Enemies with Benefits Ep. 8 | Full Length Reaction

WHERE'S EPISODE 9!!?

Off topic... Am I the only one who sees Wine styled after the OG Alex Vause? She looks less dangerous and wild but the resemblance is uncanny.

One of the reasons why I love this show is it really shows and opens up conversations about many things, like toxicity in the workplace, workplace harassment/power imbalance, mental health issues & trauma. During it's run, some viewers even a few content creators reacting to the show, were angry or at the very least disappointed with Wine because of how she's treating & hurting Lal and why she's not doing anything to put Korn in his place. In my own point of view though, I never felt that way towards Wine. People tend to forget that the Korn character is a perfect example of an predator in the position of power in a work place environment, he's also sexist and narcisistic. While Wine on the otherhand, is an introvert with self-esteem issues raised by a traditional conservative parent. Also predators & psychopaths know how to choose their prey, they just know who to target and they also know how act the opposite way towards people to manipulate situations and people to get their way. Korn already victimized Wine in the past which traumatized her so much that she felt the need to change herself and the way she sees and deals with people for years after her trauma. And as she's just starting to gain that confidence back and just recently allowed herself to feel safe.... The the person who caused her that trauma in the first place comes back. So it's just natural that she reverts back to her shell to protect herself, and not just herself this time. She's also afraid for Lal. There were also discussions about Lal & Wine's relationship and communication issues, which I agree. They have communication issues. It would've been easier for both if Wine told Lal what Korn was blackmailing her. Yes, but Wine also knows Lal really well. Lal can be a impulsive and just do things without thinking some of the consequences to a point that she risks herself in being in trouble. And Wine also knows what Korn is capable of that will put Lal in danger, not just physically but professionally too. I may not agree with Wine's ways on how she dealt with Lal, but I totally understand why she did it even if it hurts them both.

Also you guys nailed it… i understand Wine is traumatized and scared but at some point you have to either stand up and fight for yourself or at least trust in someone else to help you. And I think that LaL has (beyond) proven her loyalty to Wine and if she still doesn’t trust her enough to let her in, to let her help….then unfortunately there’s not much more LaL can do to convince her. Like Meesh and Dee said, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to or isn’t ready to help themselves. Ladies, not to lecture you but I just hope you all know how strong and brave each and everyone of you are. There’s a friggen lioness in each and everyone of us— you just have to be willing to dig deep enough to find the courage to unleash it. Also, no matter how scared you are or how much of “a burden” you feel like- never try to handle something/someone like this on your own. It’s never better to handle anything/anyone THIS potentially dangerous, alone. Don’t be too proud of scared to accept help. Build an army if you can bc an abusive “man” like this should never be in a position of power and must be stopped immediately by any means necessary! That’s why it’s okay to accept help bc most likely, you’re not the only person this animal has intimidated and traumatized..he prob has a long list of female victims and for me, that’s one woman too many!! The only way he gets to win and keep hurting vulnerable women without any consequences, is for his victims to stay silent. I know it’s easier said than done but that’s why numbers are so important. Your voice is so important. If they don’t listen- find someone who will. Predators thrive in darkness, in the shadows…Shine a light on their true nature and predatory behavior and they won’t survive! If you see a fellow woman in trouble, don’t keep your head down and stay out of it. Step in and help! It’s our job, it’s our responsibility to support each other bc if we don’t, nobody will! Stay strong and be safe out there ladies. I got your back if you ever need me🤌🏼👊🏼💪🏼🫶🏼

After reading the Bake Love Feeling novel this part with Cheese cracked me up, xD. Mim is already so in character.

awwww reliving this part of Lal and Wine's story through yall is gonna break my heart all over again I can't !

This episode broke my heart. Super excited for potentially more content from these characters. One of the shows that also had the best 2nd couple chemistry is Queendom.

