Family's Honor: Episode 1 Recap ~ Lazy Goose's Hideout

My blog's first project!
Since I love Park Shi Hoo so much and I heard Family Honor is good, I decided to recap the show. I don't know Korean so I'm definitely not going to be a culture-enlighten recapper.

Park Shi Hoo only appears in 2 scenes: 01: 49 and 29:18.
Even though he only appeared in 2 scenes, he made a deep impression on the viewers as a cool (personality-wise), arrogant, and no-nonsense businessman.

A man, pointing to a mansion, says to his son that he (the dad) was born in that house. So were grandpa and great-grandpa. "You were supposed to be born there as well." He apologizes for failing his son and says "Remember that this place belongs to your ancestors."

Our main female protagonist, Ha Dan Ah (Yoon Jung Hee), walks out of a taxi with a professor and they discusses about the coming seminar. As soon as the professor comes in, Lee Kang Suk (Park Shi Hoo) aggressively greets the professor. It seems to be a regular occurrence as the professor annoyingly replies "What a pest." Kang Suk is trying to buy the professor's genealogy. His business philosophy is "Money can buy everything." I like his necktie by the way.

He pleads to professor to sell, saying he is willing to lever the price. The professor wouldn't budge as he deems himself not a cheap business man. Kang Suk rudely and arrogantly rebukes "I heard you're in a rut." All the while, Dan Ah unsuccessfully tries to stop Kang Suk bothering the professor. She asks him does he really think money can buy everything; he replies "What is there that money can't buy?" with an arrogant smirk (2:55).

Cut to Kang Suk's parents, who are buying a calligraphy. His father is mad that his son hasn't got this job done yet. Looks like Kang Suk inherited the straightforwardness and money-driven approach from his father. His father tells Kang Suk to raise the price and says in a loud and forceful voice: "There's no one who doesn't like money." He tells Kang Suk if he can't buy it, then set it on fire. LOL. Kang Suk's mother, a little embarrassed, politely explains to the broker that Kang Suk's father is rather forceful when it comes to his work. You tell me, lady.

Dan Ah's older brother, Ha Tae Young (Kim Sung Min), meanwhile is getting arrested for adultery by his wife, Hyun Ok (Seo Yoo Jung). LOL. Tae Young, while getting escorted out, tries to convince his wife out of charging him. He seems to be a all-talk guy: smooth words, just don't believe them. On their way out of the motel, they meet their sister-in-law, the oldest brother's wife, Young Hee (Kim Ye Ryung), who is with a younger lover boy. AWKWARD. Tae Young becomes angry for his brother and gets in a fight with the lover boy. His wife snorts he should speak for himself first. LOL.

Dan Ah's grandfather, Ha Man Gi (Shin Goo), who is the boy at the beginning sequence, receives the news that his father, Dan Ah's great-grandfather has collapsed. Grandfather is surprised as great-grand was doing well just this morning. He then tells his subordinate to contact Dan Ah's dad.

Dan Ah's dad, Ha Suk Ho (Suh In Suk), who is widowed, is eating a meal with his girlfriend, Young In (Na Young Hee), who is his employee. She also is very paranoid and can get too ahead of herself. While eating dinner, she feels nauseated. After puking a lot, she sternly assumes she has stomach cancer. They visit the hospital; while waiting outside for the diagnosis, Young In tells Suk Ho to play songs from The Beatles and Imagine by John Lennon at her funeral. She will make a list of guests so he shouldn't invite anyone else. She wants to make her funeral like a wine party. She'll get the pictures and videos ready too. Suk Ho is getting irritated while hearing all of this. He says "what's wrong with you." She replies "Aren't we close enough to talk about these things. He assures her that indigestion and nausea don't mean she's going to die.

Young In asks for her classmate as her doctor. Before the doctor can say anything, Young In asks what stage of stomach cancer is she in. Does she start with chemotherapy or surgery? The doctor is confused at first but then asks Suk Ho to go outside. Young In says it's okay and keeps on insisting to let Suk Ho to stay as they're close. The result is...she's pregnant! LOL. "I told you it's embarrassing. But you never listen." In this relationship, Young In is the more strong-willed and independent and Suk Ho is the doting and soft-voiced. When they're out, Suk Ho tries to steady Young In but she tells him to not get clingy.

