Saturday, July 23, 2011

Recap - ISWAK (Ep. 10)

Episode 10 starts out with Xiang Qin suffering from an injured nose after her tennis accident. Ah Jin fawns over her, trying to take care of her, in vain of course. He tells XQ that her father wanted to meet her at the restaurant after school. Senior Hao Qian appears, concerned about ZQ's nose.

Wang Hao Qian (Jason, who also sings a couple songs in the OST like the opening) - ZS and XQ senior, 2nd (later 1st) captain of tennis club

Seemingly strange with his black and white dreadlocks, HQ is actually very nice, with a huge crush on PZY. On the court however, he is a devil and shows no mercy in teaching his tennis techniques.


After school, XQ goes to tennis practice and is forced to do humiliating and painful frog jump exercises. Zhi Shu is nowhere to be found. She gets hit with a tennis ball on the head, and the ball is none other than that of Pei Zi Yu. Also, she informs XQ that ZS told the leader of the club that he would only come when he has the time, which explains why he wasn't at practice.

When ZQ goes to the restaurant later that evening, she has dinner with her father. He tells her that even tho the Jiangs are very nice to them, they can't just stay at their house shamelessly forever. He also acknowledges that the ZS+XQ relationship seems to have reached a stalemate, thus it seems the best decision to move out. :(

Her father has already picked out an apartment, and the two go to visit it a few days later. It is significantly smaller than ZS's house, but it's just right for the two of them. Her father says touchingly that he does not want XQ to feel mistreated in ZS's house (ZS often acts mean to her). Even though XQ doesn't want to move out of their house, away from ZS, she can understand her dad's point of view and agrees.

At night, ZQ's father discusses moving out with ZS's parents. He tells them how love cannot be forced and there is no chance that XQ+ZS can have a relationship. Just as ZS's mom is about to argue back, ZS comes home... with Pei Zi Yu!!

XQ packs up her clothes and decides to say goodbye to ZS. She knocks on his door and enters, but ZS pays no attention to her presence. XQ attempts to explain that she will be moving out soon but ZS just talks over her. When he finally finishes, he offers a cold response to XQ:
I can finally go back to my old life. (Remember, this is all in front of PZY.)

XQ bares is bravely, but when she leaves the room, she begins to cry at ZS's meanness. YS sees this and when he comes to his/ZS's room, he asks his brother "Bro, why are idiot XQ's eyes all red?". ZS replies with a lackluster response but reading his emotions, he seems to feel some regret/sadness at treating her so meanly.

When it comes time to XQ and her dad to move out, it is a tearful goodbye for XQ and for ZS's mom because she has become very attached to XQ. Although ZS always acts rudely and cold to XQ and YS picks fights with her, the two families really have become one.

At the last minute, XQ runs upstairs to say goodbye to the two brothers, who are playing foosball. XQ apologizes sincerely for all the troubles she has caused ZS over the last year. ZS only says "Goodbye" without even turning to look at her.

While riding to her new apartment -- in the back of a truck, side by side with all the furniture and boxes -- XQ cries remembering all the good and bad times she had with ZS. Immediately afterwards, XQ feels sad and mopey, but soon regains her usual bubbliness and seems to be adjusting well to her new life.

At school she tells her friends Liu Nong and Chun Mei that she has moved out. AJ, being the eavesdropper he is, listens in and tells XQ how he is overjoyed and this is the moment he has been waiting for and how they can get married now and have a restaurant and all his fantasies. XQ and her friends leave halfway through this "emotional portrayal" lol.

Meanwhile, at the Jiang household, ZS's mom is crushed at XQ's absence and the same mom who cooked giant platters of food for midnight snacks refuses to even cook dinner, forcing the two brothers and father to split up the housework.

YS comes to ZS's room without realizing it (he has his old room back now that XQ is gone) and asks ZS what is wrong with their mom as she refuses to cook or do the dishes and is, in his terms a "vegetable human". It is revealed that YS is missing XQ, since he feels that the house is big and quiet in her absence. Of course, he masks it, saying "I feel it's all idiot XQ's fault". To help YS feel less lonely, he uses the massager that
XQ got him to entertain YS.

XQ goes to tennis practice, but because she is so bad, she is stuck picking up tennis balls that other people drop or fail to hit. Surprisingly, ZS shows up to practice. Senior HQ challenges ZS to a tennis match/bet.

