Revolutionary Love Episode 5 Recap

Revolutionary Love Episode 5

Baek Joon (Kang So Ra) punches Byun Hyuk (Choi Si Won) and raves that he hasn’t changed and is a jerk. She declares that she never wants to see him again.  She gives him $7M and leaves with tears running down her cheeks. When her mother calls Baek Joon rages at her for accepting the money from a virtual stranger. Her mother says she’s seen the man for many years. The light goes on and Baek Joon realizes that Je Hoon gave her mother the money NOT Hyuk. When her mother suggests that Je Hoon likes her, Baek Joon is taken aback. Meanwhile Hyuk asks Je Hoon if he gave Baek Joon’s mother the money. Baek Joon returns to Je Hoon’s apartment and overhears Kwon Je Hoon (Gong Myung) admit that he gave Baek Joon’s mother the money. Baek Joon can’t believe it. Hyuk appears suspicious of Je Hoon’s pat answer that he wanted to help but then smiles happy that Je Hoon listened to Hyuk’s plea on behalf of Baek Joon. He thanks Je Hoon for helping. Hyuk promises to pay Je Hoon back. Je Hoon scoffs that won’t happen anytime soon because his family won’t anger his father by helping him. Hyuk boast he’ll pay Je Hoon back soon. Je Hoon sets a deadline. Pay him back in 1 month or suffer interest. Baek Joon can’t believe it. Hyuk can’t believe it. Baek Joon kicks the door and goes upstairs. Je Hoon tells Hyuk that he owes for half the living expense too. Hyuk can’t believe. Je Hoon is firm.

Inside her apartment Baek Joon mistakenly believes the Je Hoon’s request for interest from Hyuk means that he did not provide the money to her mother out of consideration for her.

Je Hoon can’t believe that his gift to Baek Joon’s mother turned out to alienate him from her.

Hyuk recalls his brother warning him to grow up before he could effectively plead leniency with their father. Hyuk stares at the $7M Baek Joon gave to him. He realizes that he spent money without thought before.

Baek Joon wonders how long it will take her rebuild her bank account.

 
The next day Hyuk watches Baek Joon leave for her first part-time job at 4:30am. Little does she know Hyuk follows her and can’t help but see how tired she is. Hyuk notices that many people are on the bus going to jobs. Baek Joon arrives at a site where day workers hope to get picked. He doesn’t understand what is going on. He follows Baek Joon and tries to stop her from taking a day job when he mistakenly thinks she’s selling herself. Baek Joon pushes him am and gets in the van. Hyuk follows and declares he’ll follow her today. The trio of fired construction workers tell Baek Joon to give Hyuk a chance. Hyuk murmurs he must earn money. The trio takes pity on him much to Baek Joon’s displeasure. Of course, the building they got the job at is his father’s company. They all stare at the building shocked. Hyuk claims he’ll be able to work at his father’s job.

Je Hoon starts his new job (courtesy Hyuk’s brother). He recalls that Hyuk’s brother wants him to spy on the current manager. He introduces himself to the manager. He can’t help but hear the whispers that he joined the team through connections not merit.

Hyuk isn’t exciting by the cleaning uniform. He frets he might be recognized. Baek Joon bets that no one will recognize him in the uniform. As they stride into the manager’s office he’s impressed that a young man like Hyuk is doing the job. Hyuk is taken aback that he’s not recognized. The manager gives them the extensive to do list.  Baek Joon takes offense at his language and asks that he speak to them respectfully. Hyuk can’t believe that he wasn’t recognized.

Hyuk is surprised repeatedly when no one recognizes him in the cleaning uniform. He feels like he is in an alternate universe. Baek Joon tells him that no one looks at cleaner’s faces and only sees them as resources. He recalls how he’d arrogantly stride into the building and never look at the workers that deferred to him. He buys a clue that he too discriminated against those in different positions than him.

Meanwhile Je Hoon is suffering from discrimination too as his new co-workers ignore him.

Baek Joon is surprised when Je Hoon’s new manager recognizes her. He asks when she started cleaning. She demurs that she’s fine. She claims she must get back to work. The manager watches her walk away.

Flashback…the manager cries at Baek Joon’s father’s memorial bemoaning that he couldn’t protect him.

Baek Joon quickly eats lunch struggling to hold back tears.

Hyuk plunges his first toilet. It overflows. He looks for Baek Joon in the ladies’ restroom. He hides in the stall to avoid being detected. When Baek Joon exits the stall the ladies snipe that she’s sunk lower now that she’s cleaning restrooms. Hyuk feels bad for her. He is started when Baek Joon opens the stall door. Hyuk explains that he needs her help. Baek Joon offers to fix the toilet for a price. Hyuk agrees. Baek Joon works her magic and unstops the toilet. She strides away pleased. Hyuk isn’t sure that is a talent to be proud of. The team gathers at the end of the day and chuckle that it wasn’t as bad as they expected.

On the bus home, Hyuk watches Baek Joon sleep. He’s worried about her. He’s not sure he believes her strong words that she’s proud of whatever she does for a living. Hyuk sighs and sees that Baek Joon struggles.

