Transcript
Jamie Grant: Welcome to Subtitles and Screams, your home for K -drama chaos, K -pop obsession, and unapologetic fangirling. I'm Jamie.
Barbara: And I'm Barbara. We're two besties with a whole lot to say about our favorite dramas, idols, and all things K -culture.
Jamie Grant: You know those K -dramas that make you scream at your screen, laugh out loud, or swoon so hard you have to pause and collect yourself? Yeah. We're here to talk about all of it.
Barbara: And today we're diving into episode one of Make Me Tingle, the drama that's giving us plenty to talk about. We're breaking down the characters, the chaos, the chemistry, and of course, our very honest opinions.
Jamie Grant: So settle in, grab some soju, and get ready, because this is going to get good. So let's dive into it. Episode one opens by introducing us to our female lead, Kong Yong -soo.
Jamie Grant: Played by Nam Ji Hyun. And we learned that she is a woman approaching 30, and she comes from a very traditional family. In fact, in the very beginning, there's a voiceover where she describes her family as a little slice of Joseon in the middle of the city.
Jamie Grant: We also learn that her family wants her to get married, which... in turn, gets the ball rolling on our whole plot.
Barbara: Okay, so I had a couple observations right off the bat. Just something I need to say. The running. she's doing. In the beginning, in those slingback shoes.
Barbara: respect because i could not do that who has ever run like that in slingbacks but
Jamie Grant: Yeah, impressive.
Barbara: Very impressive. There was one moment when she was right before she walks into her house. I guess she's ready to go to the. ancestral rights ceremony. And she pulls her hair back in a ponytail and she looks like she's ready to get down to business.
Barbara: That reminded me a lot of our other favorite K -drama startup.
Jamie Grant: Mmm, yeah.
Barbara: The ponytail was a... sign that she was getting down to business. I was like, is that going to be a thing here? It's the only time I saw her do it, but still I noticed it.
Jamie Grant: Hehehehe!
Barbara: So. During the ancestral rites. they begin to talk about the fact that Men come before the women. Men and women are supposed to keep their distance.
Barbara: So I thought that that was very interesting. It laid it out that this was going to be a very traditional family. I wondered, are we going to get the same warmth that we always get in these K -drama families from this family?
Jamie Grant: Oh good point.
Barbara: It was a question I had so yet to be seen.
Jamie Grant: mm -hmm
Barbara: I don't know.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, I actually one of the quotes that I took down was a woman should aspire to nothing more than marrying A Good Man, Having Kids, and Raising a Happy Family. And that was what her grandmother had said to her.
Jamie Grant: Her aunt then says, I got married, but... I got divorced. So it's pretty interesting.
Barbara: And she's so proud of it. And I love that.
Jamie Grant: Yes. So I knew right off the bat that she was going to be a character that was going to. make me laugh. was happy to see that.
Barbara: Yeah. 100%.
Barbara: She's the comedic relief. She's the black sheep of the family, making a bold decision that's not in line with the traditions. I'm all for that. I'm like, okay, here's a lady who's on my level.
Jamie Grant: And from there, I mean, that's where the grandmother starts saying that It's about time for her to get married and she wants to set her up on this blind date. And we learn that our female lead.
Jamie Grant: is in fact seeing someone.
Jamie Grant: She does agree to go on this blind date. which I thought was sort of interesting because her grandmother did ask if she was seeing someone. But she sort of kept that. quiet and said that she would be willing to go on to this date.
Jamie Grant: So, which brings us to her boyfriend, Seung Joon. played by Nam Ji -hyun. She decides to tell him about the blind date her grandmother set her up on in hopes of making him jealous.
Jamie Grant: So they've been together for what, about a year and a half.
Barbara: It was over a year. Yep.
Jamie Grant: Right. And he hasn't brought up marriage. So when she brings this up to him. He states that the reason he's hesitating is because of their lack of sexual intimacy.
Barbara: Okay, so my initial thought here was... What a jerk. But then I thought about it. I'm like, okay. It's been over a year, and they showed the montage of every time things start to get hot and heavy, she's like, oh, no, no, oh, no, no.
Barbara: And it does kind of feel like she doesn't like him.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: So I thought.
Jamie Grant: which is what he said right he said like it feels like you don't like me yeah
Barbara: This is what he's picking up on. Yeah, so then I had a little bit more empathy for him, but... You know, that was short lived.
Jamie Grant: Yes. Yes. We eventually learned that that man is a walking red flag.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And then it segues into. What I literally wrote down was holy hotness. We get introduced to our male lead. Dokgo dal
Jamie Grant: Played by the actor from Idle I, Kim Jae -young. And he's sitting shirtless on his bed after an apparent one -night stand.
Barbara: Which is an important note because initially, Jamie, you didn't know that it was a one night stand.
Jamie Grant: Yes, I don't think I processed it. Fully. Because when he came out and was making the coffee and... she was in a dress and I, I don't. I thought maybe they were just friends. I don't know what I...
Barbara: Having spent, having had a sleepover together.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, I don't I don't know and then On the second, like the rewatch, I was like, yes, okay, obviously that is.
