Recap: Devilish Joy Episode 3

Although they still have a lot more growing to do, Gi Bbeum and Ma Sung finally start to reconnect in this episode. But is it too little too late for them? How do you build a relationship with someone you meet for the first time every day? Join us as we continue recapping Choi Jin Hyuk’s newest KDrama: “Devilish Joy.”

Devilish Joy Episode 3 Recap

We open to Ma Sung at his desk recording his memories for that day. Unlike last time, he hesitates when he reaches the part of the day which included Gi Bbeum. His brow pinches as he remembers this evening when she told him to forget her.

On the other side of town, Gi Bbeum is also remembering their encounter. Her face turned to the window, she sits quietly in the dark while her father’s voice flows from the other room. “Just because I am poor, does not mean I don’t know what loneliness feels like.” He recites, and Gi Bbeum presses her hand against her mouth, no longer able to hold back the sobs.

At his house, Ma Sung lays restlessly in his bed and wonders why he can’t fall asleep tonight. Rising, he walks over to water the lettuce plants in his indoor garden. This sparks an idea as he remembers that lettuce can help with sleeplessness. Like a mad rabbit he begins shoving handfuls of greenery into his mouth.

However, when he again lies on his bed to sleep Ma Sung decides that his lettuce is defective. Next up he tries wine, but this only causes him to drunk dial his secretary. He yells at the secretary that if Ma Sung asks tomorrow to tell him “nothing happened today.” The confused secretary asks if he means Joo Gi Bbeum, which just makes Ma Sung more upset.

Two empty wine bottles on the counter, Ma Sung again lays in bed restlessly. At last bolting up, he reaches for a pen and writes on his arm “The Strange Person Who Causes a Fuss.” “At least,” he observes, “I feel like there is some value in remembering you tomorrow” and then falls back on his pillow, sound asleep.

The next morning Ma Sung stands in the shower and scrubs at the writing on his arm oblivious to it. But as he scrubs a memory of Joo Gi Bbeum slices into his thoughts. He sees her turn and walk up the steps away from him as she tells him to erase her memory.

Moments later Ma Sung sits at his island as his secretary rushes in. Ma Sung hands him a drawing of his memory and asks what it is. The secretary tries to crack a joke about it being a ghost, but Ma Sung is not in the mood. When he explains to his secretary that he has been trying to remember this memory all morning, the secretary is astonished that he remembers something again. Just then Ma Sung turns in to notice in horror his COMPLETELY empty lettuce garden. (Bwahaha!)

Later on Ma Sung’s secretary drives him to work. Gi Bbeum’s memory is still poking at him, especially since he can’t figure out what it is that is written on his arm, since the shower erased most of the writing. His secretary notices but presses his lips together.

At the same time, Gi Bbeum is working on designs with Nan Joo at their shop, when suddenly Nan Joo’s assistants come over to them timidly. They have made a terrible mistake. A black fur necklace which was promised to Lee Ha Im was accidentally sent to the wrong place and won’t be there in time for her interview today. Just when it seems hopeless, Gi Bbeum has an idea. Grabbing fake fur and her sewing supplies she recreates the necklace exactly. The assistants and Nan Joo are overjoyed that she has saved them.

At the studio, Nan Joo rushes in with the fake necklace and puts it on Lee Ha Im. As Ha Im inspects herself in the mirror, Nan Joo chants to herself hopes that she won’t be able to tell the difference. But Ha Im is clueless and declares it to be nice.

At his entertainment agency, Ki Joon talks to his manager’s assistant about Joo Gi Bbeum. Ki Joon is curious about her family and how she lives. When asked by the assistant why he is so interested, Ki Joon boldly tells him it is because he likes her. He then asks the assistant whether he got the presents he wanted him to buy. When asked who they are for, Ki Joon again boldy says they are for his “father-in-law.”

Meanwhile, Gi Bbeum’s dad is hard at work tending flowers outside an office building. Turning, he yells at the women cleaning to correctly sort the recycling. As he kneels, Ki Joon walks up behind him holding the two bundles of presents.

