Early Access: Breakup Probation, A Week E2

E2. Ooh. This little show is shaping up to be pretty darn solid, from what I can see so far. It definitely feels like it's delving deeper into relationships than the average web drama, and it also feels thoughtfully conceived. Both very good things.

This is kinda-sorta vibing like a do-over story, with the way Ga Ram goes back a week, from the date of the accident, and is given a chance to save Seon Jae.

I find it interesting that Ga Ram would tell Seon Jae everything about the accident, and why they have to break up - so that he can live. I suppose this keeps things neater, since we admittedly don't have a lot of screen time to play with. Also, this honest sharing feels refreshing, to me. Ga Ram doesn't try to hide her knowledge of the accident from Seon Jae, and instead tells him everything. That indicates a pretty healthy level of honesty in their relationship, at least on her part.

I really like that in this moment of vulnerability, when Ga Ram appears sincerely frightened, the consistent sense of frustration that we'd seen hanging over their relationship, seems to disappear. Instead of being dismissive, Seon Jae is comforting, and assures her that he's right there.

And I really like that with this warm gesture from Seon Jae, Ga Ram is immediately reminded all over again, of everything that she likes about being with him. "The smell of your skin that I like the most; your breath on my neck; your warmth that melts my hardened heart; your presence that I can feel with every fiber of my body." It all feels so raw and detailed, and makes Ga Ram's act of breathing in Seon Jae's presence, come alive.

This, in turn, helps Ga Ram to accept Seon Jae's sudden need to meet his friends without protest, unlike the scene we'd seen in episode 1.

I enjoy this idea of how we trigger vicious or virtuous cycles, with our behavior. In episode 1, anger and suspicion on Ga Ram's part, had given rise to more anger on Seon Jae's part. But here, her vulnerability had triggered his empathy, which in turn had caused Ga Ram to appreciate his presence, and feel able to accept that he has valid reasons for leaving the apartment even though it's late.

I always say that context is everything, and Show demonstrates that, this episode, by having Seon Jae finally explain why he's been reluctant to introduce Ga Ram to his friends.

Ga Ram's always assumed that Seon Jae was embarrassed by her, but it turns out that Seon Jae's been ashamed of his friends, and had wanted to keep their smarmy presence apart from Ga Ram, whom he sees as pure and wholesome, and whom he didn't want to see being turned into a subject of gossip. Night and day, seriously.

With this big misunderstanding out of the way, and her appreciation for Seon Jae completely renewed, I can see why Ga Ram would choose to think of the supernatural contract as a dream.

However, it seems that it's not a dream after all, since we see her supernatural creditor, X, look over the couple with a dark expression on his face - right before Seon Jae collapses, right there in Ga Ram's arms.

Eep. Is this an immediate consequence, of Ga Ram deciding not to break up with Seon Jae? Like, he's starting to die right away, even though there hasn't been a traffic accident? Also, what a dilemma, that Ga Ram will need to break up with Seon Jae, after realizing all over again, how much they love each other. I'm not sure how Show is going to resolve this, but I have it on pretty good authority that this story ends well, so I'm expecting Show to deliver. 😅

Next episode notes will be out on: Friday, 17 Sept 2021!