If ZS wins, HQ will buy him lunch for a month.
If HQ wins, ZS will have to attend Summer Training Camp


But, there's a catch... It's a doubles match, and HQ is with PZY, a great tennis player while ZS is with... you guessed it... XQ! ZS tries to protest, but being his proud self, accepted the challenge. He tells XQ that she should stand in one place, not move her arms around and be still lest she block him from hitting the ball. Before the game begins:

PWHAHAHAHA

Being XQ, she accidentally blocks ZS from many shots. HQ teases them, saying that they make great partners and can practice all summer long at camp. In the end, they lose the match and HQ says that they can have a rematch. When ZS refuses, HQ forces him into agreeing by alleging that he can't take defeat. They make a new bet:

If by the end of camp, ZS can have XQ return one hand, HQ will agree to one of ZS's wishes.
If by the end of camp, ZS cannot make XQ return one hand, he will have to dress up as a girl.

In the locker room later (which is strangely co-ed... 0__O), XQ asks ZS if she is serious about this bet but this only angers ZS because of her lack of confidence. At this, ZS says "You can't even return one hand? The girl who swore she would be the first in class F to get onto Top 100... Where did she go?" At first, this seems mean, but it makes sense. The girl that ZS likes to be around, isn't the incompetent and self-concious one... it's the girl with seemingly impossible dreams who works hard to fulfill them.

Then ZS warns her, his tennis technique is much, much harsher than HQ's and she should be prepared. Meanwhile, ZS's mom still is heartbroken without XQ and comes to see her... dressed like this:


"Hip Hop Girl"

She goes to see XQ at tennis practice and is saddened to see her picking up balls instead of playing with ZS. When she meets Liu Nong and Chun Mei, she tells them that she missed ZQ so she changed into a "Low Key" outfit to see her. The two friends say how they must have lost and ZS must have yelled at XQ. They lament that they thought her love life would be a little easier in college, especially after XQ and ZS kissed.

Hearing this, ZS's mom is shocked as she didn't know they kissed, and runs to XQ's dad's restaurant, where he cannot contain his laughter at her ridiculous outfit. When he finally calms down, she tells him the news and tells him to move back in.

At the same time, XQ, ZS, PZY and HQ are on their way to tennis camp! "Fun" times ahead... :)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Recap - ISWAK (Ep. 9)

It's the first day of school! Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu are on their way to college... but more like Xiang Qin trying to keep up with Zhi Shu in a half walking, half jogging way. Her silly self gets so unlucky that she gets splashed by a puddle from a car and steps into some crap onto the street! (LOL) Zhi Shu comes back and sees her smelly shoe and then leaves, not caring about whether she was ok or not. XQ, on the otherhand, daydreams that ZS will pick up the shoe and use a pen to scrape off the poop... but of course thats not his style.

She keeps on following him throughout the school and meets her two BFFs. Then as they walk to class, she reveals that she and ZS kissed! We find out that XQ is enrolled in child education when ZS is majoring in biology. In XQ's first class, her two BFFs and her play with children and seem to have so much fun.

Later, there is a club fair and each student has a list of tons of clubs they can choose from. XQ immediately wonders, which club will ZS join? Nearby, we see Ah Jin secretly spying on them, posed as a gardener. The students, sing, play ping pong, juggle, etc, trying to see which they like best.

XQ and her friends then go to spy on ZS at the biology lab. Her friends say, there't not much girls he
re anyways, so you don't need to worry... and when they see ZS, he's with a really pretty and smart girl. As ZS is talking to XQ, the pretty girl comes up and asks him if XQ is his girlfriend, and he says, "how could that be possible?" This totally shocks XQ since they've already kissed, but makes the pretty girl really happy, as we see her devious smile.

Back at home, we see XQ's mind has gone elsewhere when the mom asks her to wash dishes and cut the pizza, she ends up washing the pizza! ZS's mom then finds out about the new girl on the scene and gives XQ some encouraging words. :)

On the stairs that night, XQ asks ZS about the girl and we find out that her name is Pei Zi Yu (PZY).

Pei Zi Yu (Tiffany Hsu) - ZS's classmate in college

In simple terms, she is the woman version of ZS, both a beauty queen and a genius. She has a little sister and is good at everything she does. She likes ZS and competes with XQ to win him over.


XQ: well what do you think about her?

ZS: are you jealous?

XQ: um... no...

ZS: I heard when she was in high school, she was the school beauty queen tree years in a row, and she ranked #5 on the national examination. I rarely meet this kinds of girls who are both beautiful and smart.

XQ: [glumly] she is amazing. Why does she come to our school?... huh! is it because of you?

