REVIEW: ‘Crash Course in Romance,’ Episodes 7 & 8

The last episode of Crash Course in Romance left us wondering whether or not the jig was up for Nam Haeng-seon (Jeon Do-yeon) and Choi Chiy-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho) after Jo Su-hee (Kim Sun-Young) followed Chiy-yeol from the academy. Thankfully, Crash Course in Romance Episodes 7 & 8 reveal that there will be no more smooth sailing for the duo. Once you cross the ones with the power and the money, they’ll do anything in their power to crush those they have deemed no-good without realizing that they are actually not the ones to blame. Projection is the destroyer of many, after all.

Crash Course in Romance Episodes 7 & 8 slow things down a bit as the series prepares itself for its second half. That doesn’t mean that it’s not good. Episodes 7 & 8 develop the relationship between Haeng-seon and Chiy-yeol significantly and answer the question behind their natural connection, which all links back to Haeng-seon’s mom’s kindness towards a younger Chiy-yeol. The development of their relationship is explored through Chiy-yeol’s sudden panic over finding Haeng-seon attractive to, Haeng-seon’s jealousy of Chiy-yeol dating, and more. Regardless of criticism of the series, the natural build-up of this core relationship has been rewarding. It hasn’t felt forced, which is refreshing, and Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho make the experience of watching their characters special.

While episodes 7 & 8 focus primarily on Haeng-seon and Chiy-yeol, that hasn’t stopped the mystery plot from moving forward. There is more focus on Seon-jae’s older brother as the suspect behind the BB ball attacks. No one can blame the viewer or Seon-jae’s mother, Jang Seo-jin (Jang Young-nam), for assuming that he’s the culprit after sneaking into his room to discover collected metal balls. There has also been foreshadowing that can be connected to the older brother based on the background we’ve gotten on the stress he was under before becoming a recluse. The suspicion is amplified by end of Episode 8 when Seo-jin tracks her eldest son at the apartment of the next victim.

Knowing how these storylines work, the obviousness of the culprit immediately reads false. There has to be another character that must be the one behind these attacks. Given that no one knows the whereabouts of the younger brother linked with the old suicide case Chiy-yeol was linked to years prior, my guess is that he may be the one to point a finger at. If I’m wrong, I’ll hurt myself with dairy as penance.

A growing source of frustration that highlights the success of the writers and actors involved is the plotline surrounding Jo Su-hee and Su-ah (Kang Na-Eon). Su-ah has to be on top. That’s where she derives her worth. Nam Hae-yi (Roh Yoon-seo) ‘s continued success has brought out her nastier side. This internalized pressure and envy spew out even more in these two episodes when she fails to come into first place in the September mock-up. Her drive to succeed leads her to neglect her body, driving her to the hospital, but also leads to her obsessively focusing on why Hae-yi is succeeding.

Her mother is no different. However, she is less obvious in her insidiousness. From following Chiy-yeol to reaching out to parents to control their kids to hiring a private detective in order to ensure her daughter’s success and “fairness,” she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Ironically, all of these problems afflicting Su-hee and Su-ah likely would not have happened had Su-hee not gone around to get Hae-yi kicked out of the special program a few episodes ago.

With Crash Course in Romance Episode 8 ending with Su-hee and the other mothers confronting Haeng-seon and Chiy-yeol and the preview shown at the end of the episode, things are going to get ugly. This is going to lead us into an explosive second half of the season. Through these trials hopefully, this will continue to strengthen the relationship between Haeng-seon and Chiy-yeol. Realistically, their relationship will likely hit a low point as Hae-yi gets dragged into the middle by everyone.

Crash Course in Romance Episodes 7-8 are now available on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Saturdays and Sundays.