review: Hi! School: Love On Episode 8

Sep 12, 2014

Seul Bi finally understands why humans love even though pain, death and separation ultimately beckons. The memories and time spent together are all so worth it. Woo Hyun loses the most important person in his life, is on the verge of losing the girl he loves, but gains a wonderful friend in the process. How do you not love Sung Yeol in this episode?

Seul Bi is less than glad when Sunbae congratulates her for taking the first step to becoming an angel again. She instead agonises that she has only one week left to live on earth

The thought of leaving continues to trouble her while WH is adorably oblivious. When she looks disturbed on the way to school, he orders her to smile. Because she’s ugly and only looks pretty when she smiles. HAHAHAHA. Says the boy who drooled when he first saw her clad in a uniform. He throws her the full works (hearts, flying kisses and huge smiles) before heading off for his punishment: detention. OMO. He is so un-bashful about this feelings for SB that it’s sooooo cute and sweet. HOW DO YOU LEAVE A GUY LIKE THAT? She can’t and that’s why we have 20 episodes of this drama.

Hotdog Girl appears and checks with Seul Bi on the day she met YN – and figures YN is the mastermind behind the whole thing. But Seul Bi is more interested in knowing what happened between the angel and the human in the book? Hotdog Girl says the angel became human again after saving the human. SB is resigned to the fact that she has to return to her angel status sooner or later.

SB stands up in class and apologises to everyone for the trouble she has caused so far, and everyone is surprised. But note that SB doesn’t actually own up to stealing – she is just sorry for causing a ruckus and causing a few people to have a difficult time. The guilty parties all look a little guilty, while those who know she is innocent are disgusted.

YN is hesitating outside the door of the room where WH is being detained when SB comes along. SB apologises that she unknowingly caused the other girl to undertake such means in order for WH to at least notice her. But she advises YN if she really likes WH, she should try to understand what he wants by listening to his heart. YN just gets more annoyed and shoves the envelope with the money WH returned in SB’s stead.

Bullies are bullying again and SB steps in. The bullies complain it isn’t fun because she caved in so early. SB tries to use her supernatural powers but nothing works. SY stops JS from taunting SB and when the bullies make a move towards SY, she protects him, saying she can’t sit back and watch when someone she likes is being picked on. The bullies interpret her words as she liking SY and scoff that SY is being caught in a love triangle. Hotdog Girl and another student save the day by blowing a whistle. Ha. To impersonate gym teacher, I guess. I’m just glad that SB, WH and SY have more people on their side.

SB is satisfied that she at least somewhat stopped the bullies for once and SY thanks her for doing so. Heh. SY is unhappy she stepped up to take the fall for the stealing incident but SB opines that lying needs to be done sometimes. SB wonders whether she has paid her debt to SY in full – she asks whether there is something he wants or something she can do for him. She is agreeable to anything and it would be better if he could hurry up and tell her. Hotdog Girl decides to inform Homeroom teacher about what YN did and how JS has been picking on SB all this while. He feels terrible that he is in no mood to notice the nurse. Ha. Serves her right.

SB worries about WH since he isn’t allowed to attend lessons with the rest of the class. She takes notes for him and is on her way to bring them to him when she bumps into SY, who has the same idea. AWWWWWWW. Bromance, bromance. When WH catches them together, SB tells WH that his true friend brought notes for him. Hehehe.

WH tries to hide his gratitude but SB’s lie detector beeps and she calls on his bluff, saying he is thankful. SB and SY walk away together, shoulder to shoulder, which annoys WH who grumbles they are sticking so close together. He summons his powers to separate them and it works – SY stumbles away from SB’s side. Hahahahahaha. He’s so childish but sooooo lovable.

JS goes to taunt WH again and informs him that SB admitted to stealing. They are about to get into another fight when gym teacher appears and cools them down. Gym teacher picks up WH’s paper and it declares SB didn’t do anything wrong and she isn’t a thief. Gym teacher sighs that he knows WH thinks what is happening is unfair but the world isn’t fair. WH would feel a lot better if he just admit to that fact. Grandma meets Stepmom again, but doesn’t manage to convince her to take in WH.

