THE SHORT VERDICT:
The drama labored out to be a reasonably blended expertise for me.
Briefly, I believed a few of the arcs coping with familial relationships have been really excellently written, with sure beats making me really feel notably seen and understood. 🥲
Sadly, I felt that some arcs, together with the OTP arc, have been inconsistently dealt with, and I discovered sure parts fairly underwhelming.
General, I do assume that this may very well be a reasonably gratifying watch, with some lens changes – which I’ll speak about subsequent.
THE LONG VERDICT:
Actually, I’ve given this drama extra thought than another drama I’ve been watching just lately, due to.. nicely, what looks like many causes.
Like, when Present was working for me, all my ideas went into all of the nuances of why I cherished it a lot.
After which when Present wasn’t working for me, all my ideas went into precisely what went mistaken, and what may’ve been higher.
Moreover, I really feel that, anecdotally talking, folks appear to both love the primary half after which really feel underwhelmed by the second half, or hate the primary half, however love the second half – in the event that they handle to stay round for it.
I really feel like only a few folks I’ve come throughout, have cherished this present equally, from begin to end (if that’s you, although, tell us about your expertise within the feedback, please? 🥹).
My utterly non-scientific conclusion, after my many hours of pondering and evaluation, is that it comes all the way down to: Expectations.
I’ll elaborate on that very shortly. I promise.
OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Right here’s the OST album in case you’d prefer to hearken to it whilst you learn the assessment.
I’ve to say that I did benefit from the music on this present. I really feel just like the music spanned a pleasant vary of feels, with some being very breezy and uplifting, whereas different tracks lean extra poignant, laced with somewhat angst.
My favourite observe is Monitor 2, What Are We, which I discover very earwormy. I just like the sound of the strumming of the electrical guitar, which I believe creates an attention-grabbing canvas for the breathy, rock-laced vocals, and collectively, it lands as a laidback-sexy kind of groove, which I dig.
Right here it’s by itself as nicely, in case you’d favor to hearken to it by itself. Good-click on the video and choose “Loop.”
HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW
First I’ll speak about easy methods to handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens can be most useful.
After that, I speak about what I preferred and preferred much less, overlaying the extra macro features of Present, after which I give the selective highlight to characters and relationships, in a separate part.
Lastly, I additionally spend a while speaking about my ideas on our finale episodes.
In the event you’re keen on my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the assorted Patreon members’ feedback in the course of the course of our watch, you would possibly like to take a look at my episode notes on Patreon right here.
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS
Keep in mind what I mentioned earlier, about how I believe Expectations are on the heart of nearly everybody’s uneven expertise, watching this present?
Let me clarify.
For my part, one of many huge issues, is that Present was marketed to us as a rom-com. All the trailers and posters indicated that this might be a friends-to-lovers rom-com, and I believe we have been simply all primed for that.
I believe that each one of us have been simply SO READY for this pairing of Jung Hae In and Jung So Min, in what we thought can be an ideal prime-time rom-com, that many of us felt actually perplexed when Present didn’t really behave like a rom-com, for a very very long time.
As a substitute, in our earlier episodes, we get quite a lot of household drama, which I believe might need even presumably felt like a private assault on those that have been actually, actually ready for a rom-com. 😅
Like I discussed earlier although, I personally actually preferred the way in which writer-nim handled the familial relationships and dynamics, and I, and all those that, likewise, felt seen and understood in these arcs, abruptly had sky!-high! expectations of simply how good the writing can be, on this present.
In our minds, I believe it was like, “Wow, if you happen to’re capable of perceive familial relationships so nicely, and sort out the emotional points so nicely, think about how superb you’ll be, once we get to you tackling the romance?” 😱
The factor, although, is, Present doesn’t strategy the romance with the identical type of nuance or finesse that we’d appreciated within the earlier episodes.
Which is why many people who’d cherished the familial arcs felt disenchanted, when the main focus lastly shifted to our OTP relationship.
HOWEVER. Those that’d signed up for a rom-com, and had chafed in any respect the familial arcs, really felt like their endurance had been rewarded, they usually have been lastly getting the sunshine rom-com that they’d signed up for.
I do assume that this explains the very different reactions that I’ve seen, in response to this present.
And now, for the PLOT TWIST: I actually don’t assume that Present is a rom-com, nor do I believe that it’s a melodrama.
After ending this present, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most effective viewing lens, to maximise your enjoyment of this present, is that of a family drama.
Particularly, I believe that it might be greatest to consider this present as a household drama that occurs to have flashes of brilliance, however isn’t really sensible, and may be fairly clumsy and awkward generally, like most household dramas may be.
The truth that Present can be a household drama at coronary heart, would additionally clarify the extra cutesy, sanitized method through which the OTP relationship is dealt with, when it turns into Present’s focus.
AND, the household drama lens would additionally assist cope with any logic lapses or stretches alongside the way in which (and there are some), as a result of in my expertise, that’s simply how household dramas are likely to roll.
I’m not about to rewatch this present with a household drama lens, however I do sincerely assume that if you used a household drama lens, that you simply’d have a reasonably good probability of having fun with this one.
MY TRAJECTORY WITH THIS SHOW
Conserving what I’ve mentioned in thoughts round expectations, I believed that it might be useful if I shared with you upfront, my trajectory with this present; that it would assist put my varied reactions into context.
I began out actually loving this drama, to the extent that I even puzzled if this would possibly really be my drama of the 12 months; sure, I cherished it that a lot.
On each the household and OTP fronts, it felt like the whole lot was very tenderly and sensitively written, within the sense that I felt like writer-nim had a deep and tender understanding of relationships.
After episode 6, nonetheless, I felt my hearts-in-eyes enjoyment slowly begin to wane, although I did handle to take pleasure in episodes 7 by means of 10 fairly properly. By episodes 11 by means of 14, nonetheless, I used to be feeling very underwhelmed and disenchanted.
Like, the place had my delicate, tender, sensible kdrama gone, and what was this clumsy writing, and the place was the sparky, simmering OTP chemistry that had had me all breathless? 🙈
In a shock improvement, nonetheless, I discovered myself having fun with the finale episodes fairly nicely – a lot better than I’d anticipated, really! – after taking every week away to clear my thoughts.
That’s additionally when it got here into focus for me, that Present is a household drama at coronary heart, and perhaps I’d simply had the mistaken expectations of it, all alongside. 😅
I really feel like understanding all of this, would assist you make sense of the whole lot else that I’m going to say, on this assessment.
STUFF I LIKED
A few of the episode titles
One of many issues that stood out to me, was the naming of our varied epsiodes.
To my eyes, all of it felt thoughtfully, tenderly executed.
First, I actually like how we begin an episode with one title, however constantly finish with an amended title, every time, as a result of it emphasizes the concept, that our story and our characters are all shifting ahead.
Second, a few of the episode titles felt particularly intelligent &/or significant.
On this spoiler part, I’m simply going to spotlight my prime three favorites.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E2. Episode 2 is titled “Hate” which then morphs into “Love,” however I’m extra taken by the unique Korean, as a result of “미움” morphs into “마음” with, not the addition, however the extension of a single stroke.
It looks like Present’s saying, that while you attain out and contact another person, hate then turns to like, and I actually do love that. 🥲
I’m positive there are numerous different examples of Present being thoughtfully and tenderly made, however that is the one that actually sticks in my thoughts, for a begin.
E5. I’m very taken with the episode title for episode 5, as a result of we begin with “Go Again” however finish with “Confession,” which is such an ideal pun, that I’ve to take a while to elucidate it, simply in case anybody missed it.
(The subs say “Go Again To You,” however the Korean is “Confession.”)
As a result of, in Korean, “confession” within the sense of confessing one’s emotions (versus confessing one’s crime) is “고백” (“gobaek” or the hanja 告白) – which appears like “return.” Isn’t that fairly sensible? 🤩
E10. I like-love-LOVE the episode’s closing, the place we hear Seok Ryu in voiceover, that after crying for a very long time, with swollen eyes, she walked out the door with Seung Hyo.
..Which is once we see that the episode title morphs from “Bear within the Cave” to “Mouth of the Cave.”
It’s actually extra thrilling in hangul, as a result of the phrase “bear” (곰) flips the wrong way up to develop into the phrase “door.” (문) I LOVE THAT.
It’s so intelligent and neat, AND, it mirrors Seok Ryu’s turnaround, in such a literal trend.
And I like that as we see the phrase “bear” develop into “door,” we hear Seok Ryu say that she walks out the door, with Seung Hyo.
Ahhhh. SO MEANINGFUL. I LOVE. 🥹🥹🥹
[END SPOILER]
When the feelings really feel uncooked and actual
I believe that is the place quite a lot of viewers are divided.
Like I discussed earlier, I discovered a few of the familial arcs very on-point and relatable, however some viewers discovered these similar arcs very irritating and annoying.
I assume we will’t assist the way in which we really feel, sure? 🤷🏻♀️
I do assume quite a lot of it has to do with our particular person backgrounds, contexts and experiences, which in flip have an effect on our private response to those arcs, once we see them unfold on our screens.
And so, despite the fact that we will’t assist the place we come from, my objective, on this spoiler part, is to not less than provide a distinct perspective, as a result of the arc that may have pushed you nuts, might need spoken to me or another person, in a really actual and visceral means.
In terms of these arcs, I additionally simply needed to day that always, the scenes themselves could also be stylized or exaggerated for dramatic impact, however the emotional beats ring true.
After I was in love with Present, this was my literal favourite factor about it. 🥲
Final however not least, I believed I ought to point out that I received’t be doing a separate part on Mi Suk and Geun Sik (Park Ji Younger and Jo Han Chul), as a result of I’m utilizing their arcs a lot, on this subsequent (very lengthy) part.
[SPOILER ALERT]
Mi Suk
E1-2. As soon as we understand that Mi Suk really feels embarrassed about her lack of non-public profession achievements, and pours all of her hope onto Seok Ryu, taking vicarious delight in Seok Ryu’s achievement, it turns into a lot simpler to know why she takes Seok Ryu’s achievements – or lack thereof – so personally.
Asian dad and mom having very excessive expectations of their offspring is already a widely known phenomenon.
(I did inform you guys in regards to the top-scoring woman in my major faculty, sure? She scored 100 marks for each check and examination, and the one time she obtained 95 marks on one thing, she obtained scolded by her mom. She ended up topping your entire nationwide cohort, at our Main College Leaving Examination, however I all the time puzzled what it was prefer to be in her sneakers, the place 95 marks was not ok).
Asian dad and mom who didn’t handle to attain a lot in their very own careers, actually because they sacrificed for his or her household and their kids, thus pinning their very own hopes on their kids, are likely to have even larger expectations of their children.
(Not that that could be a good or wholesome factor; that is simply how it’s, y’know?)
As I perceive it, the rationale that Asian dad and mom are typically this manner within the first place, is due to poverty. At the very least, that’s what I discovered from my mum, who grew up in poverty.
Whenever you’re residing in poverty, that the one potential option to raise your self and your loved ones out of poverty, is thru schooling. That’s why you’re employed so relentlessly in your schooling, after which in your profession.
I believe that considering finally simply.. caught, as a lifestyle, kinda? 😅
On a associated tangent, I believed it might be related to speak a bit in regards to the Asian means of self-discipline, which regularly is a mix of scolding and a few type of bodily punishment, whether or not that’s smacking or caning.
I’ve seen a few of you categorical discomfort at watching Korean dad and mom smack their kids, and I wanna say, I don’t assume dramas are simply placing that in there for leisure.
I actually assume that that’s a mirrored image of the tradition; that that is how Korean dad and mom are, with regards to disciplining their kids.
As , I’m not Korean, however in my very own expertise, I’ve been caned various instances, rising up, as punishment for dangerous conduct &/or dangerous grades. It was what I and all my mates skilled, rising up.
That doesn’t make my dad and mom and their complete technology a technology of abusers; this was their means of disciplining their kids.
Definitely, there’s a high quality line between self-discipline and abuse, and I don’t assume Present is condoning abuse.
