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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Shall We Kiss First" Episodes 17-18

Considering how the final scene ends up being a wedding the sheer scale of the depression in "Shall We Kiss First" here is pretty harsh. Moo-han just mopes around listlessly, refusing to accept Soon-jin's attempts to cheer him up because, mostly because Moo-han knows that he is behaving selfishly. Which is the main irony. Soon-jin by far stands to gain the most from marrying a rich man who is soon to die, yet Moo-han feels the need to shield her from that.

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Oh yeah right Moo-han is about to die. The real surprise is how many people end up knowing about this. One even insists on trying to tell Soon-jin, but then Soon-jin goes and refuses. There's all sorts of interesting implications there. Soon-jin knows that Moo-han is being secretive about more than she has let on. All the same, Soon-jin sees Moo-han as being a salve for her loneliness, and vice-versa. She's willing to trust in his plan and not try to rock the boat.

There is trust between these two for all the deceit. Which is an interesting contrast when put up against the other relationships, which are marred by people who refuse to trust each other. I mean sure the scene where Kyeong-soo and Ji-min play keep away is kind of cute, but the dramatic crisis this provokes is alarming even if it is quickly defuses by Kyeong-soo simply owning up to the larger situation as quick as he can.

Then there's Ha-min (played by Ki Do-hoon), the barista who can't hear. Which is fortunate, since if Ha-min could hear, he would know that I-deun has a very obnoxious voice. I liked his comment about being in front, at all times, in spite of his disability. This is a statement, not on Ha-min's overconfidence, but on how little he trusts I-deun, even when she is his insubordinate employee. I-deun's storyline right now seems to just be learning that trust must be built up over time, and can't be "earned" in a split second.

Granted, Moo-han and Soon-jin started to trust each other pretty fast. It's only been, what, a few weeks and they're already getting married? But then that's what makes it such a sweet spot. Moo-han and Soon-jin don't really have time to betray each other over anything meaningful. Or at least, they haven't come up with anything yet. So that's why they just clearly explain everything as succintly as possible, and try to enjoy the somber moment.

Review by William Schwartz

"Shall We Kiss First" is directed by Son Jeong-hyeon, written by Bae Yoo-mi and features Kam Woo-sung, Kim Sun-a, Oh Ji-ho, and Park Si-yeon.

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