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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon" Episode 7

Romance and mystery develop more fully this episode, but the development is disjointed. Characters grow in awkward spurts while revelations are made jarringly. The highlight of this choppy episode was Park Hyung-sik as a heartbroken Min-hyeok.

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We see the strength of his acting when he realizes he has been betrayed by his favorite brother. There is a long moment where he fights tears and hurt. It's powerful and a wonderful moment for the character, and the actor. Later on, Min-hyeok confronts that brother rather maturely, giving this character the only natural trajectory of the entire cast. Bong-soon, however, has a sudden change of heart about her super strength. She accepts it as a gift she would like to pass onto her daughter, but without much instigation. This huge decision comes after a short chat with her mother and grandmother. It is incongruous with the happenings earlier in the episode when Bong-soon yells at her mother for treating her so poorly because of her strength. Not enough time has passed since that outburst for this change of heart Bong-soon had.

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Bong-soon's mother is insufferable. She's materialistic, abusive of her husband and daughter, and pushy without any other redeeming qualities. It isn't hard to see why Bong-soon judges men on their weakness with a role model like that. She is improving, however. In the hospital she scolds her brother and Gook-doo's ex for flirting behind Gook-doo's back. She also stands up to Gook-doo's overprotective machissimo. I absolutely cannot stand that he's so controlling of her and that she allows him to behave that way. It is a relief that she uses her strength on him at the end of the episode (even if by accident) so that her secret is out and she stops acting like someone she isn't. Perpetuating weakness isn't winning - it's insulting to women everywhere.

With Min-hyeok Bong-soon can be herself and he respects her for it. Although wary of getting hurt, Min-hyeok isn't afraid of her. He helps her to learn to control her strength, something she direly needs to learn. A question looming in my mind is why her mother and grandmother never taught her to do so. Rather than with her family or Gook-doo, it is with Min-hyeok where she can truly open up. He may like her, but their relationship is starting out as a friendship, grounding them and providing fodder more more romantic encounters in the future.

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As for the baddie, he's a little lame. He is so predictable that I'm no longer interested in him. He should've remained shrouded in mystery for a while longer. As he collects brides and our trusty heroes chase him, Bong-soon will fall for Min-hyeok and we will get our OTP by the end.

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Strong Woman Do Bong-soon" is directed by Lee Hyeong-min, written by Baek Mi-kyeong, and features Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik and Ji Soo.

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