Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food: Episode 1

   

I think it would safe to say that Noona will be servin' up some delicious romance, coz one episode in, and the leads are already oozing with undeniable chemistry. The set-up itself is more along the lines of a classic romance rather than, let's say, your average fluff. It's an easy watch, but not in the way that seeks to patronise its viewers. It wouldn't be for everyone, that's for sure, especially if you're the type who despises the "slice of life" category, which I guess it is in some ways, but not in others. I mean I certainly can't remember the only time last time I was chased by some handsome chap who's not only waaaay younger, but who also happens to be the kid brother of a close friend I grew up with. And even if that does happen to be the storyline of your life (lucky you?!), I don't think the same would apply to the vast majority of us. We can sure dream though, especially when that relationship starts out as sweet and playful as Joon-Hee and Jin-ah's. They're simply too adorable for words! 

I'm not sure what I was expecting from their first meeting, but it wasn't this. Joon-hee purposely riding past Jin-ah, pretending he didn't recognise her, only to have him ride back seconds later, circling around her like some adorable man-puppy! What I loved most about this first (onscreen) encounter of theirs is how naturally in sync they were.

There was none of the *cringe* awkwardness which typically comes with a pretty noona noticing how fine and handsome the boy next door has grown up to become, a la What's up Fox, instead, what we get is two (youthful) adults who are delighted to see each other again and who, without hesitation, resume from where they had left off. Right off the bat, it's an interesting dynamic, because whilst our thoughts are busy lingering on Jin-ah being the friend of Joon-hee's sister, already their relationship has progressed to a stage where both are stimulated by the other's presence. There's nothing going on as such, but you know there is something still there - it's that fine line between sibling-like comfort, and playful flirting. And they're definitely flirting with it (pun intended!) in the way that they choose to interact and respond to the other. They've already entered the next phase of their relationship, and they don't even know it!

I love that age doesn't dictate superiority within their relationship; when the two catch up over a meal, they both ask about the other's private lives without any hesitation. Jin-ah is as open about her life as he is about his, and neither of them are superficial or patronising about it - real talk, peeps! It helps that he also has such a close relationship with his sister, who clearly doesn't hold back from spilling the beans when it comes to Jin-ah's affairs. I found it hilarious that he was already one step ahead when it came to knowing about the situation with Jin-ah's ex and the fact that she was likened to konjac. The way he casually brought out the subject just goes to show how comfortable they are talking about their personal lives.

Show actually does well to portray their relationship on equal footing, without making the other seem too overly mature or immature for that matter. Both the characters are in charge of their lives despite the pressures of the world around them. But what is made clear is that even though they're both at a stage where they're having to navigate their way through life, Jin-ah is clearly more weighed down by emotional ties having trodden down the same path several times. Ultimately, it's their life's experiences which puts them in different places, and which govern their choices. So it'll be interesting how this stark difference will come into play when the two finally do come together.

For now, I'm enjoying the lingering shots which
amorously captures their "sommat goin' on" phase of relationship. The two or three times he walks her to her door subtly points to a marked change in their feelings towards the other, and I love how the camera pans in to show a close up of that momentary change in expression as though confirming our suspicions. It's that classic kdrama manoeuvre where the other only looks back when certain feelings are involved. And in Joon-hee's case, he's already half way there! So far, he's been rather forward with his treatment of Jin-ah. His open flirtation is both a sign of their age gap, as well as a confirmation of his growing feelings for her. In fact, I wouldn't at all be surprised if his crush on Jin-ah has been bubbling away under the surface for a long time now - his casual remarks on how pretty she is tells me that he's always been aware of her, and not just as a friend of his sister's.

The moment she breaks down in his car was wonderfully poignant. The absence of dialogue gave the viewers a chance to read their outer emotions - the way Joon-hee's face contorted in growing empathy or the way she turned her face away, allowing the tears to stream down her face; it's all quite subtle, but the stolen glances reveal much about the mutual respect they have for one another. I love that he gives her the space to wallow, and doesn't in anyway ridicule her feelings. When she steps out of the car to join him for a breather, I love how almost bashful she becomes in his presence, half embarrassed and half awkward. It's moments like these which paints Joon-hee to be rather dependable - it's clear she feels comforted in his presence, and that he's able to provide her with that much needed solace even without saying anything. After all, who needs words when Joon-hee's megawatt smile can do all the talkin'?!

  

Ah, the way he stares at his pretty noona sleeping, tho! I didn't even know that such a look existed until I saw it in motion, but it's clear in this moment how enamoured he is by her beauty, which he slyly masks with his playful taunting. It's a small beat, but I love how the camera followed Joon-hee's pained expression the moment he walked away after dropping her off. It shows how Jin-ah's pain lingers with him, and how seriously he takes her matters. He doesn't take pleasure in her pain, no matter how he masks himself in front of her, and perhaps it also points to his conflicted state upon realising just how deeply he feels for her.

   

I also love Joon-hee's continuous rhetoric on the breaking of taboos, and stepping away from the norm. It's so like him to be free and unrestrained. Just like how he imagines his own country to be too small for him, hence wanting to break free from the chains of, what Jin-ah describes as, professionalism. The hint of contrast in their personalities already gives us a glimmer into their future relationship and the kind of conflicts that would potentially arise from it.

I normally don't do episodes which last more than an hour, but the extra time given to this first episode was so welcome, I can't even tell you. The extension allowed for a much smoother and natural progression in their relationship which one would normally expect to see in episodes two and three, however setting it up this way propels the relationship into deeper waters much earlier on, hopefully paving the way for a much more complex state of affairs. I love how in the final ten minutes, Joon-hee makes a point to take on a more active stance in Jin-ah's problems. The way he took lead over the situation with her ex was so squee-inducing, but also a definite confirmation in terms of where his feelings lie. I also love how she allowed him to take control of the situation, thankful even for his intervention, perhaps. And it's great how the situation didn't just end there, because the follow up conversation they had was equally important coz it ironed out the problems which typically arises from such scenarios. Thankfully, there were no such misunderstanding to be had, and if there were indeed any, then the fact that the two talked it over like grown ups, and were honest about their feelings seriously gives me much hope for their relationship further down the line.

That's not to say that the feelings are all one sided, coz I believe Jin-ah would also be half way there were it not for the social restrictions she places on herself. A part of me wants to believe that her attachment to Joon-hee was also established a long way back, but because of the existing social barriers, perhaps she never dared to give any more weight to her feelings, choosing instead, to keep a safe distance. It's telling, because out the two, she's always the one to bring up age as being a factor in the way they ought to behave/feel around one another. Yet, she's also equally possessive over him in her own way.

The moment her co-worker showed interest in courting Joon-hee, her hesitation and lack of encouragement was a dead giveaway into how she really feels about him. But it also highlights how she's not quite ready to act on those feelings, remaining in this passive aggressive state instead. It's hilarious how she displayed signs of jealousy when Joon-hee was getting calls from his (girl) friends to hit the club, but also how she then quickly masked those feelings by detaching herself first. It just goes to prove how love will always be a level playing battlefield, irrespective of age! 

Oof, if looks could kill!! Lol

The drama's main premise is in the character interactions - it may not be for everyone, but I'm relishing it - giddy feelings an' all! 💛💛💛💛💛