Assessment: Mr. Plankton – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This little present type of defies straightforward definition; it’s the whole lot it says it’s – but it surely’s additionally greater than the sum of its components.

It’s a darkish comedy; it’s a narrative of private journey; a narrative of relationships; a narrative of hope; a narrative of regrets; a narrative of contentment.

It’s a wild journey of a rollercoaster for each the center and thoughts, managing to stability all of the chaos with a deep sense of pathos, and it’s surprisingly, profoundly affecting.

Extremely, deeply, completely suggest.

THE LONG VERDICT:

Each infrequently, Dramaland offers us a gem of a drama, one which we are able to say is “for the books,” due to how particular it’s.

Effectively. I do assume that we now have a gem proper right here, my mates. 🥲

Truthfully, I got here into this present not fairly figuring out what to anticipate, however knew sufficient to conclude, proper from episode 1, that this present was fairly completely different from different kdramas I’ve watched.

Now that I’ve completed my watch, I’ll say that, the extra I take into consideration this present, and the extra time that’s handed since I’ve completed my watch of it, the deeper my appreciation turns into, for simply how excellently achieved, and the way distinctive and particular, this present actually is.

I’m going to do my greatest to place into phrases what I feel and really feel about this present, however I’ll say upfront, that I’m type of afraid that my phrases gained’t do it justice.

Sure, it’s that particular. 🥹

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Right here’s the OST album, in case you’d wish to hearken to it when you learn the overview.

General, I actually loved the OST. I discovered it recent and fairly eclectic, by way of the musical selections, and I additionally felt just like the music was utilized in a method that actually added to my watch expertise.

It’s arduous to select a favourite, and I’ll say that Present’s use of California Dreamin’ actually did get below my pores and skin, a little bit bit. 🥲

That mentioned, I do assume that out of all of the tracks, The City, which, curiously, isn’t on this OST assortment, received below my pores and skin probably the most.

I like the lightness of the acoustic vibe, however I additionally actually just like the lacings of angst within the vocal supply.

The music nerd in me can also be very drawn to the occasional minor chord in there, that, to me completely encapsulates the undercurrent of pathos in our story. And in addition, it’s a 6/8 rhythm, which I understand I simply naturally gravitate in the direction of, regardless of myself. 🥲

Right here it’s, by itself, in case you’d choose to hearken to it on repeat as a substitute. Good-click on the video and choose “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll speak about how one can handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens could be most useful.

After that, I speak about stuff I favored on a extra macro stage, earlier than I give the highlight to chose characters and relationships, in a separate part. Lastly, I spend a while speaking about my ideas on the finale episodes.

For those who’re inquisitive about my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the varied Patreon members’ feedback through 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

Listed below are some issues that I feel could be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. It is a life-affirming story

..regardless that our lead character Hae Jo (Woo Do Hwan) is recognized with a terminal sickness, proper off the bat.

What I’m attempting to say is, don’t let the terminal analysis hold you away. Sure, it’s bittersweet, however this story is far more life-affirming than one would possibly first count on.

2. This would possibly take some time to settle

Or ought to I say, our story isn’t the one that may want a while to settle; quite, it would take you a little bit little bit of time to get your bearings and get settled into the story.

For those who press “play” and do not know what’s happening and why you need to care, simply give it a little bit of time. It’ll come collectively, after some time.

3. This drama world lands as a little bit surreal, but it surely’s not whitewashed

So count on to see characters smoking and cursing as a matter in fact, and behaving in different flawed methods.

There’s additionally some violence on this, however I wouldn’t say that it’s extreme.

4. It is a wild journey

Present is a rollercoaster in nearly each sense of the phrase, and one of the best recommendation I can provide you, is to simply buckle up and hold an open thoughts (and coronary heart) for the journey.

I assumed it was completely price it, and in case your drama style is just like mine, I’m fairly assured you’d discover it worthwhile too. 🥲

STUFF I LIKED

General dealing with and execution

That is one thing that’s solely actually come collectively for me, after ending the present, however I can’t assist however marvel at the truth that basically, everybody – actually everybody – received the memo, about what this story is about, at its core, and the way it must be delivered to audiences.

I may solely respect this partially, whereas watching, however hindsight is now 20/20 for me; this present is tenderly, fastidiously, meticulously crafted, from the writing, to the directing, to the performing, to the music.

It actually seems like each single human who labored on this present, had the very same  understanding and imaginative and prescient, and that’s why, from the large issues to the little issues, the whole lot on this story world comes collectively so seamlessly.

Provided that that is such a wild rollercoaster of a narrative, with so many ranging tones coming collectively and rubbing shoulders, that’s all of the extra exceptional.

Our story is wild and chaotic, but the themes are constant and poignant, and on the similar time, our characters are fleshed out little by little, till we attain a fuller, higher understanding or one another our characters.

The whole forged and crew deserves a standing ovation, no exaggeration. 🥲

The gifted forged

Our total forged is extraordinarily gifted and well-cast, from the primary roles to the supporting ones.

It’s one factor to have a well-written story, however to have each character – from the foremost ones to the supporting ones – come to life in professional palms, simply takes it to an entire new stage.

From Hae Jo’s assistant Gi Ho being performed to a T by Kim Min Seok, to Lee El enjoying Bong Suk, Hae Jo’s good friend and landlord, to Kim Hae Sook enjoying Eo Heung’s commanding mom, all of it works to make our story world come alive.

I can not overstate this; it seems like an actual deal with to see such a posh story world dropped at life with such dedication and nuance.

To my eyes, this seems like the right storm, in one of the simplest ways potential.

The way in which Present balances chaos and poignance

One of many issues that had me in wonderment, all through my watch, is the way in which Present has a lot absurdity about it, whereas nonetheless carrying a lot pathos.

It blew my thoughts that Present would be capable of keep that type of tough stability, from episode to episode, and it truly is one in every of my favourite issues about this present, if just for how unbelievable it’s, that Present manages it so nicely. 🥲

One of many issues that Present tends to do fairly a bit, is give us what seems like an emotionally charged second, after which flip it on its head, in order that we find yourself with one thing much more irreverent.

But, it doesn’t really feel like Present is toying with us.

These moments of sharp left flip from emotionally charged to irreverence really feel acceptable for the place our characters are, and I assumed this was very nicely achieved.

Listed below are a couple of of my private highlights.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. This complete story leans type of chaotic and surrealistic on the floor, however there’s an underlying layer of pathos that works to floor the whole lot.

On the floor, Hae Jo is glib, casually nonchalant, handsome (and intensely buff) and performs by his personal guidelines; he appears to be like so snug and assured in insisting that he solely does issues for enjoyable, that you simply’d virtually discover him annoying, for refusing to play by the principles like a traditional individual.

And it is annoying, in a method, that he’s the type of one that doesn’t want a plan, however manages to tug off the issues that he units out to do, anyway.

Like the way in which he agrees to take up that “kidnap the bride” job from that shopper (cameo by Lee Da Hee!), then waltzes in with no plan – however manages to tug off a fairly spectacular kidnap, a lot in order that the shopper exclaims in glee, that she needs she didn’t have to go away, as a result of she’s having a lot enjoyable.

