The second chapter of "Who Is She!" delves deeper into the surreal transformation of Oh Mal-soon, a 70-year-old grandmother who suddenly finds herself in the body of a 20-year-old. Episode 2, "Is This a Dream?", picks up the threads of Mal-soon's bewildering new reality, as she navigates the unfamiliar terrain of youth in a world that has aged without her.
The episode opens with Mal-soon, now in her younger body, stepping out into a world that is both familiar and alien. Her appearance, strikingly similar to the missing singer Emily, draws curious glances and laughter, as she struggles to reconcile her elderly self with her youthful exterior. An encounter with Gab-young’s son, a habitual drunkard who seems to recognize her, adds a layer of confusion to her already tumultuous experience.
In a bid to reconnect with her past, Mal-soon secretly checks on her restaurant, only to be dismayed by the decline in quality since she handed over the reins. Her scolding of the new managers is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the legacy she built. Meanwhile, Daniel Han, the CEO of UNIS, is grappling with the disappearance of Emily, a singer he personally selected for his new girl group. His search for Emily becomes intertwined with Mal-soon's story, as he mistakenly believes Mal-soon to be the missing singer.
As Mal-soon wanders through her memories, she finds herself at Royal Salon, a bar that holds a special place in her heart. Here, she discovers a modernized version of the place where she once sang and learned to play the guitar. To her surprise, she sees her granddaughter Ha-na performing as an artist, a role reversal that adds a poignant twist to their relationship.
The parallel storyline of Ji-sook's promotion to director at work offers a glimpse into the family's dynamics and the individual struggles each member faces. Ji-sook's happiness is a rare moment of joy in the midst of the family's turmoil.
A series of chance encounters and misunderstandings lead Daniel to track down Mal-soon, believing her to be Emily. Their meeting at a karaoke bar, where Mal-soon's singing prowess shines through, only serves to deepen the mystery surrounding her identity. Daniel's insistence that Mal-soon is Emily, despite her denial, sets the stage for a complex relationship that will unfold as the series progresses.
The episode culminates with Mal-soon's decision to join the girl group, a choice that is as much about her own desire to reclaim her youth and dreams as it is about the mistaken identity that has entangled her life with UNIS. Meanwhile, Ha-na's arrival at UNIS for her audition and the appearance of an older woman who looks like Mal-soon add layers of intrigue and anticipation for the episodes to come.
In "Is This a Dream?", "Who Is She!" continues to explore the themes of identity, family, and the power of second chances. Mal-soon's journey is both a literal and figurative trip through time, as she grapples with the implications of her transformation and the opportunities it presents. The episode is a poignant exploration of what it means to be young again and the choices we would make if given the chance to rewrite our past.