The Car Kiss
In the present, Ji-Ho is a contract worker at a call center. He’s been there for two years and has never had a break. His boss is always on the phone, and he’s not allowed to leave his desk. One day, he gets a call from his old roommate Ji-Eun. She tells him that she’s now an executive at a company and needs someone to help her with some work. Ji-Ho agrees to help her out, but only if she comes back to live with him. She does, and they start living together again as brother and sister. ..
Sang-Eun is surprised to hear that her ex-husband Ji-Ho is still alive and well. Ji-Ho tells her that he and Ji-Eun got married but they ended up divorcing seven years ago. He says that Ji-Eun is like family to him and they are still very close.
Sang-Eun walks the rest of the way home, but points out that she doesn’t care about Ji-Ho’s ex-wife, she wanted to know exactly why he showed up at the hotel and why he drove her home, both of which he’s failed to tell her.
That night, Hae-Jin shows up to see Sang-Eun after his shoot. He’s there to try and cheer her up. Oh, and also to return her purse too. However, a drunk Ji-Ho notices him helping her out and believes it’s the attacker back. He pounces on Hae-Jin and begins slapping him, until Sang-Eun jumps in and stops him. As she pulls him off, Ji-Ho ends up passed out and asleep, just like that!
Ji-Ho wakes up and sees his uncle coming over. Hae-Jin tells him that she’s been sitting with Sang-Eun and they’ve been talking about the party from the past. Ji-Ho is surprised to hear this and asks what he should do. Hae-Jin tells him that she wants to get some food cooked, but Sang-Eun says he’s busy too. Ji-Ho decides to stay and help out, but Hae-Jin tells him not to be a baby and leave her alone with Sang-Eun.
Ji-Ho and Sang-Eun are discussing their relationship and how everything that has happened between them is just a contract. Hae-Jin interrupts to say she wants to kiss Sang-Eun. Sang-Eun says the same thing, so Hae-Jin kisses him instead.
Everything is awkward in the morning when Ji-Ho wakes up and finds out that Hae-Jin isn’t going to cross the line with him. Hae-Jin tries to tell Ji-Ho that she made a mistake, but it’s not true. Sang-Eun is actually flustered and struggling to tell Ji-Ho that she made a mistake. She does eventually say it, and it crushes Ji-Ho.
Meanwhile, Miss Yoo learns that Sang-Eun is the mystery woman dating Hae-Jin. She tells Sang-Eun she’s done well, likening what she’s done to grabbing a diamond rope and clinging to her riches. Sang-Eun leans into this, taunting Yoo.. but the latter has a scheme of her own. She rings Mr Choi and confirms that Sang-Eun is dating Hae-Jin and decides they need to paint a picture of the pair together.
Sang-Eun arrives to see Ji-Ho, pointing out that she could easily terminate their contract after hearing him slander her to his ex-wife. Ji-Ho points out that the earlier chat was actually to persuade himself and see where her true feelings lie; the party, her confession, and kissing Hae-Jin that night, what is her true intentions? ..
Ji-Ho confesses his true feelings to her at the hotel, and just like that Ji-Ho leans forward and kisses her.
The Episode Review
Ji-Ho finally plucks up the courage to tell Sang-Eun his true feelings, and the ending is a great moment for him and the others. There’s an air of confidence to Ji-Ho’s actions now, although you just know that Miss Yoo and the meddling corporate bigwigs are going to cause havoc for these two in the future. ..
This episode of “Running Man” features a softer side to Hae-Jin, which is good to see. It’s a pity that this has taken so long and come off the back of some questionable development previously, namely that of him paying someone to snap pictures of Sang-Eun in private.
The ending of the novel leaves many questions unanswered, and it’s clear that there are more stories to be told. It’s possible that the rest of the series will explore these issues further, and we’ll see more drama and excitement in the future!