ZS: What are you worried about?... [leaning closer] We are so close that we even kissed. Have you forgotten? Do I need to remind you again?... [leaning even closer until a couple inches apart and then LAUGHES]

The next day at lunch, XQ meets ZS when shes picking which to get and they both end up getting Meal A, but theres much more food on XQ's dish than ZS's dish. HUH? Out comes AJ! He's working as the cook, and purposely gave his princess XQ more. hehehehe

Afterwards, as they are finding seats, XQ finds a two seats next to each other, but ZS goes to sit with PZY at the table behind her instead. PZY is with two other member of the tennis club, who kind of threatens him to join in order to the championship this year. We find out that PZY has already joined too. XQ, leaning her head over, listens in on their convo and wants to join too. After school, XQ trails ZS to find out what club it is.

ZS figures that she's following him and goes into the women's bathroom and then 'fake' goes into a room, causing her to end up joining the anime club. And they pull her down and traps her, telling her stories and messing up her hair. SHE IS MISERABLE.

When she finally gets out, she meets one of the people who were sitting with ZS at lunch and tells him that she wants to join the club, still not knowing what it is. He tells her she's not quite qualified... and gives her a sheet:

Club Entrance Requirements
1. Height: Male 180cm and above
Female 165cm and above
2. IQ above 100 (XQ is around 75)
3. Body fat lower than 15%
...

Entirely discriminating against people who are short, dumb and fat. She doesn't listen and forces her way into the club saying that any student is allowed to join ANY club, from the student handbook. The upperclassman Wang Hao Qian finally agrees and allows her to join. ZS is so humored by her decision to join and asks 'you probably didnt think about your decision?' XQ doesn't understand him... because all she can think of is ZS teaching her how to play tennis and his hands around hers over the racket.

The determined XQ takes action and starts practicing swinging the racket in her room that very night, while talking randomness to herself. ZS and YS are laughing at her stupidity and uncoordination as they watch from her door. Over dinner, the families start talking about tennis and sports. ZS's dad and XQ's dad begin competing against each other and saying they can beat the other person.

The next day afterschool, the tennis club meets for practice for the first time. The nice upperclassman HQ from before becomes so harsh on the court as he assesses each of the member's abilities. The balls he hits are so fierce it even knocked down a girl and everyone is intimidated. Wang HQ is nicknamed the Killer Devil because he gets so into the game his eyes shoot fire. The first kid is owned, PZY passes (cuz HQ went easy on her), next is ZS. ZS makes HQ run back and forth, and ends up making him fall over, because ZS is just that great! Now, HQ is mad... the next person will be doomed...

and, just her luck, that person is XQ. After HQ serves the first ball, she is knocked down unconcious and with a nose bleed! Poor XQ :(

~ End of Episode 9 ~

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Recap - ISWAK (Ep. 8)

We last left Xiang Qin at the end of Episode 7 absolutely toasted at a dinner gathering at her father's restaurant in honor of Zhi Shu taking the university entrance exam for Tai Da. While drunk, XQ says to Uncle Ah Li that if Taiwanese boys want to be successful, it is necessary for them to go to Tai Da. This is in opposition to ZS, who does not want to go to Tai Da. She then says that Taiwanese girls should be gentle and it does not matter whether they are smart or not (referring to her self haha). She keeps trying to drink, and realizing how crazy she has gotten, they regret allowing her to drink in the first place.

Uncle Ah Li suggests to Ah Cai that he should try to find a girl for XG and get her married, someone who can take over the restaurant later, as well. AC comments that he needs a guy who wants XQ too. At this moment, Ah Jin bursts into the restaurant. He reveals that he has become her father's apprentice!! Finally revealing his "Love Plan", he says that after he learns everything, he will marry XQ and inherit the restaurant. Furthermore, he tells "Jiang Monster" (ZS) to go to "whatever ABC university" so he will be far away from XQ (and he can make his move).

ZS's mom playfully suggests to ZS that he doesn't have to go to Tai Da and if he wants, he can become a chef. Of course, ZS's dad objects, coming to the main problem, which is that he wants someone to take over his company and he feels waiting for Yu Shu to grow up is too long. ZS's mom brings up the issue of XQ and what will happen to them if he goes to Tai Da.