(I’d say rule of thumb right here, is when kdramas present us chaebol dads who choose up golf golf equipment towards their kids &/or staff, that’s abuse. Smacking, yelling, and usually chasing after your kids with leeks whereas making empty threats to kill them, will not be really abuse. 😁)
It’s simply exhibiting us how Mi Suk, as a Korean mum or dad who has all her hopes pinned on her daughter, expresses her anger and disappointment, when she’s informed that Seok Ryu gave all of it up, on a whim.
In fact, we discover out that Seok Ryu isn’t really telling the reality right here, however Mi Suk doesn’t know that.
So far as Mi Suk is anxious, she believes Seok Ryu’s cowl story, that she simply obtained uninterested in the whole lot, and that’s why she stop her job and broke off her engagement.
Given the context that Mi Suk believes that one ought to pour one’s all into elevating the social class one comes from, it positively would appear extremely irresponsible of Seok Ryu to present all of it up on a whim.
And so, once I see Mi Suk go after Seok Ryu, in episode 1, with that handful of leeks, I really feel like I can perceive why she’s so shocked and horrified, and why she so desperately desires to alter the whole lot again, and have Seok Ryu return to the US, and make like this by no means occurred.
On that be aware, it really is sensible to me why Seok Ryu would have developed this behavior of appearing like the whole lot’s okay, when she’s really not okay.
I really feel like she will need to have discovered that her dad and mom have been proudest of her when she shone the brightest in school, and didn’t give them any issues, and that is her means of presenting her greatest self – by pretending that the whole lot’s okay, even when nothing is okay.
I noticed some feedback on-line the place viewers discovered Seok Ryu annoying, however I’ve to say, I don’t discover her annoying.
The way in which Jung So Min is taking part in her, despite the fact that the cues are on the delicate aspect, I discover it fairly simple to see that there’s extra occurring, on the within, versus what she’s exhibiting her family and friends.
And so, I concluded that the whole lot about her powerful woman picture, from appearing like nothing’s mistaken, to grabbing Seung Hyo in a headlock, is all simply her act; a coping mechanism of kinds, in order that she doesn’t have to indicate everybody simply how weak and harm she actually is.
I positively assume that that lens helps, so if you happen to’re struggling to love Seok Ryu, that may be lens to attempt.
Additionally, despite the fact that Seok Ryu’s executed nicely at work and due to this fact very probably has a good quantity of financial savings, it’s price noting that she chooses to go house to her household, despite the fact that she’s additionally clearly fairly frightened of telling her dad and mom that she’s now now not engaged nor employed.
I do assume that this exhibits that she really desires to be again within the fold of her household’s arms. And, I additionally suspect that this may additionally imply that she’s been lonely with out them, whereas within the US. 🥲
I actually discovered the have-it-out scene very cathartic to look at.
It’s arduous for an Asian child, to not solely stand as much as their dad and mom, however really inform their dad and mom how they really feel, so it felt actually needful, actually, for Seok Ryu to inform Mi Suk that she simply needed to be her daughter, not her delight and pleasure; that she needed to be Mi Suk’s daughter, even when she didn’t have a elaborate job or a promising future.
The important thing to Mi Suk’s reactions to Seok Ryu, actually rests in Mi Suk’s understanding of Seok Ryu’s actions.
What I imply to say is, the crux that makes the distinction, is when Mi Suk realizes that Seok Ryu is hurting.
I genuinely assume that Mi Suk wouldn’t have raged with leeks, if she’d had any thought upfront, that Seok Ryu had been hurting.
As a result of Seok Ryu had put up a nonchalant entrance, and claimed that she’d stop her job and damaged off her engagement, roughly on a whim, Mi Suk had misplaced it, and thought that Seok Ryu had recklessly thrown away the whole lot that she’d ever labored for, simply because she’d felt prefer it.
It’s solely later, when we now have that have-it-out change, that it turns into clear that Seok Ryu is hurting.
The way in which Mi Suk then cried gutting tears all by herself, sitting within the storeroom that Seok Ryu’s bed room had develop into, was actually fairly affecting to look at, actually.
I really feel that for the primary time, Mi Suk was placing herself in Seok Ryu’s sneakers, like the way in which she places down the bedding and tries to lie down in it.
I so love that Mi Suk decides to ask Seung Hyo to redo Seok Ryu’s room, in order that Seok Ryu would have a correct place to sleep, whether or not she was staying for just a few days, or just a few months.
Ahhhh. That’s SUCH an Asian mum or dad factor to do, to not really discuss in regards to the emotions, however do one thing to exhibit their love.
Mi Suk making a particular breakfast of abalone rice and calling Seok Ryu to the desk is a method, and this factor with the bed room is one other means.
Each methods are Mi Suk exhibiting Seok Ryu that she’s cherished and accepted, and actually, this half actually obtained to me, as a result of it jogged my memory of once I’d needed to come house to my dad and mom’ house, when my marriage fell aside.
I’d needed to name house in the course of the evening, to ask if I may come again, and my mum had mentioned sure immediately, they usually’d swiftly straightened up my room, in order that I’d have a correct place to sleep, upon coming house, by no means thoughts that it was actually the nighttime.
That’s why this a part of these episodes actually resonated with me, and made me recognize my mum all of the extra, for the way in which she’d taken me again in, no questions requested, once I’d most wanted it. 🥲😭
E3-4. I do actually like that the overt expressions of affection proceed, from Mi Suk to Seok Ryu, in these episodes, like in the way in which Mi Suk leaves a pot of curry on the desk for Seok Ryu, with a be aware that she ought to heat it up earlier than consuming.
Seok Ryu doesn’t but reveal why she’d stop, or that she’d discovered her fiancé dishonest on her, however she does make it clear that she’s hurting, and simply desires to be Mi Suk’s daughter, no matter whether or not she has a elaborate job or a promising future.
That’s the factor that will get to Mi Suk, and that’s why she sits and sobs alone, in Seok Ryu’s room.
And that’s additionally why, after this level, we see Mi Suk now not occurring about Seok Ryu’s job, preferring to let Seok Ryu determine issues out on her personal, in her personal time.
I don’t know if some viewers would possibly discover this turnaround on Mi Suk’s aspect on the abrupt aspect of issues, and surprise if Present had simply been exaggerating Mi Suk’s Tiger Parenting in episode 1, only for dramatic impact.
I don’t really feel that means, in that, I believe that with most Asian dad and mom, as soon as they understand that their baby is hurting, all of the Tiger Parenting instincts take a backseat, they usually begin to categorical their care and love, within the ways in which they understand how, like in making ready meals, or making ready your room, like we noticed in final week’s episodes.
Mi Suk’s not a monster mum or dad who solely desires a profitable baby; the second she realized that Seok Ryu’s hurting, is the second when the whole lot modified – and that’s why we see a really completely different Mi Suk, in these episodes, not less than the place Seok Ryu is anxious.
Geun Sik
E5-6. I discovered it fairly poignant, when Geun Sik lastly caves and admits that the one worth that he sees himself contributing to the household, is the small revenue that he makes from the tteokbokki store.
The way in which that he feels so small about it’s clear, and I really feel like there’s a robust aspect of Imposter Syndrome in there as nicely, which is one thing that I believe many people would be capable of establish &/or sympathize with.
I’m glad that ultimately, when the scammers have been caught, that Mi Suk tells Geun Sik that his tteokbokki is particular, and that it’s valuable meals that has raised their children, and that there IS rather a lot in his life, together with her and the children.
Aw. It looks like Geun Sik’s parched soul is lastly receiving the watering that he’d wanted for a really very long time, and I discovered this all very poignant. 🥲
Mi Suk and Geun Sik, in response to Seok Ryu
E7-8. By way of the robust opinions that Mi Suk and Geun Sik share, this pair of episodes, it’s not enjoyable to look at, however that parental want to see their baby do higher than they, and have a greater life than they, does ring true for me.
Like I discussed in my earlier notes for this present, quite a lot of the excessive expectations and arduous parenting that we see in Asian dad and mom, stems from a want to have their kids lifted out of the poverty that the dad and mom themselves had skilled.
Mi Suk doesn’t need Seok Ryu to dwell the identical unremarkable, “shabby” life that she’s lived in Korea, and that’s why she jumps on the potential probability for Seok Ryu to return to the US; she sees that as Seok Ryu’s probability to dwell higher than she’d lived.
And Geun Sik expresses robust emotions about not wanting Seok Ryu to enter cooking, for primarily the identical purpose.
He’s endured quite a lot of hardship as a prepare dinner, and he doesn’t need Seok Ryu to must endure the identical hardship, even when she expresses a real curiosity in cooking, like she is now.
In his eyes, he simply desires his daughter to dwell a extra snug life than he’s been capable of lead.
Put that means, it’s actually fairly a touching sentiment. It’s only a pity that it comes out packaged in robust emotions and harsh phrases – however once more, that can be fairly a typical Asian Dad or mum kind of trait, which Present is exaggerating considerably, for dramatic impact.
The factor that resonated probably the most with me, these episodes, is Seok Ryu’s frustration over her dad and mom’ disproportionate expectations of her, as their eldest baby.
As an eldest baby, I can relate, and her poured out frustrations actually struck a chord with me, as a result of it’s true that because the eldest baby, you do are likely to must cope with a lot larger expectations than your youthful siblings.
This specific beat did fire up some recollections of some fairly emotional moments for me, so this was altogether a really poignant scene for me. 🥲
E9-10. I actually empathize with Mi Suk and Geun Sik, in that, past the preliminary disbelief, anger and heartbreak, there may be a lot self-reproach.
It felt so actual to me, when the 2 of them sit collectively the subsequent night, and take into consideration all of the methods they will need to have let Seok Ryu down, for her to have ended up going by means of such a horrible factor alone.
On that time, when Mi Suk talked about scolding younger Seok Ryu for crying too, and giving her extra stress than she’d already had with child Dong Jin, it actually resonated with me; that entire factor in regards to the expectations of an eldest baby, y’know? 🥲
And but, it’s so clear to see that they’re simply flawed human beings, who’d tried their greatest, one of the best ways they knew how, and I discover it unimaginable in charge them for something, even when there may be some fact to Seok Ryu’s “eldest baby syndrome” stemming from what she’d been informed in her childhood.
[END SPOILER]
When Present makes me empathize
Not everybody would agree with me, however I personally didn’t discover any character in our story world outright hateful.
I do assume that Present does a strong job of serving to us to know every character, and due to this fact have empathy for them.
Hye Suk (Jang Younger Nam) is arguably the prickliest character whom we meet in our early episodes, and I used to be impressed by the way in which Present obtained me to empathize together with her, fairly rapidly.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E3-4. Hye Suk is a reasonably prickly character, a lot so that there’s a distinct chasm between her and the remainder of her household, together with her valuable delight and pleasure, Seung Hyo.
Her phrases are barbed and her actions, sharp and dismissive, and but, these episodes, I discovered myself feeling a stab of empathy for her, once we see that she’s making an attempt to get a brand new abroad task, but it surely isn’t fairly forthcoming.
It seems like her boss is simply fobbing her off with some pleasantries after which diverting her consideration with an invite to lunch, and from that fast close-up shot of Hye Suk’s face, the place we see her gaze develop into unsure, I felt like I may really feel her uncertainty.
And, the whole lot about her scenario appeared to only pop, abruptly, for me.
It looks like she’s backed herself right into a nook, the place her household finds her presence a supply of stress and burden, however she’s one way or the other now not getting these abroad assignments that used to come back simply and ceaselessly, that may take her out of the discomfort of being round her household, whereas giving her one thing to humble-brag about, to her mates, with a view to enhance picture, each of their eyes and her personal.
It’s not said explicitly, however my intestine says that we’re probably tapping into that dynamic, the place ladies within the office are likely to hit a ceiling, previous a sure (mature) age, they usually’re handled as much less helpful than earlier than.
It has been many moons since I labored in an workplace, or been in a company atmosphere, and but, I couldn’t assist however really feel a really actual stab of sympathy, once I caught that glimpse of Hye Suk’s wrestle.