Now we cut to grandpa's sister, Dan Ah's great-aunt, Ha Joo Jung (Park Hyun Sook), who is arguing with a producer to let her show to air but to no avail. She goes out fumingly mad. There's a guy who seems to be either the boyfriend or the best friend. They engages in a bickering fight. I guess this is the bickering couple. She's hot-tempered and loud-mouthed but he's no pushover.

Goes back to the adultery story. Dan Ah's adulterer brother, Tae Young, his wife, his fling, the adulterer sister-in-law, and her beau are at the police station. There are several law suits going on: adultery charges and assault charges. Young Hee, the sister-in-law, behaves very cool and detached, just sitting there at the station. I feel that she's not really committing adultery. Her so-called beau and Tae Young are arguing and they're both suing each other. A tomboy female officer, Na Mal Soon (Maya), comes in and engages in a back-and-forth with Tae Young. Man, this guy has some loose mouth. But for some reason, I don't find him annoying. I kind of like his character.

The oldest great-grandson, Dan Ah's oldest brother, Ha Soo Young (Jun No Min) arrives at the first station. His wife, Young Hee, daringly says to him that she went into a motel with a young man and he can sue her for adultery if he wants. Definitely marital problems. Tae Young is exasperated by his sister-in-law boldness's and remorseless attitude and urges his brother to do something. Once again, his wife reminds him to not criticize others when he's at fault himself. Soo Young is shocked but he keeps himself calm. This is probably the crutch of their marriage. She wants him to care with a passion, but he's to cool-headed and calm.

At the same station, a young woman, Oh Jin Ah (Shin Da Eun), hits a young man sitting next to her. He says to the policeman that this is why he wanted to break up with her; she's violent. Jin Ah tearingly says because of him, now she has no where to stay as she gave him her rent fee. How could he left her for a rich girl?

Soo Young and Dan Ah receive news that great-grand collapsed. They still can't get through to the dad, Suk Ho, and the great-aunt, Joo Jung. Meanwhile, Joo Jung is drinking with the guy who is supposed to be either the boyfriend or the best friend. They talk about how her salary is higher and he entered the company 8 years later than her because he failed the entrance exam 3 times. He comments how her name is not fitting of an esteemed family and asks her why she doesn't change her name. She replies that her so-called esteemed family wouldn't let her.

Dan Ah left the seminar once she received the news. She can't get an air ticket though. She calls and asks the help lady to leaves a message for her great-grand. She says in tears to tell great-grand to hold on and wait for her. She then catches sight of Kang Suk and approaches him. She desperately asks him for his ticket and says that she will repay. But Kang Suk says he has urgent business too. What a businessman, he then says that they could negotiate and demands $100,000. It's to prove his point that money can buy everything. He then left her almost in tears. Kang Suk, you'll going to have a long road ahead once you fall in love with her 'cause you are part of the reason she can't see her beloved great-grand for the last time.

We're back to Jin Ah, who is now outside the police station with her ex and his new rich girlfriend. The rich girlfriend is pissed off and says in a abasing manner that she now understands why he left such a violent girl like Jin Ah and Jin Ah doesn't deserve the compensation money she's going to give. Jin Ah rebukes "He's the best you can do?" She then thanks the rich girl for getting such a guy like that out of her life then sarcastically tells them that they are a match made in heaven. After the couple left, Jin Ah says to herself that she has, in fact, suspected the guy of cheating on her but she did not want to believe that as she believed in love. "l felt like I couldn't go on if I didn't believe in love. That's why I believed in you, because I gave you my heart." Overhearing all these is Soo Young, who then tells Jin Ah to not believe in such nonsense. "There is no such thing as love in this world."