At this time, the drunk ZQ bursts out: "Enough of this!" She continues:

"Everyone here keeps making decisions for other people. Did anyone even bother to consider how Zhi Shu and I feel about this? .... Let me tell you all something... Zhi Shu... he wants to decide his own future. Regardless of whether he wants to be a chef or go to Tai Da, why can't you all just respect his opinions? Let me tell you all, that Zhi Shu... he has his worries also. He has many, many worries. [places a hand on his cheek]. So no matter what... you all must *falls over, drunk*"


Even though she was drunk, XQ does a good thing at this moment, by voicing ZS's opinions when he could not himself. In the car ride home, XQ is still drunk and causes trouble my climbing into the front seat, making a hilarious and a little overdone scene. When she returns to the backseat, she sits in between ZS and Yu Shu. She begins to stroke YS saying, "ZS... ZS...." while the ACTUAL ZS watches carefully. She cries:

"Do you know that I actually do not want you to go to Tai Da either. I really hope that I can study at the same university as you. But.. But... you're so smart. You must help society, the country and many, many people and do a lot of good things. I can't even do that!! :'("

This causes ZS's mom to start tearing up. Then XQ throws up. Eww. Seeing this, YS also wakes up and throws up in ZS's hand. In the morning, ZQ does not remember anything that happened or anything she said the night before while drunk. ZS is coughing and does not feel well. XQ helpfully gives him some cold medication. After taking it, ZS asks "This medicine shouldn't make me drowsy right?". XQ reads the bottle and sees that it says that you shouldn't take it when you need to concentrate. This is perfect because ZS is about to take a big, important examination. *facepalm*

She then tries to forcefully grab it from his mouth when he has already swallowed it, so basically she is just shoving her fingers in his throat and making him gag. Feeling bad, she accompanies him to the testing center. When ZS asks why, since she didn't want him to go to Tai Da anyway, she says that she never said that (she doesn't remember anything she said while drunk). As they are walking, XQ is shown to be struggling with some sort of stomach pain.

They finally arrive at the testing center but as soon as ZS enters the building, XQ passes out. When ZS hears the commotion outside, he rushes out and runs to XQ's side. She dismisses it and tells him to go take the test and do his best and that she will be okay. He then scoops her up in his arms and runs to the nearest hospital.

At the hospital, the doctor tells ZS that she has a large intestine infection. ZS smartly inquires about the origin and its implications because... he's a genius! The doctor compliments him about his knowledge and then he gets hit on by a bunch of cougar nurses. When XQ wakes up, her father and ZS's mom are by her side at the hospital. They are telling her about how she is not that sick and can go home tonight when ZS walks in, giving himself (because his mom and XQ's dad are there) and his mom (at this time, he should still be in the exam, but clearly he is not, as he is in the hospital) a shock! ZS only explains not taking the exam by the fact that he was hungry so he went to get some food.
Sidenote: This all makes you wonder... how much does ZS care about XQ if he was coming back to XQ's room at the hospital, not because he had to, but because he wanted to?

ZS's mom and XQ's dad urge ZS to go back and take the exam. Hearing this, XQ begins to cry because she realizes that this is all her fault. Later that night, there is a tense situation in the Jiang household because ZS did not take the exam. XQ's dad then enters, apologizing profusely at ZS's dad's feet for XQ's terrible act that caused ZS to miss the exam. However, ZS's dad admits that ZS never really wanted to go to Tai Da and this event has only been an excuse to not take the exam.

After nightfall, XQ makes up her mind to leave the house, packing up all her stuff and running away. Being her clumsy self, she drops things everywhere, making a giant racket. She tries to leave a note, but then drops a figurine, breaking it. -____- At all this, ZS emerges from the darkness, still awake. He watches her for a while:

As she is leaving, he suddenly speaks out, asking if she needs help. He then tells her if she wants to try running away again, to not wake up the whole world with noise. She tells him not to stop her. He asks, "Looks like you've forgotten about Uncle Cai...? You're going to abandon your father now?" She tries to come up with an answer, but then he says "Idiot! Just because I didn't take the exam, you're going to run away?" hehe

After realizing what she is doing, XQ explains how she feels bad about always causing ZS trouble and putting him through chaos. At this, ZS counters that missing the exam was not all her fault and that after he took her to the hospital, he could not find a reason to justify to himself about taking the exam.

Then ZS says "To be honest, ever since you came to my house, my life has been affected by the unpredictable. Unanticipated/unexpected situations seem to have increased. This is different than before. It's actually quite amusing. [secret smile]. So that's why I think if we continue on like this (living together), its not so bad." *giggles* he wants her to stay!!

The drama cuts to the end of vacations and the first day of college! ZS's mom has picked out two "perfect" outfits for XQ:

When she comes down wearing the pink suit, YS only has one reaction: she looks an elevator lady. To ZS's mom's disappointment, he is not wearing the PINK SUIT she picked out for him. Matching couple outfits, lol. Off to the first day of college!

