Getting Closer Slowly, Little by Little

Dare to Love Me Episode 4 arises with a hungover Yoon-bok recalling the night before where he was unbearably rude to his teacher, yet he smiles thinking of her running to him.

Hong-do gets ready for their date but when she arrives, he’s forgotten all about it. Quickly getting ready, they’re soon off for a day of fun starting in a games room, sauna then a mountainous lunch, topped off by ice cream near the river as the sun sets. He’s happy to have tried new things with her and they finally exchange numbers, agreeing to call anytime the other needs cheering.

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Having seen his father’s ornament in the photo of stolen goods, Yoon-bok checks his father’s death records, wondering if it was foul play rather than a fire. He’s discouraged to hear the records are inconclusive based on the state of the body. He checks with the fire company as well, also getting no answers.

Finally, they get a tip on stolen goods. The culprit tries to run but is caught by Yoon-bok and suggests that Seongsan Hall could be involved. Yoon-bok asks for them to place someone under cover in the restaurant.

Camille sends Hong-do on a delivery to Shin Soo Geun at Seongsan Village, even though getting into the closed area is difficult. It’s a great excuse to contact Yoon-bok but he’s out of service.

Through the mail, Jun-ho receives a message from the person who sponsored him from the age of 15. He visits his mother and when Yoon-bok shows up they have an uncomfortable word about Yoon-bok gifting ‘lowly’ people like Jun-ho’s mother.

Jun-ho encourages his mother to work outside the village like him, rather than be treated as a servant. But she scoffs as he’s never even met his sponsor. The old man she’s caring for sneaks around, observing.

Hong-do buys a ticket to visit Seongsan Village, trying to sneak in the private inner fortress. But she can’t get past the guard despite trying several ruses. Luckily, Yoon-bok appears and vouches for her.

As Yoon-bok tours her around, ladies of the village are astounded to see him with a young lady from outside. Lady Se-Ryeong, whom everyone presumes Yoon-bok will marry, wants to know if she’s pretty. They gossip on whether he’s introducing her as someone special at today’s event.

After being dressed properly, Hong-do is ready to meet Yoon-bok’s grandfather. With a twinkle, Yoon-bok is mesmerized by her transformation. Upon receiving the gift, it’s obvious Grandfather knows Camille. He invites Hong-do to stay for the event and speak afterwards.

As soon as they leave to get ready, Grandfather rushes to open the bag. He recalls a visit to Paris where he met a younger Camille, both flirting. When they broke up, he’d given her a token to use to contact him – the item in the bag today.

Yoon-bok leaves Hong-do to explore as he gets ready for the memorial. She joins the women in preparations where Se-Ryeong asks about her relationship with Yoon-bok, surprised she doesn’t realize the memorial is for Yoon-bok’s father.

Yoon-ah investigates a suspect from 17 years ago, Kim Chil-bok. And between jobs, receives a link to Hong-hak’s web series – the reason he wanted to know her name – which has now been cancelled. His sadness is eliminated upon receiving a reply with her name.

As the elders depart the service, Se-Ryeong’s father exposes to Grandfather that his daughter has always wanted to marry Yoon-bok. Out stargazing, Hong-do overhears Yoon-bok talk with Grandfather about Se-Ryeong and getting married at some point. But Yoon-bok wants to take care of it himself.

Walking home at a snail’s pace, Hong-do tries to ask if Yoon-bok likes someone but can’t get the words out. At the building, a young woman with a suitcase is waiting for him.

Today’s flashback is Yoon-bok’s side of overhearing Hong-do getting thrown out and running to her rescue.

The Episode Review

Little by little, as the title says, Yoon-bok settles his way into Hong-do’s heart and she (secretly) in his. Yet outwardly, he’s still treating her as an exalted person. While it’s convenient in getting her work done – or getting her in to tough venues – less so in solving where her feelings are going. Interesting this woman who appears at the end of the episode. Think it could be his sister? The person who called in Episode 3? Or some mystery woman from his past? 

Meanwhile, on the mystery side, Yoon-ah investigates Kim Chil-bok. It feels pretty obvious that he’s the old man Yoon-bok is having harbored in the village. Maybe there will be some further mystery to it to give us an added twist. Or am I missing another clue?

More questions than answers in this installment. We’ve got 12 more episodes so plenty of time for things to shake out. What are your theories?

Fallen for Yoon-bok yet? Let us know in the comments below. 

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