Ki Joon bends down and says “hello,” but Dad just asks why he is here. Ki Joon is overjoyed to realize that Dad knows who he is and joyfully begins to chat with him. But Dad responds by asking what he ate to become so chubby. Just then Dad starts barking, and Ki Joon realizes that he has been talking to a tiny dog in the bush he was tending.

Ki Joon’s eyes widen in horror at the sight of the dog, and he pulls back. But as he retreats the (adorable) dog begins to run towards him. At the same moment a motorcyclist drives up behind him blocking his escape. Packages go flying into the air as Ki Joon screams in pain. The motorcyclist removes his helmet and we see he is none other than Gi Bbeum’s brother, Ja Rang. “Dad!” He cries in horror as he rushes over to where Ki Joon has fallen on top of Dad in a literal dogpile.

Moments later Gi Bbeum rushes to her dad’s room at the hospital. Poor Dad lies on his bed with a massive brace wrapped around his middle. Gi Bbeum is at first concerned for him, but then notices the luxury of the room he is in. Brother assures her that he didn’t request such a nice room, but that it is what they were given. Gi Bbeum immediately assumes the giver is Ma Sung.

Upstairs at the hospital, Ma Sung is still puzzling over the smudged writing on his arm. Picking out the words “fuss” and “strange” he does an online search and finds an article about strange trespassers entering VVIP wings at hospitals. He decides this must be what he was trying to tell himself.

Soon after Ma Sung and one of the hospital managers walk around the VVIP floor. Ma Sung is livid and scolds the manager for letting a trespasser on to their floor. The poor manager is very confused and upset since he was unaware that they had had a trespasser. But Ma Sung insists that they did, since he left himself a note about it.

As they stand talking, Gi Bbeum and her humble looking family happen to walk passed them. Ma Sung spots them and questions the manager whether they are truly VVIPs, but the manager is unsure. Dissatisfied, he starts to walk around the corner when Gi Bbeum she calls to him.

He asks her what she wants to discuss, but to his bewilderment Gi Bbeum tells him that he probably knows better than she does. She tells him not to think highly of himself just because he has money; She won’t take a cent from him. However, to her surprise Ma Sung responds that of course she should pay for her hospital bills. “Who else would pay for them? Me?” He asks, supposing that she is trying to connive a free room out of him. He turns to scold his poor manager for letting them in to the VVIP wing and then leaves. Stammering, Gi Bbeum watches him go.

Moments later Gi Bbeum stands in front of the VVIP check in counter. The nurse has explained to her that Ki Joon, not Ma Sung, was not her anonymous donor. Gi Bbeum wilts in embarrassment.

Still on the VVIP floor, Ma Sung visits his cousin in his room. Poor Ki Joon clutches his lower region in pain as Ma Sung laughs at a photo of the adorable teacup poodle that attacked him. Ma Sung continues to laugh until he realizes how upset Ki Joon is. “The only thing I’m more afraid of than Mom is dogs.” Ki Joon tells him.

“Did you have a traumatic incident?” Ma Sung asks. “I had no idea.”

Ki Joon explains that as a kid he was bitten by a dog in the same place as today. “Where a man’s pride lies,” he whispers. When Ma Sung questions whether it is the exact same place, Ki Joon offers to let him see. But Ma Sung quickly tells him to keep his pants on.

When Ma Sung begins to give medical reminders to avoid infection, Ki Joon rushes to ask him whether he is in danger of dying and will he still be able to marry?

Mischievously, Ma Sung folds his arms. “You definitely won’t die. But marriage I’m not so sure about.” This has the desired effect; and Ki Joon calls out in exasperation. Laughing, Ma Sung admits it was a joke. (Loving the bromance between these two.)

Downstairs, Gi Bbeum sees her father’s hospital bill. It is an astounding $4400. She asks the receptionist if it is possible that they accidentally added an extra zero. But no, that really is the price of a VVIP room and exam. Gi Bbeum leans over the counter to request an employee discount (since she knows Ki Joon), but just as she does Ma Sung walks quietly up behind her.