Barbara: Okay.
Jamie Grant: The case.
Barbara: Did it track when she offered to use a sex toy in front of him?
Jamie Grant: Yes, yes, I think...
Barbara: That clicked. Okay.
Jamie Grant: That. That, that clicked. I think. Honestly, also, because that is such an unusual thing to see right off the bat in a K -drama. Right.
Jamie Grant: I mean, that's not something we've really seen.
Barbara: I guess I can't really.
Jamie Grant: So far.
Barbara: think of another time where we've seen that but i do Sing that. the kind of confident. Sexually experienced male lead. I don't think that's totally like unheard of.
Jamie Grant: No, I don't think that's totally off, but I don't know that we would have seen that that had occurred. Like that. Like it was.
Barbara: Okay.
Jamie Grant: Clearly like.
Barbara: It was very clear. Well, this we're going to talk about it, but this particular show is. much bolder than anything that we've seen in kdrama up to this point
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: And I will say, I'll preface that by saying I'm a beginner K -drama fan.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: Like I have under... 20 I think I have like 20 under my belt, but that still feels like beginners at me. There might be a bolder ones I haven't seen. I don't know.
Jamie Grant: And honestly, I mean, same. I've seen a lot, but I haven't seen one that has. taken this. in such a... Direct.
Jamie Grant: Way
Barbara: Yeah. It's usually very indirect.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. Yes.
Barbara: Yeah, hinted at, hidden.
Jamie Grant: Right. Very like undercurrent of, but not literally, you know, second scene. He's like, yeah, you should go use my sex toy.
Barbara: more sexually forward also.
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Jamie Grant: Yes, plays that character.
Barbara: end, but... He does, yeah.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. Wow. So that brings us to him being, I guess, his job, our male lead's job.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: the ceo of a sex toy company low and which i looked up and it's a play on words of love and desire
Jamie Grant: And again... The whole backdrop of the story. I mean, literally and figuratively is those sex toys and this company.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: so Even showing the inside of a very posh sex toy shop.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: there
Jamie Grant: It wasn't seedy.
Barbara: Yeah, yeah
Jamie Grant: It wasn't like the ones that like used to go into New York City and like. I mean, it was very... aesthetically pleasing.
Barbara: Oh, it was nice. That's true. You're totally right.
Jamie Grant: It had lighting and all the different. Like. shelving. Then there was like... music and it was definitely no it was it was a nice sex toy shop
Barbara: okay okay no i agree wholeheartedly and i do feel like they you know they're showing like his line is not
Barbara: like raunchy or like they're, they're like thoughtful products.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Jamie Grant: Yes. Yes.
Barbara: Yeah. But this was just so bold. I mean, even like you're saying, the store display that we could just see.
Jamie Grant: Right, like the backdrop. Like the literal walls was just.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: All the sex toys you could imagine.
Barbara: All the things you could imagine. and things you try not to imagine.
Jamie Grant: True.
Barbara: or things you want to imagine. guess it all depends on who you are but regardless there's a lot of sex toys in there and So her approach or her, the scene where she is in the sex toy shop with her boss, who's also her friend.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: That was very, I thought, cute, funny. She seems nervous the whole time. She's trying to pull her friend out like, whoa, why are we here?
Jamie Grant: Mm hmm.
Barbara: What are we doing? And her friend is egging her on and exposing her to this other world that they're making it clear she's. has no knowledge of.
Jamie Grant: Not been a part of.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, exactly. I mean, and the friend is like, oh, what's different about this version? You know, so she is obviously much more experienced. And while that happens, She looks over.
Barbara: Mhm.
Jamie Grant: and sees... two men. who she finds very attractive. First, she takes a look at the one man who we know is our male lead. looks at him, thinks he's really attractive.
Jamie Grant: And then another man comes up and starts talking with him about the toys. And she's like, oh man, all the attractive ones are gay.
Barbara: Yeah. She's like, oh, two handsome men. Like they're, they're definitely gay.
Jamie Grant: Definitely gay.
Barbara: Which like fair assessment, but.
Jamie Grant: Yes. I mean, watching their interaction, because they were talking about product, which she was unaware of, you know, well, what do you think about this?
Barbara: Yes.
Barbara: Right.
Jamie Grant: Is this size good? Do you like this? I mean, from an outsider.
Barbara: Yeah, of course.
Jamie Grant: right Right.
Barbara: their customers.
Jamie Grant: She's like, OK, they're clearly there. clearly gay.
Barbara: but Shocker. They're not. They're not or are they? Or is one of them?
Jamie Grant: I mean...
Barbara: We're going to have this question that we'll address later, I guess.
Jamie Grant: Yes. So. Yes, we're jumping ahead a bit, but yes.
Barbara: I'm just saying This will be a question later.
Barbara: At least in my mind.
Jamie Grant: Yes, agreed. He... ends up Saying he's going on a blind date, we find out that.
Barbara: Yep.
Jamie Grant: our female lead and our male lead. Are going on a blind date and I have to say that I am a sucker for a blind date trope.