~ End of Episode 8 ~

Monday, July 4, 2011

Recap - ISWAK (Ep. 7)

Ep. 7 starts off at Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu's graduation ceremony from high school. Xiang Qin is about to start walking up to the stage and wants Ah Jin wants to walk up with XQ. He can only fantasize about how this would be similar to his "future wedding" to XQ. He imagines the entire wedding, with him in a white suit, XQ in a wedding dress and the principal officiating the wedding. And of course, ZS in the first pew, going crazy like a ferocious animal, growling for his beloved XQ, who AJ is stealing away.

After the minister asks whether AJ will take XQ to be his wife, he says "I do"... OUT LOUD IN REAL LIFE! So there is the principal and XQ are left feeling awkward and embarrassed while the whole audience is laughing at AJ.
On this though, AJ leaps onto the stage and grabs the microphone to set ZS straight saying:

AJ
to ZS:
Jiang Zhi Shu! What are you doing? Don't assume that because you live with XQ that you can win her heart! I will not give up! ... I'm going into the real world! My accomplishments will surpass yours! [leaps off stage and runs to ZQ]

AJ
to XQ:
I promise you, I'll give you the greatest happiness of your life!

AJ
to class:
Do you feel touched, like me, by my decision? And do you want to give me a round of applause?

Class to AJ: hahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

[at this moment, ZS's mom (M) jumps into the conversation and stands up]

M to AJ: No Ah Jin! Dream on!! No way [that you will be with XQ]!!

At this point, AJ knocks over XQ's scrolls, the principal grabs back the microphone and the ceremony proceeds. Once everything is over, it is time to receive/give way second buttons! Everyone is crowding around ZS for his button. ZQ eventually enters the line for the button as well but ZS's mom urges her to forward and grab it! Then comes Ah Jin, who has been saving his "exclusively reserved" and highly sought after button for XQ. But XQ just runs away. In the end, ZS still has his button and AJ never gave his to XQ either.

At the party afterwards, AJ is just drinking beer daydreaming romantic thoughts about XQ. He decides to woo XQ with his karaoke skills. Here enters a prolonged dream (AJ's dream) sequence where XQ and AJ sing together and she finally realizes that she loves AJ (yeah right...) They begin the real life karaoke, and then class A comes to the same place! They go inside to have their own party, while class F is sitting at the outdoor table. XQ, embarrassed when ZS enters, stops singing with AJ and sits down.

The Class F teacher then begins a speech, telling the kids to be happy because they all managed to graduate and because this may be the last time that they are all together. He also tells them that he will miss them, as they have developed a close bond over the 3 years they were together.
--In cuts the class A teacher with her speech--"First of all I want to congratulate everyone for getting wonderful grades these three years, and now you all have successfully graduated... I believe your futures will also be limitless". She knows that the class F students can hear her speech.

As the two teachers are giving their speeches, interrupting one another in a quasi-debate, they look back and one another with angry eyes. They are sort of fighting through their speeches. A paraphrased summary of their argument:

click on the image to to view larger and better quality

At the allegation that ZS could collapse because of his hard work teaching class F, he says that teaching "these guys" is really easy and that he will not collapse. Here enters XQ, who becomes furious at the statement "these guys". She feels that ZS and class A are always evaluating people according to their brain and that they don't respect people who may not be as smart. Next, ZS makes a reference to how she is in love with him, and she begins to verbally abuse him, calling him "cold-blooded", "merciless", "bad-hearted" and "monster".

At this, rumors again begin to swirl about her failed love letter attempt and how she has courage to speak to him like that since she likes him. They also talk about her massage tool she fave him and how she treated him "like an old man". One girl even remarks that she would be scared to go to school again if she was XQ. AJ steps in and tells Class A to stop laughing at XQ and gestures to his friends to leave. Meanwhile, ZS has been sticking his face in XQ's, invading her personal space as always, and is now showing a peace (victory?) sign and smiling obnoxiously.

Xiang QIn, who is fuming by now, runs into the building and whips out ZS's worst nightmare, pictures of him as a little boy, dressed as a girl. The entire class A begins an uproar, while ZS is fighting to grab the pictures away from XQ. He finally gets to them, then grabs XQ's wrist and drags her out of the building. He drags her quite far away then:
ZS: Good job. I can't believe you carry these pictures around with you!

XQ: Anyway, I don't care anymore. The fact that I like you... everyone treats it as a joke. Fine, I've decided that starting today I'll forget about you! Forget everything about you!

ZS: [breathing hard and seems angry, then strides up to XQ, standing very close] You're good aren't you. Do you have the guts to forget everything about me?

XQ: Yes I do! Anyway, I've already seen everything about you! As soon as I get to university, I'll find someone a hundred times better than you! No, make that ten thousand times better!

ZS: Go look for him then!