[END SPOILER]
When little particulars mirror actual life
I additionally preferred it when Present threw in little particulars that felt true to life, like this scene in
[MINOR SPOILER]
E3-4. I like how Mi Suk’s group of ahjumma mates ooh appreciatively over the little bouquets of lavender that In Suk brings for everybody.
Once more, this little be aware feels very real, in that, ladies do are likely to pour their the whole lot in the direction of their household and their work, leaving little for themselves.
And so, this little beat, of the women basking within the prettiness of the lavender sprays, after which Mi Suk placing that as her SNS profile image, feels poignant.
This little factor is a means of placing herself first, as a result of flowers make her pleased, and I preferred that very nicely. 🥲
[END SPOILER]
STUFF THAT WAS OK
The dealing with of our OTP relationship
I had very completely different emotions in regards to the dealing with of our OTP relationship, over the course of my watch.
Within the earlier episodes, as much as episode 6, I used to be actually fairly thrilled by the writing round our OTP, and I used to be stoked by the chemistry that I noticed.
Episodes 7 by means of 10 have been much less enjoyable, however I felt like I may perceive what writer-nim was going for, and why issues have been written the way in which they have been.
I used to be, nonetheless, fairly underwhelmed by the therapy of the OTP relationship from episodes 11 by means of 14, which I’ll elaborate on, each on this spoiler part, in addition to the highlight on the penultimate episodes.
That mentioned, I discovered myself in a extra impartial area when it comes to my emotions for the OTP arc, by the point I obtained to the finale.
So general, I’d say that, making an allowance for all of the pluses and minuses round Present’s dealing with of the OTP relationship, it type of evens out to impartial, for me.
As promised, right here’s a glance into why I’d felt dissatisfied with Present’s strategy to the OTP, in episodes 11 & 12.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E11-12. After the heaviness of the previous a number of episodes, with Seok Ryu’s most cancers secret popping out and all, I might have most popular for Present to have shifted its focus to the event of the OTP relationship.
In any case, that’s the place the main focus had been, once we’d left them on the finish of episode 10, with Seok Ryu speaking about she and Seung Hyo strolling by means of the door collectively.
As a substitute, Present opts to shift the main focus to the connection between Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong, whereas the OTP stuff percolates within the background.
Now, in precept, I don’t thoughts it a lot, that Present pushes the Hye Suk-Gyeong Jong factor to the forefront in favor of the OTP relationship, as a result of I perceive that Seok Ryu does want time to kind by means of all the emotions about the whole lot, and about Seung Hyo specifically.
What I had an issue with, is how Present actually relegates all of this processing to the background, prefer it’s a kind of apps that works quietly within the background with out disturbing you as your work, and also you solely know that they’ve executed one thing, while you go in later, to test on the progress.
In consequence, when Seok Ryu lastly rushes over to Gangwon to see Seung Hyo on the finish of episode 11, it really feels fairly sudden, prefer it got here out of near nowhere.
I don’t simply desire a imprecise understanding that Seok Ryu’s emotions are percolating within the background, I need to SEE how she is processing the whole lot, and the way she’s inching nearer to acknowledging her emotions, y’know?
Additionally, I perceive that it’s bizarre and awkward for Seok Ryu, with Seung Hyo’s emotions for her out within the open like that, and he or she doesn’t know what to do.
Nevertheless, I do really feel like Present leans too arduous into the awkwardness, each earlier than and after our OTP will get minted.
I simply usually discovered lots of the OTP interactions a lot too aggressively awkward, to the purpose of taking me out of the second, as a result of they felt too exaggerated to exist in actual life. 😅
Additionally, sure, we do get some OTP-focused moments, like when Seok Ryu goes to choose up a drunk Seung Hyo, when the ahjumma calls her on Seung Hyo’s #1 pace dial, BUT, I really feel that Present fails to level the highlight on Seok Ryu’s growing consciousness of her emotions for Seung Hyo.
Like, positive, we will go on a detour and concentrate on Seung Hyo’s dad and mom, however alongside the way in which, couldn’t we now have had a stronger, extra apparent sequence of spotlights, on physique language that might have tell us that Seok Ryu’s emotions for Seung Hyo, and her consciousness of mentioned emotions, have been simmering?
That might have labored a lot better to convey us to the purpose the place she hears his candy confession / assurance in French, then flies to Gangwon to see him.
As for the confession scene itself, I’ve to say that I’ve blended emotions about it.
The confession is underwhelming when it comes to the phrases Seok Ryu says, however I do assume that the draw right here, is that Seung Hyo understood her, past her phrases.
He may inform that this wasn’t her ordinary excuses, and will learn, from her eyes and physique language, that this was her being awkward about acknowledging her emotions for him.
And so, the sweetness within the scene, is extra in his capability to know her, and in his response to her, which fits by means of just a few phases, ie, shock, uncertainty, gladness, after which a response that’s heat, accepting and romantic in a single, together with his answering kiss.
The opposite factor that I discovered underwhelming on this scene, is Seok Ryu’s awkward physique language, in response to Seung Hyo’s kiss.
Once more, I really feel like Present is leaning too arduous into the awkwardness bit.
Like, I geddit, these two have been mates for years, and due to this fact, that is new and unfamiliar territory and that’s why it may get bizarre and awkward, however AT THE SAME TIME, they’ve each acknowledged a love and attraction for one another that’s romantic, so I do want that PD-nim may have allowed that to indicate by means of, y’know?
As a substitute, we spend nearly the whole thing of episode 12 in a state of discomfort, with Seok Ryu feeling like Seung Hyo’s particularly distant from her, now that they’re really courting.
Once more, I can recognize the idea, however I don’t just like the execution.
Pay attention. The episode is 1 hour 20 minutes lengthy. And Present actually drags out this misunderstanding for almost all of the episode, with out really exhibiting us Seung Hyo’s point-of-view.
That’s not enjoyable from the place I’m sitting, anyway.
They may’ve – ought to’ve! – given us glimpses into the discomfort and nerves on either side; I believe I might have felt a lot better that means. At the very least that means, I might perceive why Seung Hyo was appearing that means, and likewise, empathize with each of them.
I used to be relieved once they discuss candidly about their emotions, in the direction of the top of episode 12.
Like, YES, they each apologize, and clarify how they really feel, and Seung Hyo even admits that he’d felt fairly gratified to know that Seok Ryu had felt jealous about him working with Tae Hui,
All very wholesome and optimistic, lastly. 🥲
After which we now have the pure skinship that I’d felt was lacking, as our OTP decides to take issues to the subsequent degree.
It’s simply.. can I nitpick and say that I don’t actually like the way in which Seung Hyo’s written as saying that he’s having dangerous ideas about dangerous actions..?
I imply.. that’s actually not very romantic. 😅
We may have had a sweeter, sexier model of occasions, if Seung Hyo had one thing extra alongside the traces of, “Being on this room with you.. makes me need to kiss you.. and stuff,” and Seok Ryu may say, “I’m pleased with that.. and stuff,” all lowered lids and mild whisper.
Okay, sorry, that most likely isn’t the best-written romantic scene, however I’m simply making an attempt to place phrases to a vibe, and even with these clumsy phrases, that might have labored, sure??? 🥹🥹🥹
As a substitute of “dangerous ideas and dangerous actions”???
Okay, perhaps I’m the one one struggling to get on board with the phrasing right here. 😅
[END SPOILER]
Dealing with of the secondary OTP relationship
I just like the idea of our secondary OTP, and I additionally like the place our OTP finally ends up, however I’ve to admit that I didn’t benefit from the preliminary bickering part that writer-nim gave this pairing.
I used to be legitimately relieved once we hit the episode 5 to six mark, they usually stopped bickering; I discovered it that painful to look at.
It’s bizarre, isn’t it, that writer-nim does such an ideal job of writing the bickering between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu, however then serves up such a really completely different taste of bickering, with regards to our secondary OTP?
With Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu, the bickering feels utterly natural and pure, and I really feel just like the dialogue is sharp, vivid and witty.
In terms of the bickering between Mo Eum and Dan Ho, nonetheless, it constantly comes throughout as unnatural and try-hard.
Perhaps a junior author was assigned the duty of writing the dialogue for the secondary OTP, and writer-nim herself solely wrote the dialogue between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu?
I don’t know, however I might consider that, as a result of the tone of the conversations simply vibes utterly in a different way.
That’s why the dealing with of our secondary OTP additionally lands on this impartial zone, for me.
STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH
When Present brings again the ex-boyfriend
I wasn’t too sizzling on Present bringing Seok Ryu’s ex-boyfriend Hyeon Jun (Han Joon Woo) into the image, and I additionally didn’t like that he stayed within the image for so long as he did.
Nevertheless, to Present’s credit score, I do assume that his exit was finally dealt with with respect and sensitivity, which I depend as a plus.
That mentioned, I’ve nonetheless obtained him on this “not nice” part as a result of I felt that his presence actively held again our OTP relationship from progressing, and that was one thing that I actually would have preferred Present to have put extra lively concentrate on.
Listed here are all my ideas round Hyeon Jun’s arrival and departure; the great, the dangerous, and the why-is-he-still-here??? – simply not in fairly that order. 😁
[SPOILER ALERT]
E7-8. Hyeon Jun’s arrival interrupts us at a really key second – the place Seung Hyo’s on the verge of telling Seok Ryu what he’d meant about her driving him loopy – so I welcomed him even lower than ordinary, ha.
An excellent chunk of episode 7’s display screen time is occupied by Hyeon Jun making an attempt to get Seok Ryu to take him again.
I genuinely don’t begrudge him the appropriate to come back again to Korea and attempt to mend issues with Seok Ryu.
That mentioned, I don’t assume very nicely of Hyeon Jun for persevering with to badger Seok Ryu, and refusing to take “No” for a solution, when Seok Ryu makes it clear to him that, so far as she’s involved, there isn’t any going again, for them.
I really feel like by the top of episode 7 (tops), Hyeon Jun ought to have accepted Seok Ryu’s reply, and revered her proper to show him down.
Due to this fact, by episode 8, he’d already outstayed his welcome, in my view. 😅
Associated to this, I wasn’t a giant fan of the scenes the place Seung Hyo and Hyeon Jun are attempting to outdo one another, in getting near Seok Ryu.
E9-10. I do assume that Hyeon Jun is honest, within the ways in which he is aware of how.
When Seok Ryu had obtained her most cancers analysis, he’d taken time without work from work in order that he may assist deal with her.
And now, when she’s declared that she desires to pursue cooking as her ardour, he’s really serving to her get data on a culinary faculty that may give her a robust, skilled begin.
Nevertheless, I do get the sense that he’s by no means really understood Seok Ryu, or that she’d felt really capable of be herself, round him.
I assume it’s not rather a lot to go on, however the truth that she’d fought to be so robust and vivid throughout her most cancers therapy, as an alternative of exhibiting her concern, looks like a sign of that.
And the truth that he hadn’t picked up on the truth that there was extra occurring together with her, beneath that brightness and dedication, looks like a sign that he didn’t really know or perceive her.
With the despair, it’s arduous to fault him, within the sense that the majority laypeople don’t actually know what to do within the face of despair, and he did what I believe most individuals would have executed; he was supportive as attainable, whereas ready for the despair to “blow over.”
However despair doesn’t simply “blow over,” and it is sensible that it was only a matter of time earlier than issues simply blew up.
I’m relieved to know that Hyeon Jun hadn’t cheated on Seok Ryu like Present had initially hinted at, however I do agree with Seok Ryu, that there isn’t any beginning over, with their relationship.
The way in which Seok Ryu describes how her life is endlessly modified from the most cancers analysis, could be very true.
Simply because she’s survived it, doesn’t imply that she may be assured that she’s going to by no means must battle it once more; what she says, that she’s going to by no means be utterly free, that she’s going to all the time be not too removed from demise’s door, rings true to me. That is what most cancers survivors must dwell with.
Provided that Hyeon Jun had misplaced endurance in ready for issues to blow over, I can see why Seok Ryu would really feel that it’s higher for them to half methods.