“I didn’t know there were still people who use executives names to ask for discounts.” Ma Sung says loudly, startling Gi Bbeum. “Earlier I thought you said you’d pay the bill and wouldn’t accept help from me.”

“I didn’t know how expensive it would be,” Gi Bbeum tells him honestly.

“Ah, so now you are ready to accept help?” He taunts. Gi Bbeum raises two puppy dog eyes up to him pleadingly, but Ma Sung is unmoved and tells her to be sure to pay every cent.

Giving up, Gi Bbeum pulls out five credit cards from her wallet and asks for a payment plan spread over all of them. The receptionist takes four of the cards and returns the last, telling her it is her bus pass. (haha!)

With a huff of annoyment Ma Sung walks away from the counter. Just then a memory hits him of the two of them last night. “Why didn’t you come that night?” the memory asks him. Ma Sung turns alarmed to look at Gi Bbeum where she still stands at the counter.

Gi Bbeum turns away from the counter with a frustrated huff and startles to see Ma Sung staring at her. But misunderstanding his look, she leaves hurriedly while Ma Sung to watches her go.

Later that day, Ma Sung sits at his desk staring at the drawing of his memory. His secretary stands over him, watching him. “I’ve been thinking all day,” the secretary announces, “about whether I should tell you a certain noun, but I think I really should tell you. You did threaten me not to tell you.” At this Ma Sung lifts his eyebrows in surprise. “It’s Joo Gi Bbeum,” the secretary blurts out.

At her name, Ma Sung cries out in pain. The secretary is fascinated and repeats her name over and over, and each time Ma Sung reacts in pain. Finally, Ma Sung is annoyed and screams at his secretary to stop. The secretary asks if Ma Sung might have met that person yesterday without the secretary knowing. “Joo Gi…who?” Ma Sung asks.

Cut to the secretary again showing Ma Sung the viral video of Gi Bbeum dancing away her bad luck. “So you’re saying I caused a fuss yesterday because of that woman?” Ma Sung asks in amazement. The secretary confirms this is true and asks if maybe Ma Sung’s memory from this morning was of meeting Gi Bbeum yesterday.

Moments later Ma Sung walks into his doctor’s office downstairs. His doctor asks if he still remembers the woman he described yesterday, but Ma Sung admits he can only remember her back now. However, a woman he met today has caused him to remember more. The doctor suggests that they solve the puzzle written on his arm first. Ma Sung insists that he has no idea what the words mean, but his doctor encourages him to try to remember.

Concentrating, Ma Sung sighs. Suddenly a memory of himself from last night returns to him. “I think I wrote it so I could remember that woman.” He announces, still unsure. Another memory returns of Gi Bbeum’s house and the shoes in front of her door. When the doctor asks if he can remember what they talked about, Ma Sung recalls her anger at him that he didn’t remember her.

Changing tactics, the doctor tries hypnosis on Ma Sung. Memories of Gi Bbeum from yesterday come flooding back to him in wave after wave. Ma Sung wakes in a panic.

“You know how the brain reacts when human beings falls in love, don’t you?” The doctor tells him. “You fell in love.” Ma Sung stares at him startled. “This is why you keep thinking about that woman,”

Later that day Ma Sung again sits at his desk recording his memories, but this time he includes every detail about Gi Bbeum.

Across town, Gi Bbeum tries to make a withdrawal from an ATM. After making her withdrawal, she stares in disbelief at the remaining amount: $2.00. She sighs.

As she goes about her day buying supplies for the shop, her phone rings. It is Ma Sung. Without hesitation, she answers and immediately hangs up. Back at his house, Ma Sung observes that her hanging up means that she knows who he is. Changing his tactic, he texts Gi Bbeum that he will buy 100 pieces of clothing. This gets Gi Bbeum’s attention at first, but then she decides not to fall for his tricks again.

