Thirty Nine Episode 3 Recap: Son Ye-jin is in a Tough Bind

Thirty Nine (서른 아홉) is a Korean drama TV series directed by Kim Sang-ho and stars Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do and Kim Ji-hyun, alongside other cast members. The series has 12 episodes and Thirty Nine episode 3 is titled Something I Had Never Thought Of and has a runtime of 73 minutes.

Netflix describes the series as:

Leaning on each other through thick and thin, a trio of best friends stand together as they experience life, love and loss on the brink of turning 40.

– Thirty Nine episode 3 recap contains major spoilers –

Thirty Nine just knows how to insert a dagger into our hearts and then move it around for maximum effect! After that shocking and heartbreaking episode last week, we start this week off with Chan-young, Mi-jo and Joo-hee eating ice cream and discussing funerals – as in, what will happen if they grow old like this? Mi-jo, through a very mature game of rock paper scissors, determines that Chan-young will live the longest and thus it is her duty to conduct both of their funerals. Although they both laugh at the weird suggestion, things just turn out for the worst, don’t they?

After screaming at Jin-seok in the last episode, Seon-ju implores Mi-jo to let him drive since she’s not in any state to do so. Meanwhile, Jin-seok can’t help but wonder what that crying was about and he calls her while Mi-jo, too, goes to her house. Meanwhile, Chan-young is having a conversation with Sun-joo, who essentially tells her to stay away from her husband. Which, you know, is fair. However, Mi-jo just barges in and after a brief discussion, starts beating the shit out of her. Emergency services are called and they are all taken away.

At the police station, Seon-ju refuses to settle and leaves to get a medical report, Chan-young calls Jin-seok who promises to take care of it. But as they are released, Mi-jo leaves without another word, Jin-seok threatens his wife at home to drop the charges, hinting that there’s something in her life that can be dangerous to her, and Seon-u and Chan-young go out to drink.

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The next day, Mi-jo goes through her life in a daze. Seon-u tries to help alleviate some of her stress with tteokbokki, but ends up needing comfort thanks to the spicy food. Meanwhile, Chan-young goes to meet her mother, which puts Mi-jo in a more problematic position – she can’t figure out how to tell her best friend of her diagnosis. That night she meets up with Joo-hee and gives her a rundown of what she did to Seon-ju.

Later, as Jin-seok asks Seon-u whether Mi-jo is at the clinic, he lies and tells him that she isn’t. When he goes to the clinic though, he finds her fast asleep at her desk. They go out for something cold and sweet and discuss life’s frustrations and comforts. They later run together, probably to let go of the tension and heartbreak and afterwards, Mi-jo finally confesses Chan-young’s diagnosis to Seon-u. Meanwhile, a very drunk Joo-hee has a very weird conversation with Hyun-joon.

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The next day, as Joo-hee remembers the antics of the previous night, everyone else is in quiet contemplation regarding Chan-young’s impending arrival from her parents’. Jin-seok visits Mi-jo at the clinic and asks her what’s going on. Seon-u saves her from that awkward situation and gives her flowers and asks her out to lunch. She refuses but promises to take care of herself and not end up at the police station.

That night, Mi-jo goes to meet Chan-young and acts all over the place. The latter understands that something is up and, unable to hide it any longer, Mi-jo tells her (after beating around the bush for some time), but not completely. Chan-young’s face says everything, even if she doesn’t exactly know what’s wrong with her. The realization that her life might just be coming to an end is evident on her face and heartbreaking to watch.

Final Thoughts: Thirty Nine Episode 3

Thirty Nine episode 3 took a very heavy turn last week and never really recovered from it.  I miss the better times in their lives, I am sure they do too. This episode is a bit slow, with slow contemplation and everyone just trying to figure out what the heck is actually going on. A bit of happiness is derived from Seon-u and Joo-hee, but that’s fleeting. The latter’s drunk escapades are mostly forgettable. Other than that, Chan-young’s diagnosis is absolutely heartbreaking since she is the most interesting character here. We still have to wait and watch where this is going, but either way, it can’t be too happy.

Also, shoutout to the men of this show, they’re so nice! (Except Jin-seok, he’s horrible)

Thirty Nine is streaming on Netflix.

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