looking actor with poor acting skills. =^.^=
I agree. If they would have chose a better looking couple I’ll definitely watch this drama. What a pity.
thanks for the recaps…im crying now…what a episode, very touching..a great love story….AJ’S love for her loved ones is really selfless, which i agree sometimes unrealistic but with GHJ’s acting, it becomes so believable and convincing…on the other hand, DJ’s love for AJ is also so selfless..i love to see the egoistic and arrogant DJ to be a totally changed person because of his love for AJ…really the greatest love….love the hong sisters…the flow of the story is fantastic that you will never get bored…
the best drama for me this 2011, so far ( i am also looking forward to HS since i am a YAB and A.N.jell fan, kekeke)
thanks for the recaps…just love the episode..it made me cry…what a love story…kudos to CSW and GHj for their excellent acting…recently, i started to watch some old dramas of GHJ and she is really is a natural actress and she deserves those awards she received before…her best drama for me is Thank you with Jang hyuk..
Thank you is AMAZING.
I think Hyo Jin’s best performance in a drama is hands down ROYOW, followed by Thank you. While I loved Thank You, it had some characterization lapses that took it down a notch for me.
But my favorite drama of hers is Sang Doo, Let’s Go to School. Simply unforgettable.
Agree with you once again. Although she is the second female lead in Ruler of Your Own World, she totally steals the show.
Frankly, I think her performance in Best Love is only decent–don’t make me wrong. She is one of the best actresses in her generation, and she keeps knocking out great performance one after another. But she is not at her best in this drama. Even in Snow Man, she is better.
Totally agree with you and hjlover. GHJ was so good in RoYOW that I hated, hated, hated, hated, hated her. Thankfully, I’d already seen her in Sangdoo that I didn’t hate her forever. She gave her RoYOW character such depth, such richness which is why I hated her so thoroughly. (I couldn’t care less about most villainnesses. I usually just want them off my screen as if they were annoying gadflies.) In general RoYOW was fantastic, but I can’t think of any other actress of her generation who could have pulled off such a complex character.
GHJ disappears into ANY character. If the Hong Sisters had changed up the OTP (Ae Jung the top star, Jin the hated D-lister), Hyo Jin would have nailed it as well. CSW is a more technical actor, and has to work at distancing his real life strong charisma from any character.
OMG!!! I can’t believe what just happened!
Jin, I LOVE YOU!!!
Thank you for the re-cap!! I appreciate it with all my heart!!
Hmm I really love this drama.CSW is very sexy!!! OMG!! ( fans self) 🙂
Okay, I just got hooked on “drunken with love because of your recaps and now you want me to get hooked on “Greatest Love”! My husband will kill me for spending so much time on the computer either buf
oops…bursting out loud with laughter or crying! Yikes
I love your comment about the title being “Greatest Love”. Initially I thought the former title Discovery of Affection was more like a Hong Sisters’ drama title, a title with a pun. But after the ending to this episode with Jin practically begging AJ to sacrifice his name for hers, I thought to myself, “Now THAT’S love”.
To be honest though, the Mina storyline is pissing me off, or rather the character is pissing me off. Does it have to do with getting pregnant? Is she trying to protect her reputation? There’s such a disconnect because it’s been 10 years…and Mina’s not even in the industry anymore…her husband should understand, right? And I do wish that AJ would finally stand up for herself. Honey, you’ve protected your family, Mina, your friends, Jin…it’s time to protect yourself!!
thanks for the recap…yup…this episode made me cry from beginning to end…cry hating that mina…crying for joy on their date…and crying for total sadness…now as i write i cry again….OMG…non stop..maybe i’ll step out first to be away from the computer to stop crying…
I share your sentiments, Koala. This is truly one of the most memorable Hong sisters drama ever
If we survive this drama, it will be some kind of miracle. It’s zoomed past every other Hong Sisters drama EVER and I don’t think there’s an equivalent for television storytelling on the entire planet right now.
I know the Hong Sisters refuse to do extensions (bless them, they have power and use it WISELY), so we are wrapping this up next Thursday. I expect to be (1)out of Kleenexes and sniffling into my shirt hem and (2)more in love with Cha Seung Won as an actor than ever and (3)re-watching this in a marathon next Friday/Saturday so I can breathe on Sunday. This drama marks my soul.
O_o my heart I can’t take this …. this episode so bittersweet it left my heart in pain. The love Jin has for AJ is just pure, honest, and beautiful. Hong sisters have created a masterpiece with BL.
I’m not sure if I can take it too next week….*heartbreak…heartbreak*
Thanks Koala!
Why the hell, they write things like this?
Why the hell I keep listening to sad love songs?
Why am I a masochist?
Why?
Y_Y
Like your analysis of the title… I agree totally. I also think the original title would have worked on another level as the discovery of AJ (if her name can also be loosely translated as affection as well). This whole series has been about her being slowly recognized for the person she is by others and I’m hoping, praying that in the end, she also will discover another side to herself.
OMG, what an episode!!! The Hong Sisters are really such GREAT writers & I love the metaphors!!!
Ockoala…I’m enjoying TGL much more because of your insightful thoughts & daebak recaps, as well!!!
Komapta!!!
Thank you for the recap.
I am so upset.I really am.I don’t even feel like going near the subs.The raw episode was enough to kill me.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
i wanna punch Mina… anyone with me?!
love our OTP!
thanks for this wonderful recap koala
i’m actually Heartbreaking, and it hurts so much. i love this episode, but i never thought i could cry this much, even in the happy moments cause i knew they won’t last
DJ how much i love you???? GAJ don’t just protect him, be with him!!! and let mina take the fall… i really hate mina…
poor Ding Dong crying only makes the pain deeper
i need so badly a happy ending
jebal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Same here Chinggu! Never thought that I can be able to cry this much.
Yesterday was Wednesday and I pray my novena after watching BL. Since my heart is aching ang worrying for DGJ, I just realized that my heart was saying a prayer for him in one of my petitions. Sounds overeacting but its true..
I have a training today but I don’t think I will be able to make it, I wanted to but I wanted to know what will happen to our DGJ first hand.
If the doctor told the reporters that GAJ’s song has saved DGJ in his surgery, people will surely approve their relationship not to mention that she saved him 10 yrs ago during the first surgery.
I love the recap, amidst the muddy farm, GAJ and DGJ will shine brightly together and his love will shield her.
OMG awesome episode and recap. I am totally in love w/ DJ and want one for myself..hehe. Mina is getting on my nerves..can’t believe she is so self center and only think about herself and her happiness. I hope AJ would take Jin’s advice and let the whole world know he is her man. I know this will be a big scandal but she need to have confidence that she is a great person and have capture Jin’s heart and deserve his love. I love the hong sisters and have watch every one of their drama so I hope they will not disappoint us all and make Jin die at the end.
I also agree with u koala on the name and think that BL match it way better now. I use to think DOA was such a great name for this drama and was so disappointed when it got changed to BL/TGL.
Today is my first time posting something here and over at DB so this is showing how great this drama is. Thank you so much for such an awesome recap and keep up the good work Koala!
Can I assume you’re another Burmese fan of K-drama? Even though you mayn’t be a fellow Burmese, welcome to one of the greatest blogs that deal with Korean dramas where we fans can rave about our faves.
Ockoala, awesome recap…thanks so much as always!
I like what you said about the title now being more apt for the depth of feeling and will that Jin has journeyed for Ae Jung. It is indeed the greatest kind of love — the unconditional and reckless kind. Abandoning all things that used to matter to him for someone who deserves it and yet does not demand it for she has shown the same love for other people all this time.
This is a most beautiful drama full of meaning and yet some may not appreciate too well if they are just skimming through the surface and just looking for kicks. It has those but it has more.
I love that the Hong sisters set this drama in the backdrop of the entertainment world because only this kind of love will shine so brightly in a setting that is strongly driven by images, appearances and shallowness. It is a most powerful rom-com because of this. How could anyone elevate rom-com to this amazing level…only the Hong sisters were able to dare and successfully pull-off.
thanks a lot koala ….. haven’t watched it yet but ur recap alone made me cry! i hope DKJ pulls it through in the end!
Thanks ockoala for the best recap of episode 13, I almost can’t comment in your playground because I still feeling down and sad about this episode… I just hope everything will end up happy for Jin and Ae Jung.
I love everything about this drama, fall in love with Dokko Jin character which hillariously funny and then he start to grow inside you and makes him the hero, feel sorry about Ae Jung condition and admire her character as well, feel sympathy for Dr. Pil Joo and blown away with his kind and nice character, Feel angry and mad about mina and se ri, because I think they just the same, mina is just terrible and se ri still trying to do everything to bring down Ae jung to gain her more popularity is just suck.