Even when he runs into hassle and his bike goes flying into the air earlier than crashing, he survives, with nary a scratch to point out for it.

..However that’s when he finds out that he’s received 14 enlarged and malformed blood vessels in his mind, and that his mind is now basically a ticking time bomb, and he’s received a really restricted time to dwell.

Ouch. That.. positively lends a layer of pathos to Hae Jo, a lot so that every one the preliminary swagger now lands as a protect, quite than an easy lifestyle, significantly once we see that in his desires, he’s always rejected by his mother and father.

E1-2. With Hae Jo’s want for parental love and acceptance so deeply ingrained in his psyche, it’s not that shocking that he would resolve that he wants to hunt out his bio dad, earlier than his time is up.

Once more, the way in which he threatens the director of the fertility heart, to get the knowledge on Bio Dad, is so weird and surreal.

That’s simply how this present tends to roll. I’m beginning to get the dangle of it, I feel, and I do discover it fairly amusing, once I’m not feeling dangerous for the truth that Hae Jo’s dying.

It’s fairly trippy, attempting to stability out these two very completely different vibes. 😁

[END SPOILER]

Present’s sense of unpredictability

I gotta give it to Present; it manages to be unpredictable, and keep unpredictable, all over to the tip.

Principally, each time I received to the tip of an episode, I had no actual thought the place Present would take us subsequent.

This, contemplating that I used to be truly watching in an attentive, conscious kind of method, and placing thought into digesting every episode, in order that I may write episode notes to share on Patreon.

AND this, contemplating that I’ve watched dramas in a critical, devoted style for.. 17 years now 😅, and subsequently have had a number of drama expertise to attract from.

It was a uncommon and treasured feeling, to don’t have any actual thought of the place Present would take me subsequent, however to even have full belief within the course of, as a result of it was clear to me, that Present knew what it was doing. 🥲

Present’s sense of logic

With how our story can typically really feel chaotic and surrealistic, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Present in all probability doesn’t care about logic all that a lot.

I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out that that’s not the case in any respect.

Actually, every time I quietly concluded to myself that Present was possible not going to clarify one thing significantly weird, Present shocked me by not solely offering an evidence, however one that truly made sense.

I assumed this was fairly spectacular, truthfully.

[SPOILER ALERT]

For instance, shout-out to Present for truly managing to present us an evidence that is smart, round how Chil Seong (Oh Dae Hwan) and the coast guard had managed to seek out our misplaced trio, on the abandoned island.

Of course Gi Ho (Kim Min Seok) would have had a tracker on Heung’s (Oh Jung Se) telephone, due to the key deal that they’d made. Good one, Present. 😁

[END SPOILER]

Present’s humorousness

Humor in kdramas will be hit and miss for me, and I don’t know that I loved all of Present’s comedy equally, however I’ve to confess that I discovered myself laughing out loud quite a lot of occasions, throughout my watch.

I feel a part of it has to do with how Present has the tendency to unexpectedly undercut a extra critical, poignant second with one thing foolish and irreverent.

That unexpectedness of all of it, positively provides to the factor of shock, which in flip provides to the humorous within the second.

Right here’s an instance in episodes 7-8, the place that was the case for me.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7-8. I really feel dangerous for the way helpless Heung feels, within the truth of Tiger Mother’s wrath.

I really feel that Heung’s helplessness is mainly as nice as his love for Jae Mi, which is unlucky, as a result of as we see, he finds that there’s actually nothing that he can do for Jae Mi, regardless that he’s fearful sick about her, and would do something if it meant that he could possibly be together with her, and defend her.

I did discover it fairly humorous and sudden, that Heung’s mainly carried away by John Na  (Alex Landi) and that bunch of assistants, each time Heung makes an try and infiltrate the room the place Tiger Mother’s allowed Jae Mi to recuperate.

Additionally, how about the way in which he truly will get into the room, by hiding in Mother #2’s (Kim Soo Jin) skirt??? 😂

[END SPOILER]

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS

Woo Do Hwan as Hae Jo

My mates. I’m not exaggerating once I say that I used to be floored by Woo Do Hwan’s efficiency as Hae Jo.

Earlier than this, I’d seen him in My Nation and The King: Everlasting Monarch (evaluations right here and right here!), and I’d considered him as a stable, respectable sufficient actor, however not fairly in a class that I thought of particular sufficient to shout about.

That’s modified now, you guys. 🥲

I actually really feel like Woo Do Hwan’s leveled up in a giant method, as an actor; he blew it out of the water together with his supply of Hae Jo, in a method that I didn’t know he had the capability to.

He gave so many nuances and layers to his supply of Hae Jo, and made it look so pure and easy, that it actually felt like he turned Hae Jo.

He simply has a method of creating Hae Jo appear like a nonchalant cad on the surface, however a bleeding coronary heart on the within, that actually made my coronary heart ache.

Actually, actually, REALLY good. ⭐️

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. Although Hae Jo makes it a degree to look all nonchalant about the whole lot, there are distinct glimmers of his want for kinship and connection.

Like in the way in which he tries to guard Bio Dad Candidate #1 (Ahn Suk Hwan), from the scheming of his youngsters.

Hae Jo didn’t need to get entangled, however he mainly couldn’t cease himself, when he thought that his father may be getting scammed by his youngsters, and the one purpose he finally stops and walks away, is as a result of he will get the notification, that Candidate #1 isn’t Bio Dad, in any case.

It happens to me that with Hae Jo, all he wants is a little bit affirmation or encouragement, and he actually does go all in, in response.

Like the way in which he’d responded to Jae Mi, the primary time she’d gone to him within the rain, when he’d run into the daddy who’d first raised him.

He’d sought her out, and instantly requested her to be his girlfriend.

After which there’s the way in which he’d responded to Bio Dad Candidate #1.

A little bit of kindness from Candidate #1, and Hae Jo had been able to tackle all of #1’s scamming youngsters, to make it possible for he didn’t get unfairly handled.

I really feel like an identical dynamic is at work right here, after Jae Mi chooses to cover Hae Jo, as a substitute of going with Heung, after that twin knock-out scene.

Although Jae Mi makes it clear that she hadn’t chosen to stick with him, it’s sufficient for Hae Jo, to make him declare that he’ll comply with Jae Mi’s demand, and die, however within the meantime, she’s all his.

I’m.. actually beginning to see Hae Jo as a really misplaced soul who’s a lot hungrier for love and connection than he wish to admit. 💔

And there’s a lot pathos there too, at his fingertips.

Like that second when he sits within the water, all drenched, and wonders aloud, why his life is turning into such enjoyable, simply because it’s about to finish. 😭

E5-6. In episode 5, we spend a piece of time with Bio Dad Candidate #2 (Jo Han Chul), and boy, #2 had me going there for fairly some time, together with his easygoing nature, straightforward affection, and even that medical historical past, that appears uncannily just like Hae Jo’s mind scenario.

It’s not arduous to see why Hae Jo could be so drawn in by #2’s huge present of care and concern, taking him to the fish market and shopping for all that seafood, and making a giant completely satisfied present of being pleased with his son.

