Highlights: "Pinocchio" Episode 7

I feel like a broken record—it’s another wonderful episode of “Pinocchio”! In episode seven, Dal Po learns that he is capable of making huge mistakes, and though he’s upset at first, he ultimately proves that he is willing to grow up and become a better person. Meanwhile, In Ha gets her first reporting victory, and it’s wonderfully satisfying.

These were my five favorite scenes from episode seven of “Pinocchio”:

1. Dal Po argues with himself

The entire beginning of this episode, in which Dal Po discovers, too late, that there’s far more to the story of the ajumma who died in the gym than a simple desire to be thin, was so heartbreaking. On the one hand, I’m so happy for In Ha to have this moment of triumph, where she could prove to everyone who doubted her that she can be a good journalist because she is a Pinocchio. And I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world for Dal Po to have been knocked down a peg, given his earlier cruelty and self-righteousness. But this was still incredibly painful to watch. To see Dal Po realize that he has hurt the ajumma’s daughter in the same way that he was hurt, but purely by accident, was just so wrenching. Worst of all was this scene, in which Dal Po relives the debate from the YGN tryouts—the debate during which he outed In Ha as a Pinocchio, citing her arrogance and thoughtless confidence in her own words as the reason why. But this time, he’s the object of scorn. Even though he tries, he can’t defend himself against himself. It’s a great scene. Here’s hoping that this incident just makes Dal Po a better, more careful reporter in the future.

2. Jang Hyun Kyu, Hwang Gyo Dong, and snakes?

This scene was so bizarre, but I laughed my head off. It turns out that the YGN sunbaes have always been crazy, as we see in this flashback, in which trainee Jang Hyun Kyu brought his father to work to throw snakes on Hwang Gyo Dong. I love how this drama isn’t afraid to be weird, as the weirdness really helps relieve the darkness of the story.

3. Reporter Mom

Speaking of weird: Bum Jo’s mom! I still don’t like Bum Jo (it’s nothing against Kim Young Kwang—I just don’t like the character), but his mother is amazing—funny and outrageous but ultimately kind-hearted. She shows off her compassion in this episode, as she interrogates traffic cops and drunk criminals in the place of In Ha, who has come down with a bad case of the flu. Seeing this woman, in her feathers and furs, alternately bribe and berate policemen in the middle of the night, was just wonderfully strange. I hope we get to see a lot more of this character in the future.

4. The couple that watches each other sleep together, stays together

Last week Dal Po watched In Ha sleep; now it’s her turn to return the favor, as her uncle takes a rest after bringing her to the hospital (it turns out she had shingles, not the flu!). What a lovely, tender scene. I know I keep on saying this, but Park Shin Hye is so good in this role—the wistful longing she displayed in this scene was just so touching. Now if only these two could just look at each other longingly at the same time!

5. Reunion

Jae Myung is, to me, a problematic character. Sure, he seems sweet—but he’s a triple murderer! I wish that we could have spent more time with him before those murders, so that we could better understand just what kind of a person he is. But honestly, this character is most important to this drama in terms of how he effects Dal Po. And in this scene, the two finally meet—and once he hears Jae Myung’s name, Dal Po knows that he’s meeting his hyung for the first time in thirteen years. I’m already scared for how Dal Po will react when he discovers what sort of a man his hyung has become.

I know that I left out a lot of good scenes (this drama is so good that only choosing five scenes every episode is very difficult!), so come to the comments and let us know what your favorites were!

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