Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 9

 

Now that they’ve agreed to be like brothers, Han Gyul starts off the next morning goofing around and making Eun Chan breakfast. Eun Chan wonders what’ll be different now that they’re acting as brothers (in a “hyung-dongsaeng” relationship), and asks, does that mean she’ll be treated with more love? Han Gyul awkwardly mumbles at the mention of love, and Eun Chan asks, then will he treat her better? That he can do, and to show it, he heaps food in Eun Chan’s bowl.

Eun Chan tests out the word hyung, joking around as she calls him that repeatedly. It also appears that at some point, they’ve pierced Eun Chan’s ear and marked it with one of Han Gyul’s earrings as “proof” of their sworn brotherhood.

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 8

As Eun Chan and Han Gyul kiss, Han Gyul closes his eyes for a moment… before he pushes Eun Chan away, alarmed. Eun Chan’s unbothered — she says the kiss worked in reviving his energy. She reminds him of his blind dates, how Han Gyul kissed Eun Chan in exuberance. Han Gyul blusters in denial, and Eun Chan mutters, “So why’d you close your eyes then?” and makes a face imitating him.

 

But thankfully, that doesn’t ruin anything between them, and they drink together outside. Eun Chan makes kissy noises to annoy Han Gyul until he threatens her into stopping.

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 7

After hugging Eun Chan for a moment, Han Gyul suddenly pushes her away and laughs in relief, saying he worried over nothing. The hug, however, has shaken Eun Chan, and as Han Gyul leaves, Eun Chan feels its aftereffects.

 

However, the moment Han Gyul’s out of view, he tries to get a grip on himself. It wasn’t nothing after all.

The next day, without explaining the reason, Han Gyul takes Eun Chan with him to the bookstore. Although he’s quieter than usual, Eun Chan is pretty much her normal self.

Han Gyul carries the heavy books for her, and tells her they’re for her. She wanted to become a barista, so she should learn more about it. (The advent of Starbucks and franchise coffee stores has, in my opinion, diminished the word barista. But I suppose the word originally carried implications of higher skill level, kind of like a wine sommelier.)

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 6

At the art gallery opening, Eun Chan recognizes Yu Ju and runs off, trying to hide her face, afraid of being found out.

Han Sung talks to Yu Ju while Eun Chan goes to the bathroom, and when Eun Chan sees them talking, she’s bummed to realize Yu Ju is Girl B. She mutters in dismay that Girl B was supposed to be ugly.

 

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 4

After Han Gyul blows up at Eun Chan for messing up the order, Yu Ju takes him out to cool off. Despite losing his temper, she tells him it’s nice to see him worked up about something, since he’d always been rather apathetic. To cheer him up, she grabs his hand and swings it like a kid, which succeeds in making him smile.

Eun Chan scolds Min Yub for ordering the wrong amount — she’d delegated the task to him. Min Yub honestly can’t remember what he ordered, and he feels sorry that Eun Chan got the brunt of Han Gyul’s anger — but he’s too wimpy to step up himself.

Mr. Hong roasts the beans with the idea of selling them. Han Gyul gets the idea to give out 1kg bags of roasted beans in a promotional gesture, and sends everyone out on deliveries.

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 5

Han Gyul awakens to see Eun Chan hovering right over him, but they’re interrupted by Ha Rim, who sleepily comes downstairs to ask what they’re up to, then teases them, asking if they’re dating. To which Eun Chan stammers that they’re not.

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 3

Han Gyul flatly rejects his grandmother’s proposition that he work alongside the slovenly Mr. Hong in running Wang Ja Coffee (which means “prince coffee”), only to have his grandmother immediately cut off support (partially). She has his car towed, and sends movers over to clear out his apartment, informing them he will be vacating right away. He tries to sweet-talk his granny, who’s upset at Han Gyul’s mother for pampering him so much. It’s because she coddled him and never pushed him that he’s grown to this age not knowing what real work is. Han Gyul agrees to work for her if she gives him a job at the company (“A supervisor slot should be fine”) but she insists: If he doesn’t work in the cafe, he’s on his own. She gives him three months to succeed. (Han Gyul is on bad terms with his father; the two refuse to acknowledge each other for reasons that have yet to be disclosed.)

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 2

 

Han Gyul asks Eun Chan if she wants to work for him acting as his boyfriend. He can see Eun Chan needs money but doesn’t trust her enough to just lend it to her, so he’d rather hire her.

All he wants her to do is show up at his matchmaking blind dates, and she figures it sounds easy, as long as she’s getting paid. They argue over price, and Eun Chan has to settle for far, far less than she’s hoping (about $100 each time), but says she’ll charge him for all the extras — clothing, food, and each instance of physical touching on an “a la carte” basis (charging per each touch to the face, shoulder, waist, and so on). Being in a money crunch, Eun Chan asks for advance payment, which he gives.

Coffee Prince Store - 커피프린스1호점 episode 1

 

The story’s pretty simple: EUN CHAN is a hard-working young woman who looks (and acts) like a boy — so much so that people even question her when she insists she’s female. She works multiple jobs, delivering jjajangmyun (Chinese-style noodles) and milk, and teaching Taekwondo. She’s used to being mistaken for a boy, but doesn’t really seem to care. She’s also got a huge appetite.

HAN GYUL is a rich, conceited ladies’ man who’s got women throwing themselves at him left and right. His mother and grandmother are after him to marry and stop playing around with his life, although they too aren’t immune to his charm when he deflects with sweet words. His grandmother is the head of a large (food?) company and he’s been living off her money, and agrees to go on a matchmaking date to appease her. (Han Gyul’s a playboy, but has a soft spot for YU JU, who used to date his older cousin, HAN SUNG (Lee Sun Kyun of the swoony velvety voice.) That rounds out our main love rectangle.)

Coffee Prince

Details

• Title: 커피프린스 1호점 / The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince
• Also known as: Coffee Prince
• Genre: Romance, Comedy
• Episodes: 17
• Broadcast network: MBC
• Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-02 to 2007-Aug-27
• Air time: Monday and Tuesday 21:55
• Original Soundtrack: The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince OST