I imply, I was fully drawn in by it, and even questioned if Hae Jo couldn’t keep a relationship with #2, even when the paternity take a look at turned out to be adverse.

The second that I discovered most affecting, is the scene after the battle on the fish market, the place #2 pats Hae Jo on the shoulder, and says, similar to a father would, how Hae Jo should have gone via a lot, rising up all on his personal; that he’s achieved quite a bit, and has achieved nicely.

What a balm this should have been, for Hae Jo’s parched soul – after which, on reflection, how terrible, for Hae Jo to comprehend that this had all been an act; that #2 had had his sights set on the bag of cash that Hae Jo had within the cabinet. 💔

However y’know, I can’t assist however really feel prefer it had been actual to #2, not less than partially, as a result of a few of the moments really feel really real.

Like when #2 asks Hae Jo how a lot time he has left, as a result of he is aware of what it means, that Hae Jo’s taking opioids, and asks if Hae Jo’s advised Jae Mi.

When Hae Jo clams up and pushes again, saying that they’re nothing greater than strangers, there’s a sheen of tears in #2’s eyes, and he protests that he’s fearful about Hae Jo, and that’s annoying him too.

..Which type of leads me to assume that maybe #2 had been honest in the direction of Hae Jo, however his greed for cash, and his habit to playing, had merely been better.

My coronary heart actually goes out to Hae Jo, as a result of we are able to see his coronary heart swelling with hope, in response.

First, there’s how he can’t assist smiling as he brags to Jae Mi about his journey to the fish market with #2,  after which, there’s that completely satisfied dream that he desires, of being a cheerful household with #2 and Jae Mi, with Jae Mi even being pregnant together with his child.

If Hae Jo hadn’t gotten his hopes up, I don’t assume he would have been as disenchanted to seek out out that #2 had made off together with his cash, however as soon as your hopes and spirits have been lifted – that’s when it hurts probably the most, once they abruptly come crashing down.

Oof. I felt actually, actually dangerous for Hae Jo, that he could be so rudely woke up from his dream – each actually and figuratively. 💔

E7-8. I needed to present a shout-out to that beat the place Heung asks Hae Jo why he goes by Hae Jo as a substitute of his actual title, and if his mother and father know that he’s sick.

In that second, there’s such a sheen of tears in Hae Jo’s eyes, as he contemplates how one can reply, earlier than he chooses to deflect it with a smile, ribbing Heung about interrogating him like he’s a possible suitor for his daughter.

That was very well delivered by Woo Do Hwan, I assumed. 🥲🥲

A lot hidden ache, seen to us by way of these small teary glimpses, after which so rapidly, casually coated up by nonchalance and jokes; I truthfully do really feel for Hae Jo, and the way a lot he have to be holding in, on the within. 🥹

E7-8. I respect the respectful method through which Hae Jo handles the handing over of the shoe.

I consider that he’s backing off, after having remembered how upset Jae Mi had been with him, and the way she’d wished that he would die, in order that they’d by no means meet once more, however he nonetheless desires to present her again the shoe which she’d been so keen on, and so, he asks Heung to cross it on to her.

[END SPOILER]

Lee You Mi as Jae Mi

Lee You Mi does an important job as Jae Mi, little question about it.

I discovered her supply very pure and unaffected; it made me assume that she actually was Jae Mi, which is a wonderful factor certainly.

As a personality, I discovered Jae Mi to be quite simple and earnest; a high quality that generally labored for her, and generally, towards her.

I’ll speak extra about Jae Mi in different sections, however will say for now, that ultimately, I like the concept that Jae Mi learns to observe her coronary heart, and never doubt her instincts, even when her instincts are pointing her in an unconventional path.

Oh Jung Se as Heung

I actually, actually loved Heung as a personality, and I cherished Oh Jung Se’s portrayal of him.

I like that past the innocence and timidity that we first see, Heung seems to be such a loyal and decided individual, who’s keen to do no matter it takes, to be reunited together with his stolen bride.

I discovered that very endearing certainly.

Greater than something, although, I like Heung for being such a pure soul, which I’ll focus on in one other part. 🥲

Jae Mi and Heung [BROAD SPOILERS]

Provided that we begin the present with Jae Mi engaged to marry Heung, I used to be truthfully very unsure about what Present was planning on doing with this relationship, significantly as we be taught, layer by peeled again layer, that Jae Mi nonetheless cares about Hae Jo.

All in all, I do assume that Present did a very nice job of wrapping up this relationship in a method that felt delicate and respectful, whereas remaining true to our characters.

I discovered Heung’s devotion to Jae Mi very candy and endearing, however I do assume that Present does an excellent job of serving to us to see that he simply wasn’t the best man for her.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Jae Mi appears to genuinely like her groom, Eo Heung (pitch completely performed by Oh Jung Se).

I imply, Eo Heung is unquestionably a momma’s boy and yields to Mother’s administration and management nearly the entire time, however he actually is honest and candy in the direction of Jae Mi, and I discover myself feeling dangerous for him, that Jae Mi will get stolen like that, on the day of their wedding ceremony.

There’s additionally one thing endearing about how he describes himself to Jae Mi, saying that he’s not robust, however he’s persistent.

I really feel like oftentimes, that high quality is the factor that may make a wedding longlasting, and I truthfully assume that he could be a candy and dependable husband.

I truly discovered it fairly touching, that Jae Mi would strive so desperately to get away from Hae Jo, to return to Eo Heung; this tells me that she sincerely likes Eo Heung, and isn’t simply grabbing onto him, in an effort to enhance her life.

So YAY that she manages to get a message to Eo Heung, as a result of poor dude’s been fearful sick, and now, we’ve received Eo Heung embarking on his personal journey, to be reunited together with his misplaced love. 😁

E3-4. It’s clear that Heung and Jae Mi have solely developed their relationship to a really pure and well mannered kind of stage.

I’m not saying that they should have slept with one another earlier than their wedding ceremony; it’s extra like, I’m undecided how nicely they really know one another, in making this marriage dedication to one another.

I imply, Jae Mi doesn’t even really feel assured in telling him that she’s going via untimely menopause, and can subsequently not be capable of bear youngsters like they’d deliberate.

Though, arguably, the rationale Jae Mi can’t carry herself to inform Heung about it, is as a result of she loves him and subsequently desires to guard him; like she tells Hae Jo, she doesn’t need to be the reason for his distress.

Which.. on the one hand, I can perceive as a thoughtful, loving kind of sentiment, however alternatively, is also interpreted as a type of noble idiocy.

As a result of, ultimately, isn’t that Heung’s determination to make? Perhaps he doesn’t truly care if he has descendants for the household line, if he can simply spend his life being Jae Mi’s husband..?

And Heung, within the meantime, clearly has Jae Mi on a pedestal, which.. is nice, however doesn’t bode nicely for normal life and all of the challenges that include it.

I discovered it completely hilarious that Heung would find yourself stealing that police automotive and broadcasting his love for Jae Mi throughout city whereas attempting to chase down Hae Jo, after which I discovered it even funnier, when Heung finally ends up capturing that stun gun at himself, whereas attempting to shoot Hae Jo.