E9-10. It feels becoming that Hyeon Jun would come to the conclusion that he’s simply not the person who Seok Ryu wants proper now.
Despair or not, I might agree with that assertion, so I’m happy that Hyeon Jun decides to return to the US, and I’m additionally happy with how issues are wrapped up, between him and Seok Ryu.
I like that they arrive to a pure and mutual settlement, that their season is over, and that it’s simply time to say goodbye.
It looks like a pleasant step of maturity, for Seung Hyo to go to the airport with Seok Ryu, to ship Hyeon Jun off.
Actually, I do recognize the goodbye between Seung Hyo and Hyeon Jun, as a result of, for the primary time, these two are talking as individuals who each love Seok Ryu and wish the most effective for her. I felt that was very significant. 🥲
It feels significant too, that Seok Ryu and Hyeon Jun thank one another for the whole lot, and shake palms, whereas wishing one another happiness.
And, it looks like maybe Hyeon Jun’s estimation, that Seung Hyo’s the brand new particular person in Seok Ryu’s life, may be the assertion of fact that Seok Ryu wants to listen to.
I actually like how respectfully writer-nim treats the closure of this relationship with Hyeon Jun, and that Seok Ryu instinctively begins to grieve, after their goodbye.
And I’m glad that Seung Hyo – training the commentary expertise that he’s discovered for his seok ryu tree – responds instinctively, to protect her together with his jacket, in order that she will cry freely, for so long as she must.
Awww. Isn’t that so gruffly but so sweetly supportive of him? 🥲
[END SPOILER]
When the dealing with feels whiplashy
Usually talking, I used to be high quality with Present shifting tones between beats, however there was a particular portion in episodes 11 to 12, the place I felt it obtained out of hand, a lot in order that the whole lot felt fairly whiplashy, consequently.
Particularly, I’m referring to Present’s therapy of the connection between Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E11-12. I appreciated the emotional beats on this arc, from Hye Suk’s sophisticated feelings that spanned delight, unhappiness, awkwardness, fragility, vulnerability and a deep sense of loss and confusion, to Gyeong Jong’s deep fear and despair that he had maybe misplaced his spouse for good.
And actually, I didn’t even thoughts a lot, the reminiscence loss factor, as a result of in my head, there have been a number of attainable causes that Present may use to elucidate it, and a few of these choices have been fairly affordable, to my thoughts.
For the curious, they have been, 1, menopause (some folks do really feel like they’re shedding their minds, with the huge hormonal shifts), 2, early onset Alzheimer’s, 3, psychological well being situation (I neglect the precise situation, but it surely was explored in Each day Dose of Sunshine, and the affected person did preserve forgetting massive chunks of issues), and 4, mind tumor.
I didn’t assume Present would go the route of mind tumor, since we’ve already had a legit most cancers case in our story world, and I reasoned that we didn’t want the heaviness from one other most cancers case.
So my guess was that it was both menopause associated, or psychological well being associated, and it did transform psychological well being associated, in episode 12.
I understood that Present needed Hye Suk to be proven in a weak, fragile kind of gentle, notably with the robust, nonchalant kind of demeanor that she’s constantly proven to the world, together with her shut family and friends.
And I additionally understood that this may very well be the Large Shock that may trigger Gyeong Jong to see Hye Suk in a complete new gentle, thus triggering their reconciliation.
All that mentioned, I didn’t love the execution of all of it.
I personally discovered the mountaintop scene too melodramatic than I felt was obligatory, after which I discovered the aftermath, too hokey-cutesy. In a phrase, it was whiplashy.
I believe that is the factor that disenchanted me probably the most, on a macro degree.
It felt just like the husband-wife dynamics between Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong are amped as much as ranges that now not really feel uncooked and actual.
Positive, the emotional beats nonetheless hit house, however not in that “this feels so actual” 🥹🥹 kind of means that I’d admired in different scenes in earlier episodes.
As a substitute, the emotional beats are encased in melodrama, adopted by hokey-cutesy, and I really feel like these chosen tones really detracted from the emotion of all of it.
Don’t get me mistaken, I do love the concept of Gyeong Jong being a smitten pet, however to only make that the decision for this couple’s estranged relationship, does really feel type of overly handy and overly simplistic, y’know?
I’d simply.. anticipated Present to have handled the decision with as a lot nuance because it had handled the wedding points that had estranged them within the first place. That might have felt extra balanced, I really feel.
[END SPOILER]
SPOTLIGHT ON A FEW CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS
Jung Hae In as Seung Hyo
I’ve loved Jung Hae In in numerous dramas earlier than this (like One Spring Evening and DP), so I used to be very excited to see him really headline a rom-com (or so I thought, anyway 😅 – coz as we’ve mentioned, I don’t assume Present was meant to be a rom-com within the first place).
I personally assume Jung Hae In does a very good job of the position; I really feel that he makes Seung Hyo very endearing and likable, in his boyish means.
I believed I’d focus this spoiler part on exploring the moments in time when Seung Hyo says or does issues that aren’t very good, in an try to make clear why he might need behaved the way in which he did.
I additionally thought it might be good to the touch on somewhat little bit of his development journey, although I’m conscious that I’m not entering into all of it.
Consider this as my fast little spotlight reel on Seung Hyo, if that helps? 😅 I’ll discuss extra about him within the part on our OTP, I promise. 😁
[SPOILER ALERT]
E7-8. I don’t prefer it a lot when Present performs Seung Hyo’s jealousy for laughs, as a result of I actually a lot favor when Seung Hyo’s not getting terse with a 3rd celebration; he tends to say not-so-pleasant issues at these instances, which nearly taint my affection for him as a personality.
I say “nearly,” as a result of I do really feel some sympathy for Seung Hyo.
I see him as getting relatively panicky and feeling threatened, as a result of Hyeon Jun’s proven up at a time when Seung Hyo’s struggling to permit himself to be weak with Seok Ryu, and that’s why he’s simply placing his foot in his mouth, nearly as a reflex.
Plus, I do completely consider that Seung Hyo feels protecting of Seok Ryu, and is able to beat down the man who’d damaged her coronary heart, if obligatory.
E7-8. I believed it was good when Seung Hyo takes Seok Ryu on his bicycle, they usually experience amid the falling spring blossoms. Sooo fairly!! 😍
It’s all very candy – that’s, till Seung Hyo begins asking about Hyeon Jun, and finally ends up asking Seok Ryu if she doesn’t have any self-respect, for wavering at Hyeon Jun desirous to get again collectively once more.
Eep. I like Seung Hyo, however this was a Very Unhealthy Factor to say, and I need to smack him upside the pinnacle, for saying such a insensitive and hurtful factor to Seok Ryu.
Not cool, even once I take his jealousy into consideration. 😕
Nevertheless, I did assume it was fairly candy, when, after the preliminary scare that somebody might need been following her on her night stroll, Seung Hyo tells Seok Ryu that he’ll stroll behind her, so there’s no purpose for her to be afraid.
That was fairly good, I believed. 🥲
E9-10. I do love the parallel that we get, of Seung Hyo studying to hearken to and deal with his pomegranate tree, as he learns to hear and deal with Seok Ryu.
I imply, that scene the place he goes to the florist and asks for assist, he actually says, “Are you able to please save my seok ryu?” and I like once more, how writer-nim is so thoughtfully witty that means.
Not solely was the pomegranate tree one thing that may actually remind him of Seok Ryu, it’s a stand-in for Seok Ryu, as her namesake. 🥲
And it feels very apt, that similar to with the pomegranate tree, Seung Hyo must study to concentrate to the unstated, with a view to work out how its doing and what it wants, he must do the very same factor with Seok Ryu.
[END SPOILER]
Jung So Min as Seok Ryu
I actually take pleasure in Jung So Min as an actress (like in As a result of This Is My First Life, and Father is Unusual, I actually appeared ahead to her outing on this position.
I do assume that she does job of the position, despite the fact that, as I focus on in varied parts of this assessment, I generally discovered the writing round Seok Ryu’s actions relatively perplexing.
That mentioned, I needed to know her, and root for her.
As a result of I’ve seen some dislike floating across the interwebs for Seok Ryu as a personality, I believed I ought to try to shed some gentle on her character, not less than within the areas the place I really feel like I can perceive her.
That’s what this spoiler part is about.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E9-10. I believed I’d discuss a bit about Seok Ryu’s resolution to not inform her household about her most cancers analysis, as a result of this half actually did resonate with me.
To make sure, I haven’t had the very same expertise, however this factor, in regards to the eldest baby studying from a younger age, to not burden their dad and mom, as a lot as attainable, is unquestionably A Factor, for me.
As you all know, I had surgical procedure late final 12 months, and it was a reasonably main surgical procedure, despite the fact that it wasn’t a horrible factor like most cancers.
I child you not; I informed my dad and mom to not come to the hospital, and that there was no want to go to.
My reasoning being, that hanging round a hospital wouldn’t do them any good, particularly since my mum is immunocompromised, and that if I wanted assist with something, I may ask the nurses.
I didn’t even go away directions with the nurses on whom to name, about my ward particulars, after my surgical procedure. I simply figured that it wouldn’t be obligatory, y’know?
However, fortunately for me, the hospital’s protocol meant that the nurses checked out my emergency contact particulars after my surgical procedure, and referred to as my mum to tell her that the surgical procedure was over, and inform her which ward I used to be in.
My dad and mom principally ignored my directions to not come, and got here to see me anyway – and I used to be very, very grateful, as a result of I used to be in a lot worse form post-surgery, than I’d anticipated.
It was simply comforting to have my household come over and produce me heat cocoa and mushy soybean pudding, despite the fact that I may barely eat or drink, being drugged up on morphine and all. 😅
And so, this factor the place Seok Ryu had felt unable to inform her dad and mom about her analysis, as a result of she didn’t need to fear or burden them, actually struck a type of chord with me, y’know?
Sure, I do know that she ought to’ve informed them, and sure, they completely would have needed to know, however on the similar time, I perceive why she’d felt that means, and why she’d ended up conserving it to herself, y’know? 🥹
And, I completely get that sense of reduction that comes by means of, whilst Seok Ryu squirms so uncomfortably, whereas Mi Suk asks if it’s true, after which walks over to hug her.
The reduction that Seok Ryu feels, as she cries in Mi Suk’s arms, is, I believe, the reduction that she doesn’t must attempt to conceal it anymore, and likewise, that she doesn’t must attempt to be stronger than she feels, both. 🥲
I’m glad that Seung Hyo means that “welcome house” celebration for Seok Ryu, as a result of it’s true that she hadn’t had one, when she’d first come again to Korea.
On the similar time, this looks like a real welcome house kind of second, as a result of now, Seok Ryu’s fact is on the market, and everyone seems to be welcoming her wholly, tough analysis and all. That feels significant to me. 🥲
[END SPOILER]
Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu
As I’ve alluded to in different parts of this assessment, this OTP relationship had some severe sparks of promise for me, however I’d finally felt underwhelmed at sure factors of our story, by each the writing and supply.
Since I’ve explored the not-so-great bits in different sections of this assessment, I believed I’d reserve this part for all of the bits that I did love. 🥲
[SPOILER ALERT]
E1-2. I actually just like the tone of our OTP banter; to me, it’s not too aggressive. They vibe, to my eyes, like two reluctant siblings who discover it “so not cool!” to be present in one another’s orbits. 😁
The factor I like most, is that beneath all of the bluster and expressed annoyance, it’s simple to see that these two folks actually do care about one another, and belief one another.
And the way in regards to the smiles that we see Seung Hyo leak, now and again, when he thinks about Seok Ryu?
Like on the finish of episode 1, when he walks away from her home, and thinks about how she’d fiercely protected him from different children, calling him her child – after which he smiles this little, barely teary, affectionate smile.
SO MELTY, omigosh.
I like this concept that Seung Hyo has a mushy spot for Seok Ryu, regardless of all his grumbles and complaints. 🥲
Though Seok Ryu doesn’t need to inform anybody about why she’d supposedly stop her job, I really feel that what she tells Seung Hyo on that hilltop, the place they relaxation after operating from Mi Suk’s raging leeks, comes from one thing actual.
