Revelations and confrontations continue in the 8th episode of Thirty Nine.
Unfortunately for Chan-young, she had to reveal her condition at an inconvenient time for her parents. Mi-jo learns the reason why Joo-hee’s mom hid the truth from her. Thankfully, Hyeon-jun also decides to prioritize his happiness and makes a choice to live his own life.
abbyinhallyuland watches Thirty Nine on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03| 04| 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | Final Episode + Series Review |
Thirty Nine Episode 8 Key Moments
Episode 8 flashback serving takes us to when the three friends are in their 30s. As sworn friends, they took turns taking care of Joo-hee’s mom who succumbed to cancer.
Back at present time, Mi-jo is unable to sleep after the revelation she heard. She asked Joo-hee’s mom not to tell the girls because of their current concerns. Joo-hee’s mom tells her that whenever she’s ready, she will tell the whole story to her.
Mi-jo finds herself standing in front of her parents’ bed. Her mom pushes her father aside so she can sleep beside her. The next day, her mom takes care of her breakfast and clothes. They also have a heartfelt talk as her mom expressed her limitless love for her.
Meanwhile, Seon-woo confronts his father about what he did to So-won, but his old man didn’t feel any remorse. He also demands Seon-woo to move back to the US and find a job there so he would stop hanging out with orphans.
Knowing her man is not in a good mood, Mi-jo visits his clinic room for a chat. Mi-hyun also arrives to confirm the schedule since Seon-woo is due to renew his green card.
When Mi-hyun opens up the possibility of dining with their parents, Seon-woo gladly obliged. But he strongly declines the idea of having his father join the plan. That made Mi-jo a bit disappointed and he sensed it right away so he makes an excuse.
“Congratulations actress Chan-young!”
Sharing the good news to her best friends, the trio met to celebrate Chan-young’s long-awaited audition feat. Their celebration is cut short though when her parents called and summoned them to the restaurant.
What awaits them is Chan-young’s mom’s fury of learning that her boyfriend is a married man. After a chaotic venting out of her frustration, Chan-young’s mom turns to chide Mi-jo and Joo-hee.
In the process of defending her friends, she finally reveals her dying condition which caused her mom to faint. Outside the restaurant, Joo-hee tells Mi-jo how scared she is that they are soon going to really send off Chan-young. Likewise, Mi-jo feels the same and wonders if they can survive their inevitable problem.
The next day, Chan-young finds her mom when she wakes up. Spotting her sitting at a nearby bench by the lake, she moves to approach but halts when she realized she was silently sobbing.
“I think I’ll prefer this even when I get old. I’m that happy now. But if my happiness makes you feel uneasy, that’s just sad. I just don’t think that either of us will change.”
Finally, Hyeon-jun makes a decisive move to end his relationship with his girlfriend Hye-jin. Still bent on her idea that working in a hotel restaurant will give him a better future, Hyeon-jun explains he prefers having a neighborhood restaurant that is entirely his own.
The next day, Hye-jin marches to the restaurant to return Hyeon-jun’s gifts. Joo-hee stops him from taking the bag and heads out to look for his ex-girlfriend.
Relationship-novice Joo-hee gives Hye-jin a morning pep talk about respect in a relationship and orders her to throw the things on her own if she really wants it. Back at Chinatown restaurant, she also listens to Hyeon-jun about his decision and how he thinks it is the right thing to do.
Also making a firm stand, Seon-woo meets his father for breakfast and declares not to give up on So-won. He demands his father to apologize to So-won or he will cut ties with him. Conveying his love for Mi-jo, he also reminds him not to talk bad about her. Excusing himself, he wishes his father a safe flight.
Back at Jeong’s Kitchen, Chan-young happily eats her mom’s prepared dish. Knowing how her parents’ hearts are breaking but they are remaining strong for her, she relents and compromises with their requests.
When her mom suddenly decides for the family to buy a sedan, they reminisce one time they were admonished parking their truck at a department store. Knowing her parents’ intention for buying a new car, Chan-young tearfully eats her porridge.
“What took you so long to tell me the truth? I just can’t help but want to know that.”
Mi-jo meets Joo-hee’s mom for lunch and they talk about why the secret was hidden for a long time. She explains how she was so beautiful and pure the first time she met her. She wanted to protect those sides of her so she didn’t tell her.
Assessing her birth mom’s situation is a disappointment, Mi-jo silently understands her reason. She also learns that her mom is serving jail time.
Seon-woo also meets So-won for lunch and reveals that he delivered the money she wished to return to their father. Apologizing for not being there for her when she had to make painful decisions in her life, he promises to be by her side as an older brother.
At another place, Chan-young also convenes with Yeon-ju. Politely reproaching her foul attitude of visiting her parents, she tells her to bear with their situation some more.
Annoyingly berating her brazen request, reality hits her when she learned that her love rival is dying.
“It’s because I love you so much. That’s why. I didn’t think I deserved you. I didn’t think I should meet your parents like this. I was ashamed to be my father’s son. I was not confident. That’s why I reacted that way. I’m sorry I didn’t explain right away.”
Refusing another dinner suggestion by Mi-hyun with Seon-woo, the latter has confirmed Mi-jo’s cold treatment. He insists on thawing what’s bothering his woman and agrees for them to go for a run.
Noticing the long run they had, he calls for a halt. Finally, Mi-jo’s emotions pout out and her disappointment for his decision not to meet her parents was brought up.
Along with that, Mi-jo’s insecurities also erupts and Seon-woo is quick to recognize it so he subdues it right away by explaining that he is not confident enough to face his parents when he has a father he can’t be proud of.
When both their emotions subside, tiredness hit them so they found a place to dine. While munching food, Seon-woo shares a newfound dream of making money so he can establish an orphanage. His big picture of happiness and bliss surprises Mi-jo when she was subtly proposed to accept Seon-woo as her husband.
Surprised at his bold proposal, she refuses his offer for a round of drinks since she has still some thoughts nagging her mind.
The next day, Mi-jo meets the girls and Seon-woo at Chinatown and relays the truth about her mother. She also requests help for someone to drive her to the prison in case she gets a panic attack. True to what she foresees, Mi-jo breaks down after stepping out of the prison and seeing her friends and lover.
Thirty Nine Episode 8 Musings
We got four episodes left in Thirty Nine, but I can safely say that in my over 20 years of watching K-Dramas, I feel blessed that I met this story.
In the eyes of Mi-jo, Chan-young and Joo-hee, we were reminded of the gift of friendship and family. From the quick throwback scenes at the beginning of each episode, the story interestingly connects the depth of friendship shared by the three friends.
Accordingly, it also links to the current situation of how the story is progressing. I wish we can add-to-cart a perfect boyfriend like Seon-woo. He is quick to acknowledge where he did go wrong and is never stingy on apologies.
His relationship with Mi-jo has provided insightful lessons on commitment and communication. Along with these two important elements, knowing to assess what might have hurt your lover or caring to ask if you are not sure what it is would avoid miscommunication.
As Chan-young’s goal for Mi-jo is almost done shaping up, Joo-hee’s turn hopefully, would develop on a positive note soon.
Thirty Nine does not have those big wailing moments. If we look back, I think we viewers often did not realize how the tears well in our eyes in those faint and repressed cries by the characters. Like those scenes of Chan-young and her parents.
It was not a pleasant experience for Mi-jo for sure, and we can only wait for the story in the next episode. One closure I think everyone will agree is a bitter one for Yeon-ju. She deserves it badly, period.
Celebrate friendship and love in Thirty Nine on Netflix every Wednesday and Thursday!
Photos: JTBC
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