Coffee Prince Episode 13 & 14

In episodes, 13 and 14 many issues and events occurred that gave the plot of Coffee Prince a new spin and direction not expected. Some of the issues that were raised dealt with marriage, feminine behavior expectations, family pressures and duties, knowledge and act of sex, and a re-occurring one; class expectations and differences. As all of these matter's unfolded throughout both episodes, the characters I felt returned to a more complex storyline that engaged in serious issues, rather than just sticking to a simple love story. This made sense to me as a writer of the soap opera, because I am not sure the audience would still tune in- if the plot just became one of a love story. After all, many of these shows are appealing because they have twists and turns that complicate simple story-lines such as love.

Throughout both episodes, the relationship between Eun Chan and Han Kyul develop even further and I was curious to see if Eun Chan would remain her tomboyish self or would undergo a change for a more feminine persona, that is now that she is with Han Kyul, who has the reputation in dating ultra feminine women. I was happy to see that Eun Chan does not change her tomboyish ways, but she does pay attention to Han Yoo Joo's behavior with Han Sung. Especially, since Han Yoo Joo has become the feminine character opposite of Eun Chan's character within the drama. In particular, I thought it was funny when Eun Chan tried to replicate Han Yoo Joo when her (Han Yoo-Joo) hair kept falling in front of her face and Han Sung brushed aside. It was this subtle move, that Eun Chan tried to copy so that Han Kyul could also brush her bangs out of her face. Of course, when Eun Chan attempted this move, it failed tremendously. Thus, making it a funny scene, but also tells the audience that Eun Chan can not change, she is who she is and that is what makes us (the audience) like her and root for her within this drama. After all, she is the underdog.

As Han Kyul and Eun Chan become closer, their physical affection for one another becomes increasingly more sexual. However, we never do see Han Kyul and Eun Chan placed in a situation that would lead us to believe that they have had sex. Therefore, the sexual tension that arises between them is obvious and for me, not until a more passionate relationship surfaces between them, I can not accept nor buy into the plot of them loving each other. I have always felt that the two of them are more confidants and good friends than lovers. Which would still be a good plot, because it begs to ask the question of men and women becoming and maintain good friends without having sexual or love interests feelings. The writing leans towards depicting Eun Chan as a virgin and I think that plot is written around how she is a young, naive, and inexperienced young lady.

Which brings us to the other issue of family responsibilities both Han Kyul and Eun Chan face. Han Kyul obliviously is faced with the duty to be fiancial successful and his other duty is to marry a woman from a good family; money and education. On the other hand, Eun Chan also has the heavy load of supporting her mother and sister. They are both caught in this bind, but Eun Chan's family is a lot more receptive to the idea of dating a wealthier man. However, what makes me really cheer for Eun Chan's character is her fierce hold on her independence. When Han Kyul's assumes that Eun Chan will accept money from him, she proves him wrong that she wants to earn her own money. Ultimately, this provides the audience with a female role model who comes from a lower economic background and does not expect financial hand-outs, especially from her wealthy boyfriend. Another factor was age and how Han Kyul's mother and grandmother both thought that Eun Chan was crazy when she told them she wanted to wait till she was 30 years old to get marry. This brought back memories of our class discussion of "Christmas Cake" and how Korean women older than 25 years old are not viewed as desirable nor marriage. So here is Eun Chan who boldly tells Han Kyul's matriarch family that she has not desire to marry until older.

Towards the end of the episode 14th we are met with the complicated choice of Han Kyul turning down the opportunity to go to New York for a high and distinguished job position for wanting to stay in Korea. For me, this moment was a shift for Han Kyul in being immature to bold against family pressures. Also, I am sure this provided a different trajectory for Koreans who were watching the show in deciding to go with what they personally want to accomplish versus what their family and society expects them to accomplish. We are no dawning towards the end of the soap opera, Coffee Prince and am eager to see where the show decides to end.