She will not be telling him the specifics of her true scenario, like how she’d been fired, and the way she’d discovered her fiancé dishonest on her, however the feelings and exhaustion that she describes to him, really feel actual. 🥲
And when Seung Hyo has monetary issues at work, Seok Ryu can inform, simply from taking a look at him, that one thing’s up, despite the fact that he doesn’t say something.
I like that she is aware of him that nicely, and I additionally like that she really cares.
I additionally like that she goes to the difficulty of getting him a congratulatory pomegranate plant, for the opening of his new firm, and I like that he really takes it to the workplace. 🥰
And, I didn’t discover this till I revisited the scene for these notes, however pomegranate in Korean is seok ryu, which is her identify! 😁 That’s why she tells him that it’ll remind him of her.
Though he asks if he can throw it away, I like that he principally accepted it and dutifully introduced it to the workplace. Tee hee hee. I like that. 🤭
And, when Seok Ryu really exhibits up on the opening (which, I discover that she’s candy like that; she’ll say every kind of gruff nonsense, however she’ll do one thing candy and considerate, like seek for that brooch for Mi Suk, and produce it to her), I like that Seung Hyo tells her, with a be aware of gentleness in his voice, that she ought to keep and eat, since they obtained an costly caterer.
After which, when he overhears her huge have-it-out argument with Mi Suk, I like that he’s involved and truly goes out on the lookout for her, after which finds her – as a result of he is aware of precisely the place she’d be. 🥲
I like that he simply sits together with her, and even goes to purchase an umbrella, when it rains, however then climbs proper again up, to take a seat subsequent to her once more.
Greater than that, although, I like that he understands that she’s harm and truly must cry, and that each one of her blustery humorous tales, are simply her means of overlaying up her ache.
I like that he tells her it’s alright to cry, and I like that this permission, is strictly what it takes, for Seok Ryu to let the tears stream. 🥲
Additionally, isn’t it candy, that when Seok Ryu insists that Seung Hyo inform her what’s bothering him, and he says that there are some dangerous money owed, she’s instantly able to intimidate these debtors into returning his cash.
Aw. It’s actually endearing, actually. 🥲
E1-2. I’m blown away, first by how willingly Seung Hyo takes on the duty of redoing Seok Ryu’s room, and the way he actually applies himself to the duty, such that he doesn’t even present as much as the workplace.
After which, I’m blown away by the truth that he remembered the whole lot about Seok Ryu’s room, all the way down to the littlest element.
OMIGOSH. That thought, that he actually is aware of her that nicely, and cares sufficient to recollect, and cares sufficient to place effort into recreating the area, and even fill her ceiling with star stickers, simply flooring me. 🫠🫠🫠
I’m formally smitten, you guys. How is Seung Hyo this candy and considerate??? 🥹🥹
I simply love the thought that Seung Hyo transfer again house, and is due to this fact now actually Seok Ryu’s subsequent door neighbor – the place his room faces hers.
Eee!! I can already think about the potential sparks.
..Which we already get somewhat style of, by way of that flashback, the place Seung Hyo had caught a falling Seok Ryu, they usually’d landed on her mattress. You may virtually really feel the crackle within the air; the hyper-awareness is so eager on either side. 🔥
I can not wait, actually, to see extra of those two collectively.
E3-4. These episodes, I like how we’re getting extra context across the relationship between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu.
I simply love the truth that she all the time made positive that she was there for him.
At his essential swim meet, she’d skipped her mock examination in order that she may very well be there for him, when he’d had nobody else, not even his dad and mom.
I simply love how enthusiastic and unabashed she is, about cheering him on. She doesn’t care what anybody else thinks; she’s there for Seung Hyo, and isn’t afraid to shout it from the mountaintops. I like that. 🥲
Publish-accident, she’d made positive that she was there for him, even when he was pushing her away; she made positive that he wasn’t remoted, even when it meant climbing the wall to get to him by means of his room window.
And now, within the current, when she perceives that he wants her, for his agency’s pitch to Greip, she makes positive that she’s there for him too, despite the fact that the mere point out of Greip makes her uncomfortable.
I actually recognize how Seok Ryu is prepared to place her personal wants apart with a view to be there for Seung Hyo.
Proper now, she’s the one who’s unemployed, and looking for route, and he’s the one who’s fairly profitable, together with his personal architectural agency.
He and Hyung may’ve employed a translator, no drawback, actually, however she chooses to be there for him, despite the fact that she’s nonetheless misplaced at sea, in relation to her personal profession. I believed that was very candy. 🥲
And, I additionally actually love how he’s all the time there for her too, in his personal means.
Like when she looks like a phony for not revealing that she’s now not working at Greip, and nonetheless provides that scholar discuss, he tells her that her expertise at Greip remains to be legitimate, and due to this fact her sharing remains to be useful, so it’s all good.
Aw. That’s one thing that Seok Ryu wanted to listen to, I do assume.
Plus, he is aware of immediately, when Seok Ryu talks about these potential jobs that the headhunter presents her, that this isn’t the type of work that actually conjures up Seok Ryu.
He’s the one who helps her see the reality in that, and that feels crucial.
Isn’t it candy too, of Seung Hyo to consider digging up the time capsule, as a result of he thinks that it may be useful to Seok Ryu, as she tries to determine her true dream?
Ahahaha. I’m fairly positive that when he suggests it, he had forgotten that he’d ever written in his letter, that he preferred Seok Ryu. 🤭
I simply LOVE, although, this concept that Seung Hyo’s preferred Seok Ryu for a very long time.
It’s not tremendous shocking, on condition that we’ve seen leaked affectionate seems and smiles from him since episode 1, however I like it anyway.
And, I should purchase the concept that he’s considerably in denial of his emotions, at instances, like when he realizes what he’s written within the letter.
It’s nearly like he’s making an attempt to persuade himself that these emotions are all prior to now, in the event that they ever existed in any respect, and it’s a reasonably scrumptious piece of context, to underscore all of his interactions with Seok Ryu. 🥰
In fact, I like-love-LOVE the swimming pool scene on the finish of episode 3.
Now that I give it some thought, the way in which Seung Hyo baits Seok Ryu on this scene, poking at her till he will get the rise that she wants, to really unleash, from a deeper place, and bounce into the water, could be very very like how she had burst into his room all these years in the past, after which baited him, in order that he would unleash, from a deeper place – in order that he would really feel higher.
There’s one thing very poignant and delightful about that, despite the fact that on the floor, it’s all very bickery and chaotic.
It would look bickery and chaotic on the floor, however beneath all of it, they really have one another’s greatest pursuits at coronary heart.
Seok Ryu had burst in on Seung Hyo, to be sure that he wouldn’t bottle up his ache, however let it out, and now, within the current, Seung Hyo’s baiting Seok Ryu, in order that she’d collect the braveness to leap into the unknown – the water, but additionally, the longer term. 🥲
On that be aware, although, I’ve to say that I actually recognize the truth that the chaos between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu actually works for me.
Like the way in which she begins flailing about within the water, and begins grabbing at Seung Hyo, whereas he tries his futile greatest to regular her, is so cute and humorous and actual to me. 🥲
I do love that within the midst of all this, Seung Hyo teaches Seok Ryu to calm down within the water; this feels very symbolic to me, since I really feel just like the water represents the unknown future. 🥲
And, I really feel it’s very vital too, that Seok Ryu would really be capable of lastly calm down, with Seung Hyo by her aspect, within the water.
Ahhh. Extending my metaphor (as a result of I can’t assist myself), this looks like Seung Hyo’s presence, subsequent to Seok Ryu, as a result of she trusts him, would be the factor that helps her to calm down, whilst she ventures into her unknown future. 🥲
I like that she opens as much as him, mendacity on her again within the water, and shares that she’d felt scared, and had felt like nothing with out her Greip job, and I like that Seung Hyo responds with solidarity and empathy, as a result of he’d felt the identical about swimming.
Augh. I like how these two are capable of establish with one another like this. 🥲
After which after all I like-love-LOVE the half the place Seung Hyo asks if she would do issues in a different way if she may return to earlier than she stop her job, and he or she solutions with an unreserved “No.”
After which he asks if she would do issues in a different way, if she may return to earlier than she’d referred to as off her engagement, and he or she additionally solutions with an emphatic “No” – after which, as she loses her stability within the water, he grabs her in a princess-carry and he goes, “That’s good, then.”
Eeee!!!! I completely flailed all around the ground at this, no lie, as a result of I’d taken it to imply that this was ok for him – as a result of he preferred her.
And, that is additionally the purpose once we study that Seung Hyo had written about his emotions for Seok Ryu, in that point capsule letter.
Ahhh. Within the gentle of this, “Cease Line” altering to “Beginning Line” additionally feels prefer it refers to their potential relationship.
As a result of, whereas Seok Ryu’s had a “Cease Line” together with her ex-fiancé, that’s now develop into a possible “Beginning Line,” for her and Seung Hyo? 🥹
E3-4. After the entire drama across the Greip presentation, I used to be comforted to see that Seung Hyo follows Seok Ryu, whilst she leaves the lodge, after which randomly chooses to hike up what seems like Namsan Mountain, in her excessive heels and all.
How candy is he, that he follows her all the way in which as much as the highest, after which, when she sits down, he lastly sits together with her – after which palms her a pair of slippers, as a result of he is aware of that her toes are hurting? 🥲
After which, when she begins to say that if she’d cherished her work extra, she would have hung in there longer, I like that Seung Hyo units her straight immediately; that it had been straight up office harassment, and that it had nothing to do with how a lot she’d cherished her work.
These are clever phrases, and I like that Seung Hyo is ready to set Seok Ryu straight, and forestall her from going into one other thought spiral.
After which, isn’t it SO CUTE, how Seung Hyo will get that lock, in order that he can write down all of Seok Ryu’s grievances there, they usually can cuss Chris out with each conceivable petty affliction, heh.
I do love how cooperative Seung Hyo is; like when Seok Ryu says that there’s heaps extra to write down, and he ought to’ve purchased an even bigger lock, he rapidly says that he’ll write smaller.
Tee hee hee! I believed that was cute. 😁
And similar to that, he’s helped Seok Ryu really feel higher at a very low level in her life, not in contrast to how she’d as soon as helped him really feel higher, at a very low level in his life. SCHWEET. 🥲
E3-4. I like-love-LOVE that Seok Ryu is so personally invested in Atelier In getting the Greip job, that when she hears the information from Seung Hyo, she instinctively grabs him for a hug – and I like how we then get the flashback and context, that she’d as soon as grabbed him for a hug, again when he’d visited her within the US, and he’d responded in the very same means as he’s responding now: with a frozen however very clear expression of discombobulated hyper-awareness.
Eeeee!!!! I like it!! A lot!!
He likes her now, as a lot as he’d preferred her when he’d written that letter, and mentioned that he didn’t dare to inform her, as a result of he didn’t need to break their friendship.
I get the sensation that this hug goes to convey all of it again into focus for Seung Hyo, and I can not wait to see how their connection continues to evolve. 😍🔥
E5-6. We do get some sudden moments of hyper-proximity these episodes, which transform a giant set off for Seung Hyo’s subsequent efforts to maintain his distance from Seok Ryu.
First, there’s the pleased hug on the finish of episode 4, after which, after that, once they head again to Seung Hyo’s workplace in order that Seok Ryu could make him a congratulatory meal, there’s how she journeys, and he finally ends up catching her in a startled princess-carry.
I squeed at each factors, after all, as a result of I simply love when these two stand up shut and private with one another, whether or not deliberately or unintentionally. 😍
Actually, I believe it’s actually candy that Seok Ryu desires to make meals for Seung Hyo, to rejoice his firm successful the Greip contract.
(I did chuckle on the reference to One thing within the Rain, when Seok Ryu says that she’ll present him what it’s actually like when a reasonably noona cooks for him – as a result of the native title for One thing within the Rain is Fairly Noona Who Buys Me Meals. 🤭)
After which I couldn’t not squee on the mushy, glad gaze that Seung Hyo wears, whereas watching Seok Ryu prepare dinner.