Barbara: They're never going to like each other on a blind date. They're never going to like each other.
Jamie Grant: I know. It like never works out right away.
Barbara: No.
Jamie Grant: So what was your first impressions of him seeing Dal on the...
Barbara: That's the point.
Jamie Grant: first date interacting.
Barbara: You know, he's on his phone. He doesn't. Give a shit. And he's a bad date. So she very quickly moves it along like, you know what? Let's go eat somewhere quicker. I'm not interested in. We don't have to do the full course meal.
Barbara: Now this I was interested in because, you know, I'm a foodie.
Jamie Grant: Mm.
Barbara: So they order cheonggukjang. I might not be saying that right, but I'm trying.
Jamie Grant: I know, please. Please, our pronunciation.
Barbara: Yeah, even the English. Just forgive us.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: But... She says, you know, we can get that here. It's prepared well, the traditional way. And she explains that her family makes fermented pastes at home. I did look up this dish because I was curious about it. I think it's fermented soybeans.
Barbara: You know, I plan on trying this. I'm going to have a K -drama food list of things I need to go try in K -town. And this will be one of them. But then she quickly explains she wants to marry someone she loves. and points out that He avoids eye contact.
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: because he's trying to i he's he's communicating he's not interested But she says it's just polite to look people in the eye. And leaves him on that mic drop.
Barbara: Which I appreciated.
Jamie Grant: Yes, I wrote that down too. Like, I really appreciate the way that she can stand up for herself.
Barbara: she was firm.
Jamie Grant: she's Right. She's not a weak character, even though she's very traditional and even though she's not.
Barbara: Mm -mm. Yep.
Jamie Grant: Very. exposed to a lot of that kind of stuff.
Barbara: But it's by choice, you know.
Jamie Grant: Correct. So...
Barbara: Yeah, I think that that's a good point. He does get in his car. I mean, they part ways. And when he's in his car, he pulls up to a light and sees her crossing the street. And this feels like the first time he really sees her.
Barbara: is when she's walking across the street also.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: the pink outfit. I really loved it.
Jamie Grant: Hmm.
Jamie Grant: It was a good choice.
Barbara: I'm really into it. I want to wear it.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. It was a good choice.
Barbara: Yep. Very cute.
Jamie Grant: So she's okay with the fact that this blind date Does not go.
Barbara: more than okay.
Jamie Grant: Well. is more than okay.
Barbara: She's more than okay. And she's well prepared to go meet her boyfriend. We didn't talk about the scene that came before the blind date, which is the Brazilian wax. scenes...
Jamie Grant: Oh yes. Oh yes.
Barbara: She, the panic in her face when she is asked. to butterfly. really brought me back to all the waxes I have had. she
Jamie Grant: Yes, the first time, that first time
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And then when she's at. dinner with her family and she's like sitting on the pillow.
Barbara: She's like scooting around.
Jamie Grant: Scooting around. Yeah.
Barbara: Yeah, she goes, can I cancel this? But unfortunately, her friend has already paid. There is no refund. So.
Jamie Grant: You're already here.
Barbara: the waxer Yep, the waxer says it's going to be over in a flash. One uncomfortable flash, which lasts for a whole...
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: uncomfortable montage but it was really funny made me laugh hysterically because if you're A woman who's... done waxing and done Brazilian waxing, you know the pain.
Jamie Grant: Yes, you know.
Barbara: You get it.
Jamie Grant: You know the pain.
Barbara: Yep. So anyway, she's well prepared for this date. She's going on the real date, the one she actually wants to go on that day with her actual boyfriend.
Jamie Grant: Right. And she is. All prepared to lose that V card. And I.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: They go to... Obviously a part of town that's a little more seedy.
Barbara: Wait, why is that obvious? I didn't think that they went to a seedy motel. I thought... It was nice. Peace.
Jamie Grant: So it was super nice inside.
Barbara: It was nice!
Jamie Grant: She makes a comment. And there's a sign where it's like you could rent the rooms for five hours or something.
Barbara: Yes. Yes.
Jamie Grant: So like it was definitely a part of town where. She was not super familiar? And my question was, does this man not have an apartment?
Barbara: Yeah. Well, maybe.
Jamie Grant: Because she talked to him on the phone.
Barbara: Hmm. Mhm.
Jamie Grant: because that's what led i guess like we didn't talk about this when he had said you know that he wasn't prepared to marry someone who wouldn't sleep with him He called her and apologized for kind of bringing that up.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: prior to this. to them setting this date and
Barbara: Which felt like a greener flag.
Jamie Grant: Shit. Yes, it did. And she was like, no, I understand where you're coming from. People show love differently. And. you know, maybe you're right. Maybe it's time for us to kind of take that next step.
Jamie Grant: And now they're standing in front of this motel, hotel, Holiday Inn. I don't know. They're standing in front of it. And. She's like, wait, why are we here? Like, you couldn't have picked something better? And he's like, oh, no, no, it's the nicest. It's the cleanest. And I'm like.
Jamie Grant: And don't get me wrong, it was really nice inside.
Barbara: i was gonna say seemed nice and clean he was not wrong
Jamie Grant: So I don't know if seedy motels in Korea. are nicer than the seedy motels that we have here in Jersey.
Barbara: No.
Jamie Grant: But.
Barbara: This was a nice This was a nice.
Jamie Grant: It wasn't as bad as I thought.
Barbara: Five -hour situation.
Jamie Grant: But still, this man clearly, we find out later on, has a good job and he must live by himself. So.
Barbara: Wait, why do we think he lives by himself? He might have a traditional family who's like, you're staying here until you're married. Does that?
Jamie Grant: It... Doesn't seem like he has a traditional family if he is like...
Barbara: Okay. Don't know Well, he's not traditional. He could have a traditional family.
Jamie Grant: I don't know, but it's not like she was willing to introduce him to her family right away. It wasn't like they were setting her up on a blind date with this guy.
Barbara: Well...
Jamie Grant: I don't know. It just.
Barbara: Hmm.
Jamie Grant: I don't know So.
Barbara: True, true.
Barbara: I mean, he could come from a not good family, but a traditional, not good, not well -off family, but a traditional family.
Jamie Grant: Either way.
Barbara: I don't know. I didn't.
Jamie Grant: I mean, I'm
Barbara: I didn't have that thought. I was like, oh, lucky book, something special. And I know.
Jamie Grant: No.
Barbara: Maybe that just speaks to my standards. We should probably move on. Okay.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, we spend a lot of time talking about this motel.
Barbara: Sorry, the motel, yeah. And does he not have an apartment?
Jamie Grant: So anyway.
Barbara: You're really disappointed in him.
Jamie Grant: I mean, maybe we'll find out. Yeah. So he. So they go to this hotel motel Holiday Inn. And. I... I guess I have to wonder at this point, like, what were your thoughts? Do you think that Yeon -soo was trying to save the relationship at the expense of her traditional values? Or do you think she genuinely felt?
Jamie Grant: that this is what she wanted to do to move forward with him.
Barbara: Okay, I think she genuinely wanted to move forward with him. But... was never that excited about it. I think she's being pragmatic about it. It reminds me of a quote that her friend said earlier. And she said, when you're truly in love, you don't do that kind of math.
Barbara: And.
Jamie Grant: Hmm.
Barbara: It made me think of that because. she's trying to do the math like okay like next step this plus that then maybe that'll equal marriage or us moving forward so i don't think that she
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: You know, was was. giving it up to save the relationship. i think she was doing it to move the relationship forward but Even it seems even she doesn't understand that this should be something she would be should be excited about.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. I agree.
Barbara: What do you think? Okay.
Jamie Grant: I agree. I think that. She... i also wonder how much of her was like okay i should feel this way
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: I do love him.
Barbara: Right.
Jamie Grant: Why don't I feel this way? And. If I want to get married and I do love him and he's the person I want to marry, then this is the obvious next step.
Barbara: Mhm.
Jamie Grant: But I do think that there was a little pressure. And I'm going to be honest, I don't you know, I think that when people around you are also like, come on, this is.
Barbara: Of course.
Barbara: It's not that serious.
Jamie Grant: Like you're all the.
Barbara: Go ahead.
Jamie Grant: It's not a big deal.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: People do this.
Barbara: Uh -huh.
Jamie Grant: You know, I think that there's kind of that type of peer pressure too, where it's sort of like.
Barbara: Yeah. Yeah.
Jamie Grant: All right. Maybe everyone's right. Maybe I'm not seeing things. the right way. Maybe I am being too prude about the whole situation.
Barbara: I agree with you. And on that note, you had mentioned that you did a couple a little bit of research about. the moment that they had together where ultimately.
Barbara: He... is saying uh we don't have to use a condom and she's like whoa whoa what's going on here
Jamie Grant: Right. I mean, he jumped. Listen. For someone who has not done it.
Barbara: He was jumping right in.
Jamie Grant: I wrote down, I was like, boy, he just jumped right in there. And then in the next breath.
Barbara: It's still a K -drama. We're not going to get foreplay.
Jamie Grant: My next... Yeah, I mean, my next line was, oh, what an asshole.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: So.
Jamie Grant: She is willing. to take this next step and she's looking at
Barbara: Yeah. with the necessary precautions.
Jamie Grant: You know, she's she's looking at the nightstand, which has a condom on it, and she's like condom.
Barbara: Yep.
Jamie Grant: condom. And he's like annoyed that she has now said this like three times. And he's like, oh my God. Like. No, I'm not doing that. I've got it taken care of. You don't know enough. You've never done this.
Barbara: Yes, that was. Fucked up.
Jamie Grant: Has he done - So he's done this.
Barbara: Yeah. And it was very condescending.
Jamie Grant: And.
Barbara: He's like, you don't have experience, so you don't get it.
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: it hurts it will it's gonna hurt you i'm not gonna be able to feel anything it's gonna make it terrible
Jamie Grant: Mm -hmm Yep.
Jamie Grant: So we're not going to do that. Don't worry. Basically, like my pullout game is strong and.
