Episode 3 was definitely a big one! We learned exactly what the situation is between Daon, Jaemin and Soohyun and we got a great moment for Daon and Seonghyeon. Certainly very dramatic. A bit soapy. And very engaging.
So the episode starts out by Soohyun shocking Daon when he reveals that he is the owner of the construction company. Apparently Soohyun is a rich heir and he’s now in charge of Albi Construction.
They go to Soohyun’s office where Daon confronts him, asking him what the meaning of this is. Why has he returned to Korea? The mere question riles Soohyun up and says he wouldn’t have come back had Daon and Jaemin answered his calls and texts.
Soohyun demands to know if Daon slept at Jaemin’s last night and says Daon, more than anyone, knows what their relationship is. Daon asks if Soohyun has returned to get back together with Jaemin and that he is just causing everyone to suffer. Soohyun throws his baseball at a vase and then corners Daon on the wall.
Soohyun threatens Daon to stop running his mouth, or else, and reminds him he is not all talk. He grabs Daon’s jaw and demands he report his every move to him. Daon says he is under no obligation to do that. Soohyun insists that as his boss, he does.
Daon reiterates that his personal life is of no business to Soohyun and he walks out the office. He drops to the floor in the hallway and flashes back to seven years ago.
Daon watched in shock as Soohyun towers over someone while holding a bloody and broken glass battle. At the police station, Daon apologizes to Soohyun for getting him involved. But Soohyun says he “should’ve just killed him.”
Daon asks if Soohyun going abroad is because of him. Soohyun asks who Daon thinks he is for him to have beat someone up and go abroad after. Soohyun warns Daon not to assume things just because he was nice to him. Plus, they have been different since birth. While Daon can only dream of studying abroad, Soohyun “can go anywhere I fucking well please!” So Daon should stop reading too much into things and get out of his face.
Back in the present, Jaemin can’t help but think about Daon and his confession. He texts Soohyun and asks to meet. He is interrupted when two students crushing on him bring him coffee which he just throws away after they leave.
Meanwhile, Seonghyeon wonders if Daon is in a relationship with Jaemin since he slept over. His grandmother notices something’s up so she asks him and he runs her through his situation, though pretending he’s referring to someone else.
Grandma teases him a bit and says he probably likes that guy. If not love if he’s so bothered by it. So she suggests he be forward and simply ask.
Later in the evening, Daon is awakened by the doorbell and he finds a bag of hot congee outside the door. Seonghyeon had offered to buy him some earlier since he looked so pale.
Daon takes the food inside and eats. He remembers Seonghyeon’s advice to just cry it out whenever you’re struggling or can’t talk about your troubles. And Daon does just that.
Next day at the office, Daon feels much better and credits Seonghyeon, thanking him for yesterday. Their conversation is interrupted, however, when they learn that Soohyun is now the team leader for their resort project. Soohyun taunts Daon by text.
During lunch, Seonghyeon musters up the courage to ask what Daon’s relationship to him is. Daon says they met in college and are not on good terms anymore.
Daon tells Seonghyeon that it’s okay to ask him any questions he might have.
That evening after work, Soohyun tries to drag Daon away with him. But Seonghyeon swoops in to say that Daon had plans and that they would walk together since they were going the same way. Seonghyeon introduces himself to an upset Soohyun before grabbing Daon’s arm and leading him away.
Daon asks Seonghyeon not to do that again as he doesn’t want him to get involved. Anyway, he doesn’t remember saying he had plans today. But Seonghyeon says they can go on their weekend movie date today instead.
They head to the theater. While waiting outside for the movie to start, Seonghyeon mentions that he usually clings to whoever he is with when he gets scared watching a scary movie. Daon is surprised, but Seonghyeon says he wouldn’t cling to him since he knows he’s seeing someone. So he doesn’t want any misunderstandings.
Daon says he actually isn’t seeing anyone.
They head inside for the movie. Soohyun, waiting in his car outside Daon’s apartment, tries calling Daon. But Seonghyeon takes his phone and turns it off. He asks if he can hold Daon’s hand since he’s not seeing anyone.
Soohyun calls one of his people to dig into Seonghyeon.
After the movie, Daon says he might have to stay in a hotel tonight because of Soohyun. So Seonghyeon invites him over to his place instead and insists it is no trouble. After a little hesitation, Daon thanks him and accepts the offer.
