SKY Castle Ep 1 Recaps

SKY Castle refers to a residential complex where only particular wealthy families can live inside. They are families of best medical or law professors at Joonam University. Only 4 families live inside SKY Castle. Because this drama involves many different characters that using everyone’s name may be confusing, I’ll refer to the family name when mentioning someone. 4 families live inside SKY Castle are:

1.       Ye Seo family

·        Kang Ye Seo

·        Ye Seo’s mom or Han Seo Jin

·        Ye Seo’s dad or Kang Joon Sang

·        Kang Ye Bin (Ye Seo’s little sister)

2.     Cha family

·        Professor Cha or Cha Min Hyuk

·        Mrs Cha or No Seung Hye

·        Twin brothers (Cha Seo Joon and Cha Ki Joon)

·        Cha Se Ri (twin brothers’ older sister)

3.      Soo Han family

·        Woo Soo Han

·        Soo Han’s mom or Jin Jin Hee

·        Soo Han’s dad or Woo Yang Woo

4.     Young Jae family

·        Park Young Jae

·        Young Jae’s mom or Lee Myung Joo

·        Young Jae’s dad or Park Soo Chang

WARNING! This recaps contain spoiler and full synopsis of the story.

The first episode begins with a grey colored car driving recklessly and arrogantly troughout the street, overlapping other cars to pick up a first year high school girl named Kang Ye Seo. Inside the car, Ye Seo is seen to be reading a book diligently.

Cap 1 Kang Ye Seo is reading a book inside the car

While driving, Ye Seo’s mom is talking to someone over the phone. She said that she has to be ready for war now and will definitely give her whom she is calling the know-how if she succeed. Ye Seo’s mom also reminded her to come to the party she will hold tonight to celebrate neighbor Young Jae who just succeded in his admission into Seoul National University (SNU) Medicine School. FYI, SNU is the most prestigious school in Korea.

Cap 2 Ye Seo’s mom talking to someone over the phone

After the phone, the woman Ye Seo’s mom was talking to is seen waking up her husband. She turned out to be Soo Han’s mom. Her husband said that he operated on five patients yesterday. Soo Han’s mom forced him to wake up because they have to attend the party tonight. 

Cap 3 Soo Han’s mom and dad

Meanwhile, inside the Cha family house, Mr and Mrs Cha is bickering. When Mrs Cha told her husband that Ye Seo’s mom is throwing a party, Professor Cha got angry and accused her to be defeated by Ye Seo’s mom. Professor Cha reminded his wife that she is a mom whose sons are in high school. Mrs Cha replied that he shouldn’t jump into conclusions because Ye Seo’s mom haven’t got Young Jae’s portofolio yet. Professor Cha is seriously an ambitious one.

Cap 4 Mr and Mrs Cha bickering

Another family bickered. Ye Seo’s dad didn’t agree with his wife throwing a party. Ye Seo’s mom said that this party is for Young Jae’s mom who went trough a lot of hardships in admitting Young Jae to SNU Medical School. She said that she throw this party because she needs to know how Young Jae managed to get into the prestigious school, that she desperately needs Young Jae’s portofolio. Having Young Jae’s portofolio is like having a golden roadmap and complete manual for Ye Seo. 

Cap 5 Ye Seo’s mom and dad

Ye Seo’s mom then went out to prepare for the party. She made sure that everything is perfect. She even asked the musical group performing for the party to sign letter of oath, that they will not reveal anything they see or hear at the party. After the preparations completed, the guests started coming in. The guests invited to the party are those the members of SKY Castle which consists of 4 families in total: Ye Seo family, Cha family, Soo Han family, and Young Jae family.

Cap 6 All the guests sat together around the table

The atmosphere became awkward when Professor Cha asked Young Jae’s mom to teach his wife a few know-how to get their kids into SNU like Young Jae, but was rejected by Young Jae’s mom. Jae Young’s mom said that everyone will eventually manage to do a good job on their own. Young Jae family also showed their lovely family chemistry when Young Jae’s dad gave his wife a cruise trip present. 

