THE SHORT VERDICT:
Some viewers suppose that this present is good, with its highlight on the Korean training system, and the impact that it has, on all of the gamers, together with college students, mother and father, and academics.
Different viewers really feel that this present is boring and slow-moving, and never value their drama hours.
Nonetheless different viewers suppose that this present had sparkles of promise, however finally didn’t dwell as much as that promise, as a result of it was inconsistent in its thematic focus.
I’m within the third camp, simply so you understand. However actually, the one solution to know whether or not this one will find yourself working for you, is to offer it a strive.
My recommendation: You’ll probably know fairly early in case you love this one. If you happen to don’t find it irresistible instantly, higher to stroll away early, than attempt to make it work. (Take it from somebody who’s been there. 😅)
THE LONG VERDICT:
My buddies, I attempted with this present, I actually did. I imply, have a look at me, getting all the way in which to the top, and writing a full overview, even. 😅
Sadly, I by no means managed to fairly get on the identical web page as this present.
Whereas I do know that there are variety of drama followers who love this present, I’m, sadly, not one in every of them, although not for lack of making an attempt.
If it will harm you to learn a overview that talks about how this present didn’t fairly handle to work for me, then perhaps cease studying now? I gained’t be mad, I promise. 😘
OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Right here’s the OST, in case you’d wish to take heed to it when you learn the overview.
Music is a really subjective, particular person type of factor, and apparently sufficient, I discovered myself not hating the title observe, “Don’t Neglect About Me,” regardless that it was closely overused, and regardless that I wasn’t loving Present itself.
I do know this track ended up driving some viewers up the wall with its extreme software, however I really kinda favored it. Go determine, eh? 🤷🏻♀️
HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW
First I’ll discuss learn how to handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens can be most useful.
After that, I discuss what I favored and favored much less, overlaying each the extra macro features of Present, in addition to chosen characters and relationships. I’ve opted not to do a separate part on characters and relationships, for this overview.
Lastly, I additionally spend a while speaking about my ideas on the penultimate episodes, in addition to our finale episodes.
If you happen to’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
Right here are some things that I feel can be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:
1. This present isn’t very romance-forward, regardless of its branding
The romance even takes a backseat, for some stretches of our story. Understanding to count on that, helps.
2. The office drama lens
It is likely to be useful to consider this as a office drama, as a result of the happenings on the office are inclined to take centerstage, quantity of the time.
3. It’s a sluggish burn
Whether or not you’re on this for the romance, or the highlight on the Korean training system, it’s a sluggish burn on all sides, so being ready to be affected person, is useful.
4. Present has a little bit of a roving focus
What I imply is, as a substitute of getting one fundamental focus all through its run, our story appears to shift focus, at factors. It’s not a frequent prevalence, however it’s nonetheless a factor.
This threw me off, so maybe it will assist to regulate your expectations round this.
STUFF I LIKED
The office drama stuff
I did not join a office drama, so I feel it says fairly a bit, that I really discovered the office drama stuff fairly fascinating.
I even obtained fairly invested in it, at factors.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E5-6. I used to be really fairly.. morbidly fascinated by the way in which Director Kim (Kim Jong Tae) was working to do away with Hye Jin (Jung Ryeo Gained), by giving her fundamental class to Jun Ho (Wi Ha Jun) and Cheong Mi (So Ju Yeon), in order that she would find yourself leaving emptyhanded.
It made no sense to me at first, not gonna lie; I simply couldn’t wrap my head round why a hagwon would wish to try this to their star trainer.
It was solely when Hye Jin defined it, that it lastly made sense to me; {that a} star trainer is a double-edged sword.
I suppose, in a dog-eat-dog world, it solely is sensible {that a} star trainer finally seeks greener pastures, whereas taking as many college students alongside as attainable, whereas the hagwon itself tries to pre-empt it, by chopping off the star trainer first.
Ugh. That entire concept does go away a foul style in my mouth, however when it’s framed within the extremely aggressive setting during which our characters exist, it does make a twisted type of sense.