Barbara: Yeah, that was so gross.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And we're going to be fine. And she's.
Barbara: Foreshadowing, by the way.
Jamie Grant: Yes, yes.
Barbara: foreshadowing.
Jamie Grant: Hold that.
Barbara: Okay.
Jamie Grant: And then... Yes, so... She! Thank gosh. Thank goodness she is.
Jamie Grant: She.
Barbara: You are her. She is you. Yes.
Jamie Grant: She was like, wait a second. What? How do you know what it's gonna feel like for me? correct i've never done this before how can you tell me what i should want or not want
Barbara: Yeah.
Barbara: There's that firm, strong.
Jamie Grant: And. Right.
Barbara: piece of her. coming up which is great to see.
Jamie Grant: And I genuinely love that part of her.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And. Seeing her say that, right? That led me to... That was part of the reason why I kind of wanted to research this a little bit more.
Jamie Grant: So I kind of looked up what the condom culture. was
Barbara: Uh -huh.
Jamie Grant: Because there is afterwards a scene we see with our male lead is. throwing a party. They have a party for their like a launch party.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: For condoms that they have. And there was a lot of signs of no condom, no sex. Like. all over the place so it led me to kind of wonder what the culture was in in south korea And when I...
Jamie Grant: you know, did a quick Google search. So. I found out that only about 15 % of sexually active adults in South Korea use condoms consistently.
Jamie Grant: And in comparison, in the United States, for example, it's 45 to 50 percent. And. In Korea, there's a huge stigma. That they're seen as a barrier against an intimate act.
Jamie Grant: or even a sign of mistrust in your partner.
Barbara: That's interesting. Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And that women. who suggest or women who carry condoms can face social judgment. unfair labels. And then that leads to many of them waiting for their partner.
Jamie Grant: to initiate the usage. And which is why I think knowing the context of that, watching that scene. is really important.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Especially if I was a young. South Korean woman. where There is that social stigma. I think watching a strong woman say like, yeah.
Jamie Grant: No, thank you. Like, we're not doing this.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: I don't feel comfortable doing this until you put on a condom. And even the signs and the idea. that the undercurrent of the show is that Right. Like, I mean, it comes up several times.
Barbara: Yes, it does. Yeah
Jamie Grant: that you should be using condoms. that there's a reason why i mean Our male lead goes on to explain why they're important.
Barbara: Yep.
Jamie Grant: They're not meant to be something that feels great, but they're meant to protect you.
Barbara: Yeah.
Barbara: Right.
Jamie Grant: And. It is definitely something that comes up multiple times. in
Barbara: But. This is universal.
Jamie Grant: Just episode one.
Barbara: Yeah, because like even.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: you know. it's Glad to hear that the statistics are so good in the United States. But even here, I mean. you know.
Jamie Grant: Oh, yeah.
Barbara: you hear that all the time, like that it's going to impact the feeling and. You know. getting teenagers to use condoms is. A feat in a... and something that we have to talk about all the time too. It's an important part of sex education. So it feels like there is that undercurrent of sex education going on in the show.
Barbara: also with its message.
Jamie Grant: Yes, which I appreciated. But he turns into a giant red flag at this point.
Barbara: Yeah, total jerk.
Jamie Grant: He's yelling at her, walks off, leaves her there.
Barbara: Walks off.
Jamie Grant: To which her response is to down the bottle of wine. Now, she had already gotten herself pretty drunk just to be able to do this in the first place, mind you.
Barbara: She's feeling her feelings.
Barbara: That's right. Yes, yes, that's right. That's right.
Jamie Grant: So now she's had a whole bottle of wine to herself, and she stumbles out onto the street.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: and it's true Trying to find her way. Yeah. home. And it's there that. We have our meet cute with...
Jamie Grant: her and our male lead.
Barbara: Okay.
Jamie Grant: which I like to call the condom confetti.
Barbara: No, that's the perfect name for the scene. Condom Confetti.
Barbara: I love it. Yeah, she... is so enthused by these condoms all over the street, she starts picking them up. they're her little friends she runs into him she's like here take some i got some for you i got you covered Here, have this one, have that one. He's like.
Barbara: everything here's mine she's like oh i didn't know that
Jamie Grant: and at this point they bumped into each other he was getting the box of condoms for the
Barbara: Yeah. Yeah.
Jamie Grant: The party that they were having, which also, there was a literal confetti. cannon full of condoms
Barbara: That's true that didn't come out of nowhere.
Jamie Grant: But he needed to get this box from his car. They collide. She's been picking up these condoms and putting them in her bag all excited just because. she's just drunk and happy about these condoms. And then. All of a sudden they're all over her. These like neon pink, green condoms are everywhere. And she keeps trying to get them. And he says, you know.
Jamie Grant: What are you doing? Like. And...
Barbara: He calls her out pretty quick.
Jamie Grant: She...
Barbara: He's like, are you drunk?
Jamie Grant: You drunk? Yeah, like...
Barbara: She knows.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And... She's like, I'm not drunk. And he's like, oh, no, you are super drunk. And. Then... He says something that I really liked.