Cap 7 Young Jae family

We can see how different Ye Seo family is compared to Young Jae’s in the scene I captured below. Ye Seo’s mom and dad even sleep in separate bed as they bickered again. Ye Seo’s mom said that her husband can’t even ask Young Jae’s mom to teach her wife just like how Professor Cha did. Ye Seo’s dad replied, asking if getting Young Jae’s portofolio will guarantee Ye Seo’s admission. 

Cap 8 Ye Seo’s mom and dad bickered again

The other day, Ye Seo’s mom, Mrs Cha, and Soo Han’s mom gathered to meet Young Jae’s mom after failed to get Young Jae’s portofolio at the party. Young Jae’s mom said that she will never reveal Young Jae’s portofolio.

In hospital, Soo Han’s dad was scolding his junior apprentices. However, he eventually ended up being scolded by Ye Seo’s dad. It turned out that Ye Seo’s dad is Soo Han’s dad senior and we can see Soo Han’s dad sloppy character in this scene.

 

Cap 9 Flustered Soo Han’s dad

Ye Seo’s dad then meet Young Jae’s dad who also is the director of the hospital. They are so friendly with each other. Young Jae’s dad said that the name for new medical center has been decided: Spine and Joint Center; and that Ye Seo’s dad will be able to be the director of that new center while Young Jae’s dad himself can climb up to the hospital president position.  

Cap 10 Ye Seo’s dad smirking, thinking of him climbing up the director position 

At home after work, Young Jae’s dad asked his wife to help Ye Seo’s mom and give her tips to SNU Medical School admission. Young Jae’s mom said that she cannot reveal everything about their son’s personal life. Young Jae’s dad was surprised that his wife eventually wrote “everything including the details” in Young Jae’s portofolio. It seems like their family has unrevealed secrets about Young Jae’s admission into SNU. 

Cap 11 Young Jae’s mom asked her husband to be quiet so that Young Jae doesn’t hear them

Upstairs, Young Jae is preparing for his backpacking tour that will last for a month. He then opened up a cabinet and take out a tablet computer. His eye gaze was so suspicious when he deleted an account inside the tablet computer named DEKSTOP-OC0RGUT₩PARKYOUNGJAE.

Cap 12 Young Jae acted suspiciously

Meanwhile, Soo Han’s mom is guessing that Young Jae’s mom must have secrets she cannot tell to anyone, or someone else must have written Young Jae’s admission essay on his behalf. Ye Seo’s mom on the other side is thinking positively about Young Jae’s mom as they were best friends. However, she won’t give up easily.

Cap 13 Soo Han’s mom tried to convince Ye Seo’s mom

On the other side, Mrs Cha is already giving up since Young Jae’s mom has decided not to reveal Young Jae’s portofolio. But the overambitious Mr Cha scolded her wife again, asking her to be persistent and persuade Young Jae’s mom more earnestly. He said that he has contributed a lot towards Young Jae’s successful admission by developing Omparos and, write Young Jae’s admission essay. Wow. Anyway, I will explain Omparos later in this page.

Cap 14 Mrs Cha was so shocked when she knew that his husband wrote admission essay on Young Jae’s behalf

On Young Jae’s mom cruise trip departing day, Ye Seo’s mom and Mrs Cha visited Young Jae’s mom and gave her presents. Young Jae’s mom insisted that she will never reveal Young Jae’s portofolio to anyone. Instead, she will give them her secrets that will be more effective than getting Young Jae’s portofolio.

She asked what bank do Ye Seo’s mom and Mrs Cha use. Ye Seo’s mom said she uses Hannam Bank while Mrs Cha uses Seodong Bank. Young Jae’s mom said that Ye Seo’s mom is lucky. Around that time of the year, Hannam Bank sends out invitation cards for VVIP customers. It may seem like investment briefing. But it’s actually a very secret gathering where they connect the VVIP customers with the best entrance exam coordinators. 

