K-Drama Reaction: Radiant Office

We are one episode near the finish line, and we are reaping the seeds that we sow earlier in the series. Despite Eun Ho-won’s (Go Ah-sung) outbursts, Chief Director Seo Hyun (Kim Dong-wook) is unshaken and proceeds with the design contest. His wrath is just starting, as he orders General Manager Seo Woo-jin (Ha Suk-jin) to come up with a list of employees for a reorganization of the department (in other words, it’s a massive layoff!). I do not understand the logic of this company. After hiring two new full-time employees, after announcing earlier that they will recruit only one, they will conduct a major reorganization days after. No wonder Woo-jin is always on the verge of resigning.

And in true Woo-jin fashion, he chose to announce the reorganization on his birthday celebration. What a party pooper! But I cannot blame him though, especially if he has to carry the burden of who will be included in the hit list. If there is one thing I appreciate in this new office problem, it is Woo-jin’s discovery of his employees’ personal lives. It gave him a different perspective on other people, not just as mere subordinates, but as colleagues as well. It made him a better leader who understands each and every personnel’s feelings.

Our couple also went on a picnic this episode. I love the discreet giddy moments of our heroine Eun Ho-won (Go Ah-sung) while trying to compose herself in front of Woo-jin. I found myself smiling from ear to ear whenever there are sweet moments between our two main leads.

My heart bleeds for Do Ki-taek (Lee Dong-hwi) in this episode. After Ho-won’s diagnosis about her gallstones, I already concluded that the subplot about the terminal illness was over. Although I had some hints about Ki-taek being the one who was terminally ill, I shrugged it off because everything that the show does is against him anyway. I did not imagine that this drama would go on full swing in torturing him by placing him at death’s door. He deserves his own happiness too, drama gods!

As we approach the end of the road for our three misfits, it seems like there are more hurdles to come. I do not know what will they do to overcome each of them, but after watching 15 hours of their pain and sorrow, all I want from them is to be happy. Is that too much to ask?