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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Check Out the Event" Episode 2

We open up with the scene of how Do-gyeom and Song-i first met. It's rather adorable. Do-gyeom was busking, and Song-i introduces herself by saying that she works nearby and loves his music, giving him a flower. Song-i then explains that her mom's a florist, and that her name means garden, while Song-i's own name means flower. Then, via montage, we see their extended relationship, with Do-gyeom diligently working to care for the highly sensitive Song-i, who's not always that great at taking care of herself.

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Despite this episode mostly taking place from Do-gyeom's perspective, by the end we're no closer to understanding why exactly he broke up with Song-i. But it's clear from his actions that despite still having feelings for her, Do-gyeom nevertheless sincerely believes that for whatever reason she's better off without him. This all works to frame Song-i's clingy behavior from the first episode in a very different light, especially as we see here that extended access to Do-gyeom's bewildering attitude is taking a toll on her patience.

The nuance of the script is much more obvious to me now than it was in the first episode. The emotional power is anchored in the strong performances. Kwon Hwa-woon is fantastic at engaging sympathy despite the fact that he is frustratingly standoffish. The early montage really effectively frames how Song-i could be in such strong denial about his breaking up with her. He's so gentle, kind, and assertive with her that it just doesn't make any sense.

The second episode of "Check Out the Event" also benefits from strong timing coming right after the finale of "Nevertheless" which had, as its male lead, a character who was highly attractive but horribly uncommunicative and otherwise toxic. Song-i loves Do-gyeom because she loves being with him. She loves how he makes her feel safe. The great irony here is that interacting with him now, for all the charged emotions, is making Song-i feel less safe because he's hurting her in complex inexplicable ways.

The emotional story here is strong enough I didn't mind the relatively placid story development. Indeed, Do-gyeom's refusal to explain his behavior is highly appropriate, and allows us to continue to empathize with Song-i despite the story being told from his perspective. Elsewhere, we receive more hints that Ji-kang deliberately chose fracturing couples for media vacation project. What possible motive he could have for this, too, remains inscrutable.

Review by William Schwartz

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"Check Out the Event" is directed by Kim Ji-hoon-XIV, Lee Han-joon, written by Kim Tae-joo, and features Bang Minah, Kwon Hwa-woon, An Woo-yeon, Kim Hee-chang, Kim Young-sun, Lee Jin-hyuk. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/08/14~Now airing, Sat 21:50 on MBC.

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