And, I do discover all of it fairly morbidly fascinating.
[END SPOILER]
Jung Ryeo Gained as Hye Jin
I’ve to confess that at the beginning, I favored Hye Jin as a personality, extra in idea than in execution.
I discovered her opaque generally, her actions exhausting to know, and her swings in tone fairly jarring, just like the extremes didn’t mesh organically right into a single character.
Nonetheless, Present does a good job peeling pack the layers sufficient, that I managed to finally really feel related to Hye Jin as a personality, and wish to root for her.
Right here’s a have a look at these layers being peeled again, little by little.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E5-6. I really feel unhealthy for Hye Jin, as a result of, primarily based on her eventual outburst with Director Kim, she’d been extra loyal than he was value, and now, he’s stabbed her within the again by making an attempt to chop her off – however is making an attempt furiously to backpedal, as a result of the entire state of affairs with Heewon Excessive has modified your complete enjoying discipline, virtually in a single day.
All of a sudden, he wants Hye Jin, as a result of she’s an enormous a part of the rationale the Heewon Excessive college students are coming, and likewise, with the inflow of scholars, he can’t all of the sudden be in need of wonderful academics.
Truthfully, I don’t have any sympathy for him, as a result of he’d calculated his shot and brought it, even when it had meant hurting the comradeship that he and Hye Jin had constructed from the very starting.
He’d betrayed her, for his self-interest, and the one motive he’s even apologizing, is, once more, out of self curiosity.
He has little interest in the comradeship that he speaks of, when making an attempt to achieve Hye Jin’s understanding and sympathy.
On the coronary heart of it, he’s a calculating transactional businessman who solely pretends to care about relationships.
That’s why I form of cheered on the within, when Hye Jin put decorum apart and instructed it like it’s, all fury and spitfire, refusing to permit him to gaslight her or minimize her off.
This was a defining second for me, in that this was the second that I felt most related to Hye Jin, the place I most felt like, YES, I’m in her nook, and I would like her to win towards all these slimey calculating varieties who simply wish to make use of her.
I used to be additionally intrigued by the supply that Director Choi makes.
Clearly, the one motive Director Choi (Website positioning Jung Yeon) makes this supply, is as a result of she feels legitimately threatened by Hye Jin.
She actually believes that Hye Jin would trigger her to lose many Heewon Excessive college students in the long run, and that’s why she’s making this radical and beneficiant supply to Hye Jin – which stipulates that she should convey alongside variety of her college students together with her too.
Truthfully, I’m fairly stunned and considerably impressed that Hye Jin doesn’t take up the supply instantly.
In any case, on the cut-off date, Director Kim had already began to chop her off in an actual means, and right here is a chance for a place that guarantees extra affect and monetary achieve, than what Director Kim’s taking away from her.
It could be a righteous slap in Director Kim’s face, on the very least.
However, that’s not Hye Jin’s chosen route, a minimum of for now, and I’m simply impressed at the truth that she’s taking her time to suppose and assess the state of affairs. I like that she has the restraint and knowledge to not soar into something too rapidly.
E7-8. These episodes, we lastly get perception into what Hye Jin’s been feeling and pondering, and impulsively, she seems like an actual individual to me now, with actual emotions and uncertainties, and insecurities, and all of this endears her to me, a lot.
Due to this one key change, impulsively, Hye Jin has develop into my anchor for this present; I’m now keen on her life and her story, and I actually like feeling this fashion.
Like I’d anticipated, from her tentative physique language in the course of the kiss on the finish of episode 6, Hye Jin does attempt to tamp issues down with Jun Ho, and make it such that the kiss by no means occurred.
Due to the context that we’ve been given, {that a} romantic relationship between hagwon academics is foundation for a scandal, I can perceive her want to push Jun Ho away, and this additionally looks like a contributing issue to Hye Jin’s resolution to take up Director Choi’s supply, and go away Daechi Chase.
On this level, I actually like Hye Jin’s motive for selecting to remain at Daechi Chase, in any case.