Ha Yeon Hee (Kim Ye Won) and Baek Joon eat dinner together. Yeon Hee believes Hyuk agreed to clean his father’s building because he likes Baek Joon. Not believing her friend, Baek Joon demurs it isn’t true. Yeon Hee is firm that Hyuk is stuck on her. Yeon Hee casually asks about Je Hoon. Baek Joon tells her about Je Hoon’s new job. Yeon Hee muses that Je Hoon is a man that need to be successful.

Je Hoon works at home. Hyuk asks how to get a meal ticket in the company’s cafeteria. Je Hoon isn’t happy to see Hyuk wearing his clothes. Hyuk advises him not to use the finicky toilet. Je Hoon doesn’t understand.

The next day Hyuk tries to understand how to buy the meal ticket from the machine. An employee shows him it is not cash based, but badge based. He complains to the trio. They explain as part-time workers they don’t have the same benefits as full time workers. He gets the idea to use Je Hoon’s badge.

But when he takes Je Hoon’s employee badge, Je Hoon demands to know what he’s doing and snatches it back. Hyuk decides to take the bad while Je Hoon sleeps. When Je Hoon gets dressed he notices Hyuk (still sleeping has his clothes and his badge). He throws the clothes on the sleeping Hyuk and leaves with his badge. Outside the apartment door, Baek Joon asks where Hyuk is. She tells him about the cleaning job. Je Hoon is miffed at the physical labor that Baek Joon has a penchant for. He offers to look for a better job. She declines the offer. She thanks Je Hoon for the money he gave her mother though she thinks he did it because Hyuk made the request. She further misunderstands Je Hoon believing he’s helping Hyuk because one day, Hyuk might be powerful in the company.  She bangs the door and calls to Hyuk. The sleeping Hyuk wakes and realizes he’s late.

Hyuk’s brother admits that Hyuk asked for money while the family eats breakfast together. Hyuk’s mother implores her husband to help her younger son. Hyuk’s brother says that Hyuk is smitten with a girl.  That grabs his mother’s attention. Hyuk’s brother says that Hyuk needs time to grow up.

When Hyuk gets to work, he realizes that Je Hoon took his badge back. He’s taken aback when he’s asked to clean up a large pile of shredded paper. He’s not happy, but he bags it up. When he reports the task is done, the requester doesn’t acknowledge his effort. Hyuk lets her know that everyone should be acknowledge for their effort not matter what job they do. When she apologizes for her attitude, Hyuk asks if she’ll use her badge to give him meal tickets.

The meal tickets impress Baek Joon though she notices the other workers staring at them as they eat their meal. Hyuk smiles that he finally did something right and made Baek Joon happy. He digs in but is interrupted when the cleaning manager declares they can’t eat in the company cafeteria. He states other employees complained about them eating in the cafeteria. Now Baek Joon gets upset. She can’t believe complaints were lodged against them.

Hyuk’s father enters the cafeteria during the argument. Hyuk makes the point that they have every right to be there. When Hyuk’s father strides towards them, Hyuk can’t believe it. His father stares in disbelief. Hyuk grabs Baek Joon’s hand and they run. Hyuk’s father order his men to pursue. As they hide, Hyuk recommends they split up to increase their odds of escaping.

Hyuk’s brother and mother can’t believe it when they hear that Hyuk was cleaning at the company. Hyuk’s father fumes that Hyuk embarrassed him. He ends up stuck in a toilet without a roll of toilet paper. Hyuk pushes a roll under the stall and pulls it back asking that his father listen to him. Hyuk reminds his father that he was told to live like he wasn’t his son. His father asks if Hyuk is serious about cleaning in his company. Hyuk confirms it. As he offers the rolls to his father, Hyuk pulls is away and asks for one more favor…let the part-time workers eat in the cafeteria. Stuck on bowl without a roll, his father agrees.

The next day all the part-time workers high five Hyuk for his negotiation skills. Baek Joon smiles at Hyuk when he gives her a ticket. Hyuk beams at his success. He boasts he could use his connections to help others.  He promises to help Baek Joon whenever he can. She stares at him and recalls Yeon Hee’s declaration that Hyuk likes her. She wonders if Hyuk does like her.

She ponders Hyuk’s intentions. She smiles remembering how he secured meals for the part-time workers. She murmurs her pride in his actions.

Hyuk’s brother can’t believe his father is allowing Hyuk to clean the building. He reminds his father that Hyuk’s case is still pending prosecution. But Hyuk’s father doesn’t listen. Instead he chuckles how Hyuk negotiated with him with a roll of toilet paper. He brags to Hyuk’s brother at Hyuk’s negotiation. He stares in disbelief as his father takes a selfie with a roll of toilet paper.

Hyuk’s brother demands to know if Je Hoon knew of Hyuk’s job. Je Hoon denies it. Hyuk’s brother demands that Je Hoon get Hyuk fired. Je Hoon suggests the Hyuk’s brother keep Hyuk working at the company, so he can watch him. Hyuk’s brother realizes that keeping your enemies close it a good strategy. He agrees and warns Je Hoon to watch Hyuk and not be blindsided again. Je Hoon agrees.