Cap 15 Ye Seo’s mom attending Hannam Bank VVIP Gathering

Ye Seo’s mom was surprised to see Mrs Cha inside the hall. It turned out that the ambitious Mr Cha managed to get the invitation card using all of his connections. There are a total of 7 coaches introduced. Ye Seo’s mom chose the 7^th coach, following Young Jae’s mom recommendation as the 7^th coach is the same coach who coached Young Jae. Meanwhile, Mrs Cha who didn’t get coach information from Young Jae’s mom managed to choose the 7^th coach too thanks to her husband. 

Cap 16 The hall situations when the 7^th coach was introduced. Although she only managed to get 2 students admitted to SNU Medical School every year, her success rate is 100%

After choosing coach, the VVIP guests were relocated into a smaller room. It turned out that there are 4 guests choosing the 7^th coach including Ye Seo’s mom and Mrs Cha. While waiting for the coach to enter, Ye Seo’s mom got a call from his daughter. Ye Seo said she came in first place and got to lead the high school entrance ceremony, a good start.

Cap 17 Mrs Cha eavesdropped that Ye Seo made it into the first place

Ye Seo was annoyed when Cha family twins, Cha Seo Joon and Cha Ki Joon rode bicycles recklessly that she almost got into accident. Ye Seo accused them envying her because she got the first place. Ki Joon replied her rudely but Seo Joon calmed him down.

Cap 18 Seo Joon congratulated Ye Seo for being the first place

After reviewing profiles, the 7^th coach whose name is Kim Joo Young entered the room. She said because she only coaches 2 students every year, 2 of the 4 guests will be dropped out. She started questioning every guests. One guest was tossed because she is a working mom. The coach said that getting children into college is a four-legged race in which the mom and child are a team. Working moms are not accepted. From this scene I realized how serious they are taking this matter.

Unexpectedly, Mrs Cha was also turned down because she didn’t send her sons to extra classes or hire tutors. Instead, Professor Cha has always been teaching the twins himself. Meanwhile, Coach Kim was very impressed by how ambitious both Ye Seo and her mom are by listening to Ye Seo’s mom explanation. She then decided to tutor Ye Seo and another one kid.

Cap 19 Coach Kim

Meanwhile, Soo Han was scolded by his mom because of his Selfish Genes book report writing for Omparos. Again, explanation about Omparos will be revealed later in this page. This is Soo Han’s hilarious writing:

I envy our coffee mug more than anything. It does nothing but my mom treats it so preciously. All she does to me is telling me to study or go to extra class. Without having to study and go to extra class, coffee mug is still loved. Coffee mugs must have selfish genes. I should have been born as a coffee mug. The end.

Cap 20 Fourteen years old Woo Soo Han who hates studying

Ye Seo’s little daughter, Ye Bin, who was going to ask Soo Han to play, was startled when she heard the noises. She hided off behind the garage door and was followed by Soo Han who were running chased by his mom. Soo Han’s mom who lost his son off her eyes came back inside the house because she was scared of night.

Cap 21 Soo Han followed Ye Bin behind the garage door

Inside the garage, Soo Han asked Ye Bin to run away together from home as Ye Bin also hates her study-overoriented neighborhood. Ye Bin said that for a two 14 years old kids to leave home, they would need 20 years old guardian. However, Ye Bin has a way. She will tell Soo Han if he agree to be Ye Bin’s minion.

Meanwhile, Ye Seo’s dad didn’t know about his wife hiring expensive coach for Ye Seo. Therefore, Ye Seo’s mom couldn’t ask her husband for money. Instead, she visited her mother-in-law. Ye Seo’s mom said that she wants to make her mother-in-law’s wish to come true by admitting Ye Seo into SNU Medical School and be the 3^rd generation doctor in the family. Ye Seo’s grandmother eventually agreed to send the money. She said this is the last chance for Ye Seo’s mom to be acknowledged. The two’s relationship doesn’t seem to be a good one.

