My Sweet Mobster- Episode 13-14 Recap
As we dive into the penultimate week, the spotlight intensifies on our mobster and his relentless battle to shield his people from threats both old and new. With enemies who are emotionally charged and unafraid to play dirty, the tension skyrockets as he struggles to anticipate every move and manage multiple crises. However, Ji-hwan just might have also gained new alliances that will come to his rescue. Brace yourself for a week filled with heart-stopping moments and edge-of-your-seat suspense!
Last week, I left out a crucial mini-side-story arc, sensing that more revelations were on the horizon. This week, as we dive into the penultimate chapter of My Sweet Mobster, we're finally granted a deeper look into our youngest deerling's backstory. Prepare for revelations that will redefine everything you thought you knew and add thrilling new layers to the drama!
Previously, we caught glimpses of a shadowy past involving Hyun-woo and a mysterious incident linked to our youngest deerling’s job at Thirsty Deer. This week, the veil lifts on the heartbreaking truth: Maknae Deerling’s seemingly innocent adventure with a high school crush took a dark turn. In a desperate bid to escape school and see the ocean, he borrowed a scooter, only to become distracted along the way. His lapse in attention led to a tragic accident that claimed his crush's life, forever altering his path and tying him to the story in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
Even though Maknae Deerling has served his time and tried to make amends for his past, the story takes a dramatic turn when the grief-stricken brother of his lost crush bursts into Thirsty Deer. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance and unable to let go of his anguish, he makes a dramatic scene, demanding that Maknae Deerling pays for his actions in a way that goes far beyond the justice system’s reach. The confrontation promises to shake the foundation of Thirsty Deer and test the limits of forgiveness and redemption.
The tension escalates as Marketing Deerling’s guilt threatens to crush him, leading him to contemplate resigning and sacrificing his own happiness just to pacify his crush’s vengeful brother. Meanwhile, Ji-hwan, on his knees offering a heartfelt apology on Marketing Deerling’s behalf, reveals a haunting pattern: he’s been in this agonizing position before, repeatedly mending the shattered lives of those his employees have wronged. The weight of past regrets and the struggle for redemption paint a heart-wrenching picture of their desperate fight for justice and forgiveness.
I appreciate the writers delving into our deerlings’ backstories to remind us that our beloved mobsters, despite their charm and wit, have left a trail of pain and crime in their wake. Their lovable antics and sharp one-liners often make us forget the faceless victims of their past actions, but this poignant exploration pulls us back to the harsh realities beneath the comedy. That said, it does feel like the writers threw us a bit of a softball, ensuring we wouldn’t be too conflicted about our affection for this band of misfits. Maknae Deerling’s story is undeniably tragic, but unlike some of the other deerlings, who have clearly engaged in some seriously shady business, his "crime" was a pure accident, devoid of any violence or malice.
Then again, maybe I’m overanalyzing the impact of Maknae Deerling’s backstory when the real spotlight is on Ji-hwan. His unwavering loyalty and willingness to kneel and carry his employees' burdens finally makes Hyun-woo see Ji-hwan and the rest of the deerlings in a new light. In a surprising twist, Hyun-woo admits he was wrong and is accepted into the fold, becoming part of the deerlings’ family. But the stakes rise even higher when Hyun-woo formally asks Ji-hwan to help him take down Yang-hee and Ji-hwan’s father, and Ji-hwan agrees with an awkward, yet resolute handshake.
Things are also heating up in the romance department for Ji-hwan. He's noticeably more comfortable opening up to Eun-ha, especially when she probes about the incident between Maknae Deerling and his victim’s family. Ji-hwan candidly explains that he feels a deep responsibility to share his employees’ burdens, showing a side of himself that draws him even closer to Eun-ha. To reward Ji-hwan for his honest and candid conversation, Eun-ha suggests he scream his problems out into the universe. Although he's too shy to follow her example with a residential area so close by, Eun-ha takes it upon herself to yell out his frustrations on his behalf.
