"To the Moon" left a deep, lingering impression with the love between mother and daughter Lee Seon-bin and Kim Mi-kyung.
On the afternoon of the 11th, the MBC Friday-Saturday drama "To the Moon" (writer Na Yoon-chae, directors Oh Da-young and Jung Hoon) episode 8 was presented under the subtitle "Mother and daughter." Jeong Da-hae (played by Lee Seon-bin) had disappeared after plunging her family into debt by falling victim to so-called "big-win syndrome," and her father Jeong Yong-jik (played by Seo Hyun-chul) appeared, sending Da-hae's daily life into turmoil.
That day Da-hae met Yong-jik at the police station, where he was drunk and asleep clutching a "coin mining machine." Although it was their first reunion in years, Yong-jik still chased big wins, shouting that coin mining was "the last big shot of my life." Da-hae gave up her last remaining hope in him, turned away and vowed never to meet him again.
But their reunion came sooner than expected. Yong-jik suddenly showed up at the 60th birthday party Da-hae had prepared for her mother, Jeong Im (played by Kim Mi-kyung). On top of that, Yong-jik exposed Da-hae's coin investments, and Jeong Im was shocked. Jeong Im said, "I've gritted my teeth and lived so I wouldn't be ashamed to look at you. Then why do you resemble the father who never stayed by our side?" in despair. Da-hae replied, "It's not that I want a huge windfall like Dad; I just want things to be a little better than now," but Jeong Im's tears did not stop.
Afterward, Yong-jik went to Da-hae's company to demand money. Da-hae, who finally let out her pent-up anger, raised her voice: "Do you know why I started investing in coins? To be precise, I started to survive. Everyone else starts easily because they meet good parents, but I didn't. The more I live, the more my life is driven to the edge of a cliff." At that moment Yong-jik collapsed, and at the hospital the devastating news came: stage 2 lung cancer.
Jeong Im heard the news and suggested to Da-hae that they contribute to the treatment costs. The mother and daughter were briefly swept up by a wave of emotion, but soon faced each other with understanding. At Jeong Im's apology, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to do more for you," Da-hae recalled the years her mother had quietly endured for her. When Jeong Im said, "Whether you do coins or whatever, go as far as you want without holding back," Da-hae replied, "I know moms act tough, but you had a tougher daughter, so let's give up that concept now." As the subtitle "Mother and daughter" suggested, the wounds and reconciliation culminated in a mother-daughter love that moved living-room audiences.
The following epilogue added to the emotion. A young Jeong Im (played by Bae Bo-ram) whispers her love to the soon-to-be-born Da-hae, saying, "There are many joyful things in the world and many delicious things. I'll let you have all of that." Da-hae continues to her mother, "How grand an answer should I give you who make the kindest promises in the world and allow the biggest heart?" A dramatic resonance was delivered when baby Da-hae, just starting to speak, called out "mom" for the first time.
[Photo] MBC broadcast screen capture.
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