“I’m not selling!” She blasts back at him. Ma Sung again texts her; this time offering 50% off her hospital bill. Gi Bbeum hesitates, but chooses to ignore him. Trying again, Ma Sung texts her an offer of 40% off her hospital bill, followed immediately by 30% and 25%. At each new text Gi Bbeum cries out in alarm. “Why is it going down, not up?!” Begging the phone not to chime again, she furiously dials Ma Sung’s number.

Scoffing at her speed, Ma Sung answers his phone. Gi Bbeum’s words topple out one over the other as she tries to explain how she didn’t see his texts so he should at least give her a 30% discount. At this, Ma Sung marvels how money always gets her attention. He asks if he can meet her to give her the discount. Gi Bbeum offers to come to him, but he tells he will come to her.

Not long after, Ma Sung steps out of his car at the clothing market where Gi Bbeum was shopping. The place is huge, so he calls her to give him directions. Mischievously, she gives him the wrong directions, just like he did to her yesterday. Having a lot of fun, she leads him around the market randomly. But her fun is interrupted when Ma Sung finds her himself. “I think I’ve suffered enough,” he tells her, making her cough in surprise.

Seconds later, Ma Sung dials the hospital. He tells them to fix a “problem” with her bill. The voice on the phone asks if Gi Bbeum is his girlfriend, in which case she can get the family discount. At this Ma Sung too emphatically insists she isn’t. The voice asks what she should do. Gi Bbeum looks at him pleadingly and offers him her banana milk. Taking the milk, Ma Sung tells the voice to give her a 40% discount.

The call ended, Ma Sung begins to speak with Gi Bbeum, but she interrupts him to say thanks and leaves. Crying in exasperation, Ma Sung rushes after her.

Hours pass as Gi Bbeum walks around the market shopping while Ma Sung follows. To his frustration, she ignores him completely and even stops to haggle with a merchant over $2.50. But when the haggling becomes fierce, Ma Sung yells at her to just buy the items already since they’re cheap. The satisfied merchant tells Gi Bbeum that her husband is very wise, which surprises but doesn’t displease him. Gi Bbeum emphatically denies that he is not and continues to haggle up until the last minute.

After leaving the merchant, Ma Sung asks Gi Bbeum why it is that she always asks for a discount on everything. But she informs him she does pay full price on some things…bus and subway fare. He asks if she would ask for a discount on those too if she could. “Obviously.” She tells him.

A little later, they stand in front of a food vendor. Ma Sung is displeased that her “thank you meal” lacks so much heart, but she informs him it isn’t heart she lacks — it’s money. He continues to gripe, but insists on eating the food she bought for him just the same. Looking over, Gi Bbeum spots a sign for ice cream and asks if he would like some. As she dodges over to buy the ice cream, Ma Sung wonders to himself how it can be that he fell in love with a woman like this.

Returning, Gi Bbeum hands him the ice cream. As he tears it open, she notices the band-aid he had been wearing on his hand has peeled back to reveal his memory flower tattoo. Her face becomes sad as she asks if he drew the picture of the flower. But he tells her no; it is a tattoo. Gi Bbeum continues to stare at the image as memories of when he requested her heart that day come back to her. Hopefully, she asks if eating ice cream brings back any memories to him. But Ma Sung just laughs and asks what on earth she is talking about. Crestfallen, Gi Bbeum continues eating.

After lunch, the two finally leave the market. Ma Sung heads over to his car, but to his bewilderment Gi Bbeum heads to the bus stop. Calling after her, he leaves his car to follow.

As they walk, Ma Sung asks why it is that her father was in a VVIP room when they couldn’t afford to pay. He assumes she must have been trying to impress, but Gi Bbeum scoffs that it was because she knows someone at the hospital of an even higher rank than him. Curious, he wonders who it might be. As reply, she straightens and lifts her head. “I know Director Sung Ki Joon,” she tells him. At this Ma Sung is taken aback. Gi Bbeum assumes this means he is impressed, but he is more interested in what kind of relationship she has with Ki Joon. He informs her that Ki Joon doesn’t like her style of woman. At which Gi Bbeum scolds him that that is no way to talk about the director.

