K-Drama Reaction: Do You Like Brahms?

They found comfort in each other.

[Episode 3]

Pleasant Encounters

With Chae Song-ah (Park Eun-bin) being tasked to handle pretty much everything that involves Park Joon-young (Kim Min-jae), their encounters were inevitable. What pleasant about this phase of their relationship is that they are cordial with each other from the start. There was no shallow misunderstanding nor unnecessary war-like banters. Their first few encounters were realistically civil and awkward; just like how you’ll treat a new colleague or a new friend. There seems to be no drama involve when it’s just the two of them. Their individual conflicts, though, is where the drama comes from. And that only made their budding bond stronger.

Friendly Hugs

It was probably ingrained in Joon-young’s personality to help a damsel-in-distress. Because he was ready to rescue her even if she didn’t ask. Well, even if Song-ah declined she really needed help. It’s a bit frustrating that she couldn’t speak up on her own. But I guess, that’s what her journey will be about. I just have to wait for it to happen.

I kind of disagree with how Lee Jung-kyung (Park Ji-hyun) describes Joon-young. It feels like he wasn’t the same Joon-young she knew before. Yes, he still comforts people with his music instead of words but as seen in the ending of episode 3, he could definitely use words and actions as well. He hugged Chae Song-ah!!! There’s a disclaimer though that it was a friendly hug but I doubt he hugs every sad person that comes his way. Despite it, I’m still quite satisfied with their current status. I’m so fine with them taking it step-by-step if that means I’ll get more beautiful conversation scenes.

[Episode 4]

To The One Who Makes Me Feel Bad

There were two satisfying moments in episode 4. It was subtle with no overly theatrical confrontation. But the shift in the dynamics between Song-ah and Yoon Dong-yoon (Lee You-jin), and Joon-young and Jung-kyung was obvious.

After Song-ah discovered what happened to Dong-yoon and Min-seong, she avoids him as much as possible. It was a difficult task since they have the same circle of friends. But that scene at the bus stop was quiet yet impactful. Dong-yoon was asking about Song-ah’s newly fixed violin and it somehow felt like Song-ah’s answer wasn’t about the violin at all. I think she was talking about herself as well. She’s fine, she said. Her heart might not be as shiny as a newly made violin. It might have scratches and holes but it’s fine. And her, walking away to Dong-yoon seems symbolic. The same scene happened between Joon-young and Jung-kyung.

Unlike Song-ah’s though, Joon-young and Jung-kyung had a straightforward conversation. Whatever feeling Joon-young has for Jung-kyung, it wasn’t strong enough to risk his friendship with Han Hyun-ho (Kim Sung-cheol). I was grinning like a K-drama villain when Joon-young told Jung-kyung that he couldn’t stand her anymore. If she thought she could still string along Joon-young and Hyun-ho with her pretty face and tragic background, then she really thought wrong. I felt bad for Hyun-ho, as well, because he seems to be genuinely in love with Jung-kyung. He deserves to be loved like that as well.

To The One Who Makes Me Feel Happy

Gone is the awkwardness between Song-ah and Joon-young. They’re comfortable with each other’s company enough to tell each other their real thoughts. These two are both good listeners. And sometimes, that’s all you’d need. No bouquet of roses nor emblematic necklaces could top the gift of having someone willing to listen and stay by your side. Their conversations at the Han River was so simple yet compelling. And I want more of that in the next episodes.

Maknae’s Episodes Verdict

Do You Like Brahms continued its mellow-like narrative from its premiere week. I like that I could feel shifts in relationships and tension rising with just simple sequences. Speaking of sequences, that scene where they showed how different Joon-young’s answer is to the interview compared to what he actually shared to Song-ah speaks volume on what kind of relationship the two has now. They seem well on their way to be each other’s confidante. But we’ll see if external conflicts wouldn’t still be a factor in the next episodes.

Afterthoughts:

-Forgive me if I’m rusty at this weekly episode reactions. The last time I did this was two years ago.

-Dear Kang Min-seong (Bae Da-bin), it’s stupid to get drunk with your ex. It’s stupid to chase around someone who obviously doesn’t see your value. Xoxo, concerned citizen.

-I’m not happy to see Joo Suk-tae here. He feels like bad news