🏃🏾‍♀️💨 my show is on

We all agree that Korn is just a horrible human. We’d all like to take a round outta him. 🥊 I do feel that the relationship between Lal and Wine gives me the yo-yo vibes. They start all wrapped up together and everything is comfy cozy. Then the string is extended and we’re rolling to the end of the tether. Seems every episode I’m watching them go up and down, down and up. Guess life and living is like that. Mix it all up with self doubt, society expectations, and assumptions, and real and imaginary power imbalances and sexism, you’ve got a cocktail of highs and lows. 😳 Sometimes it gets frustrating to watch, on the screen and in reality. Understanding, patience, empathy and support can go a long way. Lal is demonstrating just that even though she is getting caught and hurt in the down times but she remains hopeful things will come back up.

Ok I can’t even call them a “side couple” atp!! Tangkwa & Proud came out the gates swinging for that 🔝 position😜 lol hey I’m just speaking my gay truth when I say they are killing it! I mean, their amazing chemistry + their incredibly spicy kissing scenes that are *CHEF’S KISS* 😙🤌🏼 and it’s just like Dee said…they kiss each other with so much passion like they actually like kissing each other (A LOT) and who wouldn’t right? lol ugh *MUAHH* 😘👌🏼💋

Yeah, there are special episodes coming… maybe we’ll get them by the end of the year… it’s their dating era and wedding special… we might get multiple episodes. So Excited to see LalWine back in action❤️

Ughhhh soooo good! I swear I want to see Lal beat Korn down in every scene!! I’m so sad my subscription will end before I get to see you finish the full length reactions on here, there’s so much still to unpack 🥺🥺🥺

The pajamas scene was very special because it’s bringing Jan and Jinjing very close. “ I could take hundred times just don’t put pressure on yourself”- Jan told Jingjing. She’s also the most green flag in real life. I love this CP so much, they are a destined ship 🥹

GMMTV announced the special "married to my enemy" at the last episode screening. We don't know yet wether that's gonna be one episode, several episodes or even a sort of second season. I'm hoping for several episodes because that would lead back to the three specials you mentioned. Those aren't the announced episodes, but three special novels that are already released to which gmmtv just purchased the rights. Three novesl that are essentially just filled with little chapters full of fluff, one with extra content throughout the novel plot, one with more content after the novel and then a wedding special. So now gmmtv definitely has a lot of book canon content to make scripts out of, so if we're lucky that means were getting more than one extra episode. Maybe 4 extra episodes like for their BL that just aired that EmiBonnie was a side couple in...

We all HATE Korn!! You're right just watching his character gives me a skeevy feeling. 🌽🤮 Our poor girls Lal and Wine. I'm not sure which I felt worse for when I saw this episode. The shows does a good job making us understand both ladies perspective, even if we don't necessarily agree with their actions. We can see why they are making their choices so neither one is really the bad guy in the "break-up". Both of their intentions are good and come from love. Thanks for the reaction, see you at the next one!

Korn is the worst. Lal & Wine are the saddest. Tangkwa & Proud are the steamiest. Meesh & Dee are the best.

The post EP discussion is top tier as always. M mentioning how most people just put their head down really hit, especially with all the comments that Wine should have just talked to Lan when this EP first dropped. I think the show did a great job layering Wine's character and why she reacted the way she did. Lan carries her family, her team, and a job she genuinely loves, so in Wines mind, losing that job simply isn't an option. Given everything Wine has been through, you can't expect her to suddenly change how she responds to adversity, especially when she always seems to end up on the short end of the stick.