“That director used to play with me in his underwear.” Ma Sung tells her. “He’s my cousin.” At this Gi Bbeum turns around startled. If Ma Sung is related to Ki Joon, then is Ma Sung rich too?

Ma Sung shakes his head in amazement at how everything always comes back to money with Gi Bbeum. He wonders if this means she will be nicer to him now, but Gi Bbeum quietly reasons that they won’t be seeing each other anymore anyhow.

Just then, two strangers walk by and recognize Joo Gi Bbeum. Alarmed, Ma Sung reached into Gi Bbeum’s bags and yanks out her scarf. He wraps it around his face like a bandit. When Gi Bbeum asks what he is doing, he tells her he doesn’t want people to recognize he is with her and hurries on ahead. “Don’t act like you know me.” He shouts back.

When the bus arrives Gi Bbeum immediately hops on, scans the card in her purse, and takes a seat. Ma Sung follows right behind, but is baffled by the card scanner. Confused, he bumps his hip repeatedly on the scanner. (Gah! I can’t watch.) When this doesn’t work he looks over at Gi Bbeum pleadingly, but she is doing her best to ignore him. By now everyone on the bus has noticed him trying to get her attention, and one helpful woman gently encourages “Miss Joo Gi Bbeum” to pay for her poor boyfriend. This alarms Ma Sung who laughingly tells her he is not her boyfriend. At last giving in, Gi Bbeum hops up to pay for her “honey.” Ma Sung stares at her in shock. Shrinking into their seats they both sit in embarrassment.

Walking the alleyways towards her home, Ma Sung scolds Gi Bbeum for calling him her “honey” in front of all those people. But she retorts that he had asked her to be nice to him, so she did. She tries to say good-bye, but Ma Sung refuses to go. He asks if she will please, just once, explain what she meant last night when she said they kissed. Gi Bbeum is displeased, but relents.

“By chance we met in Hainan,” she tells him, “and fell in love at first sight.”

“So that’s why we kissed?” He asks. “When was that?”

“Three years ago,” she responds, “on the last day of June.”

Ma Sung stares at her in surprise as he begins to realize what her words mean. “So that’s why I remember you every day. Because we liked each other then.” But Gi Bbeum doesn’t understand what he means and tells him that if they had really liked each other then, then they wouldn’t be meeting like this now.

“I’m sorry,” he says to her gently, “for not remembering.”

“No,” Gi Bbeum responds quickly, “You didn’t do anything wrong, because this won’t change anything between us. So you don’t need to be sorry. It was just a brief encounter,” she tells him and walks away.

That night, Ma Sung stands in his memory room. He has added drawings of Gi Bbeum to a new section on his wall. “If it was such a brief encounter,” he wonders, “then why do I remember you every day?”

The next day Ki Joon again arrives at his entertainment agency’s building at the same time as Lee Ha Im. Ha Im has chosen to wear her fur necklace again today, still unaware that it is a fake. Coincidently, Ki Joon has also worn the same fur necklace, although naturally his is real. Immediately when Ha Im sees him she begins to make fun of him for wearing a fake. But Ki Joon observes in amazement that hers is the fake, since his is real. She firmly corrects him that she is wearing real arctic fur.

In response, Ki Joon leans in close and rubs her necklace. “I was right” he tells her, “I grew up rich so I am allergic to fake fur.” He leans in to check again and this time starts to cough. Reflexively he pulls back from her shielding himself from the fur allergens. Ha Im stomps over to the agency door, but yet again she can not let herself in. Pushing her aside, Ki Joon again unlocks the door for her.

Across town, Gi Bbeum’s family sits outside sharing ramyun noodles while she pays bills. Softly, dad asks Ja Rang why it was that he was on a motorcycle yesterday during the accident. Quickly pulling his finger to his lips, Ja Rang whispers it was for a part-time job he doesn’t want his sister to know about. Dad gives him a look, and Ja Rang pulls money out of his pocket to bribe his father with. Wealthier, Dad begins to sing happily along with the radio. As they talk, Gi Bbeum sneaks off to a corner to call Nan Joo about lending her money for this week’s bills.

