[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Kind Words" Episode 14

This episode was all about set-up for discovery of the largest secret on the show: the real relationship between Eun-young and Min-soo. And, although set-up was the main goal, there still managed to be some in depth explorations of characters as consequences set in and they have to deal with them.

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The character who is finally starting to deal with his role in the mess that is "Kind Words" is Jae-hak. Min-soo talked sense into him and Jae-hak can now see that it was his fault for breaking the marriage. He is now taking steps to make it up to Mi-kyeong. It's been a long time in coming, but the development of his understanding has flowed naturally. It also breaks the monotony of watching him be a total blockhead for the past thirteen episodes.

What "Kind Words" does so well is send its message in a clear, understandable way to the characters and the viewers. The characters, after erring and having to deal with the consequences, are learning how to function well in relationships despite the underlying problems each relationship suffers. Like the adults they are, they learn from their mistakes. Of course, they continue to make new ones, but the growth is what makes this show worth the time.

Another thing this show does well is emphasize the importance of family and how fractured relationships between two people in a large family affects everyone. It focuses on how the Korean family functions, but the lessons are universally applicable. American family structures are not as rigid, for example, as Korean family structures, but even the loosest of American family's find themselves suffering at the hands of adultery and divorce. "Kind Words" shows how it affects the children in the present and adults who experienced it as children themselves. It's quite impressive how much material "Kind Words" has covered regarding the matter.

Finally, I'm glad the show is finally coming around to what Min-soo did: he crashed into Eun-jin's car with her family in it. Although it was not premeditated and he regrets it, the fact it, he still did it. It's been on the backburner, slowly coming to a boil and it's about time for it to be revealed. I'm eager to see how Park Seo-joon plays Min-soo's inner turmoil in the next few episodes. Thus far, he's done a fantastic job of portraying his bridled character who wants nothing more than for things in his life to go right and to be able to love freely.

i like getting back around to what MS did. he didn't eman it, but it was wrong. everyone else is owning up to their junk so he needs to too. he's more careful with her bc of that accident. he's an interesting character.

With six episodes to go, "Kind Words" has time to play out the angst, but also enough time to resolve it. Pacing has been good so far and if that continues, it should be able to tie up without the ending feeling too desperate.

Written by Raine from Raine's Dichotomy

Follow on Twitter @Raine0211

"Kind Words" is directed by Choi Yeong-hoon and written by Ha Myeong-hee and features Han Hye-jin, Ji Jin-hee, Kim Ji-soo and Lee Sang-woo.