"Incarnation of Jealousy" Episode 15 recap

"Incarnation of Jealousy" is in full blown "jealousy and turmoil" mode with breakups, fights, tears, and irrational drinking, heartbroken leads. There is also quite a hilarious cameo by Lee Seon-gyoon that rounds out the episode quite nicely. Before we get to that delightful tidbit, let's review the rest of the episode.

After Na-ri cheats on both Hwa-sin and Jeong-won, she breaks up with both of them by telling them the truth, feeling horribly. Neither man takes her rejection lying down and most of the episode is spent with them arguing over her, arguing with her, drinking their heartache away, or leaving her heartbroken messages. While the dramatics was cut with humor, the entire sequence was too much, taking the beloved quirkiness of the show and overusing it.

There is a duality in this show that is explored with Na-ri's love for both Hwa-sin and Jeong-won, through chef's love for both reporter mothers, and through Ppalgang's attachment to both of her mothers. It's an interesting topic to explore because we often treat love as a singular occurrence that can't be shared. We can only love one person at a time, but this isn't true and Na-ri is plagued by that fact.

It seems as though the show has forgotten about a few plot lines such as Na-ri's brother, taking care of Hwa-sin's cancer, and Hwa-sin's career. Although these are touched on, there is no real development and that feels incomplete. This is especially true for Hwa-sin's cancer. The show has a chance to address breast cancer, and breast cancer in men. It has a chance to address a Korean man's image. Instead, the cancer because a 100% utilitarian plot tool with zero earnesty.

The end of the episode reveals that Na-ri does take the job as an anchor and is studying with Reporter Bang to improve. I do like seeing Bang show a human side by taking a protege. But more than that, I appreciate that Na-ri takes the job and furthers herself rather than succumbing to guilt and rejecting the position. While she is working, the boys may have taken a break from fighting over her, but they aren't through. To give us some reprieve from the fighting, Lee Seon-gyoon, Gong Hyo-jin's "Pasta" co-star is her blind date. We don't see him, but he has one of the most distinct voices in the industry and the cameo is full of small "Pasta" jokes that make the co-star reunion even sweeter amongst the fighting between Gong's current co-stars. Thank you, show, for that bit of meta gold.

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Incarnation of Jealousy" is directed by Park Shin-woo, written by Seo Sook-hyang, and features Jo Jeong-seok, Kong Hyo-jin, Ko Kyeong-pyo, Lee Mi-sook, and Park Ji-yeong.