XQ: Of course I will--

Then this happens:

**THEY KISS!!!!!!!!!** <3 <3
Well, more accurately, he kisses her. She is in shock and never even gets to close her eyes. And not just a peck either... a full on kiss! Afterwards, he looks into her eyes, seemingly searching to read her thoughts. They actually look into each others eyes for quite a long time. Then finally, ZS, realizing, looks away. After this, they refuse to make eye contact. Then ZS sticks out his tongue like "ha!" and walks away, leaving XQ completely confused and still in shock. There is a lot of debate surrounding why ZS would have done such a thing. Take your own view!

When XQ returns to the party, she finds her classmates singing a song together, but XQ can only remember the kiss. The next morning at breakfast, ZS has gone out with friends, and XQ is trying to analyze the situation and understand why ZS kissed her. Yu Shu leaves for school, but XQ notices that he left his drawing book. Eager to get out of the house, she leaps at the opportunity and offers to take the book to him.

At YS's school, she observes him playing ball and seems to notice that he likes a girl. YS is only annoyed at her bugging him about the girl and keeps trying to push her away, but does not make a significant effort like he did before (maybe he is warming up to her? hmmm...) After inquiring about the girl, XQ finds out that YS's crush is considered to be the prettiest girl in the class.

Embarrasingly, she tries to introduce the young "lovers" by listing off YS's stats, his height, weight, and inviting her over to do homework. Eventually, she convinces the girl to come over in the idea that XQ will show her a 5566 photobook. On the walk home, XQ makes tries make conversation with the girl and then pretends that she has to tie her shoelace, letting the two go ahead alone. YS awkwardly tries flirting with her on the way home.

When they get home, XQ signals to ZS's mom that they are a match and they giggle together at YS's ambitions since the girl is so tall and the prettiest girl in school. When sitting in YS+ZS's room, YS again tries to "woo" her with this hilarious dialogue:

YS: What celebrities do you like?

Girl: Me? Umm.. I like Sun Shie Zi (a guy from 5566).

YS: Me too! (in reality he doesn't even know who that guy is)
................
YS: Someone in our class said I look like Sun Shie Zi. What do you think?

Girl: You don't. (in her head: -____- you're weird)

YS: Really?

Girl: Yeah, you don't look at all alike.

YS: But I think I do.

Girl: o___O (in her head: -____- you're reallyy weird)
ZS+YS's mom brings them cookies and of course... takes a picture! lol ZS comes home and goes up to his bedroom and sees YS with his crush. YS introduces them... and as luck would have it, the girl becomes smitten... not with Yu Shu, but with ZHI SHU!!

A couple days later, she even comes back with presents for him. The crazy girl even runs into their house, up the stairs without permission and confesses her love saying "I liked you from the first moment I saw you. You're the prince of my dreams. You don't have to give me an answer now. You can tell me later. I don't want to know right away either. I'll be going now. Bye!..... [as she is going out the door] Wait for me to grow up!" And Poor YS! He was standing in the doorway, and heard the whole thing! And what does the girl say to him? "See you, YS!" :'(


YS, crushed, runs away. After looking almost everywhere, XQ finds him hiding under the stairs. She tries to comfort him, but he won't have any of it, hitting and kicking her repeatedly. Eventually, she starts crying and says "Actually...I'm just like you. I know how you feel. Because we both like someone who doesn't like us back. This feeling is really..... really unbearable. Then it is YS's turn to try to comfort her.

The night before ZS's university entrance exam to Tai Da, they go to ZS's dad's restaurant. XQ drinks too much gets drunk...

~ End of Episode 7 ~

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Recap- ISWAK (Ep. 6)

Episode 6 starts out with XQ and her two best friends studying for the exam. They go to ZS's room to ask him how to solve one question but appear to be only delivering snacks and coffee. The angry little Yu Shu pops out of the closet saying that they don't need any of it! Her friends insist and finally XQ agrees to ask. The cold ZS, after saying 'NO' so many times finally agrees. It only takes him 2 seconds to do the entire thing! The two friends finish copying the question, and … guess what? they have no clue how to do the next one! So back and forth, back and forth, they ask ZS, until they’ve asked him for every question and finished the entire thing!

The next day, the whole class crowds around the three girls as they explain a simple question with a 'smart-alec' tone. The class is WOW-ed by them and they reveal that it was because ZS helped them. So, they pressure XQ into asking ZS to tutor all of them too. At this moment, Ah Jin whips out his "employment plan" and explains confidently how he's not attending any university, rather entering the society before the rest of them and provide XQ with a lovely home. Then he whips out his "love plan" with XQ.