Jamie Grant: And he says that.
Barbara: Hmm.
Jamie Grant: He says... That any man that would tell her that he won't wear a condom, basically, is not a man worth having sex with.
Barbara: Yeah, I love she she has to it was such a vulnerable moment. She needs to ask him if it's true that using one Hurts.
Jamie Grant: will hurt. mm -hmm
Barbara: and numbs the sensation and ruins everything. And he says, this is nonsense. and you shouldn't he says you shouldn't date a man like that
Jamie Grant: And he said, first of all. Right. These condoms are really good because he was also insulted about the quality of his product.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: So he was like, these are high quality. condoms here, lady.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And then he said, Like they're meant to protect you from. sexually transmitted diseases. She's like...
Jamie Grant: Oh. And he said, and that's how you show a person you care about them. And she's like, right. Right, if you care about someone. You wear a condom.
Barbara: And then they lock eyes and share a glance.
Jamie Grant: That's what I was trying to say. Yes. And I thought for sure, oh man, there's going to be a kiss first episode, like unheard of. And then. She proceeds to vomit all over him.
Barbara: And having just recovered from the impact of my child throwing up in my car, I have to tell you, the scene was visceral for me.
Barbara: I could smell it. I had phantom Moments smell in my head when I saw this. And. Then can we talk about the fact that.
Barbara: You know, it cuts to the cops driving her away and she's.
Jamie Grant: Uh huh.
Barbara: you know. ah She, she.
Jamie Grant: oh she writes sex on the window
Barbara: What if she frosts the window and writes sex with her finger, which is so bizarre. But she was she was posted. She was done for the night. You know, he didn't. So, Jamie, this was a note.
Barbara: He didn't take her home. He didn't drive her home.
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: He didn't make sure she got home.
Jamie Grant: I had the same note.
Barbara: He said, Excuse me, police officer, take this crazy lady away from me.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And... Listen. When I think about K -drama tropes, I mean, how often is someone drunk and the other person is bringing them home, whether it's via a piggyback, right?
Barbara: Yeah. Right? Oh, piggyback.
Jamie Grant: Picking them up from... Right. They're getting that phone call. You've got to come get them from the restaurant because they've had too much soju and you got to you got to get them home.
Barbara: Yep.
Jamie Grant: And. His car is right there. And he's like, mmm. This police officer here, this lady, drunk tanker, bye -bye. And that's what we cut to. The next scene is she's laying on...
Jamie Grant: in the police station
Barbara: i was i was insulted on her behalf like he just set her off with the police okay
Jamie Grant: And she didn't seem to care as she's, you know, writing sex and like waving to him and like.
Barbara: Wow.
Barbara: No, she wasn't mad about it, but...
Jamie Grant: happily on her way. Although you do see that she has texted her boyfriend to come get her at the police station and he doesn't.
Barbara: Yes. Which was sad.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And I, I mean, I wrote what a jerk.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: He won't even come get her. So that was that was like, oh, you know, yeah, he really. He really is.
Barbara: Yeah, that's it.
Jamie Grant: Not a nice guy.
Barbara: They're done. Yep.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: Now he's a jerk.
Jamie Grant: And she debates texting him. And as she's thinking about texting him and she's like looking through their box of things, which also side note, that bracelet he gave her is. Ugly.
Barbara: I don't wear anything with hearts on it.
Jamie Grant: No, I know that. And I know we've had this conversation when we were younger and like. Boyfriend seems to give us things with hearts on that. I mean.
Barbara: Or animals. or animals.
Jamie Grant: Sorry to any of my ex -boyfriends that got me a necklace with a dolphin on it.
Barbara: Not. Not sorry to any of those ex -boyfriends. It was insulting and ridiculous.
Jamie Grant: Or. ugly heart necklaces or rings.
Barbara: The only person I say sorry to here is the girls who like the hearts of the animal jewelry. You can keep doing you, sister. It's not for me. It's just not for me.
Jamie Grant: I mean, same, but I still don't think that bracelet was very nice.
Barbara: It's weird.
Jamie Grant: I'm just saying
Barbara: Yeah, she was working it.
Jamie Grant: Whatever. Maybe that was her taste. Okay.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Anyways, but she's like longingly looking at it. And I was like,
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: I don't know. Pretty sure someone else can get you a nicer bracelet. But. He beats her to the punch and is like, I think we should break up, which.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Honestly. Good riddance, man.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: You suck.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: So.
Barbara: I think she's going to get over that fast.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. And you see her, you see her breakdown and.
Barbara: Yeah, she's very sad about it.
Jamie Grant: She's very sad
Barbara: And she talks to her aunt about it. She's... What? You know. She, I think, turns to her aunt for comfort about the things she can't talk to other people about. And, you know, the aunt's kind of like, just...
Barbara: you know. Go crazy. Take it inside.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. Right. And she said that sometimes we need to go a little crazy. And when a new path opens up, it's okay to take it. It's your life after all.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And I think my thoughts on that were that like. It's... That's exactly what she needed to hear, that it's her life. I mean, when you come from this household where basically her life was.
