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Marry My Husband: Episodes 5-6
by solstices
It’s time for our hero to get his turn at a makeover, bolstering his romantic pursuit and his resolve to improve this timeline. As our heroine plays matchmaker between her future husband and her best friend, the love square (or should I say love pentagon?) begins to take shape. They may deem her unlovable, but our heroine has her fair share of suitors, too.
EPISODES 5-6
Rewinding to 2005, we’re taken back to our leads’ first meeting. One night, the chivalrous Ji-hyuk saves a very drunk Ji-won from a couple of lecherous men, which results in her chomping down on his shoulder, ha. She then proceeds to spill her life story to him, and it gives us further insight into our “best friends” — whenever Ji-won’s feeling down, Soo-min’s always uncontactable. Maybe that’s for the better though, Ji-won admits, because she’d feel even smaller next to Soo-min.
What I particularly like about this backstory is the way it sets up our leads’ connection in a way that’s both romantic and empathetic. Not only does Ji-hyuk learn why Ji-won maintains her friendship with someone like Soo-min — lonely and adrift after her father’s death, she’ll take any form of stability she can get — but he also opens up to her about his mother’s passing and his father’s remarriage. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from the stoic Ji-hyuk, and it contextualizes the depth of his feelings for Ji-won.
After they fall asleep on the lawn, Ji-hyuk wakes up alone, but he soon notices Ji-won around campus — as fate would have it, she’s his college sunbae. Ji-won regularly feeds an adorable stray kitten, which Ji-hyuk eventually comes to care for (and adopt!) as well, all while pining for Ji-won from afar.
In his second chance at life, however, Ji-hyuk’s all about taking initiative. That includes Ji-won’s suggestion of a style change, which means we finally get Ji-hyuk in a sharply-tailored three-piece suit. His spiffy new look results in astonished stares, spilled coffee, and swooning subordinates — as well as a very irritated Min-hwan.
Min-hwan’s middle name might just be “projection,” since he immediately corners Ji-won and declares that all men cheat — Ji-hyuk must have the hots for her, supposed girlfriend notwithstanding. Of course, Ji-won isn’t the least bit convinced, since she already knows Min-hwan’s true colors.
Unfortunately, these seeds of suspicion open the door for Soo-min to further sow discord. When she “accidentally” reveals to Min-hwan that Ji-won’s mother left due to an affair, insinuating that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Min-hwan deliberately frightens Ji-won by tailing her on the way home.
It’s downright terrifying, and when Ji-won rightly calls him out for scaring her, Min-hwan belittles her and gloats at her fear. Ugh, could he get any worse? Min-hwan takes her anxious distress as “proof” of her infidelity, and the confrontation escalates to an aggressive wrist-grab that Ji-won can’t break free from. The way he weaponizes her fear — an entirely rational one for a woman walking alone at night — is so sickening, and unfortunately so true to life.
Thankfully, Min-hwan is wrenched away and judo-flipped onto the ground by Ji-hyuk, who’d made a worried U-turn after none of his calls to Ji-won went through. Witnessing Min-hwan’s violence firsthand drives Ji-hyuk into a rage at the thought of Ji-won’s death, and his collar grab nearly turns into strangulation until Ji-won stops him. Min-hwan scurries off like the coward that he is, leaving Ji-won to misunderstand Ji-hyuk’s intentions.
Having found out about Ji-hyuk’s intervention regarding the high school reunion, Ji-won believes he intends to cheat on Hee-yeon with her. To my relief, Ji-hyuk isn’t a fan of miscommunication, and he immediately clears up the misunderstanding. Indeed, he does like Ji-won — such refreshing honesty! — but Hee-yeon is his half-sister, and a hilarious phone call proves it. (“I love you.” “Did you get diagnosed with terminal cancer?” “Are you being struck off the family registry?”)
Afterwards, Ji-hyuk walks Ji-won home, only to abruptly pass out on her shoulder. For a moment, I’m panicking right alongside Ji-won — it isn’t actually a cancer diagnosis, right? — but the hospital’s verdict turns out to be sleep deprivation, inconsistent meals, and overwork. Yep, sounds like Ji-hyuk. He’s placed Ji-won so firmly in the center of his world that he’s neglected to take care of himself, and I hope this is the wake-up call he needs to prioritize himself too.