Seonghyeon lets Daon sleep on the bed while he takes the floor.
Daon thanks Seonghyeon for today and points out that he seems to be helping him a lot lately. Seonghyeon says he doesn’t have to say thank you every time. And that Daon does not have to worry about needing to give him back anything in return.
“Being nice to someone doesn’t mean expecting something in return.”
Daon asks why he is so nice to him. Seonghyeon says he doesn’t know either. He can’t help but notice, care and think about him.
Daon falls asleep while Seonghyeon says this.
Next morning, Seonghyeon wakes up early to make breakfast. He goes through a whole carton of eggs when he slightly burns most of them.
Daon gives the toast, jam and egg a try, but smiles through gritted teeth. Seonghyeon says to just forget about it and asks what his plans are today.
Daon says he has three siblings and is meeting his younger sister today. Seonghyeon says he’d like to meet them some time since he grew up as an only child.
Meanwhile, Soohyun is still outside Daon’s apartment. He calls Jaemin and then leaves just as Daon and Seonghyeon are arriving.
Seonghyeon asks if it’s lonely living alone as he feels lonely sometimes. Daon says he does a little, but it’s more convenient since he did not like living at his parent’s place. Except for one thing. Whenever he felt down, he would go to a nearby hill which served like a shelter for him.
Seonghyeon accompanies Daon up to his apartment just to make sure he’s alright. Daon thanks him again, but Seonghyeon reminds him he doesn’t have to.
Seonghyeon is about to say something to Daon, but stops himself and says to take care.
On the other side of town, Soohyun barges into Jaemin’s condo looking for Daon and of course finds no one. Soohyun asks if Jaemin has anything he wants to tell him. Jaemin asks when he’s returning to the States. But Soohyun says he doesn’t really want to leave and asks if he should live here now.
Soohyun laughs at Jaemin glaring at him and says he should learn to take a joke. Jaemin does not appreciate starting the day off being ruined like this.
Soohyun gets up to leave. But Jaemin says Soohyun must have forgotten their agreement is still valid. Soohyun says of course he hasn’t forgotten.
Soohyun takes the cigarette out of Jaemin’s mouth, puts it in his and leaves.
Jaemin tries calling Daon, but no answer. Instead, he calls Soohyun’s mother who presumably tells him he’s staying in Korea as director of the company. Jaemin quickly hurries out.
Meanwhile, Seonghyeon makes a decision and runs back to Daon’s. Jaemin and Soohyun are also on their way.
Jaemin runs up the stairs and catches Soohyun just as he gets off the elevator. He confronts him about becoming the director of Albi Construction. He again reminds him about their agreement and Soohyun says he has not forgotten. They must pretend to be a couple in front of Daon.
They flash back to seven years ago. While at a chapel, they both admit they like Daon. And they agree to pretend to date each other so long as neither of them pursue a relationship with Daon.
Soohyun says because of that damn agreement, he had to leave Korea and bottle up his feelings for Daon all this time. Isn’t that enough for him?
Meanwhile, Daon opens the door to his apartment and walks out to meet Seonghyeon who is waiting there.
An out of breath Seonghyeon admits to Daon that he likes him.
In the epilogue, Daon asks Soohyun why he has so many secrets. Soohyun says it’s so Daon can be more curious about him. Daon advises Soohyun not to mess around so much after drinking. Soohyun asks if he will date if he does that.
Daon tells Soohyun to stop joking around like this as it gives Jaemin a hard time. He wants the Soohyun and Jaemin’s relationship to last. Soohyun’s face falls hearing this and tells Daon not to say things he does not mean.
Soohyun says people keep treating Daon like a fool because he’s like this. Daon seems to take offense and gets up to leave. Soohyun stops him and grabs his arm. Daon tells him to let go.
Jaemin arrives and takes Daon’s arm away. Daon perks up and starts talking about the research Jaemin helped him with. They start to walk away, but Soohyun grabs Jaemin and tells Doan not to follow them as they go on a date.
As Daon walks away, Soohyun turns to look at him.
Episode Thoughts
So I didn’t mean to actually recap the entire episode. I was just going to do Episode Thoughts like last week. But I guess I got carried away. Lol
The episode was really good though. If you want fluffy fluff, this is definitely not the show for you. But if you like the high drama, then I think you should be enjoying Secret Relationships like I am.