I discover that I actually like Si Woo (Cha Gang Yun), so I can perceive Hye Jin’s resolution to remain at Daechi Chase.
He’s so hardworking, and will get good outcomes, has perspective, and is genuinely keen on studying.
Hye Jin’s resolution to remain, as I see it, is partly as a result of she will be able to’t bear to disappoint him, after convincing him, by way of her lecture, to depart Choiseon and are available to Daechi Chase, and partly as a result of, as a trainer, the considered educating a scholar like Si Woo actually does encourage her.
I do love that Hye Jin’s resolution to remain is predicated on one thing so pure and intangible, fairly than some very enticing perk to her contract.
In truth, she’s turning down some severe perks within the contract Director Choi had provided her, with a view to keep – for this intangible motive.
This tells me a lot about Hye Jin as an individual, and about what’s actually necessary to her, and I’ve to say, on this level, I like what I see. 🥲
It made me actually glad for her, that she obtained to listen to Si Woo say that her lesson that he’d attended, is his favourite Korean lecture that he’s had, and that he’ll bear in mind it for a very long time.
Truthfully, how valuable is that? 🥲
I’m sitting over right here, cheering her on on this resolution, as a result of I do know for a undeniable fact that educating Si Woo goes to convey her a lot extra satisfaction and contentment, than any contract that any hagwon would have the ability to supply her.
I additionally actually like that she doesn’t give Director Kim a tough time for the way he’d handled her, regardless that she completely might have gotten away with it.
As a substitute, she even tells Director Kim to offer that new pill to Cheong Mi, to encourage Cheong Mi, as a brand new trainer.
I assumed that was very gracious of Hye Jin.
The opposite layer of reveal that I actually respect, this set of episodes, is the dialog between Hye Jin and her pal So Younger.
Lastly, we get to listen to Hye Jin’s actual ideas and emotions, about how she sees herself versus different folks her age; about the way it’s unimaginable to not like Jun Ho; about how exhausting life had been for her, when she’d needed to work to repay her household’s debt; about how she’d given Jun Ho particular therapy all alongside; about how she’d felt left behind, by her friends; about how she’d felt that her life was a multitude.
It actually rounds her out as a personality, for me.
It paints a vivid image for me, of how Jun Ho had been her refuge within the midst of her storm, even when he hadn’t identified it.
It additionally reveals me that Hye Jin actually is a trainer at coronary heart; in her darkest instances, she’d gained consolation from nurturing Jun Ho, not from receiving nurturing from another person.
Simply watching this scene, I can perceive how exhausting it’s for Hye Jin to confess that she likes Jun Ho and desires thus far and be in a relationship.
Due to this fact, when she lets her guard down with Jun Ho later, I really feel like I can respect what an enormous step of religion she’s taking – which additionally helps me to deduce simply how a lot she likes Jun Ho, to be keen to take that step, as a result of it’s him.
I additionally actually like that, fairly quickly after they begin courting, she tells Jun Ho a bit extra about what she’s like exterior of the hagwon; that she’s sluggish and awkward and can probably mess up once in a while, and so to please be understanding.
I discovered this very endearing, sincere and candy. 🥰
E11-12. I do discover that entire means of Hye Jin altering her thoughts to be performed fairly too simplistically.
I’m rationalizing that it’s simpler, not as a result of Jun Ho took her to the seashore, or as a result of she attended one good lecture by Mr. Pyo, or as a result of Jun Ho confirmed her that video of the fox, however as a result of that is how she actually feels on the within, and this stuff simply labored so as to add gas to the hearth that was already burning in her coronary heart.
E11-12. I do suppose it’s fairly badass of Hye Jin to convey Director Choi to the restaurant, and inform each her and AD Woo, that they will do no matter they need together with her supplies, as a result of it’s not necessary to her anymore.
I can see why some folks would say that Hye Jin’s being reckless, however actually, AD Woo’s already admitted to have made copies of the fabric, so the copy on the reminiscence stick, isn’t the one copy there’s.
