Ever since the series started, we’ve been constantly seeing flashforwards that make a lot of sense. In this episode, we not only see Pi-o and Jeong-yo’s past, which has developed well, but we also see some flash-forward scenes showing how much they hate each other to the point that they violently attack each other.
Four Hands, Two Sonatas Episode 3 has a runtime of 60 minutes. The series (포핸즈) stars Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, Jang Gyu-ri, Kim Joo-heon, Yoon Se-ah and Jung Jin-young and is directed by Park Hyeon-seok.
Four Hands, Two Sonatas Episode 3 Review
A Performance That Changes Everything
The episode begins with Pi-o and Jeong-yo preparing for their piano performance. Hyun-soo trains them, and he ensures that the boys are all set for their opportunity at Noblesse Concert, which is one of the finest places to perform. Pi-o is especially interested in performing there, raising the question of why he needs to. We can immediately understand that he wants to perform to impress his not-so-good grandfather.
The concert happens, and it eventually becomes the episode’s turning point. Jeong-yo’s panic attack returns as soon as he remembers his mother’s loss. Pi-o doesn’t notice it at first, as he’s also under nervous breakdown due to performing in front of his grandfather. However, once he realises that Jeong-yo is suffering, he immediately does something: he blindfolds Jeong-yo and asks him to trust his lead.
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And the result? It’s spectacular. Jeong-yo, being blindfolded, doesn’t panic while seeing the audience, and he beautifully plays by following Pi-o’s lead. Pi-o, ever the skilled guy, ensures he perfectly guides him.
However, the plan becomes miserable for Pi-o. Jeong-yo steals the spotlight by becoming the guy who played while being blindfolded, whereas Pi-o, the one who is actually skilled, goes into the shadows. His grandfather despises him, and it terrorises the poor kid.
Jealousy Enters the Picture
Finally, we see Pi-o turning into a villain. Students surround Jeong-yo and praise him. Pi-o’s grandfather seems to take more interest in Jeong-yo. Pi-o’s mother pokes at his insecurities and makes him feel terrible. To add to it, Ji-hye becomes a terrible character. She presses that he shouldn’t be second, making him feel like he lost to Jeong-yo.
Pi-o has actually performed brilliantly because without him, Jeong-yo wouldn’t have performed; however, he loses his credit, and everyone focuses only on Jeong-yo. This is why they say villains aren’t born but are made.
The Adults Make Everything Worse
Through this episode, we can clearly see that the boys’ friendship didn’t break because of their personal arguments, but the adults messed it up. We learn that Ji-hye has a complicated past with Hyun-soo, and this clearly reveals why their personal anger has projected as pressure over Pi-o’s career.
She is such a manipulator, and it’s evident that she’s not worried about her son’s future but rather her reputation. Moreover, Pi-o’s grandfather decides to offer Jeong-yo some special training, and it makes Pi-o feel miserable. The child who has tried all his life to get his grandfather’s acceptance now has lost it to someone he was helping.
The Friendship Finally Breaks
Pi-o, out of anger, tells Jeong-yo that he only used him and never saw him as a friend. However, Jeong-yo truly believes that they both are indeed friends and even shows a piece of music that he wrote for them both to perform. Pi-o rejects it, and as days pass, both the boys can be seen attacking each other.
The football-ground fight where we see Jeong-yo punching Pi-o is messy. It shows how much the boys are hurting each other and themselves. Jeong-yo feels betrayed, whereas Pi-o feels used. Neither of them understands that it’s the people around them that have failed to notice both their hard work.
Music Unites Them Again.
When Pi-o sees Jeong-yo getting beaten, he steps in to save him. He tends to his injuries, and finally the boys actually listen to each other and apologise.
At the old instrument shop, Jeong-yo reveals the emotional connection he has with music and his late mother. They both decide to play the Bach four-hand piece together. This slowly helps them to reconcile. Pi-o realises that he’s not playing alongside Jeong-yo because they sound good together but because he feels truly happy beside him.
The Flash-Forward Proves They’re Enemies
Just when the episode felt like a cake of reconciliation, the rivalry is shown. Pi-o is seen attacking Jeong-yo in the woods as it’s heavily raining. The two are seen fighting each other brutally as blood runs down their faces. Pi-o is seen taking a large stone and going towards Jeong-yo, and the episode ends. This proves that in the future something terrible is going to happen.
Final thoughts
The episode began well, had its sad moments and jealousy peaking, had a small reconciliation scene and ended with a terrible fight. It was such a rollercoaster ride, and I loved it. The boys didn’t immediately become rivals but were two good souls who were ruined by the adult expectations.
With Pi-o choosing Jeong-yo as his piano partner, their musical journey seems to be kickstarting. However, the flash-forward has only made things worse, as we know a tragedy is on its way.