That day afterschool, we see the entire class at ZS's house (including the F-class teacher!!!). They all welcome ZS home and ask him to teach them the homework. The mom (lol) prevents him from escaping and pleads him to help her. The entire class follows him up the stairs begging for his help. The scene then cuts to AJ on his bike with his friend asking where everyone else is (at ZS's) and his friend, also a student from F-class, escapes to ZS's study class. We see all the students (and the teacher) crowded in ZS's room, taking notes as he does the problems on his window ('white board').

Secretly just outside his room, his parents have a little talk:

M: ZS's Mom

D: ZS's Dad

M: Dad, have you realized ever since ZS met XQ the whole feeling about him is different!

D: Hmm, now that you mention it, I feel that too!

(Mom nods in agreement)

D: ZS is being manipulated by XQ which is pretty funny!

(Both laugh mischieviously)

M: I said so! XQ is just like the best gift fallen from the sky to ZS!

Later that night, the F class and teacher bows with thanks to the Jiang family, 'Stray Kitten' (XQ) and Saviour' (ZS). XQ brings ZS some oatmeal to help him sleep and apologizes for making him so tired. At this moment, there is a true heart-to-heart talk between XQ and ZS!

ZS: Why can you guys [F-class] be so persistent on one thing?

XQ: What do you mean?

ZS: I don't get it...why is it that all of you are working so hard to get into university?

XQ: You're so smart, of course you don't understand. Universities seem to be designed for smart people like you. But although the people from F class are stupid, their grades stuck, each person still has their dreams and goals. For the sake of their own future, of course they'll have to work harder.

ZS:In reality, I don't even want to go to university. I don't need other to teach me, I can learn on my own...

...

[XQ explains her dreams of helping her father at the restaurant and says that ZS should contribute to society with his genius-ness]

....Link

XQ: If there are expectations then there are motivations. Haven't you ever worked hard for something you really want?

ZS: No...I'm really envious, I want to experience that feeling too...

From this dialogue, we realize ZS's inner emotions of never having a goal to achieve in his life since everything comes so easily to him because of his smart-ness. It's significant in that at this point, XQ is the only person ZS has shared that thought with about not going to university. She thinks, I seem to have spotted your [ZS's] soul.

On the day of the exam, the F-class is furiously writing the answers to the test and are not cheating at all, like they would normally do. The A-class teacher who is grading the F-class' tests is so shocked that the students are actually getting a lot correct. She asks of they cheated, but the F-class confirms that the answers are different for each one of them so it was the result of their hard work. In class, he says that their tests were unexpectedly good! But LOL, everyone passed except for Ah Jin... because he didn't go to ZS's study session!

On the track field, XQ's friends ask her to buy something for ZS for a thank you gift. She realizes that she doesn't even know what he likes/needs and what to give him... and then she realizes what he needs! We see her looking through the store and picks up a fatigue reliever, but they're so expensive...

As ZS walks home with his friend, he sees XQ working diligently at a street vendor as a waitress. ZS thinks, working so hard for so little money. is it worth it? fool. all the money will be used to buy useless things.

The next day back from school, ZS opens his door to his room, everyone from F-class is there thanking him for his help on the exam. His cold nature kicks in and does not seem appreciative at all. While XQ gives him the fatigue reliever, other people start asking 'isn't that for old people?'... The mom then looks at it and asks "isn't really expensive?" XQ says she worked for a week part-time to earn enough money and right now, ZS realizes her hard work and feels almost shocked that it was all for him. The mom quickly gets the camera! The entire class surrounds ZS and XQ for the picture, yet the mom only takes a picture of ZS and XQ!!! ZS and XQ lean against each other and his arm is around her shoulder, so cute!

Graduation day!!! In the morning, ZS's mom makes sure he is looking his best and especially polishes his second button, telling him that he must give it to XQ and no other girl! And takes a picture! XQ comes around, and the mom tells her that she must not accept anyone else's button but ZS's. In the auditorium, as the principle is talking, everyone is talking about ZS's second button and how he hasn't given it to anyone yet! Then ZS, the valedictorian, makes his statement. As XQ is daydreaming, she realizes that she needs to go up to get her diploma and becomes a nervous wreck. AJ being XQ's future husband, stretches his hand out to her so they could walk together down the aisle to the stage.