Even when Hye Jin doesn’t give it again to them, they nonetheless have it.
And, Hye Jin’s already talked us by way of how it will be an extended, tough and costly course of, to take them to court docket for stealing from her.
And so, what she’s doing, is letting it go, the way in which Jun Ho let go of his first textbook, in order that she will be able to begin afresh, to show the way in which she actually desires to.
It’s a tough street forward, which I’m positive we’ll discover within the upcoming episodes, however for now, it’s a fairly romantic notion, and since we’re lastly getting the essence of the “romance” in Present’s title, I’m content material for now.
[END SPOILER]
So Ju Yeon as Cheong Mi
I confess that I’d discovered Cheong Mi fairly bemusing as a personality, at first, to the purpose that I’d half anticipated her to occupy a fairly antagonistic house in our story.
I used to be very pleasantly stunned when she seems to be one of the principled and subsequently likable characters on this present.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E3-4. I discover Cheong Mi to be appearing out of line, and I’m undecided what to make of her.
I imply, it’s true that she’d naturally really feel omitted, since Hye Jin’s working so intently with Jun Ho, who’s joined the hagwon concurrently her, however the way in which she’s behaving in response feels fairly inappropriate to me.
Provided that that is Korea, the place juniors, and particularly newbies, are anticipated to obediently keep the established order and never query their supervisors, Cheong Mi is appearing fairly entitled and petulant, isn’t she?
Including on the context, the place we had been launched to her as a nice, cheerful character who’s simply grateful to get by way of the trainer examination, this feels misplaced and exhausting to swallow.
Like, I discover it exhausting to consider that somebody who’s such a beginner, would dare to behave on this method, to her new Star Teacher supervisor. Like, how dare she?? 😅
Sure, it’s true that Hye Jin’s not being honest to her, however I discover it exhausting to purchase {that a} full beginner like her would dare step out of line and act like her new boss owes her an apology.
E7-8. I like that Present is making Cheong Mi an ally to our OTP, as a substitute of the potential adversary that it had appeared like she was probably going to be, for some time.
Proper now, I discover that I like her, as a result of regardless that she has her suspicions concerning the vibe she’s getting between Jun Ho and Hye Jin, she is decisive in selecting to thoughts her personal enterprise.
I really feel like lots of people in her place wouldn’t have the ability to cease themselves from poking additional with a view to discover out extra, particularly in the event that they felt that they’d been sidelined due to the attainable couple in query.
As a substitute, Cheong Mi not solely makes it none of her enterprise, she really steps in to assist Jun Ho, when Jun Ho reveals up on the hagwon saying that Hye Jin could be very sick and that he’ll take over her courses.
It’s because of Cheong Mi’s fast pondering and her generosity to spend her day educating Hye Jin’s courses as a substitute of letting Jun Ho do it, that stops the rumors that will have arisen, if Jun Ho had been the one to report Hye Jin’s absence, and the one to take over her courses.
[END SPOILER]
Cheong Mi and Sung Gyu [SPOILER]
At round Present’s mid-point, it begins to tease a possible loveline between Cheong Mi and Sung Gyu (Shin Joo Hyup), and I’ve to confess, I wasn’t positive that I’d care about this potential pairing.
Ha. I’m happy to eat my phrases, as a result of by way of lovelines, this turned out to be my favourite, throughout my watch (sure, over and above the official OTP).
I discovered this relationship very endearing and wholesome, general, and I really want that we might have had extra scenes with this couple.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E11-12. I discover myself actually having fun with Cheong Mi’s little loveline with Sung Gyu.
I feel it’s actually cute how he’s so taken by her, and his little sideways confession on the cafeteria, the place he hints closely that he likes her, by mentioning that he likes this woman who’s 3 years older than he’s, and that he’s poking her by shopping for her cafeteria meals and all.
It’s all very low-key, however his bashful realizing look is great, and Cheong Mi undoubtedly understands what he’s making an attempt to say. 😁
I additionally kinda like how gently persistent Sung Gyu is; when Cheong Mi deflects, he retains his good cheer, and simply drops one other trace, the subsequent time the chance presents itself.
After which how about him getting stars in his personal eyes, at his personal hero second, when he pulls Cheong Mi out of the way in which of an oncoming automobile?
Tee hee. That was fairly humorous.
I’m glad that Cheong Mi appears to love him effectively sufficient, that she agrees to go on extra dates with him. 😁
[END SPOILER]
Kim Music Il as Mr. Pyo [SPOILER]
In what is popping out to be a sample now, I’m additionally very pleasantly stunned to have Mr. Pyo on this part.
With the way in which he’s launched in our story, I’d totally anticipated him to be one of many unhealthy guys. Or, a minimum of, one of many obstacles in Hye Jin’s journey.
I actually do respect the way in which Present peels again the layers, in order that we uncover, little by little, that Mr. Pyo isn’t the obnoxious, horrible man that we (effectively, I) had thought he was, at first.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E11-12. I did just like the shock, these episodes, that Mr. Pyo is definitely one of many good guys.
Okay, I over-simplified.
Mr. Pyo had by no means really been one of many unhealthy guys, to be honest.
He’s simply come throughout as a stick-in-the-mud, overly cussed trainer who caught to his weapons for no good motive, after Hye Jin had identified to him that there have been two attainable solutions in that individual examination query.
After which, when he’d gone to see Hye Jin beforehand, I hadn’t seen him as having unhealthy intentions, essentially, although it did appear that he was guilt-tripping Hye Jin a minimum of a bit bit.
Primarily although, it had appeared like he had needed to inform her simply the form of impression that she’d had on him, stemming from her go to to the varsity.
So I assume Mr. Pyo’s tendency for honesty and ideas reveals up in a extra heroic taste, this week, when he refuses to take Director Choi’s suggestion to fulfill AD Woo (Kim Jung Younger), and get all of Hye Jin’s educating materials, that she’s collected over the previous 10 years.
That spine of his, which had appeared unnecessarily steely earlier, now appears to be like way more noble, as he tells Hye Jin about the truth that her supplies had been stolen, and had been provided to him.
Moreover, it’s Mr. Pyo’s ideas and beliefs about educating, that get among the highlight, this week.
They’d all the time been there, as we all know from how devoted he’d been, in direction of educating within the methodology that he believed was proper, regardless that everybody round him felt that he was being unnecessarily cussed in sticking solely to curriculum from the textbook.
It’s simply that this week, he’s reminded another time, about the fantastic thing about imparting data, because of Ha Yul (Kim Na Yeon), the scholar who takes his suggestion to learn a e-book each semester.
Ha Yul does for Mr. Pyo the identical factor that Si Woo had performed for Jun Ho; she reveals her coronary heart for studying, and thereby evokes Mr. Pyo to recollect another time, how fulfilling it’s, to assist college students be taught for studying’s personal sake.
I do suppose that it’s a bit neat and pat that Mr. Pyo has Ha Yul, and Jun Ho has Si Woo, and these college students each ignite the eagerness for educating in each academics, however I respect the concept that it actually solely takes one individual, to encourage one other.
[END SPOILER]
Website positioning Jung Yeon as Director Choi
To be clear, Director Choi is right here, not as a result of I discover her to be a likable character. I simply needed to offer a shout-out to Website positioning Jung Yeon, who performs Director Choi.
To start with, she appears to be like superb with that silver ‘do, and I feel she offers the character an amazing stiff-upper-lip regal type of air.
Alternatively, I really feel unhealthy for Website positioning Jung Yeon, as a result of the girl isn’t even 50 but, and he or she’s been forged to play a 60-year-old!
That’s loopy, isn’t it??
I do want that they’d’ve forged somebody nearer to the character’s age, to play the position, as a result of getting a 48-year-old actress to play a 60-year-old character is barely reinforcing unimaginable magnificence requirements, isn’t it?
However anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox now.