The „cursed“ episode 8 starts with a flashback of Wine with her mother after quitting her job because of Korn; her mother want to know what see will do next, but Wine has already applied for a new job, she claims. Her mother recommend that she doesn’t tell them why she left her previous job, as she doesn’t need to damage her reputation for nothing, as they might blame it on her for being too careless and letting him in herself. She understands Wine, she claims, but society doesn’t understand her the way she does, she claims. She tells her she needs to be careful about the way she dresses and carries herself. And she reminds her that not everybody has good intentions toward her, so she should not trust people too easily, as she doesn’t want to see her get hurt. After the credits, we are back at the bar where Korn, Wine and Lal are sitting, and Korn wants to know how work is for Lal several months after joining the company; Lal thinks she has a good team, and labels them as hardworking and capable. She claims that there have been some other issues , but only her and there. Korn wants to know if the clients have been complaining, and Lal admits it, and states that if documents are wrong they can’t just cross the erroneous item out, they have to send it back and have everything signed again. Or if the manager or supervisor signs something different from what’s stated in the e-mail, accounting and administration won’t let it pass easily. This has caused disturbances in the workflow. Korn thinks that normal for an office where most of the staff are women. Lal pauses for a moment, then wants to know what he means, and Korn explains that women are very detail-oriented – which he thinks it’s a good thing – but can sometimes be fussy and blow things out of proportion. He is not trying to criticize (he is!), but based of his experience, men make better supervisors. Lal wonders whether this is because of gender or attitude, and Korn admits it’s probably because of both, but Lal meant _his_ attitude, and accuses him of being sexist. And she asks him, the belief that men are better drivers, better at work, more emotionally stable, and better leaders, don’t these beliefs come from unequal attitudes? She sometimes wonders if the problem really exists or is just a case of women being stereotyped. Korn thinks she’s taking him too seriously, he claims he was just expressing his opinion, and she doesn’t have to lecture him like that, but she wouldn’t dare to lecture him, she claims, as something like that should have been taught by his parents. Medsai returns from her phone call, is surprised to find Lal there and is about it leave, she claims. Lal sees this as an opportunity to leave as well with Wine, and claims it was just getting fun. Wine grabs her arm as they leave. Bas and Numnim still argue about the CCTV footage that showed Lal and Wine kissing, and Numnim wonders if they are secretly dating, and Bas think it’s obvious. Numnim feels slighted because she didn’t know and thought she was close with Lal. But Bas argues that with a blabbermouths as big as hers, he wouldn’t have told her either, and claims it’s her private matter. But no matter what, she’s still their Lal. Numnim thinks she gorgeous, and claims even Wine surrendered to her; but Bas thinks it’s the other way around, and Lal is losing in every way. Numnim wonders what else they don’t know… … and we switch to Tangkwa and Proud kissing – with Tangkwa inquiring if she’s sure that she really likes her, and asks about Wine. But Proud like Tangkwa, she claims, and doesn’t want to talk about other people. They continue kissing and start to disrobe. Wine and Lal are together at home with Wine drying Lal’s hair, as she gets a text from Proud claiming that Tangkwa and her headed back already and she shouldn’t worry. She apologizes to Lal for not telling her about Korn, she was afraid she wouldn’t like him, and that it would cause problems for her. But Lal claims he should know what kind of person he is if people react to him like that. Wine reminds Lal that he’s their boss now, and if she’d end up clashing with her boss, work wouldn’t be easy for her. But Lal argues if they should just accept someone like that, and just listening to him tells her how messed up his attitude is. Wine warns her not to make an enemy out of him, and is afraid her team will get dragged into it as well. But Lal argues what if he tries something disgusting with her again – and Wine remember her previous experiences in dealing with Korn – but claims he is married now and has a family, and told her himself that what’s over is over. She doesn’t think he would dare to do something like that to her again. Lal hugs Wine, then agrees to try to not bite his head off. Bas and Numnim are reeling after a meeting with Lal, Wine and Korn, who wonders if they aren’t going to catch up with a long-time