Early Access: Yumi's Cells 2 E13 (Patreon)

E13. What. A. Rollercoaster. this episode turned out to be.

That's the thing with this show. It could literally go in any direction, and it would still make narrative sense; it dances to its own rhythm and doesn't care about kdrama tradition. I'm a helpless passenger on this ride, my heart holding on for dear life.

For a start, I was thrilled to start the episode with Yumi and Babi getting engaged. Like I said before, I am very much on board with this as an expression of commitment between them, because it says "I choose you" in such a definite way.

And so, it made me really happy to see both Yumi and Babi look happy about it, and be loving and content in their conversations with each other, with a positive hope for their future together.

The way Yumi won over Babi's reticent dad with her love for tteokbokki is very endearing as well, because the moment Dad softened towards her, was when she was just being herself, eating his tteokbokki deliciously and delightedly.

The fact that Babi's dad, who's generally so reserved, not only with his words, but with his gestures of affection, proactively goes after Yumi to give her spending money, is a huge deal, because this is such a hallmark Korean way of elders demonstrating approval and affection for a younger person.

It feels really significant, that Dad would give Yumi spending money, when he's never done that even for his own son. (For the record, I'm sure Babi received an allowance as a kid; this spending money is a gesture of approval and affection, like I said.)

I'm glad that Yumi and Woong have that conversation over coffee, where Woong congratulates Yumi on her upcoming marriage, even though it really is the last thing he wants to do, as we see from his aggrieved Love cell's tearful rantings.

It feels healthy, and when Woong asks to be invited to the wedding, Yumi's answer, that she'd have to discuss it with Babi, feels healthy too. She's not presuming that Babi would be comfortable with it, and I like that she's so upfront about it with Woong.

When Woong tells Yumi that his biggest regret in life, is not being able to answer her when she'd suggested they get married, it feels really poignant, because of the could've beens..

But, it still feels healthy because I do think it's good that Woong's able to articulate it and tell Yumi about it, and release it from his heart, so to speak.

It's when Woong asks Yumi if she loves Babi, that I start to sniff the first signs of trouble - because Yumi's not able to answer definitively - because Love cell's still in exile. Aw mann.. 🥺

I love - like, really really love - all the scenes of Babi coming over to take care of Yumi while she's sick with a cold.

That really is so sweet, and I love how tender and gentle he is towards her, even climbing into bed to keep her company, not caring whether he might catch the bug from her.

Which is why my heart sank so hard, when Yumi sees the incoming call from Da Eun while Babi's out buying beer at the convenience store.

I'd actually thought that this would stir up all the hurt feelings that Yumi had felt, back when everything had first happened, and that that would be the undoing of all the progress that Yumi and Babi have made, in their relationship.

Instead, we fast forward to 8 months later, and find out, along with Woong, that Yumi and Babi have broken up.

NoOo~ 😩 Say it ain't so~!

I have to admit, I'm rather devastated to learn that the reason for their breakup, is not because Da Eun had called Babi, or that Babi still had Da Eun saved in his contact list, but because Yumi had felt nothing, even in the face of Da Eun calling.

Oof. That hurt.

Excuse me while I pick up the pieces of my Babi fangirl heart off the floor. 😭

Final review will be up on the main blog on Monday, 15 August 2022!