Ahhh. I actually really feel like he was fairly presumably feeling fairly optimistic about perhaps appearing on his emotions for Seok Ryu; that’s, till he overhears Seok Ryu telling Mo Eum that she does, in actual fact, nonetheless love her ex-fiancé.
Sigh. I can see why Seung Hyo would then change tack abruptly, and abruptly begin to distance himself from Seok Ryu.
I really feel like he most likely believed it was the one means ahead, since she was nonetheless in love together with her ex-fiancé, and likewise, we do hear from him, later in these episodes, simply how a lot his emotions for Seok Ryu have an effect on him; that he actually tends to really feel like he’s shedding his thoughts.
With that context, I can higher perceive Seung Hyo making an attempt to distance himself from Seok Ryu, despite the fact that I discovered it unhappy to look at (as a result of I a lot favor the 2 of them collectively than aside 🥲).
In a fashion of talking, you can say that Seung Hyo’s resolution to distance himself, is an try at self-preservation.
E5-6. I ended up liking fairly nicely, the inclusion of Tae Hui (Search engine optimisation Ji Hye), Seung Hyo’s ex-girlfriend, in our story, as a result of I really feel like her presence did a number of essential issues.
1, I really feel that it exhibits us, as an viewers, how strongly conscious of Seok Ryu he’s, despite the fact that he’s actively pushing her away.
The second Tae Hui seems and surprises him from behind, saying, “It’s been some time,” you’ll be able to see Seung Hyo’s eyes dart proper over to Seok Ryu, to see how she’s taking this very uncommon scenario.
He cares instinctively, about how Seok Ryu feels, notably about him with one other lady.
And no, I completely don’t imply this in a “he’s testing her” kind of means, however extra in a “I don’t need her to get the mistaken thought” kind of means.
2, It completely does provoke Seok Ryu to assume, not less than somewhat bit, about Seung Hyo in a romantic context.
Like that flashback, when she tells Na Yun that Seung Hyo and Tae Hui had been very passionate as a pair.
She will be able to’t say that sentence with out acknowledging the truth that Seung Hyo’s a sexual being, relatively than simply her childhood buddy, y’know?
Plus, there’s additionally the instinctive jealousy that kicks in, when she sees Tae Hui hanging round Seung Hyo.
That’s obtained to not less than get her considering somewhat bit, sure?
3, it will definitely is an eye-opener for Seung Hyo himself, as a result of Tae Hui seems to be an inexpensive, observant one who really desires the most effective for Seung Hyo, relatively than an obsessive ex-girlfriend (THANK YOU, writer-nim!).
I actually do like that Tae Hui factors out to Seung Hyo simply how a lot he lights up in Seok Ryu’s presence, and the way strongly he responds to Seok Ryu, versus how he’d responded to her, again once they’d dated.
Can’t lie; I like the affirmation that Seung Hyo hadn’t ever been obsessed with Tae Hui, and had solely been a weak flame, in response to her robust one.
Sure, it’s the fangirl in me; I would like allll of Seung Hyo’s ardour to be reserved for Seok Ryu. 😁
I do love how Present oh-so-naturally throws in a second of hyper-proximity and hyper-awareness, within the morning name scene, the place Seok Ryu jumps on Seung Hyo whereas he’s mendacity in mattress, considering that he’s her brother Dong Jin (Lee Seung Hyub).
That entire factor, the place Seung Hyo pops out from below the covers and pins Seok Ryu down – whereas shirtless – is all fairly rawr to me. 🔥🔥😁
I additionally kinda love how this second of hyper-proximity not solely finally ends up underscoring the episode, but additionally, that this results in Seok Ryu becoming a member of the Atelier people on their journey to Tae Hui’s workshop, the place extra Necessary Moments occur.
Like what I discussed above, about Seung Hyo getting mad at Seok Ryu, and Tae Hui pointing that out to him.
But in addition, there’s how Seung Hyo finally ends up cleansing Seok Ryu’s doenjang soaked prime, and Seok Ryu is aware of, simply by wanting on the prime hanging out to dry, that that had been Seung Hyo’s doing.
I do love that element, that she would realize it’s him, while not having anybody to inform her. 🥰
On prime of that, there’s additionally how Seok Ryu realizes that her true ardour is for cooking, not simply in how she cooks for the group they usually find yourself loving her meals, but additionally, in how Tae Hui talks about discovering her personal ardour – and likewise, in how thrilled she is, by that vat of aged soy sauce.
I like that second when Seok Ryu says out loud, like she’s realizing it for the primary time, that she desires to prepare dinner.
She seems so entranced, and Seok Ryu seems so gently glad for her, as he seems upon her and her second of realization.
Aw. I’m actually glad that he was there to witness the very second that Seok Ryu discovered her dream. 🥲
And I like that he items it collectively, as he catches himself smiling; that what Tae Hui had mentioned was completely true: he’s all the time taking a look at Seok Ryu, and when she smiles, he smiles too. 🥲🥲
I like simply as a lot, that we get to listen to Seung Hyo in voiceover, say that he’d been operating away from his emotions for a very long time, however now, seeing her smile like this, he can’t assist however like her.
Ahhh!!! He’s admitting and acknowledging his emotions for Seok Ryu!!!
I imply, sure, that is nonetheless all in his personal head, however him admitting it to himself is a vital first step in the direction of finally admitting to her, sure? 🤩
E5-6. It happens to me, whereas I’m writing these notes, that whereas episode 5 explores Seung Hyo’s emotions, and the way he arrives at a spot the place he feels prepared to simply accept his emotions for Seok Ryu, episode 6 is about Seok Ryu discovering Seung Hyo’s emotions for her.
We begin together with her discovering his time capsule letter, the place he’d written about his emotions for her, and we see her entire thoughts begin to implode on the implications – when Seung Hyo lies, and tells her it was all a prank, whereas he tears the letter out of her palms, crumples it up and tosses it within the trash.
Oof. That will need to have been so mortifying for Seung Hyo, to have his secret letter be learn by the very particular person from whom he’s making an attempt so arduous to maintain it secret. 🙈
On the similar time, that will need to have been such a rollercoaster of feelings for Seok Ryu.
But it surely additionally feels type of honest, within the sense that it appears excessive time that she get on the emotional rollercoaster for as soon as, since Seung Hyo’s been using all of it this time? 😁
E5-6. I’m a bit disenchanted that Seung Hyo’s nonetheless pushing Seok Ryu away, however I’ve to say, I used to be principally pumping my fist, going, “Yesss,” when Seok Ryu flatly refuses Seung Hyo’s request, and says that she’s going to NOT keep out of his life.
..Which is when Seung Hyo blurts out that she’s been driving him loopy, each prior to now and now – which is what will get Seok Ryu eager about Seung Hyo’s past love, and the way she by no means knew who it was.
..Which is how she finally ends up operating after him and asking him, significantly, and with bated breath, what he’d meant with what he’d mentioned.
Ahhh!! I really feel like we’re on the cusp – actually the cusp! – of emotions popping out into the open for actual, and I’m very a lot right here for it, my mates. 🥹
E7-8. I’m glad that Seung Hyo reaches the purpose the place he feels that he ought to – in actual fact, should! – inform Seok Ryu about how he feels about her, by no means thoughts about anything.
I do assume Present does a reasonably good job of sprinkling varied thought nuggets for him, in order that he’d naturally come to this conclusion, from Mo Eum telling him that he has to save lots of himself from unrequited love, to Tae Hui speaking about the way you received’t understand how a clay piece will prove, till you’ve put it into the kiln.
Actually, I relatively like that Seung Hyo’s confession is low-key and matter-of-fact, versus some fancy affair with flowers and candlelight. It simply appears extra according to the tone of their relationship, y’know?
Talking of which, I discovered it understandably awkward for the each of them, within the wake of Seung Hyo’s huge confession.
The way in which they each angsted that evening, unable to sleep, whereas every incessantly checking on the opposite, by means of their respective home windows, was fairly amusing.
And, it’s fairly excellent, I believed, that we see that Seok Ryu had really as soon as had a little bit of a crush on Seung Hyo too, again once they have been children, and he’d proven her a option to be much less fearful of the water.
Aw. That reciprocity could be very candy. 🥲
That entire factor the place they went into the comfort retailer to search for an expiry date that they may use, for Seung Hyo’s confession, is sort of foolish, but it surely’s simply the kind of foolish that I might count on between them, so I used to be pleased to only sit again and watch them muddle over the assorted merchandise which have expiry dates. 🤭
Isn’t it cutely dorky, the way in which Seung Hyo takes that packet of milk and places it so fastidiously within the fridge, whereas observing its expiry date in a really attentive, countdown kind of trend? 😁
E9-10. I do really feel dangerous for Seung Hyo that Seok Ryu tries to push him away, and field him up as a childhood buddy, when he desires to be a lot extra to her, however once more, I can perceive Seok Ryu’s thought round this.
Similar to she doesn’t need to burden her dad and mom together with her analysis and her ache, she doesn’t need to burden Seung Hyo both.
Her most cancers analysis and subsequent despair had taken such a giant toll on her relationship with Hyeon Jun, that I’m positive Seok Ryu can think about the identical factor occurring with another romantic companion who would possibly come into her life.
And the very last thing she desires, is for her relationship with Seung Hyo to finish up damaged and ruined, the identical means her relationship with Hyeon Jun has ended up.
At the very least, that’s my learn of why Seok Ryu turns down Seung Hyo’s emotions.
I’m actually glad that Seok Ryu’s analysis comes out into the open on the finish of episode 9, despite the fact that I’m somewhat iffy on the thought of Seung Hyo opening her medical paperwork and studying them, with out permission.
I assume that is simply the tone of their relationship, in a means? They’ve grown up like two peas in the identical pod, nearly, they usually’re shut sufficient that she may open his drawer and browse his time capsule letter, and he may open an envelope he sees in her bag, and browse its contents?
I’m going to place this all the way down to me not totally understanding the diploma of closeness of their relationship. 😅
Whereas Seung Hyo’s phrases sound like they’re about him, ie, “How may you do that to me?,” the heartbreak that I hear in his voice, is the factor that speaks loudest to me, by means of this whole scene.
His phrases may be asking how she may have executed this to him, however to my ears, his coronary heart is breaking for her, and what he’s heartbroken about, is that she hadn’t let him in to help her and be there for her, when she’d wanted him most.
In that sense, I really feel like he’s really asking, in essence, how she may have executed that to herself, by shutting him out, y’know? 🥹
I assume what I’m making an attempt to say is, to my ears, Seung Hyo’s heartbreak was clearly for her, relatively than for himself, and all of the cracks, tremors and plaintive notes in his voice, and the tears in his eyes, have been so affecting, that I legit teared up, in response.
And the factor is, he seems so really heartbroken, that when Seok Ryu replies that the rationale she didn’t inform him, is as a result of she knew he’d be like this, I.. can’t assist however perceive, as nicely.
E9-10. I’m actually somewhat shocked to study that Seung Hyo had really shut Seok Ryu out of his life for a season, after he’d gone to the US to go to her, and had seen her with Hyeon Jun.
It’s unhappy for positive, however I rationalize that he’s doing the identical factor that we’ve seen him do in earlier episodes; conserving Seok Ryu at a distance, with a view to defend his personal coronary heart.
I do really feel dangerous for him, due to course he would blame himself now, on hindsight, understanding that he’d really pushed her away when she’d most wanted him.
However, I’m glad that he does attempt to discuss to Seok Ryu, and inform her that she ought to lean on the individuals who love her, in tough instances, despite the fact that she doesn’t hear.
And when Seok Ryu disappears to the seaside for a while to assume, it actually pleases me that Seung Hyo’s capable of finding her, when nobody else has a clue as to the place she may be.
The way in which he provokes her into spilling the emotions that she’s been holding in for thus lengthy, is so paying homage to the way in which she’d as soon as provoked him, when she’d climbed the wall to get to his room.