First, let’s talk about the little fluff we did get. And of course that’s between Daon and Seonghyeon. I think the show does a good job of being able to further their relationship while keeping any development between them connected still to Jaemin and Soohyun. That keeps all four characters involved and helps to make this intriguing dynamic work.
Seonghyeon realizing his feelings for Daon would not have been as impactful had he not also experienced first hard Daon’s obviously toxic relationship with both Jaemin and especially Soohyun.
On one hand, it’s awkward that they seem to brush off Soohyun’s aggressiveness like it’s nothing. But on the other, it makes Seonghyeon’s sincere attempts to reach out to Daon and make him feel better all the more meaningful.
As we can glean from the episodes so far, Daon’s relationships with Jaemin and Soohyun have been incredibly toxic. Or at least not so simple. Maybe they started out fine and sweet and sincere. But as soon as those two guys fell for him, all hell broke loose. And combined with whatever Daon has going on at home with his family, he obviously has had lots of emotional trauma these last seven years.
So Seonghyeon offering up potentially the healthiest relationship he’s had in a loooong time, if not ever, is all the more meaningful for Daon.
Daon’s good cry was a good moment because it seems like he hasn’t been able to bring himself to do that. He’s been bottling it up inside, trying to put on a strong face for the world. Possibly because of something like what Seonghyeon mentioned in that many people might expect something in return for even a little bit of help. And having to grow up independent has perhaps taught Daon that seeking out help is a luxury.
We can see how he musters all he can to try and stand up to Soohyun. But it obviously can take a lot out of him, as we saw with him dropping down to the floor after that first confrontation.
I can already see him possibly turning Seonghyeon away even after the confession, maybe thinking that he himself is the problem. Kind of like a “I ruin everything I touch” feeling. But of course the story will be Daon realizing that no, it doesn’t have to be his fault at all. And that he too deserves a healthy and positive relationship.
Before we talk about the opposite, I want to also say how much I loved the scene of Seonghyeon with his grandma. A very sweet scene and it’s great to at least one wonderful relationship on the show for now. Hehe.
Also, anyone else cringe during that scene of Seonghyeon cooking breakfast? All those eggs! In this economy?! I mean, the eggs weren’t even that badly burnt. Yikes! lol
Alright, now to the drama. First of all, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone as aggressive or violent on a non-serial killer/crime-focused Korean drama before. My goodness! lol
The effect and the hold Daon has on these men that Soohyun is so frustrated and can get that upset! Like, okay, you’re bottling up your feelings and desire for him. But damn, that must be some intense, wild desire right there. Whew! Lol
Still, I think something can be said about Soohyun coming to Daon’s defense. I think all we can do is assume that Daon was in danger somehow and Soohyun came to his rescue. Even if he might have gone too far. (Or maybe not far enough depending on what the situation really was.)
Same for that epilogue where you can feel Soohyun’s sincerity. It will be very interesting to learn more about him and his true feelings.
That said, Jaemin and Soohyun obviously deserve each other, yes? Lol Though I get the strange feeling that Jaemin might be a big bigger of a red flag than Soohyun, even with how violent Soohyun appears to be.
That scene in the church/chapel though! What thematic and interpretative significance does that setting have for their convo? Having to hide their feelings from the world? Something like that? Not being accepted and whatnot. We already saw the pressure Soohyun is under from his family.
That’s definitely a discussion I was not expected to emerge from this show. But it’s just another very fascinating aspect of this engaging story. And it will be amazing if they touch upon it even a little bit more later.
Them agreeing to the deal is the soapiest, makjangiest plot I’ve seen in a Korean BL drama. (including Soohyun becoming the director of the company lol) And I actually like it a lot. In the end, they’ll probably realize they should’ve just expressed their true feelings and see what happens. But at the same time, maybe we can cut them some slack? Perhaps they didn’t want to pressure Daon that much? They care about him so much, they didn’t want to force him to choose between them?
But then really, the awkward tension between all three of them has weighed even more heavily on Daon that it might otherwise have.
Now that we have a pretty good sense of where everyone stands, I think the next episodes will be even more interesting as we see them navigate the intricate and tumultuous dynamics of their relationships.
So overall, a very full and dramatic episode! But it’s only episode 3 of 8! We’ve got a long way to go. And I hope the remaining five episodes will be just as exciting.