Oh expensive. Poor Heung. 🤭😅 He tries so arduous, however is sort of ineffectual, for all his efforts.

I did discover the scene the place Jae Mi calls Heung from the payphone quite poignant, due to how tortured Jae Mi feels, as she tries to apologize to Heung.

And, I did really feel unhappy for her too, that there’s nothing she will do to alter her scenario, and that’s why she feels that it’s not an possibility for her to return to Heung and get married, as they’d deliberate.

E5-6. Because of Gi Ho, Heung will get info on Jae Mi’s whereabouts, and that’s how we get that hilarious scene of Heung utilizing an acupuncture needle to immobilize Chil Seong, below risk of full paralysis, if he have been to maneuver.

I gotta give it to Heung, he will be fairly intelligent generally, sure? 😁

I really feel dangerous for Heung, when he finally witnesses that kiss between Hae Jo and Jae Mi; there’s such a way of unhappiness and defeat about him, in that second.

And but, I’ve to present Heung props, that he doesn’t simply hand over on Jae Mi then and there, or withhold his love, care and concern for her.

The primary probability he will get, he grabs Jae Mi in a hug, and tells her that the whole lot’s okay, now that he’s discovered her.

Aw. Isn’t that very touching? Heung’s received such a pure coronary heart, really. 🥲

E5-6. I’m pleased with Jae Mi for urgent in to inform Heung about her untimely menopause, regardless that he retains slicing her off, telling her he doesn’t need to know, after which I’m truthfully fairly touched by Heung’s response; that it doesn’t matter within the least.

How candy, actually, that he could be keen to inform his household that he’s infertile, if it signifies that he can spend his life with Jae Mi. 🥲🥲

E7-8. Heung realizes that fairly probably, the entire purpose Jae Mi had treasured the shoe a lot, was as a result of the footwear had been a present from Hae Jo.

The entire scene, the place Heung struggles with that realization, after which quietly locations the footwear, as a pair, exterior Jae Mi’s room, in order that she’d discover them the following morning, is so poignantly, fantastically delivered.

Kudos to Oh Jung Se; I discovered his supply of this scene, so quietly, powerfully emotional.

He’s letting her go, out of his love for her, as a result of he realizes that her coronary heart is with Hae Jo. 🥹

[END SPOILER]

Jae Mi and Hae Jo [BROAD SPOILERS]

Like I alluded to earlier, I hadn’t been certain that Hae Jo and Jae Mi have been even our OTP, given the truth that we begin our story with Jae Mi engaged to Heung.

Nevertheless, Present does do a extremely good job of peeling away the layers, and revealing, fragment by fragment, that Hae Jo and Jae Mi actually do love one another, and have by no means stopped loving one another.

Their relationship positively has its dysfunctional components, however I don’t assume that Present is recommending that as an excellent option to love.

Fairly, I see this as Present demonstrating to us, that these two very damaged folks do love one another to one of the best that they’re in a position, in their brokenness, and via the brokenness, and it’s via that love, that finally, necessary therapeutic occurs. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. There’s positively some lingering emotional historical past between Jae Mi and Hae Jo; she would possibly need to marry Eo Heung, however it appears that evidently Jae Mi does nonetheless care about Hae Jo.

No less than, when she sees Hae Jo having a nightmare, she stops to observe over him, as a substitute of taking the prospect to run away, like she’d deliberate. I do assume that that claims one thing.

It does amuse me vastly, alternatively, how Hae Jo understands her so nicely, that he can predict her each transfer, and that’s why she retains failing at working away.

That scene the place he waits exterior the fuel station lavatory window, in order that he can catch her in a princess carry, is admittedly fairly cute. 🤭

E3-4. Within the midst of Hae Jo’s heartbreak at working into Dad (Lee Hae Younger), it’s Jae Mi who reaches via the overwhelming fog of emotion, and connects with Hae Jo, by greedy his hand, and expresses care and concern, in a second when he seems like he actually has nobody in the entire huge world.

I can see why Hae Jo would really feel touched by that, and search her out, eager to have her in his life.

And I also can think about that it will have been method an excessive amount of stress, for one individual to be another person’s the whole lot; maybe that’s the reason Hae Jo and Jae Mi broke up, finally?

The precise causes for his or her breakup aren’t tremendous clear at this level, however we all know sufficient to conclude that neither of them had really needed the break-up, and Jae Mi had left, hoping that Hae Jo would go after her – however he hadn’t, most certainly as a result of he’d concluded that this was only one extra time in his life, that he was being deserted. 💔

I’m guessing that Hae Jo’s imprinted on his thoughts and coronary heart, an affiliation that Jae Mi is a supply of acceptance and luxury, when the whole lot else has gone to pot, and maybe that’s why he instinctively desires to be round Jae Mi, presently when he’s grappling with such a devastating actuality, that he solely has a really restricted time to dwell. 🥹

And he’s not unsuitable both, in that, we are able to see that Jae Mi cares about Hae Jo, sufficient that she would hand over the prospect to run away when she sees that he’s having a nightmare, to be able to maintain his hand.

On this level, I simply needed to say that I’ve seen different folks remark about Stockholm sydrome (emotions of belief or affection felt in lots of instances of kidnapping or hostage-taking by a sufferer in the direction of a captor) in relation to this case, and I feel it’s not fairly that?

The explanation I say that, is as a result of this isn’t an easy case of kidnapping; this can be a scenario the place Jae Mi and Hae Jo have a longtime historical past collectively, and we see that they each do nonetheless care about one another.

So I don’t assume that Jae Mi’s developed affection for her kidnapper; quite, she’s by no means stopped caring for Hae Jo, and  she’s slowly beginning to get the sense that there’s extra to his scenario than he’s saying.

Subsequently, for what it’s price, I don’t assume that Present is definitely glamorizing kidnapping, or selling Stockholm syndrome.

I really feel it’s extra like Present’s exploring the truth that Hae Jo and Jae Mi nonetheless have unresolved emotions for one another.

For instance, when Jae Mi thinks that Hae Jo’s leaning in to kiss her, she truly closes her eyes, like she’s determined to simply accept the kiss – besides the kiss doesn’t occur, as a result of Hae Jo’s simply messing together with her, whereas inching her nearer to the desk, the place he ties her wrists to, in order that she will’t run away.

E3-4. Jae Mi clearly hasn’t processed her lingering emotions for Hae Jo, and Hae Jo.. nicely, I don’t assume he’s processed his emotions both, and it’s all sophisticated by the truth that he is aware of that he’s dying, and subsequently, that may additionally issue into his consideration of whether or not or to not discover the sentiments aspect of issues with Jae Mi.

On the similar time, there are little indications that Hae Jo is jealous of Heung’s reference to Jae Mi, like the way in which he throws her shoe onto the roof, in order that Jae Mi has no alternative however to modify to a special pair of footwear.

Ha. Hae Jo simply didn’t need Jae Mi to put on the footwear that Heung had gotten for her – and that’s how we all know that deep down, he cares – even when he gained’t admit it.