As she hangs up with her friend, Gi Bbeum’s phone rings with a call from Ki Joon. Seconds later we see her hurriedly leave for her new “part-time job.”

Back in his home, Ma Sung reads his notes from yesterday and sighs. Slowly he closes the book and we see the cover. The entire book is titled “Joo Gi Bbeum, the strange person who causes a fuss.” (Aww, he went from not including his memories of her to having a book just for her.) Just then his phone rings, it is also Ki Joon.

Ki Joon tells him that he needs to come by his Star Entertainment agency today. Since Ma Sung is their investor, he wants him to be involved when they sign a major contract today with “the woman he needs to save.” At first Ma Sung is annoyed at being bothered, but then he stops himself and asks if the woman being saved is Joo Gi Bbeum. When Ki Joon says it is, Ma Sung hurriedly tells him to wait for him.

Meanwhile inside Star Entertainment, Ki Joon has just told his manager that he has been able to get a huge star to sign with him. Delighted, the manager tries to guess who the famous star might be. As they talk, Gi Bbeum arrives. The manager gasps in horror at the sight of her.

After his initial shock at seeing her subsides, the manager sits down to talk with them. He asks her why it is that she is here. Gi Bbeum still thinks she is there for a part-time job, but Ki Joon is grinning to himself like a Cheshire cat.

Just then, their “financier” Ma Sung walks in the door. He pretends to be surprised at seeing Gi Bbeum there. This alarms Ki Joon and he demands how it is that they know each other, but she assures him they only know each other “in passing” — to Ma Sung’s annoyance. Ki Joon is noticeably relieved. As Ma Sung sits down next to Gi Bbeum, Ki Joon explains that he is the new owner of their building. Gi Bbeum whispers to Ma Sung that he must have wanted to act rich by buying the building, but Ma Sung assures her it isn’t act, “It’s skill.”

Turning to Ki Joon, Gi Bbeum asks what the part-time job is that he has for her. At this Ki Joon again grins widely and announces that they want to scout her. Everyone, including Gi Bbeum, is uncomfortable and confused by his news. Ma Sung in particular begins to list the reasons not to sign a contract with a star with a “million anti fans.” When his list gets to long Gi Bbeum shoots him a withering glance which silences him. The manager agrees and tells Ki Joon to listen to his investor. But Ki Joon is adamant. He is going to sign Gi Bbeum. He hands her the contract, but Gi Bbeum hesitates, obviously uncomfortable.

Moments later, Ma Sung is walking with Gi Bbeum out of the building when she suddenly grabs him arm. She has just seen her old manager (Lee Ha Im’s current manager) leaving the building. She tries to hide behind Ma Sung, but just as the jerk manager walk by Ma Sung says her name.

At the mention of “Joo Gi Bbeum” jerk manager turns and greets her, asking what brings her here. Hedgily Gi Bbeum tells him she was just meeting a friend. Although the conversation seems outwardly normal, Gi Bbeum is obviously tense and jerk manager can’t completely hide his distaste. As quickly as possible, she ends their talk and rushes away pulling Ma Sung with her.

Obviously still upset, Gi Bbeum hurries as she walks. A stride behind her, Ma Sung follows. He asks her who that man was. “He didn’t look like a nice man,” he tells her shaking his head. But Gi Bbeum interrupts him before he can continue.

Tears in her eyes she yells at him, furious for drawing notice to her when he knew she was hiding. Confused, Ma Sung asks if he really did something wrong. He had just been joking. With more emotion than necessary, Gi Bbeum yells that it was “truly terrible” and leaves without letting him repent.

Back at the hospital, Ma Sung’s aunt has again gathered the consul of Ma Sung informants. Ma Sung’s doctor has just finished telling her about Ma Sung’s new interest in Gi Bbeum. At this news Auntie seems more amused than anything else, wondering if it will last. The doctor tells her it will be difficult, considering the traumas he would have to overcome.