The tactic would possibly really feel relatively brusque and excessive, with him choosing her up and dumping her within the water, however I assume that is simply the way in which with these two, since her means of frightening him to precise himself, had been fairly excessive too.
What issues right here, is that she does lastly set free all of the feelings that she’s pent up for such a very long time, and it’s cathartic and essential, that she provides expression to all of them now. 🥲
And importantly, it looks like, afterwards, Seok Ryu’s capable of converse extra frankly with Seung Hyo, like the way in which she tells him, casually and matter-of-factly, that she’d like to have a chilly beer, however she will’t try this type of factor anymore.
I like, a lot, that Seung Hyo tells her that if he will get sick, he’d need her to go together with him, and purchase him juice, and wash her hair – and that if she will get sick, he’ll go together with her to the hospital, and do the identical for her.
This feels actually essential, prefer it’s a redefining of their relationship, and I like that he’s agency about it – after which will get her to name his dad, which is when she will get the information that she’d simply had an an infection, and that it’s nothing to fret about. YAY.
It’s such a reduction, and I’m glad that Seung Hyo grabs her in a giant hug, and doesn’t let go, even when she grumbles in protest. 🥲
It’s true that Seok Ryu doesn’t hug him again, but it surely does additionally really feel like progress, that she’s content material to be held in his arms, sure? 🥲🥲
[END SPOILER]
Kim Ji Eun as Mo Eum
I simply needed to present Mo Eum as shout-out as a result of she felt like a breath of contemporary air, notably when our OTP was angsting about their very own issues.
She all the time comes throughout as cheerful, forthright, wise and easy, however not with out as humorousness; somebody who has a dream that she fights for, but additionally, somebody who doesn’t maintain onto issues too tightly.
I believed she was fairly cool, and simply usually very likable. 🥰
Seung Hyo and Dan Ho
I additionally simply needed to present a fast shout-out to the burgeoning friendship between Seung Hyo and Dan Ho.
They’re so cutely awkward collectively, and but, their want to be mates is honest. They’re a pair of dorks, and I discovered that very endearing.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E5-6. Seung Hyo’s nonetheless figuring issues out, and I actually relatively like the concept of him turning into nearer mates with Dan Ho as he does that, and I particularly like the way in which he introduces himself to Yeon Du as her dad’s neighborhood buddy.
It.. kinda-sorta looks like Seung Hyo’s acknowledging Dan Ho as a legit a part of the neighborhood gang?
I actually like Dan Ho when he’s on this considerate area, and I like that his response to Seung Hyo’s query “for his buddy,” (pfft) is to say Seung Hyo to himself, because the swimmer who’d proven such nice dedication, prior to now.
I believed that was a really good contact, and a really appropriate, optimistic, hopeful factor for Seung Hyo to chew on.
[END SPOILER]
Mo Eum and Dan Ho
Though I didn’t take care of the preliminary bickering stage of this connection, I did really just like the idea of this loveline, and I did take pleasure in Mo Eum’s reference to Dan Oh, notably as soon as we obtained previous the preliminary bickery stage of issues.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E1-2. I discover myself properly tickled by the moment crush that Dan Oh develops on Mo Eum.
I imply, she’s so coolly badass, and so matter-of-fact about it, whereas being really nice as an individual, that I actually perceive why he’d fall so arduous, and so quick. 😁
Additionally, I discover it fairly amusing that Dan Oh is such a dorky klutz, usually talking.
I really feel like these two may make a cute little couple in our story world.
E3-4. I’m amused at the concept that Mo Eum has declared that Mudflat Man is her preferrred kind – with out realizing that Mudflat Man is none aside from Dan Ho, with whom she now retains butting heads. Pfft.
And naturally he’s now her subsequent door neighbor as nicely; she simply hasn’t realized it but.
E5-6. These episodes, I preferred that Mo Eum softens in the direction of Dan Ho, after that entire incident the place she scolds him on the hospital for leaving Yeon Du alone at house.
I’d needed Dan Ho to defend himself, as a result of he hadn’t left Yeon Du house alone; there had been a nanny together with her, however Nanny had stepped out of the home for groceries.
However I take the purpose, that Dan Ho finds himself missing as a father, and takes full accountability for her, as a result of he probably sees it as his fault, that he hadn’t been personally house to deal with her.
Aw. That thought does make my coronary heart exit to him. 🥲
E7-8. I like that Dan Oh and Mo Eum are spending extra time collectively, and due to this fact getting the prospect to get to know one another higher.
In fact, there’s the factor the place Mo Eum lastly realizes that Mudflat Man is none aside from Dan Oh, ha!
I used to be mortified for her, for blurting out that she felt like Mudflat Man was the person of her goals – after which realizing that he was sitting proper subsequent to her. 🤭
I believed it was fairly cute that Mo Eum then proceeds to have all these varied heart-thumping moments in response to Dan Oh. 😁
E9-10. I’m glad that Mo Eum and Dan Ho have that second of solidarity in his yard.
With these two, it’s these moments of honesty and solidarity that actually draw me in, relatively than the bickering, or the awkward hyper-awareness.
It feels fairly significant, that Mo Eum shares how she feels about Seok Ryu, and Dan Ho in flip shares a tough season in his life, when he’d misplaced his spouse, however Yeon Du had come again to him, like a miracle. 🥲
It’s actually actually nice that Mo Eum tells him that it’s alright to cry, and that he really does shed just a few tears, like he’s by no means allowed himself to cry, regardless of how tough this case will need to have been for him.
Mo Eum’s reflexive kiss may’ve been an ideal milestone for these two, if Dan Ho may’ve seized the second, and simply kissed her again.
However, as an alternative, this turns into a brand new level of mortification for Mo Eum, and we’re again to awkward issues like her hiding from him, which, dang it. I’d imagined that we have been previous this. 😅
E11-12. I actually did a silent cheer when Mo Eum went as much as Dan Ho and formally requested if she may very well be Yeon Du’s mother, as a result of she actually likes him.
I believed that was refreshingly courageous, particularly after all of the darting round and hiding that we’ve seen her do, in response to her emotions for Dan Ho.
I’m bummed that Dan Ho freezes up like that, and I think that it’s most likely as a result of he’s made some type of promise to his late spouse, to by no means love one other nor exchange her – one thing like that?
I’m happy with Mo Eum although, for proudly owning her emotions and sticking to her stance, even after Dan Ho turns her down.
That takes braveness, and I like how she’s on this light however agency area, in persevering with to love Dan Ho, despite the fact that he isn’t open to the concept of courting her.
I’m positive that can change quickly sufficient, and since I prefer it when these two are being severe, I’m really wanting ahead to Mo Eum sticking to her light “I such as you” weapons, and Dan Ho lastly coming round to how he wants her in his life. 🥲
[END SPOILER]
Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong [SPOILERS]
I discovered it an endearing thought, that regardless of all of the partitions that they’ve discovered between them through the years, that Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong are literally nonetheless smitten with one another.
All the shortage of communication was arduous to look at, however once more, it’s one thing that feels natural and true to life, in that, I can consider that with their busy schedules, it’s simple for communication to take a success, and thereafter, it’s simple for misunderstandings to kind.
I did love the moments when Gyeong Jong will get all dazzled by Hye Suk over the littlest issues, and it’s the sweetest, dorkiest factor.
After which it’s simply as candy and dorky, that Hye Suk will get equally dazzled by Gyeong Jong, like when he swoops in to save lots of her from getting reduce by the glass on the ground, and cleans up the damaged glass himself.
Oh, these two. They’re so in love with one another, that I couldn’t look ahead to them to determine that the sensation remains to be very a lot mutual.
Afterwards, despite the fact that it was whiplashy within the introduction, I did discover it cute that they grew to become such a lovey-dovey pair. 🥲
SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES
Preface: I believed I ought to state upfront once more, in case you missed my earlier part the place I speak about this, that this was the literal pinnacle of my disgruntlement in the direction of the writing and supply of our story.
So.. heads up that there are robust emotions forward 😅, but additionally, I managed to take pleasure in our finale episodes far more than I’d anticipated to, given the way in which these episodes went for me, in order that’s the silver lining. 😁
I made a decision to maintain this part in, in order that you can get a taste for the place my dissatisfaction was coming from, despite the fact that you won’t really feel the identical dissatisfaction, notably if you happen to use the household drama lens that I’m recommending. 😇
[SPOILER ALERT]
E13-14. My mates, I dearly need to love this present, however I’ve to confess that these episodes have been a blended bag, for me.
I believe I may be within the minority right here, as a result of all I’ve seen floating across the web, is plenty of squees and heart-eyes for these episodes, and I, uh, don’t precisely really feel the identical means.
To be clear, there are a number of moments that actually labored nicely for me, in these episodes; I’m genuinely grateful for these.
On the similar time, to me, it felt like these episodes have been filler-heavy? Like, I didn’t really feel just like the lengthy episodes have been warranted, this week.
In Present’s earlier episodes, I had felt just like the lengthy episodes have been warranted; that Present had a particular story to inform with the arc that it had chosen, and it simply.. wanted that period of time to inform its story.
This week, it felt to me like Present had gotten used to the prolonged episodes, and had felt obliged to present us prolonged episodes, even when it didn’t actually need to, as a result of we have been anticipating it. 😅
Additionally. I may be going a bit all over right here, however after Present had demonstrated a lot sensitivity and talent in unpacking varied sophisticated emotional states and relationships, it now looks like Present is making an attempt to exhibit a distinct talent – rom-com, with an emphasis on the comedy – but it surely doesn’t actually appear to be an precise power?
In my head, it’s type of like a severe professor, who’s proven how educated he’s in his space of experience, abruptly turning round and making an attempt to behave like a clown – and just about falling flat, as a result of clownery is far more tough and complicated than it seems, and he’s simply.. not a clown. 😅
I’m sorry. Have I offended everybody within the room but? 🙈🙈
However that’s the brutal fact; I didn’t assume that these episodes have been Present’s greatest, and it actually makes it worse, that Present had been marketed primarily as a rom-com, as a result of I believe all this time, I’ve been ready to see how the rom-com a part of this drama’s DNA would really present up – and now that it’s exhibiting up, I’m not impressed. 😅
Like, huh, they actually ought to’ve simply marketed this as a melodrama, in order that Present wouldn’t have felt pressured to behave like a rom-com at any level in its run. 😅
Alright. Let me cease waffling about in such broad strokes, and let me try to speak about specifics.
One of many issues that’s not working for me, weirdly, is Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu as a pair.
That is very unusual, as a result of I’ve solely been rooting for them to get collectively, like, allll sequence lengthy. 😅
Perhaps that’s the issue? I don’t know easy methods to clarify it, however I really feel relatively underwhelmed by how they’re, as a pair.
To my eyes, lots of the candy, pleased scenes, in addition to the sexier, cozier scenes, really feel very posed and deliberate.
For instance, the morning-after scene, the place we see them in mattress collectively.
Doesn’t that look extremely posed? Like, the blanket is pulled up so neatly, simply so, in order that it reveals their naked shoulders, as they face one another, and have that dialog, the place Seung Hyo tells Seok Ryu that he loves her.
Now, I like the truth that Seung Hyo tells Seok Ryu that he loves her, and that there hasn’t been any second in his life that he hasn’t cherished her; that could be very touching.
BUT. Within the context of this very posed visible, the place they aren’t even touching one another, after supposedly having an evening of ardour, after their emotions lastly discover launch, it doesn’t ring true? Like, it feels simply as posed because the visible, if that is sensible?
I might have anticipated the skinship to have appeared extra pure and comfortable; that may have felt extra according to the context of the scene, y’know?
Afterwards, all of the stuff about conserving their relationship a secret feels type of rom-com fillery to me, like writer-nim was simply making an attempt to stuff the episode to the seams with as a lot secret courting as attainable.
Additionally, I’m perplexed that the kisses between our OTP really feel fairly posed and sanitized, as a result of the chemistry between them had been so promising, from earlier than they grew to become a pair.