~End of Episode 6~

Recap - It Started With A Kiss (Ep. 5)

Episode 5 starts out with a basketball game on the streets court and of course, Zhi Shu dunks the ball. It is the last day of vacation! And ZS is having a great time playing with his friends the entire day. On the other hand, Xiang Qin (XQ) is sadly being tortured by the vacation homework with a piece of cloth wrapped around her head and a pencil in her mouth. She starts day-dreaming about Nobita having Doraemon to depend on, and compares it to her sad self. =(

Suddenly, she realizes she has her own Doraemon… ZHISHU. And creeps to his room to ‘borrow’ his homework, telling herself its not a crime. We see a dark room and a suspicious figure bumping into objects and talking to herself LOL! She turns on a lamp and points it towards ZS to see if he’s already asleep and confirms it. Yes! she thinks.

She crawls around some more, searching for his homework book and finds “Pig head Xiang Qin Observation Diary,” obviously Yu Shu’s (ZS’s little brother). And HAHAHA, each page is filled with a cartoon image of XQ with fangs, pig ears, cuckoo eyes, etc. XQ is kinda dumbfounded that YS would do this everyday. She attempts to correct the ugly images of her with White-Out and re-colors it. Plus writes “Super Beauty” on the side! HEHEHE… At this moment, we see that ZS is already awake from XQ’s loud movements.

XQ shines her flashlight around the room and ah-hah! sees ZS’s backpack. She sifts through it for his math homework book with the flashlight in her mouth. All of a sudden, ZS grabs her wrist and wrestles her down onto the bed while asking her, “what are you doing in my room in the middle of the night? Oh I know, you want to assault me!” He’s on top of her and his face is really close! He says that she can scream all she wants, because they are the only ones home! JHe keeps on scaring XQ and making her feel uncomfortable, causing her to say “No…No… we should healthily date first.” Naturally, ZS laughs and confesses that it was all a joke and says that he has no intentions of dating her.

She gets mad and leaves the math homework book. She firmly states that she does not want it!. ZS keeps on teasing her with it until she snaps and screams at him. He gets mad too and tells her to leave. She says one last line and slams the door in his face. I think, at this moment, ZS realizes that he was being too much…

Back in her room, XQ is venting her anger and throwing stuffed animals. She gives up on the homework and goes to bed. But wait, she realizes that she can’t sleep without getting the homework down. I wish there was a machine that could stop time. as she wobbles down the stairs to get a drink of water.

On the kitchen table, is a beautiful and holy set up with the math book at the center on a stand surrounded by cute figures and musical horses. Angelic music from the heavens is playing in the background… XQ is struck with the realization that she also has Doraemon to help her. On the math book, is a note that says “you are welcome to use me.”

ZS comes out from behind and XQ, being her stupid self, asks why he’s there. He says he’s fishing and she totally does not understand him. When in actuality:

Fish = herself

Bait = math book

Fisherman = ZS

He tells her that he will be nice till the end and help her with math, but in a really ‘double-meaning’ way that confuses XQ by saying “Why don’t we…[picks up her hand and leans in]…end this swiftly and quickly.” and pulls her upstairs. When she struggles, he picks her up and carries her. She’s so scared she even screams for her mom! (hahahahahahaha)

Back in her room, we see ZS saying all the work for the math problems as she writes them down. She feels really happy that ZS spent the last night of vacation with her to do the homework.

The next day, the teacher announces that XQ is the only one who did her homework! The teacher then passes out the college entrance registration forms. XQ realizes that she will not always be at the same school as ZS since he will be at the top university. Ah Jin intrudes this moment by shoving his plan in from of XQ. It consists of the following:

  1. date XQ
  2. marry XQ and have 2 kids
  3. be with him in his 'love nest'

On the way home, XQ tries to figure out which college ZS is going to. Yet, she finds out that he doesn’t want to go to the prestigious Tai Da… why?...XQ quickly makes the conclusion that it was because of her! But he says that no matter what road he takes, she will never be able to catch up. XQ misinterprets it and starts running to keep up with him.

That night, when she go gets some water with her mug, she sees ZS making coffee and joins him. Next thing we know, she falls asleep and wakes up with ZS no where to be seen.The scene then cuts to ZS on the stairs secretly listening in onto the parent’s plan of their dream house that includes ZS and XQ’s newly wed bedroom and baby’s room. ZS and XQ intrude on them and ZS gets really mad that the parents are deciding his future for him.

At school the next morning, the F-class teacher is pressured by the principle that if none of the students in his class are able to pass the graduation exam, then he will be fired. Back in class, we learn that the second button is given to your love on graduation day. The teacher gives the class confidence that they are able to pass the test and attend graduation.

That evening, we see XQ and her two best friends have pillow fights in XQ’s room when they’re supposed to be studying for the exam. When they finally start the homework, they get stuck and force XQ to ask ZS.

~End of Episode 5~