client who suddenly changed his mind, and Lal claims she was going to do it that day, Korn thinks her team has been spoiled for too long, and she neglected it, so is everything delayed because of the system, or because of her? Tangkwa brings along bubble tea, but Numnim thinks even that wouldn’t help, with Bas adding that this was the harshest scolding they ever had. Proud comes is arguing that they already fired New, but the client still went with a new company anyway, and they should find out what the real problem is. Numnim is triggered and wants to know what she is trying to say, but she argues that if their boss keeps this form them, she clearly thinks that they aren’t someone she can rely on. Numnim wants to fight Proud, but Bas and Tangkwa hold her back. And Tangkwa drags Proud back to accounting. Wine wants Lal not to take Korn’s words to heart, thinks she taking good care of their clients, and argues that she never neglected them like he said, and that Korn just started to work for the company, so what does he even know? But Lal argues that maybe her best isn’t good enough, and that’s why her team was scolded in front of everyone at the meeting. Bas and Numnim see Wine and Lal holding hands as Wine claims she thinks her team understands, and Lal agrees they has always understood her, and will follow her no matter what she does. That’s why she wants to protect them as much as she can. She argues that the reason she didn’t confess their relationship to them was because she was afraid they would end up helping her to keep it a secret and would dragged into it as well. Wine argues she keeps carrying everything on her shoulders by herself, but Lal argues she has to do more, because it isn’t enough. She has to look after her team, her mother and her younger sibling and can’t just let it go. They start to hug – but Bas and Numnim stumble into Wine’s office, and Lal wants to know how long they’ve been standing there. Numnim claims they just got her to bring some documents to sign but have forgotten the documents. Wine claims that all the required documents have already been submitted. Numnim says they will excuse themselves now, but first, she hugs and claims to love Lal and is happy for her. Bas invents another excuse and drags Numnim out of the office. Wine meets Cheese again, who is started because Wine called her out and told her someone asked her to be her girlfriend, and it shocked her even more that it was the “incredibly hot” Lal. She asks Wine when did they make it happen, and why didn’t she know. Wine claims she will tell her later, but right now, she needs her to help her think. Cheese wants to know what she told Lal, but Wine admits she hasn’t answered yet. Cheese wants to know what the hell she is waiting for, but Wine doesn’t know. Cheese wants her to give her Wine’s phone and claims she will answer for her, but Wine declines the offer- Cheese they wonders if she doesn’t know what to answer, or if she’s just too shy to do it. Wine argues that she never dated anyone before, and fears she will say yes, then become a bad girlfriend. Cheese argues that she only reason she’s overthinking this so much is because she really likes her, and claims that breaking up would hurt, but never giving the relationship a chance would hust even more. And Wine admits that she cannot imagine a life without her anymore. Cheese believes that Lal is just as scared as Wine, but her love for Wine is bigger than her fear, and argues that if someone can find the courage simply because she wants to love her, can’t Wine be brave for her as well. Lal talks to a former client who claims that the competition’s price is just that much lower that theirs, and they didn’t have to wait at all. She thanks him for his feedback which she will share with her team and management. Bas and Numnim come in and share the results of some investigating they did, and they found out their competitor is running a price-cutting promotion, so it means that their costs must be lower than their company’s costs. Do Bas asked around which vendor they are using. And it turn out that the vendor they switched to charges them twice the market price. But Lal claims that Korn recommended that vendor, said they were trustworthy and told them to build a relationship with them. Numnim points out that Korn’s classmate from university runs the company. Lal suspects that this is collusion, but argues that it’s beside the point, as it violates company policy. Lal wants Bas to send up a meeting with the vendor the next day to talk to him. Lal has received some bakery treats from Cheese with a note that says “Let’s try dating, Lal” – but Korn reads the note as he gabs the bag, and claims it’s adorable just as Lal sends her a text asking if she’s gone home yet. He asks her if she’s really dating Lal, and Wine claims he misunderstood it, and it’s just a