Cap 22 Ye Seo’s mom even sat on her knees, begging for money

On her way back home, Ye Seo’s mom got a call from Coach Kim. Coach Kim said that Ye Seo was in joint first place with another student named Hwang Woo Jae who comes from a middle school on the outskirts of Daejeon. They got the same score. So there can be assumption that he is smarter than Ye Seo. Coach Kim gave Ye Seo’s mom the phone number of Woo Joo’s mom and ask her to be friendly with her.

Woo Joo family turned out to be a modest one. Woo Joo’s mom was bargaining in traditional market when she received a message from Ye Seo’s mom, asking to meet her for cups of tea. Woo Joo’s mom eventually didn’t reply the message. Ye Seo’s mom guessed if she is a busy working mom and find it so strange that she didn’t reply her message.

Cap 23 Woo Joo’s mom in the traditional market

Explanation about Omparos will be finally given. Omparos is a book club gathering leaded by Mr Cha. For the past 2 years, all the families in SKY Castle have been meeting once a month to discuss the books they’re reading. Mr Cha have been getting the kids to read books that made it into the list of books on their student records, the same thing happened to help Young Jae with his successful admission into SNU. That day, the SKY Castle families hold Omparos gathering. 

Cap 24 Even the parents also gathered in Omparos and write book reports too

When Mr Cha asked who want to be the first to read the book reports, Ye Seo raised her hand. In the beginning, she explain it with English. But because it seems like no other kid understands, especially the Cha twins, she continued with Korean. But, the book is seriously funny. The title is Selfish Gene. This is how Ye Seo read her book reports:

Organisms are nothing but robbers and beggars. And they must stay selfish to preserve their genes and pass them on future generations. The author’s insight into mankind deeply moved me. I always thought everything but number one was meaningless. After reading this book, I got to know that I was right. I, expectedly, inherited superb genes from my parents. I’m smart, goal-oriented, competitive, and never lose. I will continue to follow my genetic instincts. In other words, I’ll continue to do my best to always be number one 

Cap 25 Ye Bin who hates her selfish sisters

After listening to Ye Seo’s explanation, Cha Seo Joon foolishly expressed his opinion, arguing to Ye Seo’s. Ki Joon who has the same thought with his twin brother joined the arguments. Professor Cha was ashamed. When they came home after Omparos, Professor Cha argued with Mrs Cha, comparing the twins with Ye Seo a while ago in Omparos, and complaining how they will send their sons to SNU without coach. Professor Cha also said that he wouldn’t be living like this if it weren’t for Mrs Cha’s father.

On another day, Young Jae’s mom came back to SKY Castle faster than it should be. She said that the trip was so annoying that she prefers to be home. She also gave presents to SKY Castle ladies. She then asked Ye Seo’s mom and Soo Han’s mom to leave because she felt so tired. After the two left, Young Jae’s mom expression changed strangely.

Cap 26 Soo Han’s mom (left), Ye Seo’s mom (center), Young Jae’s mom (right)

On the snowy night, Young Jae’s mom walk out of the home barefoot. She walked so slowly and stopped in a lake where snow covered the whole lakeside. She sat in the cold snowy ground, sobbed, and ended her life with a gun.

Cap 27 That night looked so dark and cold

Cap 28 Young Jae’s mom committed suicide

Continue to SKY Castle Ep 2 Recaps

Personal Comments

It’s funny how the personalities of Ye Seo’s parents are crossed of that Cha parents. Ye Seo’s mom is an ambitious one while Ye Seo’s dad prefer to be more friendly and modest. On the other side, Mrs Cha is more friendly and merciful compared to Professor Cha. I’m wondering if Ye Seo’s mom married to Professor Cha instead of Ye Seo’s dad. They will seriously make an overambitious family.

And I’m sure there must be something behind Young Jae’s mom’s suicide. Earlier in the story, it was strange that Young Jae’s mom didn’t want to reveal Young Jae’s portofolio, and when Young Jae’s dad was surprised that his wife revealed “everything” in the portofolio. Young Jae’s mom coach recommendation also seems to be a strange one. I think that Young Jae’s mom suicide is somehow related to Coach Kim.