📺 Kdrama Klub Issue 14.

📺 Kdrama Klub Issue 14.

Episode 14

In Episode 14, Dr. Bin’s employee kisses him in front of Hongran.


It’s been a few weeks since Kyungmin passed, and Hanuel and Jeongwoo pretend to be ok when they’re not. They both know that the other is processing a lot of pain and don’t want to be a burden. So they quietly hurt next to each other.


Hanuel meets with the Chief of Anesthesiology. He gives her a simple, but genuine apology that she accepts with deference. He also offers her a position as assistant professor, saying that this is the way for both her and the hospital to redeem their tarnished reputations. This was Hanuel’s dream job for so long, but she feels conflicted: it’s like she’s profiting at the expense of others’ misfortune.


Hanuel and her family go down to Busan, and Jeongwoo tags along. They visit her dad’s grave and take turns updating him about their lives. Waiting at a distance, Jeongwoo is surprised to see them smiling and laughing. He expected it to be a somber occasion.


Dinner can’t be had without drinks. As the alcohol starts to kick in, the cheerful mood makes way for quiet vulnerability. Jeongwoo asks Mrs. Nam how long it takes to heal from grieving. He’s conflicted between recognizing how heartless his mom was and how hurt Kyungmin must have been–and knowing that it still doesn’t justify what Kyungmin did. But, he also keeps remembering the good times he had with Kyungmin: Kyungmin was the only one who came to his graduation.


Jeongwoo breaks down and describes the volatility of his grieving process: some days he feels like he should forgive. Other days, he really doesn’t want to. Mrs. Nam tells him that forgiveness isn’t so much about the other person as it is about us being able to move on with our lives. But, it’s easier said than done, especially when the harm is egregious as in Jeongwoo’s case. Mrs. Nam comforts Jeongwoo and tells him to endure. When he feels anger, he should let himself feel it. When he feels sorrow, he should accept that too. Over time, the emotions will fade in their intensity.


Meanwhile, Hanuel has a heart to heart with her uncle. He recalls his surprise when he first learned that she was applying for anesthesiology--a nearly invisible role--instead of surgery, which felt more prestigious and in line with her abilities. Hanuel remembers her source of inspiration and the sense of purpose she feels when quietly supporting patients through difficult operations. She later opens up to Jeongwoo: how she got the job offer, but feels guilty to accept something that came at such a great cost to Jeongwoo. Jeongwoo tells her not to think that way–this is the result of her hard work, and he’s excited for her.


When we go through a traumatic experience, it’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do with all the different emotions we’re feeling. It’s a delicate balance of letting ourselves feel negative emotions, which are valid, but not losing so much control that we drown ourselves in a bottomless pit of despair.


Forgetting, forgiving. People will easily prescribe these courses of action, not realizing how painful it is to hear their insensitive judgements. Rather than forcing yourself to “bite the bullet” and “do the right thing,” give yourself time. It takes time to process. It takes time to heal.


Even if forgiveness is part of your own healing, give yourself time to grieve what was lost, stolen, or damaged. Don’t rush the process.

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