While “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” typically charms with its romantic comedy formula, the second episode reveals cracks in its foundations, primarily through its reliance on exaggerated reactions and contrived misunderstandings that undercut the characters’ established intelligence. The episode, despite its humorous moments, sacrifices genuine emotional depth for easily digestible, albeit ultimately superficial, comedic payoff.
The Problematic Foundation: Overblown Comedy and Weakened Characters
Episode 2 is a prime example of a common pitfall in K-dramas: prioritizing comedic effect over nuanced character development. While the drama excels at portraying the initial awkwardness and misunderstandings arising from the shift in dynamic between Kim Mi-so and Lee Young-joon, it often leans too heavily on cartoonish reactions, particularly from Lee Young-joon. His supposed genius intellect, which is a core characteristic, feels undermined by his consistently over-the-top displays of jealousy and insecurity.
Undermining Mi-so’s Competence
Furthermore, Mi-so, initially portrayed as a hyper-competent and self-possessed secretary, is reduced in certain scenes to a damsel-in-distress archetype. While her reactions to Young-joon’s advances are understandable and add to the will-they-won’t-they tension, the moments where she displays seemingly inexplicable obliviousness regarding his feelings detract from her previously established sharp intellect and observant nature. This inconsistency weakens her character and makes her motivations less believable.
The Forced Conflict
The episode also suffers from forced conflict. The manufactured misunderstanding regarding Mi-so’s potential date is a classic example of a plot device used purely to create tension, rather than stemming organically from the characters’ actions or internal struggles. This contrived conflict feels unnecessary and ultimately diminishes the impact of the genuine emotional moments present elsewhere in the episode. The reliance on these predictable tropes makes the episode, while entertaining, ultimately less satisfying than it could be. The pacing is affected because the series must recover from these plot inconsistencies to continue towards the overarching plot. This includes character development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the perceived shortcomings of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” Season 1, Episode 2:
FAQ 1: Was the Humor in Episode 2 Excessive?
Yes, for some viewers, the humor felt excessive. The reliance on slapstick comedy and exaggerated expressions detracted from the romantic tension and felt out of sync with the characters’ established personalities. This is often a debated subject for viewers who enjoy these elements.
FAQ 2: Did Lee Young-joon’s Character Seem Less Intelligent in Episode 2?
Potentially. While the series highlights Young-joon’s intelligence, some of his actions, particularly his overblown reactions to Mi-so’s interactions with other men, suggest a level of insecurity and impulsiveness that contradicts his supposedly calculated and rational nature. Character consistency is important, and for some viewers, the episode failed to keep Young-joon true to the established person.
FAQ 3: How Did Episode 2 Contribute to the Overall Narrative?
While Episode 2 introduced conflict and advanced the romantic storyline, it did so at the cost of character depth. The forced misunderstandings, while creating momentary drama, ultimately felt like filler, delaying the more meaningful exploration of the characters’ past and their evolving relationship. The episode is necessary to establish a romantic relationship, but some feel the methods used were not organic to the show.
FAQ 4: Was Mi-so’s Character Portrayed Consistently in Episode 2?
Not entirely. Mi-so’s intelligence and competence, hallmarks of her character in the premiere, were sometimes overshadowed by moments of apparent naiveté. This inconsistent portrayal undermined her agency and made her motivations less believable. The episode must maintain character consistency to build trust with the audience.
FAQ 5: What are some specific examples of forced conflict in Episode 2?
The misunderstanding regarding Mi-so’s potential date is a prime example. Young-joon’s over-the-top attempts to sabotage her plans felt contrived and unnecessary, serving primarily to create comedic situations rather than stemming from genuine character motivations.
FAQ 6: How Did the Episode Handle the Trauma of their Shared Childhood Experience?
While the episode hints at the shared trauma of their childhood kidnapping incident, it doesn’t delve deeply into its emotional impact. The focus remains primarily on the romantic comedy aspect, leaving the deeper, more complex issues somewhat unexplored, resulting in a superficial treatment of serious themes.
FAQ 7: Did the Episode Effectively Build Suspense and Anticipation?
Yes and no. While the will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Mi-so and Young-joon generated some anticipation, the predictable nature of the comedic conflicts diminished the overall suspense. Viewers could often anticipate the outcome of situations, reducing the emotional investment.
FAQ 8: What Could Have Improved Episode 2?
A more nuanced approach to character development and a focus on organic conflict would have significantly improved the episode. Less reliance on slapstick and contrived misunderstandings would have allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters’ emotions and their complex relationship.
FAQ 9: Did the Episode’s Pacing Feel Appropriate?
The pacing felt somewhat uneven. While some scenes moved swiftly, others dragged on due to the repetitive nature of the comedic situations. A tighter focus on the core narrative and a reduction in filler scenes would have improved the overall pacing.
FAQ 10: How Did the Supporting Characters Contribute to Episode 2?
The supporting characters provided comedic relief and added to the overall atmosphere, but their contributions were often superficial. They primarily served as foils for the main characters, rather than having significant storylines of their own.
FAQ 11: Was the Episode’s Romantic Chemistry Convincing?
The romantic chemistry between Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young was undeniable, but the exaggerated comedic elements sometimes detracted from the believability of their connection. The show relied on physical chemistry, but sometimes undermined that with weak emotional development.
FAQ 12: Overall, is Episode 2 a Weak Entry in the Series?
While not entirely weak, Episode 2 represents a dip in quality compared to the premiere. Its reliance on predictable tropes and inconsistent character portrayals undermines the series’ potential for deeper storytelling. Despite its entertainment value, it highlights the show’s weaknesses in balancing comedy with meaningful character development and emotional depth, especially when the show attempts to address serious traumatic situations from the characters past.