E3-4. I respect that we get to get pleasure from little pockets of small happiness with Hae Jo and Jae Mi, like once they go to the market in Busan, to purchase new garments, and Jae Mi will get all completely satisfied when Hae Jo buys her that pair of cute footwear. 🥲

E3-4. I’m very touched by the truth that Hae Jo’s capable of see via Jae Mi’s laughter, to the open wounds and unshed tears beneath.

His quiet assertion, that she shouldn’t pressure herself to giggle, and will simply cry as a substitute, feels just like the honesty and freedom that she wants, to permit herself to simply be, even when meaning crying her eyes out via the night time.

After which how transferring to see, that whereas Hae Jo’s patting her shoulder comfortingly, telling her that he’s only a mushroom cuddling a potato, he’s truly struggling via debilitating ache.

And but, he doesn’t enable any of that ache to transmit via his contact, so that every one Jae Mi feels, is the comforting light thud of his hand on her shoulder.

It makes me really feel like Hae Jo would willingly enable himself to be destroyed, if it will enable him to like somebody, and I’m fairly floored by that sentiment, truthfully.

E5-6. Truthfully, with the backstory that we get, of Jae Mi’s early years on the orphanage, I can’t assist pondering that at their core, Jae Mi and Hae Jo are very a lot alike; they each crave acceptance, love and belonging.

They simply.. reply to that want in a different way.

Jae Mi’s intuition is to attempt to make her circle of relatives, since she will’t achieve one by being adopted, whereas Hae Jo’s intuition is to push everybody away and conceal, as a result of it’s too painful to cope with the rejection that he’s taken on as a part of his id, whether or not his mother and father really feel the identical method or not.

Including on the truth that Hae Jo and Jae Mi truly know and perceive one another a lot better than simply about every other individual on the earth, having been so shut for a big time frame, and it’s truly actually attention-grabbing and poignant, watching them spend time collectively.

Like, they every truly know the place the opposite individual is coming from, no matter what the opposite individual says or reveals on the floor.

That’s why Hae Jo reluctantly sings that music for Jae Mi on the prime of episode 5, regardless that he takes it as a joke at first.

When he realizes that she’s critical, he additionally understands the place all this emotion is coming from, and what it means to her, to listen to the phrases, “You have been created to obtain the best love.” 🥲

When Hae Jo simply appears to be like at Jae Mi’s again, which is turned to him, there’s a glance of unhappy wistfulness in his eyes, and I really feel like that gaze is a component empathy, and half solidarity; he is aware of what it’s like, to really feel that hopeless mixture, that he doesn’t belong anyplace, and but, nonetheless desires to be cherished, so badly. 💔

E5-6. It actually could be very telling, isn’t it, that Jae Mi’s first response, upon realizing that she’s dwelling alone, is to verify whether or not Hae Jo’s belongings are nonetheless within the cabinet, after which breathe a sigh of aid when she sees that his stuff remains to be there, that means that he hasn’t left?

Sure, she catches herself straight away, and berates herself for even pondering that method, and promptly works on working away, however that first intuition was, I consider, a real glimpse into the true state of her coronary heart.

Not that she particularly desires to be with Hae Jo, I don’t assume.

Fairly, I feel that it’s that when she’s with Hae Jo like this, with a mission to perform, she seems like she belongs someplace, and has a goal.

With out him, she doesn’t even know the place she will go, as a result of she’s already determined that she will’t return to Heung, as a result of she is unable to present him youngsters.

On the similar time, I do assume that there’s part of Jae Mi that may’t assist however soften a little bit, in Hae Jo’s path, when he does one thing good for her.

Like the way in which he places ointment on all of the scratches on her face and neck, which she’d sustained in that fall within the mountains, when he thinks she’s asleep.

I don’t blame Jae Mi although; I’d be melting in her place as nicely, significantly given the context, that she feels undesirable and ineffective, to everybody on the earth. 🥲

And, like we’ve seen up so far, Jae Mi does nonetheless care about Hae Jo, and I’m certain that’s why she comes charging in to knock #2 on the top, when #2 says these extraordinarily hurtful issues to Hae Jo, about how scum like him may by no means dream of getting such enjoyable with a father like him.

Ugh. I felt sooo dangerous for Hae Jo, who appears to be like so heartbroken, in response, like he’s had the wind knocked out of him, by #2’s cruelty. 😭

That scene the place Hae Jo and Jae Mi simply sit, bawling collectively, whereas rocking backwards and forwards, is so affecting to me; it seems like all of the defensive protecting layers have been ripped away, and we’re gazing on their wounded, crippled hearts, as they cry. 😭😭

Afterward, the truth that Hae Jo tells Jae Mi that she ought to go dwell her life now, as a substitute of drifting with him, reveals how damage Hae Jo is, from this expertise with #2.

That, and the truth that his personal situation is clearly worsening, since he’s getting these ache assaults extra regularly now.

I feel that these causes mixed, is why Hae Jo tells Jae Mi to go away.

I do assume that Jae Mi’s pushback, that she gained’t go away, has quite a bit to do together with her wanting Hae Jo to take duty for dragging her into this within the first place.

So far as she is aware of, the seek for Bio Dad isn’t over, and so she sees no purpose for Hae Jo to ship her away.

Plus, she doesn’t have any private path to talk of in the meanwhile; I do assume that that’s additionally factoring into her response.

The way in which Hae Jo receives it, although, is sort of completely different.

To Hae Jo, I consider this lands as Jae Mi selecting him, when she may have chosen to go away, and that’s so touching to him, given the large blow of rejection that he’s simply endured, that he can’t assist however cleave to her – which is how we get that kiss.

E7-8. These episodes, we additionally discover additional, Hae Jo’s emotions for Jae Mi.

Earlier than, I’d mentioned that it possible needed to do with there being plenty of solidarity, since each of them don’t have households, and have the identical want for love, acceptance and belonging.

These episodes, we see that there’s one other layer at play, and that’s how Jae Mi is, in the direction of issues that she perceives as deserted.

As a result of she’s been deserted herself, she feels further sorry for issues that she perceives as deserted – just like the pair of secondhand footwear that Hae Jo buys her from the market – and desires to like them further.

I feel that that hits Hae Jo proper within the coronary heart, as a result of he sees himself as deserted too, regardless that he’s the one who’d run away from dwelling, and the truth that Jae Mi would see worth in deserted issues, and need to love them further, simply speaks to him within the deepest, most profound method.

With Jae Mi, he feels valued, which, apparently, is one thing that he doesn’t typically really feel, and that’s very treasured certainly.

I can see why Hae Jo would abruptly really feel impressed to go to Wanju to present Jae Mi the shoe that she’d misplaced.

E7-8. I feel Hae Jo’s immense fear for Jae Mi, mixed with the futility of all of it – that he has no place in her life, and he’s dying anyway – is what causes him to enter that droop, the place all he does, for days on finish, is simply lie in mattress, whereas holding the shoe of Jae Mi’s, that he’d picked up, on the island.

E7-8. It’s actually telling, that after Jae Mi has the footwear, she does precisely what Heung had heard her say, whereas she’d been speaking in her feverish sleep; she places the footwear on her toes, and goes straight to Hae Jo.