Back to the adultery/assault cases, the police still can't resolve because, even though the adultery charges are dropped, Young Hee's beau is suing for assault. Tae Young blames his wife for not being able to go to their dying great-grand. "You had to pick the day great-grandpa collapsed." He then insists that his extramarital affair is only a fling and nothing serious. At Hyun Ok (Tae Young's wife)'s, bid to go home together, Young Hee declines and says "Who knows. Soo-young might come back and sue me." Tae Young asks Young Hee is she a least bit sorry and goes back to begging his wife. He's begging but his words indicate he doesn't feel cheating is that big of a deal; he's not sorry he cheated but sorry that he got caught. Soo Young hits Tae Young and apologizes to Hyun Ok on behalf of his foolish brother. Tae Young still doesn't understand and thinks Soo Young is taking his anger out on him. Hyun Ok says she can't forgive and she has had enough. Tae Young is confused why his wife is still mad and says "That's why I bought you clothes, and rings." This earns another punch from his brother. LOL. Dude, you still don't get it?

Soo Young drops the bomb: Great-grand is dying. This left the room in silent. Young Hee tells her beau to drop the charges so they can go to great-grand and tells Soo Young to call her when the divorce papers are ready. He gets on his knee and begs her to stay with him just through the funeral because he needs her for the funeral. She tells him he wears her out. Outside, Young Hee tells her beau she'll send him the money and to hold her shoulders before going. Yep, definitely a fake-out. Young Hee is a little upset that her hubby seems to not be bothered by such behavior. This stunt seems like Young Hee's last resort to get a reaction from her husband.

On the car, Hyun Ok reveals that she has told Young Hee beforehand the location of the motel and that she's going to track down Tae Young today. It seems like Young Hee purposely planned the encounter? Tae Young doesn't reply, which seems like an admittance, and says that Tae Young does love Hyun Ok and Hyun Ok should know that. Hyun Ok replies yes, she does and it's making her more confused. The crew arrives at the hospital and it's just after great-grand departed this world. Grandpa is mad that they are late and collapses.

All the while, the dad, Suk Ho, was at his girlfriend's place. They were discussing how did she get pregnant (just one time of without protection on her birthday). His phone is turned off so he found the news from his girlfriend.

Cute tidbits: Tae Young tries to get his son to bid a last goodbye his great-great-grandpa, who has passed away. His son is confused as to why he needs to greet a dead person.

Dong-dong.
- Yes?
Your great-great-grandpa passed away.
- I know.
You're his only great-great-grandson.
- I know.
You have to greet him well.
- I thought he passed away.
But still you...
- How would he know what I'm doing?
But you still have to say your last goodbye to him.
- Why say goodbye to a dead person?
Just do it, you brat!

BIG LOL. A little later, Tae Young tries to beg his wife again but to no avail. "You're really upset, huh? Want to pull out my hair?" It's so funny and somewhat cute. The actor really makes it hard for you to hate his character despite his flaws.

Back to the great-aunt, who is so drunk that she can't answer her phone calls. Her guy answers it for her and tells her the bad news: her dad has died.

Meanwhile, Dan Ah still can't get a flight as the last scheduled one has been canceled due to bad weather. Dan Ah finds a taxi and goes to the port. She runs in the rain to ask for a lift across the river. No boatman wants to because it's awfully bad out there. Dan Ah keeps on asking from one boatman to another and finally finds one. After much begging, the boatman finally agrees to take her because of her love and devotion to the great-grandpa. Just right before they go, Soo Young calls and tells her great-grand has passed away and she's in no need to rush coming back. Dan Ah is devastated and cries in the rain.

Thoughts and Impressions:
I like this drama more than I thought I would. Going in this 54-episode drama just for Park Shi Hoo, I surprised myself when I found several interesting and/or likable characters right off the bat. I find Young Hee, Young In, and Tae Young very interesting. Tae Young is also awfully funny and somewhat likable. I expect a change in him to fully like him. He needs to become committed to his marriage and has no more flings. Young In is hilarious too but not in the way Tae Young is.

I also find the coupling not predictable for some, which is good. Soo Young could either end up with his wife, Young Hee, or Jin Ah, both of which romances will be compelling. Young Hee: rekindle cool love. Jin Ah: love between two who don't believe in love anymore. The same thing's with Tae Young. It seems that he could be with his wife now too or Officer Na.