"Master's Sun" Episode 7

The Hong Sisters have a magicalTouchwhen it comes to combining levity and gravity. This was the strongest episode by far because so much happened, and it was all clear, poignant and moved the story right along.

The ghost of the day was in fact a trio of ghosts - abused and neglected children who died with a doll as their only companion. At first the ghostly trio seem to have nefarious intentions, but actuality, they are trying to band together with living children who suffer abuse so that they won't be alone. It is a beautiful thought. The doll is intensely creepy, but it has suffered along with the children and is just as battered as they are.

Joong-won and abused boy

While the dealings with the living abused child are confined to this particular episode, the time spent on his pain and his horrible situation was not irreverent like the attempts of many other shows to cover such powerful material. The child's terrifying homelife was established while Gong-shil, Joong-won and Kang Woo's characters were being built upon. It was so well integrated that I had pangs for the child's situation and, at the same time, pitied Kang Woo who was watching Gong-shil grow closer to Joong-won. Neither plot thread detracted from the other.

The relationship between Joong-won and Gong-shil is naturally developed and around them, the secondary leads and supporting characters react. One of the strongest aspects of the show is how well the characters interact and affect each other. Joong-won and Gong-shil struggle to deal with their strange relationship that is blossoming into something romantic while Kang Woo falls in love with Gong-shil who he should be investigating. He tries to step away from her as a suspect and towards her as a man, but it becomes difficult when he watches her grow closer with Joong-won and jealousy kicks in.

Yi-ryung as the subversive second female lead is still a caricature of a snobby, successful actress who is constantly mocked by her crush, Kang Woo, and provides constant comedic entertainment. Even Joong-won's uncle, who has some sort of antagonistic designs against Joong-won, is less nefarious and more bumbling idiot. It's refreshing to see characters who are usually pure annoyance become a source of comedic fodder.

Gong-shil and Joong-won

Then there is the amazing pairing betweenKong Hyo-jinandSo Ji-sub. They feed off of each other and create this wonderfully playful dynamic. Ji-sub takes a subtle approach to Joong-won's cynicism and delivers sarcasm with impeccableTiming. Hyo-jin has the ability to be utterly adorable without overdoing it. Put together, they are an endearing couple who are easy to root for. The strange relationship that crosses her need for his ghost-banishingTouchand his need for her ghost-seeing abilities is the perfect platform for love to unintentionally blossom. What man can resist a woman who craves hisTouch? What woman can resist a man who gives her hisTouchwhen she asks for it? It's such a fun premise that plays with societal and relationship norms.

"Master's Sun" has much improved since the beginning of its run and now I look forward to each episode. Onward to episode 8!

Written by Raine fromRaine's Dichotomy