..It’s simply too dangerous that Bong Suk opens the door in a little bit slip, and Hae Jo comes into view all shirtless, which is how we find yourself with that very weird scene, of Jae Mi biting down arduous, on Hae Jo’s nostril.

Gosh, this present will be actually absurd at occasions, and I’d forgotten that, for a short time. 😅😅

However that is how Hae Jo’s relationship with Jae Mi comes into focus, and I’m actually quite puzzled, at why Hae Jo had damaged up together with her, within the first place.

From all of the clues that we’ve been given, by way of Hae Jo’s wistful appears to be like, significantly in that flashback to the day that they’d damaged up, it’s clear that he does nonetheless love Jae Mi, and he’d been mendacity about her being not enjoyable and never attention-grabbing to be with.

And, on the time, he hadn’t recognized about his blood vessel situation, so it’s not like he was letting her go due to that.

The one conclusion I can draw, given what we’ve been advised up to now, is that maybe Hae Jo couldn’t see himself giving her a household like she’d needed, and that’s why he’d let her go.

However, I do assume that the way in which he’d let her go had been very merciless, what together with her telling her that she couldn’t be a mom, as a result of folks like them who’d by no means acquired love, couldn’t give love.

I can solely rationalize that, 1, Hae Jo really is that damaged, and doesn’t know how one can love, like he says, and that’s how he finally ends up hurting Jae Mi like that, and a couple of, he was probably being merciless, in order that Jae Mi wouldn’t hesitate to go away him.

And we do see that it’s been Jae Mi’s behavior to linger, even after he’s advised her to go away, and that’s what she does within the current, even after Hae Jo’s tried to ship her off in that taxi, to Wanju.

I have to say, I actually do hate what Hae Jo says to Jae Mi, when she comes again, clearly having advised the taxi driver to show round and produce her again.

Every thing he says is a transparent instance of gaslighting; it’s all falsehood, however someway, he spins it in a method that Jae Mi may truly purchase as his true purpose for bringing the shoe to her.

I feel I’ve a sore spot on the subject of gaslighting, as a result of I’ve been topic to it, with the ex-husband, and I didn’t know or perceive that I’d been constantly gaslighted, till years later, on hindsight.

And so, it actually bugs me further, to see Hae Jo attempting to gaslight Jae Mi into believing that he’d solely introduced the shoe to her, as a result of she’d appeared to treasure it, and it didn’t imply something greater than that.

I particularly hate that he tells her that she’s so determined for affection that it makes her look pathetic.

Ugh. I’m offended on Jae Mi’s behalf, for actual. 😠

That mentioned, I get that Hae Jo’s doing the factor the place he’s pushing Jae Mi away for her personal good – and this time, I can perceive his purpose for doing so; he is aware of that he’s dying, and doesn’t have a lot time left. 😥

However then there’s the factor – Jae Mi’s type of onto him now, and that’s why she waits for him on the workplace, as a result of she has a hunch that he’ll come in search of her.

And so, as a lot as Hae Jo understands that Jae Mi’s tendency is to linger even after he’d advised her to go away, Jae Mi understands that Hae Jo’s tendency is to say hurtful issues, to be able to push her away – even when he doesn’t truly need her to go away.

Augh. These two. They’re so damaged, that they’re, on the similar time, good for one another, but additionally, horrible for one another. 😅

I’ll say although, that I used to be fairly touched by that second when Hae Jo offers in to his emotions, as Jae Mi cradles his tearful face.

He’s lastly placing the whole lot else apart, and simply permitting himself to like and be cherished, and it’s gloriously releasing, even when it seems to be fairly fleeting. 🥲

It’s actually very bittersweet watching Hae Jo and Jae Mi sink into completely satisfied couple occasions, as a result of not like Jae Mi, we all know that Hae Jo’s dwelling on borrowed time.

And so, it’s pretty and completely satisfied, however on the similar time, there’s this thick layer of foreboding working undercurrent, as a result of I hold anticipating that Hae Jo’s going to break down, as a result of his situation has been getting worse. 😬

[END SPOILER]

Hae Jo and Heung [BROAD SPOILERS]

Maybe the most important shock of all, to me, was the type of heartwarming, gruff brotherhood that grows, between Hae Jo and Heung.

They’re the oddest of wierd {couples}, what with Hae Jo being the kidnapper of Heung’s bride and all, however Present makes it work, and this reluctant brotherhood really warmed my coronary heart.

I cherished that Hae Jo and Heung basically realized to look past the floor, and join on a deeper stage.

It moved me an important deal, that in a few of Hae Jo’s most tough occasions, it’s Heung who’s there for him. 🥹

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. My favourite factor about this entire abandoned island factor, although, is how we get to see Heung and Hae Jo agreeing to a short lived truce, within the curiosity of survival.

Bear in mind how I’d mentioned that I might love if we may see Hae Jo, Jae Mi and Heung be mates?

I really feel like our writers determined they’d like that too, however then, somebody mentioned that the one method that may occur, is that if the three of them received stranded on a abandoned island, and their survival trusted it, and another person mentioned, “No worries, I gotchu” – which is how we ended up with this episode. 🤭

It’s unlucky that Heung feels so insecure in Hae Jo’s presence, however I truthfully can’t blame him, as a result of the way in which Hae Jo and Jae Mi work together, you possibly can simply inform that they’ve  plenty of historical past collectively, and are snug with one another.

Heung doesn’t have that but, with Jae Mi, and naturally, he’d really feel insecure watching Jae Mi be so snug with Hae Jo.

And that’s not but making an allowance for how Heung feels fairly out of his depth, within the face of Hae Jo’s muscular shirtlessness, which, I can sympathize with, coz it’s arduous to not evaluate, after which it’s arduous to not really feel insecure, on condition that Hae Jo’s so nicely constructed. 😅

I do love how all of these reservations go straight out the window, the minute Heung realizes that Hae Jo’s collapsed, and could be very sick.

It’s so endearing to me, how Heung works so feverishly to stabilize Hae Jo and assist him get via the ache assault; he’s man, our Heung. 🥲

E5-6. It hits me within the intestine each time, when Hae Jo has an episode, and his feverish thoughts retains going again to his childhood, together with his mother and father, when he’d been cherished and completely satisfied. Oof. My coronary heart. 🥹😭

My concept that Hae Jo’s able to go all in together with his love and dedication, with little or no encouragement, features yet one more piece of reinforcing proof, with the way in which Hae Jo responds to Heung’s fearful outburst (regardless that that outburst is all about how Jae Mi could be shocked by Hae Jo’s demise) – by addressing Heung as “Hyung.”

Augh! Our Hae Jo desires Heung to be his Hyung. How endearing is that?? 🥲

E7-8. Truthfully, I’d gotten the impression, at first, that Hae Jo’s total intent on going to Wanju, was to hunt out Jae Mi, and we even have that entire scene with Hae Jo giving himself a makeshift bathe within the males’s restroom on the relaxation cease.

However ultimately, Hae Jo appears to alter his thoughts, and the individual whom Hae Jo goes to see, is Heung.

Primarily based on how we see Hae Jo remembering all of the occasions that Jae Mi had railed at him tearfully, throughout this journey, it appears to be like like Hae Jo involves the sobering conclusion that Jae Mi actually doesn’t need him in her life; that she’s higher off with out him. 🥹

I did actually just like the encounter that Hae Jo has with Heung as a substitute, nonetheless.