Eun-ha is having a great time waking up the neighborhood, oblivious to the kink in her ponytail until Ji-hwan steps in to retie it for her. This simple gesture stirs a deep nostalgia for her childhood friend, Hyun-woo. It's not the first time Ji-hwan has reminded her of him, but this latest incident makes it impossible for her to shake the nagging feeling that Ji-hwan and young Hyun-woo might be the same person. Eun-ha calls Hyun-woo, her voice tinged with urgency, and tells him she’s at a crossroads, she needs to know the true identity of her childhood friend. Hyun-woo, with a knowing sigh, finally reveals that Ji-hwan is indeed the Hyun-woo she’s been searching for all these years.
Eun-ha is in tears by the time she finds Ji-hwan. His panic at seeing her crying shifts to stunned silence when she tearfully apologizes for not recognizing him. He wraps her in a comforting embrace, and once she’s calmed down, he gently explains that he’s equally sorry for not saying goodbye when they were kids. Although Ji-hwan has known for some time that she was his childhood friend, he never revealed his true identity because he feared she would be disappointed in who he’d become. Eun-ha, however, is overjoyed to discover that the boy who shielded her in the past and the man who protects her now are the same person.
Our lovebirds end up falling asleep together in Eun-ha’s bed, and while their night was completely innocent, Ji-hwan’s morning exit from her room turns into a hilarious panic fest when he’s caught in the act. If there were any deerlings still clueless about Ji-hwan and Eun-ha’s relationship, they’re definitely in the know now! True to form, the deerlings won’t let Ji-hwan off easy and unleash a flurry of playful jabs. But just as Ji-hwan is about to be overwhelmed by their teasing, Il-young drops a bombshell: he’s getting married. Talk about a plot twist!
Here’s the scoop: Il-young finally dropped the bombshell that he’s aware Mi-ho is pregnant—yes, it’s official now! This revelation understandably makes Mi-ho question whether his renewed pursuit is driven solely by the impending baby. With fierce independence, she makes it clear she’s capable of handling both herself and the baby without feeling like an obligation. The stakes have never been higher! Il-young, though, is adamant about his intentions. He vows to stand by her side because it’s not just about the baby, it’s about her, the woman carrying his child. He spills his heart, revealing that his feelings for her run deep and that he’s found himself opening up to her in ways he’s never done with anyone else. It’s a heartfelt confession that, under different circumstances, might just sweep her off her feet.
Even putting aside the unsettling implication that he might not have been as supportive if it were another woman, it’s hard to ignore the sense of a whirlwind, shotgun wedding. They’ve barely known each other for three months and their time together since that fateful one-night stand has been fleeting at best. This is shaping up to be a high-stakes rush to the altar like no other. Isn’t there a red flag waving when Mi-ho casually brushes off her feelings with, “Oh, you know I have a thing for pretty faces,” in response to Eun-ha's surprise at her supposed “relationship” with Il-young? It’s a chilling hint at just how shallow her attachment might be.
Luckily, Mi-ho’s dad is on hand to echo my outrage with his unmistakable “no way in hell” stance. With arms crossed and a palpable air of defiance, he makes it clear that Mi-ho’s safety and well-being come first. He firmly declares that he won’t support a marriage just because of a pregnancy, prioritizing her future over any rushed decisions. In a dramatic turn of events, even Mi-ho’s father is swayed when Ji-hwan, Il-young, Eun-ha, and Mi-ho all rally together to make their case. It seems this whirlwind shotgun wedding is officially on. Personally, I might have preferred a scenario where they opted for a platonic co-parenting arrangement, with a time skip revealing their eventual romance. But for now, the best part of this plot twist is watching the deerlings eagerly anticipate the arrival of their new little Bambie. (Can we please get a spinoff? Six Mobsters and a Baby, anyone?)
