I would like to respond to both your comments:
First: Young-man (Mi-ryung's dad)...I really loved this scene, too. On a US daytime drama/aka soap, the father finding out an important secret like this would not get back to the person who needs to hear it the next day. In most cases, it wouldn't be until after the wedding...or possibly right in the middle of the ceremony for dramatic value. Or, if the man did try to reveal the secret, something would happen each time to interrupt him and keep him from telling.
But Young-man has been shown to be a man of conviction, integrity and principle, as well as a devoted husband and father. It would not be in character for him to "sit on" a secret like this, no matter how much he wants his daughter's happiness. If the writers are good and want to keep their character consistent, they will have him go directly to the groom-to-be and let him know the truth. No man w/ any decency would let another man commit himself to a lifetime w/ someone he might not love and want out of obligation...but especially not if the reason for the obligation is misguided...a result of deception.
That's why I practically cheered when I saw Young-man do just that...what he should do, and what he would do if the writers care about keeping him in character. And they didn't dally about it either...they didn't drag it out for days or a week or 2 or 3. The next ep., he comes right out w/ him.
Many kudos to the YH writers for having the creative energy and vision to come up w/ other ways to lay roadblocks for the happiness of our protagonists...the mainstay of any drama. And kudos to them for having the creative integrity to keep a character they've established as a man of honor within that framework and not drum up some contrivance to keep him silent and acting out of character. It also shows a respect to the audience not to frustrate and irritate them w/ contrived delays.
As you point out Mariah, there are now other concerns in play for Tae-young that may keep him on the course he set previous to knowing the truth. For one thing, I think he still believes it's wrong for him to be w/ Sun-joo...he believes their backgrounds are too different for them to be happy together, and that he would not be able to give Sun-joo the life she's used to...which would eventually erode her love for him. I think he's wrong, but I can see why he would think this. Also, there's still the issue of her link to Sang-min and Min-joo...I think he sees this as too major a detraction from a future together.
Above all, I really see Tae-young as a man who would put honor and family ahead of all else...even his own happiness. His sister's need for a legal name for her baby I think he sees as more important than him married to a woman he loves truly. He sees how much his sister has suffered already...pain, humiliation. He sees a way to spare her yet another injustice...the shame of having an illegitimate child, which must be a far greater onus in Korea than in the US...probably more the way it was here prior to the 1970s. I believe Tae-young sees a quick marriage to Mi-ryung before his niece or nephew is born as a way to pass the baby off as a child born within a legal marriage. I still don't understand how this works, but it must make sense in Korean society.
I think it's very much in keeping w/ who Tae-young is to have him put this consideration ahead of what makes him happy. Also, I think since he's resigned to never being w/ Sun-joo for the reasons I've outlined above, he may be seeking a quick marriage to Mi-ryung as a way to immerse himself in a new life that may work to put Sun-joo behind him and out of his mind. (Good luck!)
As to Min-joo...boy oh boy! She scares me more every day! I can't think what else to say about her or her insanely jealous, controling and possessive behavior (as well as her childish tantrums) which seem to get worse and more eratic by the day. It was kind of sad the way Sang-min went to his father's and waited alone there, w/ nothing for company but that turtle...a symbol in iteself for the tragedy of the grandchild that will never be. Sang-min really needs someone to talk to and it's only natural he'd turn to his father. How sad that when Woon-kyu did return, Sang-min was unable to open up to him. Perhaps it was so late by then he really did need to hurry off. But I suspect it's more...when push came to shove, he just doesn't have it in him to unburden his soul that way. He probably sees it as an admission of weakness, which is probably the most terrible thing he can imagine.
How sad he missed a chance to release some of the terrible pressure he's been under and maybe get some badly needed comfort from his father. Woon-kyu is a decent guy w/ a good heart. As disappointed as he is in Sang-min for choosing Min-joo over Ja-young, I'm sure he would have been sympathetic. He's already had a taste of just how nuts Min-joo has become w/ her obsessions. I doubt he would turn a cold shoulder to his only child. (I was disappointed we didn't get to hear what film he's working in now, LOL!)
On a final thought, I think I will put my foot through the set tomorrow if Young-joon moves back in w/ his miserable grandmother and her parasitic houseguest...his ex. I sure hope he will not be persuaded by Ja-young's tears to do that. He was right to move out. That is one toxic environment, Grandma Sohn's house.
Jade Eyes