Primarily, I like the heat in Hae Jo’s voice, as he talks with Heung, and tells him that he actually thinks that Heung’s , heat individual.

It’s endearing, actually, that regardless that Heung is clearly nonetheless smarting from the truth that Hae Jo had kidnapped his bride, he nonetheless reveals concern for Hae Jo, and tells him to not smoke, coz it’s dangerous for him.

Aw. Heung actually is an effective egg. And you might even see him as rising as much as being the hyung that Hae Jo sees him as, in a method? 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Hae Jo and Dad [BROAD SPOILERS]

The connection between Hae Jo and Dad is sophisticated and stuffed with scars, gaping wounds and emotional baggage, and I respect that Present is ready to assist us to know that, fairly economically.

One among my hopes, all collection lengthy, was that Hae Jo would handle to reconcile with Dad in a significant method, and Present does ship, which I’m glad about. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. Judging from the literal run-in that Hae Jo has with Dad on the prime of episode 3, it appears to be like like Dad has sophisticated emotions about Hae Jo, and understandably so, since, as we all know, he’d doted on Hae Jo for eight years, after which had been advised that he wasn’t truly Hae Jo’s organic father.

On the similar time, it appears to be like prefer it had been Hae Jo who had walked away from that relationship; that’s the sense that I get, together with his parting shot to Dad, that he doesn’t tackle instances about lacking relations or runaways.

That very a lot seems like Hae Jo’s referring to himself having run away; that he’s not coming again.

It’s heartbreaking, truthfully, as a result of judging from Hae Jo’s expression, and the stray tears that we glimpse via the rain, it hurts him to push Dad away like this, and it appears to be like like Dad does need to reconnect.

To my eyes, it appears that evidently it’s Hae Jo who feels that he has no place on this household, given his delivery mix-up, and maybe he believes that he’s saving Dad from having to make a tough determination – by making the choice for all of them. 💔

[END SPOILER]

Kim Min Seok as Gi Ho / Kkari

I actually felt that Kim Min Seok was completely forged as Gi Ho, affectionately referred to as Kkari.

To me, he introduced Gi Ho to life in a method that actually popped. I cherished Gi Ho’s cheeky expressiveness and resilience, and the way he manages to be humorous, even in probably the most dire circumstances.

For a supporting character, he actually managed to steal my coronary heart, a little bit bit.

[SPOILER ALERT]

There are two key issues that come to thoughts, once I consider Gi Ho

1, I felt so ruefully sorry for him, a lot of the time, due to the bodily and psychological torment that he will get subjected to, when Chil Seong’s looking down Hae Jo, and Gi Ho’s his solely lead.

On the similar time, Present performs it for humorous, and Kim Min Seok’s comedian talents are so good, that he makes Gi Ho’s terror and desperation truly type of humorous, and I simply can’t assist however chuckle alongside, regardless that I do really feel dangerous for Gi Ho.

It’s fairly trippy, in that method. 😅

2, He’s truly fiercely loyal, and he would possibly curse and swear at Hae Jo, however he loves the dude, and would danger the whole lot, to guard him. 🥹

I discovered that very touching.

[END SPOILER]

Lee El as Bong Suk

For chunk of our story, Bong Suk’s kind of stored on the fringes of our story.

We all know that she’s linked to Hae Jo, however we’re not clear on the context or boundaries of their relationship.

Effectively. Present lastly sheds mild on that in episode 7, and I discovered that backstory very touching and affecting.

Bong Suk’s a lot greater than she seems, really. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7. Present serves up the backstory round how Bong Suk and Hae Jo had met, and what sort of relationship they’ve, which I discovered unexpectedly touching and affecting.

Like, what do you imply, that the whole lot Hae Jo’s mentioned about Bong Suk being his mum or dad, and savior, and landlady, had been true?? 🥹

I’m most affected by the informal method Bong Suk decides to avoid wasting Hae Jo, simply from seeing him rummage via the trash for meals.

She doesn’t attempt to assist him in different methods, like, take him to a police station, or have interaction social providers.

She merely begins feeding him, by placing out meals for him disguised as leftovers, after which, when she’s certain that he’s relying on her meals, tells him that he can work for his hold.

..Which is how he finally ends up working all kinds of errands for friends on the institution the place she works, which is how he finally ends up having the title Hae Jo (which doesn’t simply sound like “do that for me” like I’d first thought; it actually signifies that!), and in addition, how he finally ends up working an errand enterprise for actual.

I discover all of it very offhanded but poignant, that that is how Hae Jo’s life had been formed, after he’d run away from dwelling. 🥲

Certainly, Bong Suk is Hae Jo’s savior, mum or dad and household. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Kim Hae Sook as Tiger Mother

I simply needed to give a shout-out to Kim Hae Sook, whom I discovered to be very efficient, and actually fairly compelling, as Heung’s Tiger Mother.

I received a kick out of seeing Kim Hae Sook be so commanding and imperious on a regular basis; a far cry from her days of at all times enjoying good, loving mothers, like in Winter Sonata (Open Threads right here!). 😁

And, I did respect the way in which Tiger Mother finally softens, as nicely. 🥲

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E9-10. You guys. I simply completed watching these finale episodes, and I really feel like my coronary heart has been buffeted 1,000,000 alternative ways.

How does this present handle to be so chaotic and rollercoastery, all the way in which to the tip, and but, handle to hit you proper within the coronary heart, prefer it’s an MMA fighter who’s simply taken a working leap, proper into your chest? 🥹🥹🥹

Oooof – is what I’ve to say. 😅

I’m attempting to understand all the varied wisps of ideas which can be flying round my mind proper now, and form them right into a coherent practice of thought, but it surely’s not such a simple job, and let me simply say that I’ve received my work minimize out for me.

Clearly, this present packs a punch, and I’m simply so impressed that it doesn’t even look or really feel prefer it’s attempting to pack that punch; it feels prefer it’s simply being what it desires to be, and it simply occurs to be quirky, and chaotic, and unpredictable, and considerate, and deep, and profoundly affecting, all on the similar time.

After Hae Jo lands within the hospital after his collapse, I truthfully didn’t assume that there could possibly be anyplace else for him to go, given how sick he’s.

I imply, he even goes into cardia arrest, and must be resuscitated, proper? So staying in hospital looks like the wise, protected factor to do?

However no. It doesn’t take lengthy for Present to have Jae Mi kidnapping Hae Jo out of the VIP ward, as a result of she remembers, with a jolt of readability, that Hae Jo’s dream is to die beneath the good blue sky, and never trying up at a hospital ceiling.

As a lot as my logical mind protested that this might actually kill Hae Jo, I’ve to acknowledge Jae Mi’s intuition to honor Hae Jo’s needs, even when it places his well being in additional hazard.

Ultimately, although, that is fully in step with Hae Jo’s needs; as soon as he involves, he’s intent on doing the entire issues he desires to do, within the time that he has left, and doesn’t even think about going again to the hospital.