When Je Hoon leaves Hyuk’s brother’s office, he new manager spies him. Je Hoon sees him and realizes his connection to Hyuk’s brother isn’t a secret anymore.

Hyuk and Baek Joon walk home after a hard day’s work. Baek Joon offers to share soju with Hyuk. He’s thrilled. When Baek Joon asks why Hyuk is doing this, he’s straightforward, he’s working with her to be with her. Baek Joon thanks him for negotiating the approval for part-time employees to eat in the cafeteria. Hyuk admits that was the first time he approached his father with confidence. Hyuk admits being with her is a positive. Baek Joon asks if he likes her. Hyuk admits he likes her. Baek Joon warns him not to like her. She claims she’s too busy making a living to take time for romance. Hyuk doesn’t waiver. He stares into Baek Joon’s eyes and claims he is serious about liking her.

Je Hoon arrives and sits at a table behind them. Baek Joon scoffs that Je Hoon is ignoring him. Hyuk shares Je Hoon’s embarrassing nickname from school days. Baek Joon laughs and calls to Je Hoon to that because of his new job he should by the soju. Hyuk brags that he is an expert in unclogging toilets. Je Hoon eats and ignores them. As Je Hoon walks home with a singing Baek Joon and Hyuk, he can’t believe the situation he is in. When Baek Joon spots a light in an apartment that was previously empty she muses a good-looking man would be a welcome addition to the apartment complex. Je Hoon counters a good-looking woman would be welcome addition because the current women tenants are tough. Hyuk laughs at the characterization.

Inside the new apartment we see a man hang a picture. Who is it?

Inside Je Hoon’s apartment, Hyuk chuckles as he recalls that Baek Joon called him by his name. He shares this with Je Hoon. Hyuk muses that means Baek Joon sees him in a positive light. Je Hoon recalls Hyuk’s father telling him that Hyuk ran away from the cafeteria holding hands with a woman. Hyuk’s father ordered Je Hoon to find out who the woman is and how involved she is with Hyuk. Je Hoon sighs.

Baek Joon thinks about Hyuk’s declaration. She tries to sleep but can’t get Hyuk out of her mind.

 
Hyuk smiles and misses Baek Joon.

Je Hoon can’t believe the situation.

Baek Joon can’t believe she can’t get Hyuk out of her head.

My Thoughts

We saw Hyuk mature in this episode. Last episode Hyuk didn’t see the consequences of his actions. That changed. We watched Hyuk negotiate with his father to gain the rights that Baek Joon believed part-time workers should have. This is progress.

Production and Writing. Writer Joo Hyun didn’t dial down the camp (toilet unclogging and toilet roll negotiation) but offered a stronger dose of the underlying struggles of the characters coupled with the overarching idea of exclusion based on status or perception. Director Song Hyun Wook continues to produce episodes that zip by and are fun to watch. Then scene when Hyuk recalled his arrogant stride into the company not seeing those around him while present day Hyuk watched in his cleaning uniform was effective.

Byun Hyuk (Choi Si Won) made Baek Joon happy, by successfully negotiation with his father for part-time worker’s rights. Hyuk stepped away from irresponsibility. It was a welcome change. Hyuk continues to be charming. Hyuk’s simple straight forward declaration to Baek Joon that he liked her was effective. He was unfazed when she tried to warn him off. Hyuk is single mindedly focused on Baek Joon. He continues not to see Je Hoon’s truth. I look forward to Hyuk realizing Je Hoon’s struggles. It is clearer that Hyuk’s brother isn’t a fan. He called Hyuk an enemy. When will Hyuk realize his brother isn’t his ally?

Kwon Je Hoon (Gong Myung) felt the strain of loyalty to Hyuk’s brother and father. I wanted Je Hoon to have more to do than babysit Hyuk. This episode Je Hoon moved into a new role but that wasn’t a boon as the manager realized the Je Hoon was likely placed in his department by Hyuk’s brother. Then when Hyuk’s father ordered Je Hoon to get him the details on the woman Hyuk was interested, Je Hoon couldn’t refuse. Je Hoon is stuck acting as an informant for Hyuk’s brother and father. Je Hoon missed opportunities to be honest Baek Joon and he’ll pay for it when he loses her to Hyuk. Je Hoon can already see that possibility.

Baek Joon (Kang So Ra) learned that Je Hoon gave her mother the money though she wrongly assumed he did it at Hyuk’s request. She seems to be equally blind to Je Hoon’s feelings as Hyuk is. Je Hoon is too proficient at hiding his feelings. Baek Joon would want to understand Je Hoon’s perspective, but his declared persona is a wall between them. This makes Baek Joon more open to Hyuk, a man without any barriers, a man that openly declares his feelings for her. Baek Joon was flustered by Hyuk’s declaration. Was she secretly flattered?

Ranking the episodes (on a scale from 1-10) had me rank this episode as very good.  My episode ranking chart is below.

 

About KJT (aka kjtamuser)

Asian drama fan. I watch and blog dramas on https://kjtamusings.wordpress.com/.

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Tagged with: Choi Si Won, episode 5, Revolutionary Love
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