joke card, claiming that Lal and her are just buddies, but Korn thinks it’s a pretty unusual prank. Wine maintains that is just how they mess around, and Korn would like to joke around with her like that as well, and reminds her of the company policy forbidding relationships between colleagues, whether is a joke or real. He gets real close to her claims if this gets out, it won’t end well – and he grabs her arm, and touches her hip, claiming he can help keep this a secret, and she gabs the lucky bamboo plant, but Lal comes in before anymore can happen. Kron is surprised to find her there at this hour, but she claims she looks into something important, and found hit the jackpot. Korn thinks that’s great then invents something that Wine should be looking into, before leaving her office. Wine hides the bakery goods away as Lal wants to know if Korn did anything to her. But she doesn’t say anything and leaves alone claiming she will see her to home. At home, Wine is still shellshocked, as Lal joins her and gives her a present: matching pajamas. Wine agrees to take them on right now, and Lal finds the bakery treats but (without the note), then tell Wine that suspects Korn and their vendor know each other, and thinks they are in on it together, but Wine thinks she shouldn’t get involved, because she doesn’t have any proof yet, and it will only lead to more trouble. Lal claims that’s why she is gathering more information, But Wine thinks just talking good care of their clients, have her team follow up with them regularly, and come up with interesting promotions should be enough to stop clients from leaving. Lal claims she is already doing all this, but if they don’t close that cost leak every promotion just eats their profits. Wine tells them to switch to another vendor, one that has nothing to do with Korn. Lal suspects Kron of threatening Wine, but she denies it. Lal claims he said something to her, but Wine maintains that he didn’t. Lal argues that’s not true and claims she saw the way she acted around him earlier, and something wasn’t right. She can’t help her, if she continues to lie like this, but Wine tells her to stop pushing, and claims if this is too much for her, they can end this relationship. Wine seems to be shocked at what she was saying, leaves the room and cries. And Lal is crying, too, as Wine keeps crying and looking at the note she wrote and remembering what Cheese said to her about Lal. Lal is still crying as Wine returns to the living room, now wearing the pajamas Lal got for her. Lal apologizes for crossing the like again, but Wine claims she didn’t do it at all. Lal claims she knows her feelings have been too overwhelming for her, and she is sorry she couldn’t stop herself from feeling this way. Wine wants to know how much guilt is she trying to make her feel, apologizing when she got mad first. But Lal fears she made her feel dad again, and is so sorry, as is Wine, fearing she will never meet anyone as good to her as she is. Lal argues that should be a good thing, but Wine disagrees, arguing how is she supposed to live without her. And they fall into each other’s arms crying. Later, lan claims that’s exactly her plan, so she will stay with her forever. Wine apologizes for going off on Lal, and they kiss. The next day, Wine comes clean to Proud about Korn, and Proud wants to know why she didn’t tell her, but Wine argues Proud would get into trouble if she told her, but Proud claims that she’s way better at handling people than Wine is. Proud claims she needs to know so that she can keep him away from her. Wine thanks her for that, then confesses that she likes Lal, and not just as a coworker. Proud wants to know if they are going to date, and Win confirms it, but claims the company has a conflict-of-interest policy. So Proud wants to know if she’s going to quit. Wine claims she hasn’t though that far ahead yet, and wants to talk to Lal first. But if that’s what it comes to, then she’s okay with it. Proud wants to know if she likes her that much, and she admits it. Proud is happy for Wine that she found someone who could tear down her walls and hugs Wine, which of course is the first thing Tangkwa notices as she comes in. Bas tells Lal that the vendor keeps refusing to meet with them claiming overseas business every time. But Lal claims she can talk with Korn now. In the meeting she presents the evidence that their vendor’s prices are extremely high, which has driven their own costs up unnecessarily, and claims accounting has already flagged it, as their profit margins have dropped. Kron argues that they already chose this vendor and Lal agreed, but she claims that was before their long-term clients started to decline renewing their contracts. Korn wants her to consider blaming herself before blaming anyone else, and argues she hasn’t solved the problems within her team. But she came