All this talk of marriage has sparked a fire in Eun-ha’s mind, though she's not rushing down the aisle with Ji-hwan just yet. Still, she’s taken aback when she learns that Ji-hwan’s plan is to wait until he’s managed to get all the deerlings hitched before even considering their own wedding. The news of Ji-hwan’s extended marriage timeline is enough to cast a shadow over Eun-ha’s excitement. Luckily, the deerlings swoop in to save the day, rallying around her with a plan to host a live event and turn her milestone of surpassing 10,000 followers into a celebration that’ll lift her spirits and refocus her attention.
As Eun-ha and her team busily prepare for the live event, Ji-hwan is on a mission of his own. He’s picking out a dazzling gift to make amends for his earlier blunders and is joining forces with Hyun-woo to build a case against his father, who’s been ruthlessly dragging former Bulldog Gang members back into the fray. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as both their worlds collide with explosive consequences.
Before Ji-hwan and Hyun-woo can make their next move, Gangster Dad unleashes chaos on the Thirsty Deer castle. He barges into a board meeting, his sheer presence sending half the executives fleeing in terror. This orchestrated upheaval isn’t just random chaos; it’s a calculated assault aimed at dismantling everything Ji-hwan has built. Gangster Dad is banking on this drastic measure to force Ji-hwan back into his shadowy fold.
Caught in a high-stakes game of power and vengeance, Yang-hee proposes a drastic move: kidnap Eun-ha and use her as leverage to force Ji-hwan’s hand. But Gangster Dad isn’t impressed; he sees Yang-hee’s plan as a glaring display of his own inadequacy compared to Ji-hwan. To Gangster Dad, Yang-hee’s heavy-handed tactics only highlight his inferior approach to Ji-hwan’s mastery of finesse and persuasion. While Yang-hee grabs and coerces, Ji-hwan commands respect and effortlessly draws others into his orbit.
Meanwhile, when Eun-ha’s scream pierces the air, Hyun-woo, spurred by the chaos at Thirsty Deer, rushes to her aid. With a heart-stopping leap, he intercepts a brick hurtling towards her head, taking the full brunt of the impact. Moments later, Ji-hwan arrives to a devastating scene: Hyun-woo, bloodied and crumpled, lies collapsed in Eun-ha’s frantic embrace.
DramaZen's Opinion
Woah…what a cliffhanger!
The final moments were electrifying, but Hyun-woo’s heroics leave me with mixed emotions. After all the criticism he’s directed at Ji-hwan for being a danger to Eun-ha, and Eun-ha’s frequent rebukes of Ji-hwan’s overprotectiveness, it feels like Ji-hwan was unfairly sidelined. He missed his chance to prove both his justified concerns for Eun-ha's safety and his ability to protect her when a real threat emerged. While Ji-hwan’s competence was never in question, if Hyun-woo survives his injuries, I hope he emerges a changed man, not reverting to his old ways.
The last thing Ji-hwan needs before confronting his father is another round of accusations questioning his worthiness of redemption and love. But then again…what if Hyun-woo doesn’t survive his injuries? As the second male lead, his fate is precarious and he could dramatically fall as a martyr, raising the emotional stakes heading into the finale of My Sweet Mobster. However, given the show's rom-com nature, it's a long shot that it will go that intense in its final hours.
I’m at the point where I’m eagerly anticipating the conclusion of our drama. As much as I’ve enjoyed diving into this story, it’s becoming clear that it was meant to be a tight twelve-episode thrill ride, and the extended run has only highlighted that. It’s time to wrap things up and see how everything comes together!
The deerlings have quickly become my second favorite part of this drama, right after Uhm Tae-gu’s irresistible cheekbones. But if each of these charming characters isn’t getting their fair share of spotlight, like Maknae Deerling has, then what’s the point of this extra airtime? I’d much prefer more deep dives into each deerling’s backstory and fewer of the endless power struggles between the male leads. Give me more of the deerlings’ unique stories and less of the male posturing! Your thoughts?