I Cannot Hug You Episode 1 Recap
> I Cannot Hug You Recap
Vampires, once creatures of fear, have evolved and integrated into human society. They no longer consume blood but instead absorb "life force" from humans through physical contact to survive, a method far more secretive and less harmful. While humans touch to experience intimacy, maintain emotional stability, and confirm love, vampires touch solely to subsist. Li Shiya is one such vampire.
She is an arrogant girl with a beautiful appearance that gives her confidence, and she tends to carry herself with an air of superiority. However, those who get to know her discover she is also a fun-loving girl. She boasts that her beauty has always guaranteed successful "hunts."
One day, while shopping at a bookstore, she mistakenly believes a clerk wants her autograph due to her charm, only to realize the clerk was merely requesting her signature for a credit card transaction. Embarrassed, she quickly flees. Outside the bookstore, she accidentally collides with Jiang Zhihao, a fastidious, extremely sensitive, and somewhat introverted man with severe mysophobia, who dislikes contact with any living creature.
As their hands brush while picking up fallen books, Li Shiya is struck by an unprecedented, alluring energy from Jiang Zhihao, realizing he "tastes too good." Compelled by this intoxicating energy, Li Shiya discreetly follows Jiang Zhihao. However, Jiang Zhihao quickly notices and confronts her, accusing her of being a "pervert stalker." He sternly warns her never to follow him again, threatening to label her a "pervert stalker for the rest of her life" if she persists.
Li Shiya tries to explain that she only followed him because he "tasted really good" and it was their first meeting. Jiang Zhihao dismisses her, leaving her speechless and unable to defend herself. Li Shiya's decision to run away from home stems from a deep conflict with her father, Li Shanghao, a traditional and rigid vampire who owns a horse stable.
While her mother, proud older sister Li Lanxi, and naughty and disobedient younger celebrity brother Xin Ba are cherished, Li Shiya views her father as overly controlling. He only permits his children to absorb just enough energy for survival, often questioning how much energy they've consumed and whom they've contacted. Li Shiya, however, yearns for the "freedom" to "hunt" for more flavorful energy. Their arguments escalate, with Li Shiya asserting, "We are vampires, not slaves.
I want to hunt, to have something more tasty," while her father accuses her of attempting to "expose our identity to the whole world." He grounds her for three months, prompting her to declare, "I only live once. I can't be trapped in a horse stable forever," and ultimately, to leave. Shortly after Li Shiya moves into her new apartment, her older sister Li Lanxi visits.
Li Lanxi tells her that their father acknowledges Li Shiya's successful escape but warns her that if she dares to return to the horse stable, "he can break your legs." Li Lanxi also earnestly advises Li Shiya to "think about it carefully" and to "not randomly touch anyone," stressing the importance of protecting their identity as vampires living among humans.
Li Shiya complains that everyone treats her like a troublemaker just because she desires better-tasting energy, to which Li Lanxi retorts that she won't encourage a "food addict" like her. Later, while unpacking a mountain of deliveries from Xin Ba, Li Shiya discovers one package is for unit 301, the apartment next door. Intending to be a good neighbor, she takes it over. Coincidentally, Jiang Zhihao lives next door.
He immediately recognizes her voice and accuses her once again of being a "Miss Stalker," suggesting she has followed him to his home and threatening to call the police. Li Shiya tries to explain that she just moved into unit 302 and was merely delivering his package, showing him the package addressed to him at unit 301.
Unmoved, Jiang Zhihao simply tells her to "put it at the door" and refuses to open it, maintaining his belief that she is a stalker. Frustrated, Li Shiya later meets Xin Ba at a restaurant. She recounts the day's events, expressing her anger at Jiang Zhihao for calling her a stalker. She decides to keep his package, planning to give him a taste of his own medicine when he comes looking for it.
During their meal, Xin Ba subtly "hunts" by shaking hands with his fans to absorb their life force. Li Shiya reflects on the "super rejuvenating" sensation of touching Jiang Zhihao, admitting it "felt pretty good." After a tiring day of work as a model, Li Shiya is drained. Her manager brings her food, but she finds it unappealing. She longs for the "very delicious snack" that is Jiang Zhihao's energy, even fantasizing about apologizing to him just for a handshake.
She internally notes that while vampires can starve for a few days, a week without absorbing human energy can be dangerous. Li Shiya, still fixated on Jiang Zhihao, dismisses other foods. That night, fueled by alcohol to relieve stress, Li Shiya returns home. Driven by a desperate craving for Jiang Zhihao's energy and frustration from his earlier rejections, she pounds on his door, loudly proclaiming, "I'm a stalker and a pervert! Come out!"
When Jiang Zhihao finally opens the door, a drunken Li Shiya blurts out, "Let me touch you, just once," before collapsing at his feet. Jiang Zhihao, recoiling in disgust and wearing gloves, drags her unconscious body into his apartment.