Ji-hyuk is discharged, and he hails a cab home for Ji-won, reassuring her that despite his feelings, he won’t do anything that crosses a line or makes her uncomfortable. If she says no, he’ll respect it. (And that is why he’s leading man material!)
I think the scene of them heading home in two separate taxis might possibly be my favorite scene of the week, because it reflects how Ji-hyuk honors Ji-won’s boundaries while thoughtfully caring for her. He doesn’t just make empty claims of being a good person — he actually demonstrates it, consistently and authentically.
Meanwhile, Ji-won’s dealt a harsh blow when the nasty TEAM MANAGER KIM (Kim Joong-hee) forcibly removes her name from her meal kit proposal, in order to elevate himself. Ji-hyuk catches on, but instead of unilaterally resolving the situation with his authority, he invites Ji-won out for some judo practice. Through judo techniques, Ji-hyuk teaches Ji-won to face her battles head-on and use her opponents’ momentum against them, and his advice gives her a fresh perspective and renewed spirit.
Using her knowledge of the future to her advantage, Ji-won leverages on the viral videos of an arrogant executive’s power trip scandal to publicly expose Manager Kim’s proposal theft. The executive is dismissed, Manager Kim is disciplined, and a very elated Ji-won jams out to celebratory music on the rooftop.
That’s where Ji-hyuk finds her, prompting an excited conversation about their favorite BTS tunes until they come to a startling realization. Both Ji-won and Ji-hyuk have mentioned songs that haven’t yet been released in their current timeline — they’re both from the future!
Yay, the secret is out, and much sooner than I expected! I’m really enjoying how perceptive and quick-witted Ji-won is; not only is she adapting quickly and learning to recognize manipulative behavior, but she also picked up on Ji-hyuk’s romantic interest faster than most heroines would. She’s a lot more competent than she’s been led to believe, and now that she’s finally believing in herself, those qualities are shining through.
What I like most about Ji-hyuk is how he affords Ji-won the agency to resolve her problems with her own capabilities, thereby empowering her while also demonstrating his trust in her aptitude. He isn’t swooping in to be Ji-won’s valiant knight in shining armor, unless absolutely necessary. Instead, he’s content to provide support from the wings while she rediscovers and rebuilds herself. It’s a delicate balance between proactively protecting her and letting her be the main character of her own story, and so far I think Ji-hyuk is nailing it.
This week, we also witness the beginnings of the affair between Min-hwan and Soo-min, what with her wily seduction and his lack of self-control. As of now, she’s still keeping him on tenterhooks, but given their lack of scruples (and Ji-won’s matchmaking efforts) I doubt it’ll be long before they both give in to their base desires. On a meta level, it’s so funny to be rooting for an affair rather than against it, all because you actually want these characters to be immoral and spell their own doom.
This show continues to be a delight with its brisk pacing and trope subversion, swiftly nipping conflicts in the bud before they overstay their welcome. At the same time, it doesn’t rush through its story. Its scenes feel thought-out and deliberate, especially the juxtaposition of Min-hwan and Soo-min with Ji-hyuk and Ji-won — the shared cab ride of temptation versus the separate taxis of tactful consideration, for example, or the fake I-couldn’t-sleep-because-of-you versus the genuine all-night butterflies.
To an extent, this is also true for Eun-ho; while his attempts to woo Ji-won are endearingly earnest, he isn’t exactly the right fit for her. Although he pulled out all the stops for a fancy wine date, it’s that wine taken on an empty stomach that caused Ji-won’s tummy ache. It’s ironic, given that Eun-ho’s a chef, and it’s also a contrast to how Ji-hyuk bought simple comfort food for Ji-won on her first day of time travel. It’s these little details that give the drama its depth, and that’s why it continues to surpass my expectations. (Also, I’m totally rooting for chef Eun-ho and foodie Hee-yeon to get together. Make it happen, Show!)
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