The true villain of Four Hands, Two Sonatas emerges in its third episode, as Jeongyo’s star rises and Pio grapples with where that leaves him.
In episode 3 of Four Hands, Two Sonatas, the first real test arrives for Pio and Jeongyo in the form of the Noblesse Classical Concert. While their talent is more than enough to pull off an excellent performance, our boys are beginning to face pressure from all sides, which leads them to reconsider not just their friendship, but their own purpose for making music.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers. Read with discretion.
The Noblesse Classical Concert in Four Hands, Two Sonatas
Hyunsoo is pleased at Pio and Jeongyo’s progress and deems them ready for the recital. However, Pio suggests that they should play at the Noblesse Classical Concert instead. Though a little blindsided by Pio’s suggestion, Jeongyo agrees to help Pio achieve his goal. The two of them continue to practice harmoniously and land a spot in the concert.
On performance day, Jeongyo’s trauma resurfaces as the concert is held at the same place where his mother passed away seven years ago. He runs off the stage right before he and Pio are set to go on. Pio again grounds him with the reassurance that he only needs to focus on his voice and his playing, like it’s just the two of them in the practice room.
Jeongyo comes back out on the stage in a blindfold. Pio gestures for the audience to stay quiet until the end. They play their duet spectacularly before an awestruck audience, which includes the class bullies and their parents, Jaein and her mother, and Pio’s mother and grandparents.
Rising stars
Everyone is in high spirits after the concert. Jeongyo hugs Pio tight, filled with adrenaline and gratitude after their performance. Hyunsoo congratulates his students, while the director smugly brags to the bullies’ parents that Jeongyo deserves to be at their school. Jaein’s mother seeks to recruit Jeongyo for her classical music agency. Most importantly, Pio’s grandfather, Seungwoon, finally acknowledges Pio and asks to be invited to his next performance.
Only one person is upset – Pio’s mother, Jihye, who recognized Jeongyo as the only pianist to ever beat Pio in a competition. After her son tells her how proud he was of his performance and that he enjoyed playing for maybe the first time ever, she yells at him, berating him for supporting his competition.
That night, Jeongyo begins writing a nocturne just for him and Pio to play.
A bright future
Just as Jihye predicted, Jeongyo’s blindfolded performance is a hit. He becomes a celebrity at school and on social media. Jeongyo doesn’t care much for the attention and only wants to continue playing with Pio. However, Pio is affected by his mother’s words and distances himself from Jeongyo.
Seungwoon asks Director Seonju to bring Jeongyo over to play for him. Jeongyo plays as he normally does, not following sheet music and adjusting his playing to however he feels best suits the piece. Impressed by this, Seungwoon suggests that he try out for an upcoming concerto.
Seonju is excited that Seungwoon finally found a talented pianist he wants to work with, and proud that she discovered Jeongyo herself. She tells Jeongyo that although Pio is her grandson by marriage, she must separate her personal life from her work, even if Pio might feel bad if Jeongyo passes the audition. Jeongyo tells her that he doesn’t want to do the concerto.
Who outshines who?
Meanwhile, Jihye comes to Hyunsoo’s house unannounced, accusing him of pairing the two boys for the sole purpose of having Jeongyo outshine Pio. She says it’s his way of getting back at her for betraying him years ago. Though Hyunsoo denies this, she pleads for him to help Pio place in an international competition, crying about how hard life has been for her and her son. She ends up kissing him.
Pio continues to ignore Jeongyo despite his continuous efforts to reach out. Jeongyo eventually confronts Pio in front of his house, upset that Pio keeps avoiding him. Pio says he never wanted to play a duet with Jeongyo in the first place and only agreed to it to become Hyunsoo’s student. Jeongyo walks away after Pio makes it clear that he doesn’t think of them as friends.
Their feud grows until they get into a physical fight at school. Pio meets his mom with scratches on his face. When she asks him how he got hurt, he breaks down and tells her how unhappy he is with all the pressure he keeps putting on him. Jihye only tells him to stop whining and focus on the upcoming competition.
Hideaway in Four Hands, Two Sonatas
After a session with Hyunsoo, Pio sees Jeongyo being harassed by the loan shark, Mr. Kim. Aided by one of Jeongyo’s old friends, Pio helps Jeongyo get away. After getting to safety and nursing their wounds, the two of them talk it out, and Pio apologizes to Jeongyo.
Jeongyo brings Pio to the old warehouse in the music arcade where he first learned how to play piano from his mother. Jeongyo brings out all his old sheet music, and they play another four hands piece that Jeongyo always wanted to play with his mother. Playing with Jeongyo again helps Pio realize that he wants to be happy playing music more than he wants to win a competition. He asks Jeongyo to be his practice partner.
The episode ends with a flash forward to a scene in a dark and rainy forest, where Pio and Jeongyo are at each other’s throats, once again at odds.
Thoughts and What To Expect Next on Four Hands, Two Sonatas
Though the first two episodes definitely did not portray Seungwoon as the world’s best grandpa, Jihye has taken the top villain spot this episode by a landslide. Her behavior reframes her earlier dramatic outbursts as manipulative and attention-seeking. While this is a horrible family situation for Pio, having someone to hate is just as good for the plot as having someone to root for.
Next episode, we can definitely root for Pio finding his own path as he stands up to his mother. However, it’s also not the last we’ve seen of Mr. Kim. It seems that as Pio and Jeongyo’s friendship gets stronger, there are more forces against them, leaving viewers anxious as to whether their bond will weather the storms ahead.
Source: tvN Drama