WH and SB go on an after-school date. SB immediately starts to massage WH’s arm when he complains his arm is aching from writing his supposed essay to reflect on his wrongdoings. When he sticks out his other arm for the same treatment, she frowns that he didn’t use that hand to write. HEH. They go shopping and WH suggests couple tees – SB nods her head knowingly since ya know, she has seen it all in dramas. Hehehehe.

They change into the tees and SIGHHHHH. THEY ARE SO BLOOOOODY COMPATIBLE. All that shoulder-bumping and matching kiss-and-point gestures are just beyond cute. KSR + WH = match made in heaven. I don’t think they even need to consciously work on their chemistry now – it is just there all the time. They decide to buy a matching tee for Grandma. They hang out with Grandma and SB sighs that her ddeokbokki just doesn’t taste like the older lady’s. Grandma later sits them down and starts handing WH all the money she has saved for him and advises on how to live his life well. She also tells him she is selling the shop. Sighhhhhh. WH is understandingly suspicious. SB unveils Grandma’s matching tee and suggests the trio go on a picnic together.

When Stepmom comments SY seems to be interfering and intervening in WH’s matters, SY states it is because WH is his friend. AWWWWWWWW. Back in his room, SY groans that his feelings for SB is considered a debt to her. Hehe. Teenage love is never easy.

Grandma is busy sorting her clothes to throw away when WH interferes by picking up clothes that he claims has her scent on them. She breaks down when he hugs her. SIGHHHHH. SB is also busy sorting her clothes when Grandma enters the room and passes the girl a written copy of her deokbokki recipe. Grandma also tells SB she is the prettiest when she smiles.

The trio go for a picnic, but Grandma doesn’t feel well. She turns down a bike ride from WH and he promises her he’ll give her all of his salary and escort her everywhere when he gets a car. WH and SB fool around and Grandma watches them with a smile. But she is hit by immense pain and breathlessness and manages to croak out WH’s name out to get his attention.

And let’s just stay I started sniffling from this point. WH isn’t a perfect actor, but his sincerity in playing his character compensates all his acting flaws. I’m glad he doesn’t try too hard and over-act and instead chooses to focus on doing his best to portray his role as genuinely as he possibly can. WH is devastated to find out about Grandma’s condition and impending death. SB is helpless on how to comfort him.

When Grandma stirs, WH says she should have told him sooner about her condition. Grandma sends him back to collect her bag but I bet that she doesn’t want him to be around the moment she passes away. SB stays with Grandma, who weakly reminds her to smile always. WH returns home only to get a call that Grandma has passed away. He rushes back to hospital and oh boy…. WH is totally killing me. He shakes Grandma to wake her, citing that she said she can’t live without him. WH sobs that he hasn’t done anything for her yet and he can’t live without her either. What is he going to do all alone? Ahhhhhhhhhh…Woo Hyun-ahhhhhhhhh.

Sunbae appears to escort Grandma and SB chases after them. Grandma is stunned that SB can see her and guesses right that SB is an angel. Sunbae reminds SB that they can’t change the fate of humans. SB begs Sunbae not to take Grandma away so quickly – dead people also need time to bid farewell to those they have left behind. SB regrets she wasn’t kinder to the dead she escorted away – she would have given them time to say goodbye and check to see how their loved ones left behind are getting on. Despite the supernatural-ness of the scene, it works because KSR makes sure every single thing she works on is stellar yet relatable.

SB frets on having to leave WH in this situation. If she leaves, he’ll really be alone. WH overhears her and asks her whether she has gotten back her memory. SB says she has and admits she has to return home soon and apologises for not telling him earlier. WH numbly orders her to leave that very instant then – leave like everyone else. OUCCHHHH. Ouch for him because everyone he holds dear has really left him. But his voice trembles and SB knows he is lying.

