[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Heard It Through the Grapevine" Episode 11

Episode 11 was strong than those of the past because something actually happened. And by "something", I mean that Jung-ho and Yeon-hee didn't just sit around plotting to take over the futures of In-sang and Beom. They set their plans into motion and the hired help quietly fights their corruption behind the scenes. Things happened!

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The major theme of the episode was class and how it divides In-sang's family from Beom's. The easy-going nature of Beom's family and their interactions with the young couple and their baby incites jealousy in stiff Jung-ho and uptight Yeon-hee. Beom and In-sang discuss how they grew up differently, but they do not delve deeply into it. Instead, their discussion paves the path for the rest of the episode to explore how differently the family's live due to social status and social expectation. Jung-ho and Yeon-hee lead a double life, which forces their staff to do the same. They are prim and proper to an extreme that makes them jealous of Beom's family and also causes random bouts of insanity.

Jealousy is what spurs Jung-ho and Yeon-hee into action. They plan to separate Beom from her family and turn her into Yeon-hee 2.0 - and then they finally take her out into public to do so. A plan put into action is pretty surprising as the past ten episodes have held a whole lot of nothing. In contrast to the coldness Jung-ho and Yeon-hee lead their family with we get to see how warmly Beom's mother watches over her family. It makes the proceedings in Jung-ho's household even more ridiculous, but effective.

Then we have the happenings behind the scenes at Jung-ho's home and office. He's done some pretty fishy things to keep his status and the divided sentiments amongst his staff means that some will help him and some will work against him. One staff member actively works with Beom's uncle to prove Jung-ho's law firm had its hand in an illegal dealing. This situation had been set up in earlier episodes, but nothing had yet happened regarding it. The employees acted on their suspicions and it was interesting. I'm a little shocked. "Heard It Through the Grapevine" had lulled me into a numbed state of boredom. It gets a few points for waking me up.

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

Follow @ raine0211

"Heard It Through the Grapevine" is directed by Ahn Pan-seok, written by Jeong Seong-joo, and features Lee Joon, Go Ah-sung, Yu Jun-sang, and Yoo Ho-jeong.

 

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