prepared for that accusation, and hands her an overview of the current market prices, clearly showing that their vendor’s prices are far higher than everyone else’s. She knows that sales performance is her responsibility, but so are the company profits, and replacing the vendor would benefit the company far more than replacing her team. But Korn wants her to look at the bigger picture, and argues that they may be more expensive, but he believes their vision is more stronger, and if they build a relationship with them now, they will eventually give them better prices in the future. Numnim wants to know who actually thinks like that as Lal reports her of the meeting with Korn. Bas thinks something smelly fishy, but Numnim is happy that her bubble tea has once again disappeared, because they finally put laxatives in it. Lal tells them to just check the CCTV, but Bas and Numnim somehow don’t want to do that. 😉They move to the company restrooms and find a large number of employees trying to get in. Jantra informs them that someone gave out a banana dessert with coconut milk for everyone to celebrate winning the lottery and thee coconut milk turned out to have gone bad, but Lal thinks that Numnim has been a genius for setting a trap. Lal get held up by Wine at the parking lot who wants to know where she is going, and suspects this is about Korn. Lal all but admits it and Wine claims she told her to stay away from him, and wants to know what she is planning now. Lal reminds her that they should follow company, and argues if she knowingly let someone get away with wrongdoing, isn’t that like letting cancer spread unchecked. Wine joins her for fear what reckless thing she will do next. They visit the vendor, but her is once again out of the office. They hand his secretary some documents for him to sign and a gift basket, then leave, but wait outside for the boss to show up, and eventually follow the secretary as she drives off with the documents and the gift basket. They see the secretary walk into a house, where she hands the document to another woman with the boss sitting collapsed in a wheelchair, clearly disabled. So, the “boss” clearly is just a figurehead, being unable to handle the transactions himself, and all the signature are probably by his wife or someone close to him. Bas argues that the worst-case scenario would be Korn setting up the company himself under the name of his friend and selling to then at inflated prices while he himself authorized the purchases. Lal thinks they should report everything to management. Lal invites Wine to dinner that evening to thank her for going with her the day before, and Wine agrees arguing she has something to tell her as well. The sales team goes to VP Nan and wants to report something, and she gives them an appointment the next morning. Lal sits in a restaurant holding the note she wrote in her hands waiting for Lal – but Korn comes to her first, site beside her and hands her an envelope containing CCTV photos of Wine and Lal kissing in the office, and wants to know if she is still denying it with all this evidence. Later, Lal arrives at the restaurant, but Wine doesn’t want to eat anything, because what she has to say won’t take long. She wants to answer her question whether she wants to be her girlfriend – and her answer is no. She claims to have had time to think it over, but she only sees her as a friend with benefits. And since Lal doesn’t feel the same way, she doesn’t think this relationship is healthy anymore. As her condo has been renovated, she will be moving back there. She thanks her so much for everything. As Lal starts to cry, Wine leaves, and is close to teams herself. And that’s where episode 8 ends. ___ This went all to hell in five minutes, after some more excellent examples of proper communication between Lal and Wine. But I wasn’t surprised, because GMMTV likes to do such a thing; I suspected as much, when both New and Korn were amped up from minor episodes in the novel to the main threat in the series and when the no-dating rule – which also didn’t exist in the novel was repeatedly mentioned. The episode clearly showed that Wine loves Lal as well but decides to sacrifice their relationship-to-be before it was even declared. The next episode will probably be as bad or worse in the beginning, but I suspect Wine to learn her have learned her lesson by the end of episode 9. This was initially my least-liked episode of “Enemies with Benefits” (I now know better what they tried to do in the latter episodes) – it certainly was the farthest the series deviated from the novel as literally nothing in episode happened on paper.

"I think we're good now... hopefully" Me, watching it unfold: oh the irony 🤡 they have no idea

The pain begins😭 but the payoff makes it bearable. Hang in there!☺️

It's time to suffer again, LFG!

Oh goodness yes FINALLY