The wake is held and SY is the first mourner. And he stays firmly by WH’s side throughout as a silent act of support. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Meanwhile, SB finally realises why humans act the way they do when their loved ones leave the world. Teachers, classmates plus bullies all come to pay their respects. Stepmom bumps into hubby at the wake and he shares that SY was the one who told him about Grandma’s passing. And SY is helping WH because WH is having a hard time without his parents around. I take it WH’s dad doesn’t know his mom has passed away? I don’t think WH even knows how to contact his father. Someone recognises Stepmom as WH’s mom and Hubby overhears.

SY’s mom calls me and announces she is re-marrying. SY is livid and Stepmom comforts him later, assuring him that his mom isn’t making this decision because she hates him. She gets testy when Hubby brings up WH.

WH is listless and starts musing about how he didn’t realise Grandma was so sick and how he always got into trouble. Grandma’s spirit appears and refutes him saying WH brought her so much happiness. And how much she wants to hug, see and touch him but she can’t. Omo…my tears can’t stop. WH starts banging his head on the wall and listing all the things he regret with regards to Grandma. SY wordlessly slips his hand under WH’s head after awhile but doesn’t stop him. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. This is beautiful.

It is D-Day for Seul Bi. She passes presents to SY to thank him and tells her she has to leave and she’ll miss him. SY pulls her into his arms and WH spot them embracing. Ouch. On a normal day, I would think he wouldn’t jump into conclusions but this is probably hell on earth for the poor boy now. He washes his face and when he sees SB waiting for him outside, he remarks coldly on why she isn’t gone yet and orders her to get lost. SB is hurt but I guess she understands. Though she wouldn’t have known that he is pissed to have seen she and SY hugging.

WH’s chooses the park where they had their last picnic as Grandma’s final resting place. SB arrives with Sunbae and Grandma. Grandma thanks them for giving her a little more time with WH. She instructs SB to hit WH hard for her and begs SB to look after WH. She finally leaves after telling WH she loves him. GAAAAAHHHHHH.

WH tells Grandma that the place is nice: breezy and with pretty flowers all around. SB turns around to go to WH but Sunbae blocks her path, saying it is better she leaves now and it would be better for WH too. WH tells Grandma that SB has left too. And says it’s a good thing since he found her troublesome anyway. Awwww.

SB decides to do as Sunbae says and follows him. WH weeps that he is really all alone in the world now. He keeps thinking he did something wrong and wonders fearfully on how he is going to survive from now on. SB turns back to look at him.

AND we all know she would be running back to hug him, and they’ll cry in each other’s arms. As we saw in the past preview. What a devastating episode. Poor, poor WH. My mind and heart can’t compute how he must be feeling. SB leaving just adds oil to the fire. The boy is really alone in the world though he has parents who are alive. Which makes it even sadder.

I was touched by WH’s performance today though it was far from consummate. But his imperfectness made it emotionally moving because no one exactly knows how one would act if a loved one passed away and we all respond differently to the different people that leave us. WH kept it simple and heartfelt and his sincerity shines through.

I loved how SY totally stepped up to be the pillar of support for WH in this time of need. Perhaps a sign of they being brothers isn’t going to be a bad idea after all? The scenes between WH and SY were so well done in this episode and their growing bromance feels organic and believable. I attribute it to the fact that they are bandmates in real life and know each other so well that a show of bromance just comes naturally to them.

There wasn’t a preview of Episode 9 but a reel of what has happened so far was shown instead. I guess we are unofficially wrapping up the first part of the drama – SB finally discovering why humans still love despite knowing it brings tears, hurt and eternal physical separation. Death was just a job to her as an angel but now she understands the magnitude of forever separating humans from their loved ones. And it is going to dawn on her that saying goodbye forever to WH is not as easy as walking away without a backward glance. As usual, my IT couple is spot-on in every scene together today, happy or sad.

I’m guessing the following episodes will focus on their developing romance and how Stepmom is going to bring WH into her current family. Yay for the romance and yikes for the one-big-happy-family angle. All the best to Stepmom despite her hubby being one of the nicest men around.

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