Summary
Episode 2 is a great follow-up chapter; its imagination and direction is compelling, refreshing and makes you want more.
Well, the second chapter was certainly easier to digest after the base-building in the pilot. Mystic Pop-up Bar Episode 2 is all about getting Han Kang-bae to sign the contract to work for Weol-ju until she gets to 100,000 people. But there are obviously complications. Episode 2 opens up with Han Kang-bae dreaming about kissing a girl, and Guibanjang and Weol-ju stand over him, amused — it was a dream created about all his missed chances.
Weol-ju gives him a 6-month contract, and if he fulfils it, she will make his wishes come true. Han Kang-bae is unsure of the obligations. They explain his spiritual vision will be heightened even by looking at people but Han Kang-bae does not want to take the risk of being stuck in a worsened stare forever. You can tell the character is anxious to make a deal with a hell-bound spirit.
Changing his mind
While Han Kang-bae is at work, Weol-ju walks in and purposefully embarrasses him — she tells him his talent is wasted. She heightens his powers, and everyone in the store crowds around him, trying to talk to him. Weol-ju gives him the contract again. Eun-su and her mother, Ms Andong, come to the Mystic Pop-up Bar on Han Kang-bae’s recommendation. Eun-su’s mother, Mrs Andong, coughs up a little blood, and everyone sees apart from Eun-su. Eun-su leaves, and the mother starts saying she has never been a good mother — Han Kang-bae touches Ms Andong, and she wants to stay: “I have wronged my dear Eun-su”.
Regrets
Episode 2 is heavily thematic about the past and regrets that can cripple a person. Ms Andong talks about how she was a widow from a young age and bonded with an orphan named Sun-hwa quickly. Ms Andong owned a bar, and a handsome man called Mr Ko walked in, and she was head over heels — she wanted him. But he actually had feelings for the orphan.
One evening, at the dinner table, Mr Ko reveals he is having a child with Sun-hwa, and Ms Andong was fueled with anger. Ms Andong implies to Mr Ko that the baby may not be his, and Sun-hwa was a little minx. Mr Ko returns home to Sun-hwa angry, and he leaves the village. As Sun-hwa chased after Mr Ko, she was run over. Ms Andong raised Sun-hwa’s baby, Eun-su; her wish is for her to see her birth father before she dies of lung cancer. This is a morbidly depressing story.
Weol-ju calls Ms Andong a fraud and asks her to leave. The story reminded Weol-ju how poisoned words killed her mother. Han Kang-bae is furious with Weol-ju’s actions and walks out. This episode exemplifies how Han Kang-bae lacks empathy, which may improve as the series progresses.
Stealing the magic drink
Han Kang-bae enters the Mystic Pop-up Bar when Weol-ju and Guibanjang are not in it to steal the magic drink. When he returns home, he sees Ms Andong on the street floor. The cancer has taken over. While in the hospital, Guibanjang tells him not to use the magic drink at all — Eun-su drinks it thinking it is water and falls asleep. When Han Kang-bae touches he, he enters her dream world.
Weol-ju enters the dream world to save Han Kang-bae. She tells Han Kang-bae that he could have been trapped inside a subconscious forever. They watch Eun Su’s dreams and learn that Ms Andong was a very protective and loving to her daughter, making sure she had money for her studies.
Suddenly, in the real world, Ms Andong’s vitals drop; she’s dying. Weol-ju refuses to grant her a wish. Han Kang-bae begs Weoul-ju and states he will sign the contract if she gives Ms Andong her one wish.
Death turns up at the hospital for the deceased, Ms Andong. There’s still some time left before the funeral to grant her a wish. Death allows the exception. In the Mystic Pop-up Bar they pour the spirit of Ms Andong a drink. Weol-ju wants all the info on Eun-su’s real father Mr Ko.
Photo: Netflix
Finding the father
They find Eun-su’s father, Mr Ko, who has apparently lost his memory. Weol-ju serves him mackerel to see if it reminds him of his wife. Han Kang-bae touches him, and suddenly he remembers a time when a mackerel bone got stuck in his throat — it didn’t work. Han Kang-bae still has some magic drink left, so they can enter Mr Ko’s dreams.
Dreamworld time
The dreamworld commences — they go deep into Mr Ko’s subconscious; this is a tricky, dangerous journey. While going further in Mr Ko’s mind, they become trapped in the abyss with only a single door to get out and a password to leave. It’s a simple password — Eun-su’s birthday.
The team explores the depths of the subconscious to bring back memories of Mr Ko’s daughter. This was a highly imaginative and well-shot scene, representing what the subconscious looks like in a fantasy-type world.
Reunion
Episode 2 has a rather emotional reunion between Mr Ko and Eun-so. With his memory back, Mr Ko remembers Eun-su and meets her. Eun-su explains that when she picks up the pieces, she will be in touch; he shows Eun-su a photo of her real mother. This is emotionally distressing for Eun-su, but despite the past, she still loves Ms Andong as her mother. The spirit of Ms Andong tells Death that she has no regrets even if she does go to hell. She ends up in heaven with the orphan Sun-hwa — they emotionally embrace, and Ms Andong says sorry and admits fault. Sun-hwa thanks her for raising her daughter and tells Ms Andong she can rest in peace.
Kang-bae is ready to sign the contract as a part-time employee. Weol-ju throws a welcome party for Han Kang-bae and pours him a beer. Han Kang-bae asks Weol-ju why she has to help 100,000 people, thinking it’s too many — Weol-ju says it’s because she killed 100,000 people.
A flashback shows that Hell wasn’t enough to cleanse her sins and that when she corrupted the Sacred Tree, which was protecting the country, a neighboring country started a war, and 100,000 people were killed.
Yeomradaewang tells Weol-ju that this was not her only sin and throws her a scroll — Weol-ju opens it up, and she shakes. Whatever was on the scrolls changes Weol-ju’s mind — she no longer wants to go to hell and agrees to help cleanse her sins. I wonder what it said?
Mystic Pop-up Bar Episode 2 is a great follow-up chapter; its imagination and direction are compelling, refreshing, and make you want more.
Read More:
