SBS new Wed-Thu drama ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’
‘Should Not Have Kissed!’ Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin are playing push and pull with viewers through a love that only the two of them do not realize.
On December 4, according to ratings agency Nielsen Korea, episode 7 of the SBS Wed-Thu drama ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’ (written by Ha Yoon-a, Tae Kyung-min/ directed by Kim Jae-hyun, Kim Hyun-woo/ produced by Studio S, Samhwa Networks), which aired on December 3, recorded a 5.5% rating in the metropolitan area, firmly maintaining the No. 1 spot among weekday dramas across all channels. The minute peak rose to 6.9%. In addition, the 2049 rating reached 2%, with a momentary high of 2.77%, ranking first among all programs aired on Wednesday. The continued run at No. 1 in the key 2049 metric confirms the strong popularity and buzz of ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’
In the broadcast that day, Gong Ji-hyeok (played by Jang Ki-yong) awakened to his feelings for Go Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin), suffering the fever of yearning love. Go Da-rim also thought of Gong Ji-hyeok all along but could not bring herself to approach. It was an episode where only the two did not know each other’s love, leaving viewers hearts aching with tenderness.
Earlier, Gong Ji-hyeok carried the collapsed Go Da-rim on his back and ran to the ER. At that moment, Go Da-rim’s phone rang. The caller was Kim Sun-woo (Kim Moo-joon), who mistakenly believes that Gong Ji-hyeok is Go Da-rim’s husband. After turning off the call, Gong Ji-hyeok looked at the sleeping Go Da-rim and repeated in his heart, “I wish I were the only one by your side. I think I must be crazy.” He recognized the feelings he had tried to deny by insisting, “Because we are teammates.”
After moving Go Da-rim to a private room, Gong Ji-hyeok stayed by her side all night. Even their waking moments failed to align; each gazed tenderly at the other while asleep yet could not take a step closer. The deepening love they felt for each other was drawn with poignancy and beauty, pulling viewers deeper into the story.
Meanwhile, on the day Natural Bebe’s tree-planting campaign was held, the Mother TF Team turned out in full force. Gong Ji-hyeok and Go Da-rim worked together as team leader and member, and without realizing it, took meticulous care of each other. Then Bae Nan-suk (Park Ji-a) of the Mother TF Team reported that her son had gone missing in the rain. During the search, Go Da-rim tumbled down a mountainside and became stranded.
The child returned safely, but upon hearing that Go Da-rim had disappeared, Gong Ji-hyeok dashed into the mountains through the driving rain. Finding her collapsed, he took shelter with her in a nearby cave. Gong Ji-hyeok held the shivering Go Da-rim tightly. After some time passed, Gong Ji-hyeok began to look unwell. Startled, Go Da-rim said, “I am sorry because of me,” and worried over him. At that moment, Gong Ji-hyeok gripped Go Da-rim’s hand tightly.
In an instant, a subtle tension surged around them. Gong Ji-hyeok confided to Go Da-rim, “I am not a good person. I waver too.” Just as they drew close as if about to kiss, a voice calling Go Da-rim was heard from afar: it was Kim Sun-woo. Even in front of Kim Sun-woo, Gong Ji-hyeok pulled Go Da-rim by the hand. But as more people arrived, he ultimately had to let go of her hand.
This made their feelings even more complicated. Having watched his mother struggle all her life because of his father’s affair, Gong Ji-hyeok resented himself for being drawn to the married Go Da-rim. While Gong Ji-hyeok burned with the fever of love, Go Da-rim, worried about him, came to see him. Gong Ji-hyeok coldly pushed her away: “Does your husband know you came here? Do not cross the line.” Go Da-rim had to turn away, holding back the tears that welled up.
In the end, Gong Ji-hyeok made a big decision: he declared he would marry Yoo Ha-young (Woo Da-bi) quickly. Mistakenly believing that Yoo Ha-young and Kim Sun-woo are having an affair, Gong Ji-hyeok hoped that by marrying Yoo Ha-young, Go Da-rim would no longer waver or suffer. Episode 7 of ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’ ended with Gong Ji-hyeok’s firm resolve to abandon his own happiness to protect the one he loves. It was a painful ending even for viewers who know his love well.
In episode 7 of ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’, the love in Gong Ji-hyeok and Go Da-rim’s hearts for each other grew ever more uncontrollably. Yet only the two of them do not realize how much they like each other. Meanwhile, not only Kim Sun-woo and Yoo Ha-young, who are entangled with them in a love square, but even viewers, all know about the pair’s love. Viewers are waiting in longing for the two to clear up the misunderstandings soon and to love each other freely and sweetly.
Actors Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin expressed the deepened emotional arcs of Gong Ji-hyeok and Go Da-rim with broader yet delicate performances, guiding viewers into empathy. In particular, the thrilling, tingling tension that soars whenever they are alone together made the heartache romance of the two leads even more poignant. Episode 8 of the SBS Wed-Thu drama ‘Should Not Have Kissed!’ airs at 9 p.m. tonight, Thursday, December 4.
