Recap Korean Drama "Café Minamdang" Episode 8

Cafe Minamdang episode 8 starts in the bathroom at Joyce Entertainment. Just as Han-jun is about to be attacked by Gu Tae-su, Jae-hui barges into the men’s washroom, saving him from being attacked but resulting in them hiding in the bathroom with her on his lap. 

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

 

After Tae-su leaves, it’s an awkward moment in the bathroom stall but afterwards, the two share information about the Kang Eun-hye case and Kim Jin-sang’s possible involvement in it. The two decide to cooperate with each other in this case, and Jae-hui continues to audition to become an action star to get the information that they both need.

Unfortunately for them, though, Jin-sang gets electrocuted, Han-jun takes the opportunity to check for the mark on his hand (which there isn’t any), and Da-won confirms that the director has an alibi for the day. The swiftness with which these scenes happen is honestly surprising and Han-jun trying to comfort Jin-sang is just so funny.

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

 

In spite of the unsuccessful sting, however, they get to meet Lee Ji-eun, Eun-hye’s friend from the company, and together they ask her about the truth that she knows about. Ji-eun talks about the night that she witnessed – she secretly saw Eun-hye dancing in front of some people and then was forced to take her clothes off in front of them.

Although Ji-eun had taken a video of the incident but she deleted it afterwards out of fear and sold her phone. At this point, she provides Han-jun and Jae-hui with the buyer’s phone number and Hye-jun immediately gets to work to find out who got the phone – and they’re on an island.

 

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

Everyone just rushes to get to the phone first and it almost looks like everyone is on a very competitive vacation. Jae-hui’s team includes Da-won as well, who looks extremely excited to be included! After some sea sickness, the two teams try every method in the book to get the phone from the buyer. Well, Han-jun offers a whopping 2 million won for it and Jae-hui and team threaten to arrest him if he doesn’t turn the phone in.

I am sure no one is surprised to whom he gives it. Hilariously, they then start playing a game of tag on the beach with it as everyone starts struggling and fighting with each other. After an extended and hilariously silly tussle, the last boat leaves, and everyone decide to stay together, have a bonfire and check out what’s on the phone together as well.

Before they consume too much alcohol, however, Hye-jun recovers the data, and the gang jumps in on the opportunity to check out the video. Although Han-jun decides to look into the clue that he finds on his own, Jae-hui and Hye-jun find camaraderie with each other. 

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

Later that night, in Cafe Minamdang episode 8, Han-jun finds Jae-hui alone at the beach. They discuss their motivations to solve this case, but neither really tells the other the commonality in both of their intentions. Regardless, Han-jun’s sudden vulnerability moves Jae-hui, who seems to understand the person that is beneath Han-jun’s wild exterior.

 

As they get very, very close to each other, thanks to Jae-hui falling on him again, the mood almost pushes them to kiss each other until Da-won gets there and whisks her away. He questions her about her closeness with Han-jun and almost seems pathetically jealous. A confused Jae-hui runs out of there as soon as possible as Da-won looks on like a puppy in love.

All the love, however, seems to have evaporated the next morning as Han-jun and Jae–hui continues to bicker with each other. Back at home, Jae-hui gets a call from Ji-eun who tells her that Eun-hye used to always get off at Hankuk University Station. The information makes Jae-hui absolutely ecstatic, and as a result, Da-won’s face is absolutely priceless.

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

At Minamdang, Hye-jun brings up a potential suspect for the man in the video in Jeon Gyeong-cheol, who used to work at Joyce before starting a livestream service and is also the acting chief for Jjokmun Gang, the loan sharks. He’s bad news and seems to be travelling around with Eun-hye together. They also learn about Madam Wang from Su-cheol and it seems like Eun-hye was really into some bad stuff.

 

Meanwhile, Jae-hui and Du-jin search every alley around Hankuk Station until they find Eun-hye’s apartment. From the leasing office, they also learn about Gyeong-cheol. Meanwhile, Han-jun and Su-cheol go off to meet Madam Wang, who gives them some really interesting information – while vetting girls, Gyeong-cheol brings Jin-sang with him.

However, all of that stops for the time being as Han-jun and Su-cheol go off to find Hye-jun by the Han River. She’s there to beat up her two-timing boyfriend and the men’s entrance scene, for anyone familiar, is a direct recreation of that very famous scene Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (or, Goblin)! Anyway, they threaten him with a curse and bodily harm and tell him to keep it in his pants before zooming off.

Cafe Minamdang Episode 8 Ending

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

 

The next day, it’s time to investigate some things, and the police team start the day off with their evidence and doubts. As Jae-hui and Du-jin go through the apartment complex’s CCTV footage and find Eun-hye being forcefully taken away by Gyeong-cheol. On the other hand, Han-jun and the team are surveilling Gyeong-cheol’s building and shockingly find his men dragging a livestreamer into the building, clearly against her will.

Of course, they immediately get into action and of course, they come up with an elaborate plan to get into the building. It’s hilariously silly watching Han-jun conjure up these wild stories and his friends just… going along with it. Anyway, they get a reign on the thugs and proceed to the upper floors.

On the way, they come across Gyeong-cheol and after some back and forth, Su-cheol beats up another round of thugs before finally coming to Seong-cheol. Meanwhile, Jae-hui and the team get there as well. 

 

As Han-jun starts to learn about Jin-sang’s involvement in the whole thing and that Gopuri might have put Seong-cheol up to do all of this, Jae-hui gets there with Da-won, and in a funny twist of fate, she electrocutes Han-jun instead of Seong-cheol!

In the epilogue, we are back in the studio with Eun-hye and that mysterious woman. She seems to know Han-jun and is bothered by his involvement in her matters again after 3 years… or is she?

Cafe Minamdang Episode 8 Review

Still From Cafe Minamdang Episode 8

 

An episode with a lot going on, and I am genuinely delighted at the small but impactful scene at the beach between Han-jun and Jae-hui. It’s funny and warm and their back and forth in this scene are actually quite sweet to watch, which isn’t something I feel often.

Anyway, I think the series outdid itself with its silly humour in this episode. It’s just so over-the-top that it’s almost genius, and I sat there laughing, wondering why this was making me laugh, but it did. So, let’s get to it – I think the beach scene was just a bit too long but still enjoyable, especially watching Da-won and Jae-hui fighting like kids. I mean, the others are kids, so watching them stooping to their level makes it all the funnier.

However, I found the last scene at Gyeong-cheol’s lair to be a bit much. I mean, it’s definitely believable since Han-jun and his clan are that over-the-top, but still, it’s a bit much. I didn’t find it that funny, rather, I found it just a bit forced. On the other hand, the Goblin throwback scene was quite excellent and reminded me of a perfect show, which is always a win in my book.

Coming to the mystery – we have a few new characters in our midst who set the tone for the next few episodes, and this time, it’s quite dangerous and disgusting. As the series continues to ramp up its intensity with each new bad guy, the mystery, too, becomes quite interesting. 

I want to see how far they will go with this plotline – the general direction has me intrigued, plus the fact that the series will have 2 more episodes than usual.