Jamie Grant: There. they're opinion on her life was is to get married
Barbara: Mm hmm.
Jamie Grant: Have children. and be subservient to men. So. I think hearing like, okay, I'm allowed to rebel a little bit and do what makes me happy.
Barbara: Yeah. So then this leads to Yeon -Soo deciding not to let other people control her choices. And at work, there is an advertising campaign at low end.
Barbara: for their new product, Dreaming. And she raises her hand. She boldly raises her hand. And we hear her say.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: Well, and then she. walks in actually i was going ahead of myself she walks in to meet the CEO of that company. And lo and behold, it's our male lead.
Jamie Grant: Right. And.
Barbara: That's when she hears the that's when we hear the voiceover. Only people used to used to being crazy should do crazy things. She's like, oh, no, I'm in over my head immediately.
Jamie Grant: Yes. So. That brings us to... Our... verdict, right?
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: Our final thoughts. Oh! You know what we didn't discuss? There was an epilogue. This show does have epilogues.
Barbara: Yes. Yes.
Jamie Grant: And we realized that our male lead has... Found. Her wallet.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: And then. Finds. A card. for the advertisement that he has been eyeing. for a while.
Barbara: Yes. Wonder what he thinks about that.
Jamie Grant: And it's... Where does your horizon fall?
Barbara: Yeah, so this is an advertisement that had clearly like... stuck with him.
Jamie Grant: Mm hmm.
Barbara: he was talking about it actually i did not notice it or pay attention to it during first watch at the beginning of the episode he is talking to his
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: you know, vice president of his company who. We. who I'll end up calling Mr. VP, who she ends up calling Mr.
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: VP. And he says like, you got to find me the person that did this marketing campaign.
Jamie Grant: advertisement yeah you realize that they had gotten rid of their current marketer
Barbara: Yeah.
Barbara: Yes.
Jamie Grant: he was he was no good so
Barbara: Fired, yeah.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: So... That was episode one. In a nutshell. Let's go over our... our final final thoughts our verdict
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: so our subtitle the writing the plot the storyline How many little finger hearts would you give it out of five so far? for this episode.
Barbara: Oh. Well... It had a lot of those little cute elements. foreshadowing. It wasn't really missing much for me. I'm going to give it five out of five finger hearts. How about you?
Jamie Grant: give it four. Four and a half.
Barbara: Oh, you're being a hard judge.
Barbara: Okay.
Jamie Grant: I'm being honest. No, I mean it definitely
Barbara: Tell me why.
Jamie Grant: It definitely hooked me. I think I'm just kind of curious to see how the writing was going to like build up the characters a little more.
Barbara: Yeah.
Barbara: But...
Jamie Grant: But.
Barbara: with kdramas now i'm so used to like the slower start like the first two three episodes
Jamie Grant: Yes.
Barbara: you know really giving you that foundation. That's going to move the storyline later. you know, it definitely left me.
Jamie Grant: Overall, I think it was really good. Yeah.
Barbara: Yeah, wanting to see the next episode.
Jamie Grant: The scream, the entertainment value. how it hooked you. What would you say?
Barbara: See that one? I'm not sure there was so much scream for me in this.
Jamie Grant: Agreed.
Barbara: first episode. So I'd probably give that three out of five.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, I would have to agree. I think I'd give it three, too.
Barbara: I, there was only one like.
Barbara: moment. And that was when they ran into each other.
Jamie Grant: Right. There were a couple laugh out loud, like when she was writing that on the... on the window and her picking up the condoms. And then there was afterwards when the party was all over and there was the man sweeping all the condoms off the street.
Barbara: Yes. That was funny. That was funny.
Jamie Grant: And he's like, oh, God, people are disgusting. Like that kind of stuff was cute and funny. But nothing there yet where I was like, oh my God.
Barbara: Yes, same. Same.
Barbara: It might just be too early for our scream.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: True. True.
Barbara: How about the spark, the chemistry, the romance?
Jamie Grant: I'm not. I don't... I don't know. I'm not quite there yet with them. this first episode.
Barbara: Episode one.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: I mean, well, sometimes you're right off the bat.
Barbara: That's true.
Jamie Grant: Like there's chemistry. I mean, I think probably like a three. Right now. I mean he put her in a cop car. He didn't even drive her home.
Barbara: Yeah, but. Yeah. I think Kim Jae -young, the actor, I feel like he could have chemistry with a wall.
Jamie Grant: Oh! Well, that's true. That man just has chemistry.
Barbara: Yes, that man's got the chemistry, 100%.
Jamie Grant: So I don't know.
Barbara: I don't know.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: I mean, obviously her character is that traditional. woman who's going to... you know who has not yet explored sexuality so for her the chemistry but you know They locked eyes.
Jamie Grant: They've had some mo - They had some moments, yeah.
Barbara: Yeah. Yeah, she has she reminds me of the actress in Lovely Runner. like I feel like they're face shape and they just sort of are similar in my head.
Jamie Grant: I could see that.
Barbara: But yeah, so the chemistry is low, but... I have a lot of faith in my guy.
