Tomorrow Episode 2 Recap: Rowoon, Kim Hee-seon Make a Great Team

Tomorrow (내일) is a Korean drama-fantasy series directed by Kim Tae-yoon and Sung Chi-wook and stars Rowoon, Kim Hee-seon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Yun Ji-on, alongside other cast members. The series has 16 episodes and is based on the webtoon of the same name by Ra Ma. Tomorrow episode 2 is titled Fallen Flower 2 and has a runtime of 59 minutes.

Netflix describes the series as:

MADE HALF-HUMAN AND HALF-SPIRIT BY ACCIDENT, A YOUNG MAN IS EMPLOYED BY A COMPANY OF GRIM REAPERS IN THE UNDERWORLD TO CARRY OUT SPECIAL MISSIONS.

– Tomorrow Episode 1 recap contains major spoilers –
– TW: Suicide, Bullying –

Back into Eun-bi’s memories, of course, Jun-woong does exactly the opposite of what Ryeon tells him and inserts himself into her memories. Also, the bullying is horrible to watch and it’s horrifying to think this is the reality in some schools. Additionally, when you realise why she’s so triggered by pen sounds, it’s so heartbreaking. And to think, Hye-won is the girl whom Eun-bi is helping out in her professional life. What the hell. Where are their parents? Where are their teachers? How is every adult failing these kids?

The problem and presence of bullying in Asian schools have been very well documented over the years and as horrifying as it sounds, it’s also extraordinary how Tomorrow talks about it and the way we see Eun-bi suffer in silence. You want to follow Jun-woong’s steps and give her a hug and protect her. Thus, when you see her smiling after getting a job, you feel happy too. There are small moments of hope when you feel things looking up for her and then it all comes crashing down over and over again. It’s just so hard to watch.

Anyway, Ryeon and Jun-woong have other problems to worry about. As reality tries to engulf the two of them and they struggle to open doors, they are saved in the nick of time. Outside, Ryeon screams at him for interfering in the memories and is then furious to find the key broken later. It’s also pretty scary that Hye-won had such an effect on Eun-bi and the former, in fact, remembered nothing of her. However, even in this short moment, you realise that she’s still a bully. As Eun-bi thinks about the past and present, she breaks down sobbing and man, it’s difficult to watch.

As Hye-won corners Eun-bi in the bathroom, the latter somewhat stands up for herself and tells her bully that although it was not a big deal for her, for Eun-bi, it was her whole life – she has lived with that trauma. Hye-won, however, tells her to know her place. In front of everyone, Hye-won acts all innocent and tries to bully her again covertly with that awful pen sound. However, Jun-woong saves Eun-bi from the obvious discomfort, much to Ryeon’s annoyance.

I am a bit confused as to why that is, however. It’s Ryeon’s team’s responsibility to see that people don’t commit suicide and Eun-bi is their responsibility for the moment. And yet, when you know what you know and see her getting bullied again, you are annoyed that your teammate is doing something good? Ryeon is shown to be a good character who is empathetic towards people’s sorrows and problems. I don’t understand why she’s so against helping Eun-bi, at least in the present.

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After Hye-won tries to bully her again in the office because she tried to stop Hye-won’s segment from airing, she runs up to the terrace, followed closely by Jun-woong and the gang. As Eun-bi tries to kill herself on the roof and Ryeon tries to stop her and Jun-woong rushes down the building, presumably with something up his sleeve. After Ryeon tells her that she’s a Grim Reaper, Eun-bi, in shock, falls off the building and remembers the good times that she has come across through her work. As she realizes that she does, in fact, want to live, Ryeon saves her and tells her to stand up against her bullies.

As Ryung-gu tells Ryeon that she isn’t out of danger yet, Jun-woong gets Eun-bi’s favourite comedian which alleviates her stress and urges to hang on. Jun-woong later asks his colleagues what would’ve happened had they not stopped Eun-bi. Apparently, she would pay the price of making that choice – walking endlessly with regret in Hell while listening to those who are alive mourn for her. Jun-woong airs my personal views and calls it harsh, but Ryeon says that that’s the price you pay – by walking in regret.

Anyway, after a job well done, Ryeon asks the others to go home and goes to her real job. She meets Hye-won and after beating the shit out of her, throws her into Eun-bi’s memories where she gets severely bullied by her own younger self. Obviously, the bully can’t take the life of the bullied and begs for her life. Ryeon, however, reveals that everyone knows about her true self (on the news) and that she will have to live her life being blasted by people who have never known her. However, it will still be a better life than what is waiting for her in Hell if she ends her life.

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Ryeon then visits Hye-won’s friends who were being really smug about the whole situation. The producers, too, got a taste of the aftermath. Eun-bi, however, seems to be doing much better.

Back at the Director’s office, the Director promises Ryeon that she will meet the person she actually needs to save soon but the latter refuses to work with Jun-woong although he’s not bad. Meanwhile, Jun-woong, too, chooses to join the editing team. After the day editing, Jun-woong takes it to heart when his new teammates try to talk down on people suffering in life. He screams at them and then realizes his folly, but by then it’s too late.

As the managers get together to decide who hires Jun-woong, no one wants to take on the responsibility of the newbie. He is almost put back into his comatose body until Ryeon elects to take him in again. Later on, Joong-gil, forever looking irritated, asks Ryeon to stay out of his hair when they are working.

In the epilogue, Jun-woong asks for Mr Jung’s help in the bathroom. It’s hilarious.

Final Thoughts: Tomorrow Episode 2

Tomorrow episode 2 is a very heavy episode and I understand why some people would find it absolutely distressing. I guess there’s light at the end of the tunnel and the good cop-bad cop dynamic with Ryeon and Jun-woong paces the situation out quite well. However, for those who are suffering from bullying, depression and suicidal ideation, I would strongly urge you to seek therapy and let the people in your life who care about you know the situation you are in. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help and being kind to yourself.

I do wonder though – as Jun-woong inserts himself into Eun-bi’s memories, wouldn’t that cause everyone to remember Jun-woong later on? Or is that not how it works when you tamper with memories? Ryeon distinctly said that you become a part of the people’s memories if you insert yourself so then why is it that no one remembered them in the present?

Apart from that, I really enjoyed the episode although it was extremely uncomfortable. I liked how they handled the situation and did not shy away from showcasing how bad some people have it. Plus, giving us the satisfaction of watching justice being served is also great. Although I do have to wonder how often life works out in this manner.

Either way, Tomorrow‘s tonal shifts are kind of putting me off. Don’t get me wrong, I was arrested throughout the episode. But the series just goes from fluffy and jokey to talking about horrible bullying too easily. The two facets aren’t really working that well together and I wonder if it’s because it’s just the starting and they are testing out waters or whether this is going to be it for the show.

Tomorrow is streaming on Netflix.

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