And you recognize what, it’s truthfully touching to see how the folks round him help his determination, regardless that they discover it arduous to let him go.

That scene of Gi Ho, all teary-eyed whereas performing cheerful, pledging himself to be Hae Jo’s lackey ceaselessly, if Hae Jo will simply come again, and Hae Jo, pretending to reluctantly agree, whereas telling Gi Ho to inform Bong Suk that he loves her, introduced a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat, no lie.

All of it seems like a remaining goodbye, and this sense comes up rather a lot, in these remaining episodes, as Hae Jo does all of the issues that he feels he must do.

The scene of him leaving Jae Mi at her mom’s home, additionally seems like a remaining goodbye, like he’s leaving her there, in order that she gained’t need to see him die.

Truthfully, I used to be mad at Hae Jo for abandoning Jae Mi a second time, as a result of how may he try this to her, figuring out how a lot it will damage her..? 😭

My comfort is that it appears to harm him simply as a lot because it hurts her, and seeing him bawl like that, and berate himself for doing that to Jae Mi, does assist soothe my disappointment in him.

The opposite silver lining, is that I kinda love the thought, that Hae Jo calls Heung to inform him that he’s abandoning Jae Mi, and Heung comes – however for Hae Jo, not Jae Mi.

I hadn’t been anticipating that.

Usually, when a male lead calls the second male result in come, as a result of he’s planning to go away the feminine lead someplace, the second male lead reveals as much as maintain the feminine lead. Belief this present to show that trope on its head! 🤭

I do love the bits of brotherhood that we see between them, with Heung blowing Hae Jo’s nostril like an actual hyung would, and speaking sense to Hae Jo, by telling him that he hasn’t achieved factor, by abandoning Jae Mi, and even attempting to feed him, in order that he can hold his power up.

Aw. Heung’s turning out to be such hyung. 🥲

Truthfully, I really feel like there’s a lot pathos in the truth that Jae Mi chooses to maintain forgiving Hae Jo for abandoning her, and even thanks him for locating out her actual birthday.

I imply, the truth that she solely smacks him on the aspect of the top, for abandoning her, says quite a bit, I feel, about how she’s keenly conscious of the truth that Hae Jo doesn’t have plenty of time left.

Like, there’s no level arguing or nitpicking, as a result of very quickly, it’s not going to matter anymore, as soon as Hae Jo’s gone. 😭🥺

I’m glad that Jae Mi explains what she’d actually mentioned, when she’d thought she was dying; that she’d actually been saying 신발 (sinbal), referring to the footwear that Hae Jo had given her, and never 씨발 (shibal), a curse phrase.

I really feel like that assurance is so necessary to Hae Jo; that in a second when she’d believed she was dying, her coronary heart had been to observe him, sporting the footwear that he’d given her. 🥲

In our remaining episode, we see Hae Jo having significant, completely satisfied occasions with the individuals who matter to him, and that was very poignant to witness.

That scene of everybody sitting round, laughing and enjoying consuming video games, feels so treasured, particularly on the half when Hae Jo stands by and simply watches all of it, with that considerate look on his face, a smile tugging at his lips, and tears sheening in his eyes.

Actually, Hae Jo wears that look a good bit, as we get nearer to the tip of our story, and I discovered it extraordinarily affecting, to see this emotion leaking out from him, whilst he did his greatest to behave nonchalant.

I very a lot respect, although, that Hae Jo has that point of reconciliation together with his dad; Dad may not be Bio Dad, however he actually is the one dad that Hae Jo’s ever recognized, and it feels becoming, that Hae Jo would need to attain out and make peace, earlier than his time was up.

I used to be mainly clutching my coronary heart all the time Hae Jo and Dad are in that prolonged hug, the place we mainly see Hae Jo within the current, in addition to the previous, hugging Dad and crying.

AUGH. A lot aid and emotional launch, on either side. 😭😭

I’m a little bit disenchanted that Hae Jo doesn’t spend extra time with Dad, however I’m comforted by the truth that Hae Jo will get to see how a lot Dad really cared, over time, and the way he’d treasured his reminiscences with Hae Jo, within the ways in which he may.

And, I’m additionally comforted to see that Hae Jo leaves that scribble on that title card for Dad, telling Dad that he’s Dad’s son, and indicators off as Chae Seung Hyeok.

Given how little time Hae Jo has, this actually is one of the best reward that he may have given Dad; an affirmation that they’re, certainly, father and son, no matter all that’s occurred prior to now.

It’s an expression of connection, and forgiveness, and even affection, multi function, and it’s lovely. 🥹

As our story winds its method in the direction of the ultimate closing, we hear Hae Jo dropping significant little nuggets that pertain to life and demise, like how plankton sparkles within the water, and is so basic to life.

And in addition, how the sunshine from stars which can be already useless, continues to shine for years and years and years.

All of it provides as much as this actually poignant image of Hae Jo, shining so brightly in his final days, that it brings life and light-weight to these round him.

Like the way in which Heung adopts Hae Jo’s mantra, of being a drifter, as a substitute of being misplaced, and features a lot freedom in the way in which he lives his life.

(On that word, I respect that Tiger Mother realizes that it’s time to let Heung dwell the life that he desires, and it’s additionally fairly cute how John agrees to be her second son. 😁)

Sure, Hae Jo’s not good, and he has his points and issues, however he’s introduced love into the lives of these whom he cares about.

And it feels apt and significant for Hae Jo to spend his final days simply touring with Jae Mi, to wherever their hearts take them.

When he lastly collapses on that snowy hill, bringing us again to our opening scene in episode 1, I’m relieved that Jae Mi isn’t far-off, and that she manages to come back to him shortly sufficient, that he will get to see her, one final time.

It’s fully heartrending to listen to him say, in voiceover, that he desires to dwell; that he desires to like Jae Mi extra, for longer. 😭

But it surely’s additionally completely lovely, that his final acutely aware thought, could be,

“You’re the final scene of my life. Effectively, then I assume I had a fairly good life. It was a lot enjoyable; completely and fully. I like you.”

AUGH. My coronary heart. ❤️‍🩹

Given the circumstances, this was one of the best ending that I may have hoped for, for Hae Jo.

He spent his remaining days with the folks whom he cherished, and continued to unfold his distinctive model of sparkle and knowledge, whereas he may.

And he breathed his final breath, giving and receiving love, with the love of his life.

How fully tragic, but deeply lovely, on the similar time. 🥲

Thanks for the whole lot, Hae Jo. Your mild’s nonetheless shining vibrant. ⭐️🥹

THE FINAL VERDICT:

A wild journey that someway manages to even be profoundly affecting and thought-provoking.

FINAL GRADE: A

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The following drama I’m protecting on Patreon, rather than Mr. Plankton, is Blossom [China].

You’ll be able to take a look at my episode 1-4 notes on Blossom on Patreon right here.

Right here’s an summary of what I’m protecting on Patreon proper now (Tier advantages are cumulative)!

Basis Tier (US$1): Leisure Drop (Sundays) + the primary set notes of all reveals coated on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Entry (US$5): +Blossom [China]

Early Entry Plus (US$10): +When The Telephone Rings [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +Inform Me That You Love Me [Korea]

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