Pinocchio Episode 5 Review (and a sudden, painful twist)

Pinocchio continues to surprise, delight and shock. I was certainly not expecting a reversal fo this magnitude to appear so quickly in the game.
CDP finds out rather quickly that his brother, Ki Jae Myung (KJM), is still alive. I thought they’d drag that out for a few more episodes, so that came as quite sudden. Poor CDP is hit with that stunning revelation on top of his father’s death and is honestly a mess.  His hiring doesn’t exactly leave him elated either. He’s more numb than anything at this point and boy is that understandable.

The juxtaposition of KJM feeling more alone than ever, with the confirmation of his father’s death and CDP’s renewed hope is rather painful to see especially considering how alone both have felt for years. KJM has hit rock bottom, but CDP’s just begun his way up.
  

It feels like he’s using that as an excuse to feel less guilty about essentially breaking the vow he made with In Ha, so I’m not really buying it for now. I get that his lashing out at In Ha, who essentially symbolizes the whole reason his father was turned into a pariah, was instinctive, in the same way he did when he was a child but I do wish there was more remorse shown in his part for destroying her chance. Not that he secret wouldn’t have been outed at some point, I mean you can only hide that you’re a Pinocchio for so long, but seeing CDP shifting the responsibility of his vow aside like that is a little disappointing. More juxtaposition in terms of CDP’s spiffy suit-up for his job as a YGN reporter, while CIH puts on her comfy duds hiccupping all the way, which honestly feels a little saddening seeing how hard she’s worked for this and how easily CDP lands the job. Doesn’t help that when her dad rubs things in either, though it’s clear that he doesn’t mean to be petty. Grandpa continues to be the most consistent character in the story providing comic relief at just the right moments and telling off his stupid son. Age hasn’t dulled his senses as he picks up on a tiff of some sorts between CDP and CIH quite easily. The awkwardness between the two is palpable and honestly, CDP is to blame. The fact that he encourages the awkwardness by even telling CIH that her mother was right is extremely unfair to the poor girl.

I get it, I really do. What her mother did was unfair and awful, but to take it out on her is just as bad. Why should she give up on her dream simply because you need to get over your hatred? Hatred of her mother should not extend to her daughter, just as hatred of a profession should not extend to the people in said profession who likely have their own goals and dreams and reasons for choosing that job. CDP knows why CIH wants to become a reporter, and certainly knows her inside out, having loved her for so long. Plus he’s certainly not stupid enough to paint everyone by the same brush, so I couldn’t help but wonder just what was going on in his mind. It doesn’t help that we don’t get to see as enough of it as we should. But CDP definitely seems to fear the damage that CIH could cause with her words, however well-meaning. He also fears that in the cut-throat world of news reporting may change CIH’s sweet nature. But the fault lies more with his attachment to the past, and the baggage he’s been able to ignore but never forget or overcome for all these years. Add to that, the fact that his brother is alive, and he’s torn between his duty towards his new family and his old one. Seeing that CIH’s mother is even indirectly part of his new one,  for the time being his old family appears to take precedence. It’s a manner of thinking I’m hoping CDP grows out of.

Gosh do I love CIH. She even manages to make moping fun. The bitterness and hope reflected in her eyes during her meeting with her asshole mother really got to me, as did the way she clearly deflated upon hearing that her mother had no regrets. She doesn’t blame CDP either, continuing to like in despite all the harsh things he says and the honestly mixed signals that he gives off at times (though that’s more a reflection of CDP’s mental conflict).The way she doesn’t bother hiding anything and just straight up confesses to CDP with unabashed frankness is not only super refreshing but, in this context, pretty saddening, as CDP has a while to go before he can begin to accept those feelings. The conflict here isn’t familial pressure of any of the usual Kdrama obstacles, but entirely in CDP’s mind. And I can’t wait for him to get over that hurdle seeing just how much he truly cares for CIH as well. 
This show is rife with coincidences though, like the return of that cake, which I don’t mind if only for the reason that PSH really showed off the various ways one can eat it.

Now that was pretty fun.

And major aww! at the three packets of medicine! Seeing how loved CDP is by his adopted family, really makes me wonder why he feels so conflicted about them versus his biological family. Yes CIH’s mother is awful, but one rotten apple doesn’t spoil a tree? Jeez, even Dad is warming up to you CDP, now is not the time to act so distant.
Thankfully, the medicine works more mentally than physically, and the display of familial affection, allows CDP to revert back to normal for the most part, which serves to give us this scene, with so much win, I honestly can’t even.   

That. was. beautiful.

Onto YYR, who may not be a Pinocchio but is certainly as transparent as one. She seems utterly incapable of controlling her expressions, which is definitely just as much a no-no for a reporter as is being a Pinocchio.
She definitely makes up for it in terms of smarts though and thankfully does not have a crush on CDP, which just makes up day, as I hate love squares.
Not that love-triangles are any better. I’m still not sure what of make of SBJ, who alternatingly comes of as sweet and creepy.
His mom is definitely a character though! I loved Kim Hae Sook in IHVY (Best mom ever!) and love her just as much in this quirkier role. I’ll just have to keep an open mind with regards to SJB and seen where things go. Hopefully no male posturing. Please show? Please?

But wowee at KJH’s dark trajectory! I was not expecting a twist like that. I truly expected the show’s main antagonist to be CIH’s mother, and the evil manager and his two cronies, not poor CDP’s brother.

I can’t fault KJH for taking revenge, and honestly were this a different kind of show (say Strongest Chil Woo) I’d full support his decision. However, faced with a character who has chosen to shoulder his pain with aplomb rather than become the very people he hates, KJH comes off looking the worse. Looks like the choice between his biological family and his present one is coming up fast for CDP. And I honestly pity the moment when he finds out just who his brother has become. This show is definitely by the writer of IHYV and that pure goodness and faith that characterizes her characters really shines through here, despite the obstacles they face, you can be sure that they’ll make the right choices, even if it takes a few wrong ones to get there. Should be interesting seen just how much they’ll grow.
And now, I’ll be off to marathon the next three episodes!