Like, they grew to become a pair, and abruptly all of the skinship stops feeling pure? I don’t.. perceive? Is it simply me? 😅
Moreover, I really feel like Present’s try at giving us OTP Cuteness is absolutely hampered by Seok Ryu’s varied refusals, and her causes for these refusals.
I’m somewhat torn right here, as a result of each issues really feel true to Seok Ryu’s character, however having each issues drop on poor Seung Hyo within the area of two episodes, looks like a bit a lot.
It principally slowed down the lightness that Present was working so arduous to serve up, and that conflict simply bothered me.
I can’t assist questioning if there may have been a greater means for Present – and Seok Ryu – to have dealt with all this.
Like, with the factor about feeling inferior to Seung Hyo; may she have been extra trustworthy with him about it, and sooner?
As a result of, every time she comes up towards certainly one of her points (her inferiority in episode 13, adopted by her mortality in episode 14), she simply turns Seung Hyo down and not using a actual rationalization, and it’s simply very perplexing to look at.
This weak spot in communication between our OTP additionally provides me the sensation that our OTP isn’t really in an excellent, robust nor wholesome area, and that’s not how I wish to really feel about our OTP, particularly since their relationship is meant to be based mostly on a lifetime of understanding and understanding one another.
I might have hoped that they’d have been capable of faucet on that lifetime of togetherness, to construct a robust basis for his or her relationship, and make this friends-to-lovers factor really feel further valuable, y’know?
As a substitute, we now have Seok Ryu backing away from Seung Hyo and making feeble excuses for turning him down, first, when he asks her to attend that gala dinner with him, the place he’s resulting from obtain that award, after which, later, when he asks her to marry him.
It makes me really feel unhappy, pissed off and exhausted, actually. 🙈
I’m actually extra within the state of affairs between Mo Eum and Dan Ho, in the intervening time.
I believed it was a reasonably nice reveal that Present gave us, in regards to the fact of Dan Ho’s relationship with Yeon Du; that he’s her uncle, and never her bio dad.
So easy, and but so world-tilting, on the similar time, with Yeon Du greeting her dad and mom within the {photograph} within the area of interest, on the columbarium.
That simply amps up the tragedy of Dan Ho’s loss by a number of instances, as a result of he hadn’t misplaced a spouse; he’d misplaced his complete household. Oof. That’s harsh. 😭
I can think about Mo Eum’s coronary heart going out to him much more, as a result of even my coronary heart’s going out to him, and I’m not the one with hearts in my eyes for Mudflat Man.
I’m relieved that this opens the communication channels between them, despite the fact that Dan Ho continues to take care of, for a while, that he and Mo Eum ought to by no means be.
I’m actually not tremendous clear on what adjustments Dan Oh’s thoughts, although I are likely to assume that it’s Mo Eum’s candy tenacity, with regards to her emotions for him.
Even when she’s drunk, she nonetheless likes him, and tries to let him know that, by launching herself at him, whereas telling him that it’s not an accident. Aw.
I assume she’s simply managed to put on down his defenses, over time?
I used to be actually relatively disenchanted with Jae Suk’s response, as a result of she’d been so forthcoming in her affection for Yeon Du earlier than.
However, when she mutters her causes below her breath, I can higher perceive her – and, this additionally validates Dan Oh’s causes for distancing himself from Mo Eum, within the first place.
He’d already calculated that it wouldn’t be honest to Mo Eum, and that many issues can be very arduous for her, beginning together with her personal mom.
I do assume that this arc resolves somewhat simplistically, however y’know, in a context the place I really feel like Present is over-complicating our predominant arc, I’m not really against taking a simplistic means out right here, y’know? 😅
In any case, I’m relieved that Jae Suk’s opposition doesn’t final for very lengthy, and as soon as she makes up her thoughts to simply accept Dan Oh and Yeon Du, she acts on it, just like the boss girl she is. 🤩
I believed that was good. 🥰
As for our OTP’s two units of oldsters, I used to be actually feeling fairly proud of how issues have been going for some time, with Hye Suk inviting Gyeong Jong to maneuver again to the master suite (he’s so cute in his keen acceptance! 😁), and Mi Suk empathizing with Geun Sik, and suggesting that they shut the snack store.
BUT THEN. Now we have that massive falling out between Mi Suk and Hye Suk, when Hye Suk presents to pay for Mi Suk’s cruise ticket, for his or her women’ journey.
Actually, I really actually preferred the falling out at first, as a result of the way in which all of the pent-up emotions and insecurities have been spilling out on either side, felt very uncooked and actual.
Like, I may consider that there can be such sophisticated emotions on either side, regardless of their a few years of friendship.
Nevertheless, I’ll say that my curiosity promptly dropped the second they began the catfight, with all of the hair-pulling.
To my eyes, it felt like we’d gone from a probably cathartic confrontation, with all of the pent-up, sophisticated emotions spilling out, to a cheap-shot all-out brawl, to get some narrative pressure. 😅
I didn’t like that a lot, notably when Present leans into the potential humorous, by having each husbands furtively meet as much as focus on easy methods to navigate the scenario, solely to get roaring drunk, after which get caught by their respective wives.
That is all very rom-com stuff, with an emphasis on the comedy half, however like I’ve talked about earlier, these things simply doesn’t appear to work very nicely for me, with this present – not less than, not this week. 😅
All that mentioned, I’d prefer to say that I appreciated Seok Ryu’s dialog with Dong Jin, the place Dong Jin admits his emotions of inferiority, and Seok Ryu advises him to only discover what issues to him, as a result of most individuals don’t really develop into excellent.
That looks like a superb mirror for Seok Ryu herself, actually, as a result of that encapsulates how she feels too, and what she ought to do as nicely. 🥲
As for the wedding proposal, I wasn’t into the comedy of errors of the whole lot that went mistaken for Seung Hyo on D-Day, the day he’d deliberate to suggest to Seok Ryu.
However I do like that ultimately, he’s as moved as she is, when she receives an encouraging touch upon her video, and makes that very heartfelt proposal.
It’s simply.. she turns him down with out explaining her purpose, and I simply actually really feel very pissed off by that.
Mainly, it feels to me that Present goes round in circles and biding time, till it will get to the purpose the place it’s allowed to maneuver on to a contented ending.
That mentioned, I did genuinely just like the trustworthy dialog that we get between our OTP, on the finish of episode 14.
I like that when Seok Ryu admits her concern, that she won’t dwell very lengthy, Seung Hyo factors out that nobody is aware of how lengthy they’ll dwell; that all of us dwell with the identical uncertainty, and tells her that irrespective of the size of time that he lives, he desires to dwell it together with her.
Aw. That was very candy and touching, and I did like that second very nicely.
It’s simply – the way in which Present goes about it, we will already see with stark readability, that the entire purpose we now have Mi Suk and Hye Suk preventing, is in order that our OTP can have a brand new impediment in entrance of them, the second Seok Ryu agrees to marry Seung Hyo.
I don’t like that a lot in any respect, I gotta say. It’s removed from elegant, and the lengthy episode lengths make this a lot worse, as a result of it extends the circling, for what looks like no good purpose. 😕
However oh nicely, right here we’re, on the cusp of the finale, and since all of this circling has been in service of a promised pleased ending, I’m hoping that Present manages to ship, and ship nicely.
THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]
E15-16. Y’know, after I got here away from episodes 13 & 14 feeling so perplexed and underwhelmed, I didn’t have excessive hopes of liking these finale episodes, however I’m very pleasantly shocked to say that I discovered these episodes to be fairly gratifying, in a that quintessential household drama type of means.
Like, nothing was very outstanding, but it surely was nice to spend time with our characters, despite the fact that they spent a few of that point bickering or at loggerheads.
Particularly, Hye Suk and Mi Suk spend a lot of episode 15 nonetheless in battle mode, however with the household drama lens on, it didn’t hassle me an excessive amount of, and the eventual make-up scene, the place they lastly discuss issues out, was fairly heartwarming.
Whereas it’s all somewhat on the dramatic aspect of issues, I’m glad that they discovered that they didn’t hate one another, and truly actually care about one another, and don’t need to be enemies.
In reality, our finale episodes are principally like being on a carousel the place we make sure that to make a spherical of visiting our characters with pleased moments; it’s fairly good, while you consider it that means?
I actually preferred that second when Mo Eum asks Yeon Du permission to be her mother, and Yeon Du tells her that she’s even dreamed of getting Mo Eum as her mother, aw.
It was additionally heartwarming, the way in which each Dan Ho and Yeon Du help Mo Eum’s posting to the South Pole, with out reservation.
Geun Sik’s retirement was dealt with properly too, with that buyer from way back managing to come back and eat his meals on his final day, after which everybody coming collectively to rejoice his retirement with him, after hours.
Dan Ho interviewing him for an article was a pleasant contact too; I preferred that Geun Sik felt particular, on his retirement day. 🥲
I believed it was candy that Seok Ryu proposed to Seung Hyo, to reciprocate the 2 proposals that he’d given her, and it felt like a candy, down-to-earth option to do it too, together with her cooking him that dish that he likes, and promising to prepare dinner for him for the remainder of his life.
Aw. Fairly beautiful.
Shout-out to MC for predicting from fairly just a few episodes in the past, that the right resolution to Seok Ryu’s cooking goals, is for her to take over Geun Sik’s diner, as a result of that’s precisely what occurs, on this finale.
I believed that Geun Sik getting Seung Hyo to design and renovate it was a pleasant echo of when Mi Suk had requested him to redo Seok Ryu’s bed room, when she’d first returned from the US.
This felt like a pleasant bookend to that.
I’d actually anticipated Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu to get married in these episodes, but it surely felt becoming too, that whereas they delay their wedding ceremony for a 12 months whereas Seok Ryu focuses on constructing her new enterprise, Hye Suk and Gyeong Jong take the prospect to resume their vows.
In any case that they’ve been by means of of their marriage, I do like the concept of them marking a contemporary begin, with a vow renewal ceremony. 🥲
I felt that issues began to lean somewhat foolish after the 10-month time-skip, however I suppose it type of goes with the territory, if I consider this as primarily a household drama.
To me, it was relatively exaggerated and foolish, that Mi Suk and Hye Suk would swop positions, and begin bragging to one another in regards to the different particular person’s baby as an alternative of their very own.
I get the concept although, that they’ve come a good distance for the reason that first time we noticed them making an attempt to out-brag one another about their very own children.
I preferred seeing that everybody is doing nicely of their careers, and that Seung Hyo’s seok ryu tree is flourishing and bearing fruit, whereas Na Yun rising a crush on Dong Jin, now that he’s making use of himself and being severe about his profession, was a cute little drive-by bonus.
I might have most popular if Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu didn’t spend our closing minutes arguing, however I get the concept, that they’re studying to battle with out permitting the arguments to actually drive a wedge between them.
Altogether, I do assume that it’s a wholesome be aware on which to ship them on their means, into their future collectively, understanding that they’re equipping themselves to deal with no matter comes their means. 🥲
THE FINAL VERDICT:
Uneven in spots, however finally healthful and heartwarming.
FINAL GRADE: B+
TRAILER:
MV:
PATREON UPDATE!
The following drama I’m overlaying on Patreon, instead of Love Subsequent Door, is A Virtuous Enterprise [Korea].
You may try my episode 1-2 notes on A Virtuous Enterprise on Patreon right here.
Right here’s an outline of what I’m overlaying on Patreon proper now (Tier advantages are cumulative)!
Basis Tier (US$1): Leisure Drop (Sundays) + the primary set notes of all exhibits lined on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)
Early Entry (US$5): +The Decide From Hell [Korea]
Early Entry Plus (US$10): +A Virtuous Enterprise [Korea]
VIP (US$15): +Romance within the Home [Korea]
VVIP (US$20): +Household By Alternative [Korea]
Final (US$25): +Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born [Korea]
In the event you’d like to hitch me on the journey, you’ll find my Patreon web page right here. You may also learn extra about all of the whats, whys, and hows of serving to this weblog right here. Thanks for your whole help, it actually means rather a lot to me. ❤️
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