Then there is this story, beautifully well written.. so please Hong sister better not kill Dokko Jin, I would die if they kill him..
Sooo sad. I can’t believe that Mina is asking that of Aejung, AGAIN, after 10 years. You would think that she would have grown up in all that time. Also, if she can’t even share that much to her husband because she’s scared that he’ll leave her, then their relationship is based on lies anyways. Oooo, I wonder if Aejung’s nephew is her son. How scandalous would that be? I mean, his mother left him right. Maybe she had an affair with Aejung’s brother and that’s why Aejung is keeping the secret so safe. Hmm. Just a thought.
I cannot wait for that manager’s comeuppance. Seri included. Right when I think she’s salvageable, she goes and does this with the lies. I hate people who spread gossip to ruin other’s lives. That’s just not right. I mean, you would think the mom would leave well enough alone. She should be happy that her son isn’t going to end up with Aejung and just leave it alone.
If Aejung would have to suffer a mother in law like that, that firmly puts me on Team Jin for the win. No more jumping ship. As much a I love perfect man Piljoo, he seems to be ineffectual when it comes to protecting the one he says he really loves, even if she’s in a strange land that he’s unfamiliar with. 🙁
Thank you Koala for this morning treat. 😀
My eyesight lost me on the still showing Cha Seung Won holding an umbrella to protect his woman: I thought that Shin Mi Rae was standing there instead of Gu Ae Jung. 😀
Nah, that was Dokko Jin shielding his beloved Ae Jung.
Wuri Gookie would never be caught dead wearing a casual army-hued jacket with boy scout patches plastered all over it. Besides, he’s really busy watching the twins and running Korea. On top of being so in love with his wifey I still tear up when I see their wedding pictures.
I really liked your read of the umbrella. Very sweet. It hadn’t dawned on me. Thanks.
I also feel the current title is more apt after all…I guess the HS really know what they’re doing…
“Yes, Jin may live or die, but he’s living his life right now praying for the former, but preparing for the latter. ”
Like I said before, I always come here just to read your insights. I love that there is no noble idiocy (at least not yet, we still have 3 left). I love that Jin knew that it was the right thing to do to tell Aejung about his heart himself.
Well, I’m going to watch the raw video now that I’ve read your wonderful recap and javabeans’. As a non-Korean, I have to rely on you two when I want to make sense of what’s going on in the raw vids, as I just can’t wait till the subs appear. Thanks so much, Koala, for your insight and your asides are also so comical that I laugh and cry at the same time. Just imagine I’m crying even before seeing Ep. 13. Must get plenty of tissues nearby before going online to watch the episode now. Thanks a million again for “LTM” recaps too. Won’t it be fun to compare the love of DJ and KJ for each woman? Which one is more selfless, deeper and more meaningful? Or are we comparing apples and oranges? Anyway, I love both male leads for going all out for their loved ones, the only thing “LTM” has a slight edge over BL is of course the beauty of the actress, YEH’s cuteness is incomparable. But BL’s actress grows over you, her charm is more subtle and of course DJ is completely wacky, more than slightly deranged, if I may say so. But here too, the male lead has changed so much from an eogistic, insufferable human being into someone who puts everything he cares for — fame and image–on the line so that he can safe his woman from pain and humiliation. AJ in LTM doesn’t face such a troubling future as Ae Jung in BL but KJ is still willing to put his position on the line just to show that his love is greater than submitting to his aunt’s wish to save the business with Chen at all costs, even to the extent of meeting with the parents of his ex-fiancee who just won’t let go of him. I admit BL’s storyline is more coherent, but the love the two men have for their women in both dramas is something to marvel at.
eeeeee! tx koala for another recap. it totally brightened my otherwise craptastic day. mina needs to start start cleaning up to own messes. i hope dkj comes out okay 🙁
“The Greatest Love/ Best Love” episode 13 English Soft-Sub Subtitle is out.
URL: http://www.darksmurfsub.com/forum/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F1203-the-greatest-love-2011%2F
How many episode? I thought I read 20 but in the recap koala said 3 more left????
aaaah…. thx u ockoala 4 ur recap!! i watch this drama b’coz o ur recap hehehe…
n u bring me a happines and a lot of emotion esp this ep and the next ep…. i cried when saw ding dong crying…. thx uuu….