Jamie Grant: I think there's potential. I like I absolutely think there's potential.
Barbara: Totally. Totally.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: How about the sobs, the emotional trauma?
Jamie Grant: I mean, I felt bad when they broke up. Like I, you know, this was probably her first major, like. break up. but I'm not feeling K -trauma'd by it this episode.
Barbara: No, literally not at all.
Barbara: Not at all.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, it's...
Barbara: I don't feel sad.
Jamie Grant: Yeah, so like a one.
Barbara: Yeah. If it has to exist, it'll be a one.
Jamie Grant: If it has to have something, yeah.
Barbara: Yeah, I agree.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: I don't. Yeah. I. I don't want to say I felt annoyed by the... sadness over the breakup. It's a necessary part of the story building.
Barbara: but I'm anxious to get to the new connection.
Jamie Grant: Yes, agreed. So...
Barbara: Yeah, I'm a little more patient.
Jamie Grant: Total score, I would give it four out of five. How about you?
Barbara: Yeah, I feel the same way. Four out of five. I think it laid a nice foundation for a storyline that has a lot of potential. And I'm excited to see. the different ways that they. take this plot line.
Jamie Grant: How excited were you to jump into episode two? Because they did drop the first four episodes.
Barbara: Yeah, so I jumped in immediately. And I'm glad I did.
Jamie Grant: Yes, me too. I found myself like, oh. Just watching the next one right away.
Barbara: Yep.
Jamie Grant: How about the most interesting character?
Barbara: I am finding her very interesting. At this point, I'm not yet finding him very interesting. I know that there's a lot more to learn about him.
Barbara: I relate to her. Like, I relate to her. I like her.
Jamie Grant: Yes. She's who right now I think who you're like, I feel more emotionally attached to her.
Barbara: empathizing with her. Yeah, she's the lead. Yeah, 100%. So I think... you know, in that way, she's the most interesting character. I always love some good side characters. So I think the aunt is going to be great comedic relief.
Barbara: I could already see. the brother. is gonna play a little role here he's kind of got that that annoying little brother role.
Jamie Grant: Mm hmm.
Barbara: that I enjoy.
Jamie Grant: Mm hmm.
Barbara: So, but right now she is who I'm interested in. Her friend also was...
Jamie Grant: Agreed.
Barbara: Very. Hmm. I wanted to know more about her.
Jamie Grant: Yeah.
Barbara: So...
Jamie Grant: I could see that.
Barbara: Yeah, but she's my character I'm most interested in. How about you?
Jamie Grant: I agree. I think she's the one that I'm more hooked into seeing what's going to happen with her and how she's going to navigate. this new job.
Barbara: Yeah.
Jamie Grant: That kind of had me. interested. got me a little interested plus i mean they're so polar opposites
Barbara: I can wait for her.
Jamie Grant: I'm curious to see how they're going to interact with each other. I do want to know more about him. But I don't know that I'm like.
Jamie Grant: fully invested in that yet. Probably because he is coming off so cold.
Barbara: Yes. 100%. Yes, exactly. Yeah, they didn't give us much beyond. that like I'm successful. sexually confident guy who runs a company.
Jamie Grant: Right. Right.
Barbara: Like, okay, you're wealthy. you know. active and she's going to stir things up for him which is exciting i'm looking forward to all of the uncomfortable moments that are going to come from the industry that He's in.
Jamie Grant: Yes, yes.
Barbara: I think that will be really interesting.
Jamie Grant: If you had to say your most memorable moment. from this episode.
Barbara: Hmm. Hmm. That's a good question. Most memorable moment. Hmm.
Barbara: For me, it was probably... I'm like, I'm not sophisticated with this. For me, the most memorable moment was like the very end when she realizes she's going to be working with this guy she went on a blind date with and that she threw up on. Like that was my hook before that I was kind of riding.
Barbara: easy. And then when that happened, I'm like, oh, okay. Like, I'm excited to see where this goes. How about for you?
Jamie Grant: I think the whole scene. Where they ran into each other that like that entire little. thing where she's vomiting on, she vomits on him.
Jamie Grant: She's picking up the condoms, like that interaction. and his ability to kind of connect with her without kind of knowing exactly what had happened, I kind of set the stage. for me, for them.
Barbara: It definitely showed. That was his one warm moment when we're like, okay, there's more to this guy.
Jamie Grant: Right.
Barbara: He's not just going to be a cold. jerk the whole time he's he's got
Jamie Grant: He's got some depth.
Jamie Grant: to him.
Barbara: He's got some depth. Yeah, I felt the same way.
Jamie Grant: Yeah. Agreed. Well...
Jamie Grant: that's our first Make Me Tingle verdict. Let us know your thoughts on episode one.
Barbara: If you like this episode, follow the show and share it with a friend. You can find us on Instagram and TikTok at Subtitles and Screams.
Jamie Grant: Until next time, keep your subtitles on, your K -pop loud, and your emotional support soju close. Annyeong besties! Subtitles and screams is written and produced by Jamie Grant and Barbara McGinley. Original music by Matt McGinley.