Chan Gives Ha-ran Some Homework
Episode 5 of In Your Radiant Season picks back up with Ha-ran asking Chan what he meant when he told his grandmother that he shouldn't like her. Chan explains it away by saying that he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. On the way to the villa in Gyeongju, they stop by a beautiful bridge and take in the view. Ha-ran confesses that she lost her parents on the day of the first snowfall and doesn't like those days much. She then asks about his mother but he changes the topic quickly.
They reach the villa where Chan introduces Ha-ran to the rest of the animation team. In the morning, the rest of Ha-ran's team arrives as well and they get to work. They go sightseeing in the village of Yangdong. While Ha-ran wonders about Chan's past, a flashback shows how Chan left South Korea and went to Florence for a while. There, he decided he wanted to pursue drawing.
While having lunch, Chan takes the eggplant from Ha-ran's plate, calling it "neon aliens." After some time, Ha-ran points out that she never told him she thinks of them as neon aliens but dismisses it as a memory lapse on her part. Close call for Chan! Still at the beach, Ha-ran sees a plane's vapour trail in the sky and talks about the day she went to the US. This triggers some of Chan's memories but he isn't able to make much of it.
Back in Seoul, we see that Na-na had to quickly change her outfit because she had a fall. Of course, she hides this from Ha-young and the others. Meanwhile, Ha-dam sees You-gyum leaving a jewellery shop and assumes he's bought couple rings for them. The truth is, he's bought a necklace with an SOS phone number for Na-na to wear, just in case. At school, Ha-dam's friend suggests that You-gyum bought something for So-ra.
After work, Na-na meets Mr. Park, who shows her an LP of La Vie en Rose which he bought for her years ago in Chuncheon. However, by then, Na-na was already on a flight to Paris (using the tuition money meant for medical school).
In Gyeongju, Chan and the team are about to head back. Ha-ran forgets her scarf and goes back into the woods to look for it. Chan follows and they soon get caught up in a burst of rainfall, taking shelter till it stops. Ha-ran admits she's curious about Chan's past but he tells her he wants to keep that part of him a secret.
That night, the team hosts a barbecue on the beach and Ha-ran even has a few drinks. Chan begins to wonder if he should tell Ha-ran the truth. She continues to pour her heart out to him about her relationship and thanks Chan for his friendship. Chan then plays a quick game with her. If she wins, he agrees to tell her the truth. She wins — but passes out before he can say anything. Turns out, Ha-ran's quite the lightweight.
That evening, a piece of Chan's memories returns. A flashback shows Hyeok-chan's hand getting injured. Further, the jingling sound Chan heard was a woman's bracelet. Hyeok-chan was cheating on Ha-ran with a woman named Su-jin. At present, Chan wakes up and is upset when he realizes how much more hurt awaits Ha-ran.
In the morning, he takes Ha-ran out for a walk. She recalls the game but tells Chan he doesn't have to tell her about his past if he doesn't want to. He does talk about the person who helped him heal, saying she broadened his world. He says he's decided not to bring up old wounds to protect that person's happiness.
Back home, Ha-young realizes that Tae-suk had taken out the green onions for her when they were eating tteokbokki. But she brushes it off when she learns that Yeon Tae-suk also provides his grandmother with vitamins and sister with tonic.
Soon, Ha-ran and her team get ready to go back to Seoul. Chan shows her an iridescent cloud, saying it helps him get excited for the future. As opposed to vapour trails, which only symbolize things that have already passed. As homework, he gives her a film camera and tells her to click a photo of something nice every day till he returns to Seoul.
When they're back at the office, everyone is surprised when Ha-ran brings coffee for everyone and chats with them. In the lift, Ha-young comes across Tae-suk, who offers her a sweet and sour candy. A flashback shows Tae-suk as a young student, meeting Ha-young at the atelier right before his interview with Na-na. She gives him a sweet and sour candy to boost his spirits.
At present, Ha-dam speaks to You-gyum and dismisses her suspicions about So-ra. However, we see So-ra calling You-gyum's phone after she leaves.
Meanwhile, Ha-ran continues to experience a creative block with her work. Chan sends her a picture of the iridescent cloud which sparks an idea. She draws up an outfit for Won, now featuring mother-of-pearl colours, similar to the cloud. Na-na is quite happy with the result. Elsewhere, Na-na gets another visit from You-gyum. In addition to the necklace, he gives her a health drink and inquires about the bruise on her leg.
Chan, still in Gyeongju, calls Ha-ran and tells her he's making a reservation at a pizza place for them to have the next full moon. Over the next few days, they text each other and Ha-ran takes pictures of things that make her smile. She confesses to Mr. Park that she's found the part of herself that used to find joy in the smaller things.
On the day of their pizza date, Chan decides to drive back to Seoul himself but on the way, a truck swerves by his car. In Seoul, Na-na calls Ha-ran and says she wants her to take over the business. She plans on retiring soon and going to France.
After the meeting, Ha-ran sees missed calls from Chan and panics. She goes to the coffee shop where Mr. Park tells her that Chan had to suddenly return to the US. Ha-ran is incredibly disappointed, even more so when she gets her film developed and sees that Chan had taken photos of her laughing during the trip. A final shot shows a picture of himself smiling at the camera.
The Episode Review
Episode 5 continues to offer a dreamy and sentimental story, with bits of romance, heartfelt conversations, and plenty of emotions all around. These are accompanied by some plot twists that add some intrigue and plenty of questions to keep us going. The visuals are gorgeous and the soundtrack, as usual, complements the emotions.
Lee Sung-kyung offers a convincing portrayal of Ha-ran's change, even though it feels fast-tracked. She was only just starting to smile again in Episode 4 and all the smiling, laughing, and partaking in games and drinking in this episode — while executed well — comes across as a bit of a jump. A slower trajectory of her healing might have made a smoother, more compelling watch, considering that Ha-ran's journey is the drama's core. It would also have helped to know just how long it's been since Chan and Ha-ran's free trial began.
As for Chan, it's refreshing to see him already considering telling Ha-ran the truth, while other dramas might have left this for much later. Of course, his new memories add another twist to the story and to his moral dilemma as well. While his decision to not tell Ha-ran makes sense, we know full well that things are not that easy.
On the whole, the series continues to highlight emotions and sentiments and wrap it all in dreamy visuals, much like the iridescent cloud that Chan and Ha-ran see. It's all very charming and little details add to this effect, such as the amusing conversation about what to eat during the different phases of the moon and the homework Chan gives Ha-ran. While the flower metaphor remains a bit heavy-handed, it's hard not to feel affectionate towards this unabashedly affectionate show.
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