Sharply, Auntie turns to Ma Sung’s secretary and asks what sort of person the woman is. Cautiously, he only tells her that the woman is a celebrity. This seems to amuse the others, but Auntie becomes angry and fiercely tells him to get ride of her.

That night Gi Bbeum sits outside a corner store drinking with Nan Joo. She shows her friend the contract Ki Joon had given her. Nan Joo is delighted, but Gi Bbeum tells her she isn’t going to sign it, after all she is happy how she is. Aghast, Nan Joo reminds her how the public used to adore her. “Don’t you miss those days?” She asks. Gi Bbeum grows quiet and sad, but still tells her that she doesn’t miss it at all. Still, her friend reminds her that she has to provide for her family somehow.

At Star Entertainment, Ki Joon sits on the couch and speaks with one of the hospital managers. He wants to know what happened to the house — Gi Bbeum’s house — he asked him to purchase three years ago. The manager tells him that the house was given to Ma Sung’s secretary.

Cut to Ki Joon sitting on the same couch with Ma Sung’s secretary. He asks if he can see the house tomorrow, but the secretary informs him that someone lives there now. Exasperated, Ki Joon asks who.

Cut to Ma Sung dialing Gi Bbeum. The phone rings, but she immediately hangs up on him. Baffled that she hung up on him, he calls back, only to hear her and Nan Joo’s drunken giggles. The line goes dead again.

In their neighborhood, Gi Bbeum and Nan Joo stand in the street drunkenly singing off key. As they sing, her family sits outside cooking more red gurnards and listening to the rucuss. Dad wonders what could have gone wrong. Suddenly, Gi Bbeum and Nan Joo appear in front of the family table. “I’m a little drunk” Gi Bbeum announces. Amidst their drunken ramblings, Nan Joo pulls out the contract to show them.

As one her family asks excitedly if she is going to sign. But Gi Bbeum slurs out “Nope.” She then tries to dip a red gurnard in red chili pepper sauce, but ends up dropping the whole mess on top of the contract, smearing it in red.

Later that night, Gi Bbeum watches her family, and Nan Joo, peacefully sleeping. After tip-toeing outside, she stands in the lamplight and again looks at her contract. For a moment she fantasizes about signing it, even acting out the roles of manager and star. As part of her story she signs the contract. “This is good enough for me,” she tells herself and tucks the contract into the recycling pile.

At his home Ma Sung waters his new lettuce plants and wonders why it is that Gi Bbeum won’t answer his calls. As he does, he accidently bumps into a cupboard causing the door to pop open. Peering inside he discovers an old cassette walkman and headphones, and on the very bottom shelf a pair of perfect red shoes — the shoes he bought Gi Bbeum on their perfect day.

At the same moment at her home, Gi Bbeum presses play on an old cassette player. The music gentley slips from the player — the song she sang on their perfect day. Ma Sung too has hit play on the cassette walkman, and hears the same song. Inexplicably, he begins to cry.

My Thoughts:

Although Ma Sung still not telling Gi Bbeum about his amnesia is really starting to annoy me, I also think that the drama is being pretty accurate when it comes to how someone in his position might act. We know that he identifies himself as someone with dementia, so he sees himself as defective, broken. He probably feels self-concious and insecure about his mental problem, so it is only natural that he would want to hide it from as many people as possible. He doesn’t want to be pitied or treated differently — especially by the person he is growing to like. And while we can see that he is causing her confusion and damaging their relationship, he can’t.

However, it feels like this story would make a lot more sense if they would just give us more of the backstory. We can sense that Auntie is evil, but we have no idea why. Was she responsible for Ma Sung’s parents’ deaths? Did she have something to do with his accident three years ago? Why is she so threatened by her nephew that she has to watch his every move? It feels like the writer is trying to be clever by giving us only snippets of backstory, but she hasn’t even given us enough to know what is going on!

And for Pete’s sake, WHY is Ma Sung’s doctor telling her every single piece of confidential information? I initially liked how supportive and kind he was to Ma Sung, but that man is bad news. Does Ma Sung have no one on his side?

So what do you think of Devilish Joy Episode 3? What do you love? What is driving you crazy?