I discovered Director Choi enjoyable to look at, even when she was technically one of many not-good guys, and that’s all credit score to the way in which Website positioning Jung Yeon performs her. 🤩
Particular shout-out:
Jeon Seok Chan as So Younger’s husband
I simply needed to offer a fast shout-out to So Younger’s husband, who runs the late-night restaurant the place all our hagwon academics hang around.
He’s such a kindhearted, good-natured, good egg. 🥲
He’s genial and mild-mannered, and he’s all the time fast to supply help at any time when he sees that it’s wanted.
We see this by way of lots of our episodes, however I assumed he was significantly compassionate in episode 15, the place he sits sympathetically with Director Kim, regardless that he doesn’t need to.
I couldn’t assist rising keen on him, regardless that he barely will get any display screen time. 🥰
STUFF THAT WAS OK
The concept of the romance of educating [BROAD SPOILERS]
It solely actually began to develop into clear to me in episode 12, that maybe the “romance” in Present’s title, isn’t concerning the relationship between Hye Jin and Jun Ho in any respect.
Moderately, it’s concerning the romance of educating itself; educating for the sake of rising one other individual, fairly than for the sake of passing an examination.
It’s the identical form of romance that impressed the title “Dr. Romantic” – it’s the romance of sticking to pure ideas and pouring our your time, power and soul into the artwork of serving to others, over and above any politicking in your setting.
In precept, I like this concept, however I nonetheless suppose it was a dicey alternative for writer-nim to have made this an episode 12 reveal, in a 16-episode drama.
Mightn’t it have been extra helpful, to have revealed it to us earlier within the story, in order that we’d have extra time to get behind it?
I actually would have most popular that Present made this clear earlier, to avoid wasting me 11 episodes of questioning what the purpose of this story actually was. 😅
That’s a part of the rationale that is on this part. The opposite a part of the reason being as a result of I don’t really suppose Present sees this concept by way of to a robust finish, which I’ll talk about later.
The factor between Hye Jin and Mr. Pyo [SPOILERS]
There’s a key incident that happens between Mr. Pyo and Hye Jin, fairly early on in our story, that I needed to speak about, a bit bit.
On the upside, I do suppose that it’s an incident that unfolds in an fascinating means, as a result of there’s a good quantity to unpack, and it does make clear Hye Jin and Mr. Pyo, as characters.
On the not-so-upside, I do suppose that Present’s propensity for dense storytelling (extra on that later) makes it much less accessible than it might have been.
Right here’s my try at breaking it down.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E9-10. That is what I make of the entire thing between Mr. Pyo and Hye Jin.
Despite the fact that Hye Jin had taken steps to behave discreetly and with decorum as regards to The Incident – in the way in which of getting the scholars to method him first, after which asking to talk privately with him, when she finally went to the varsity – there is part of her (the half which So Younger (Hwang Eun Hoo) keenly factors out that Hye Jin dislikes and tries to disregard) that acknowledged this as a chance to strengthen her repute among the many college students and fogeys.
When So Younger lastly crystallizes Hye Jin’s warring sides in episode 10, I really feel like I lastly am in a position to see Hye Jin extra clearly.
She likes to consider herself as somebody with ideas and beliefs, and who does the proper factor, however there is part of her that’s crafty and shrewd to play the ability recreation, with a view to get forward, within the cut-throat world of the hagwon business.
She doesn’t like that a part of herself, and so she tries not to consider that aspect of herself, in her everyday work; she likes to consider herself because the passionate trainer who loves to show, and who desires to do the proper, ethical factor.
I’m guessing that when she finds herself doing the extra crafty, shrewd issues, that she prefers not to consider it, or she packs it away to a nook of her thoughts, as rapidly as attainable, in order that she will be able to overlook about it as a lot as attainable.
That is one thing about her, that solely she, and people nearest and dearest to her, find out about, which is why we hear it from So Younger, and never another person, in episode 10.
And so, from Hye Jin’s account, regardless that she’d performed what she might, to be civil and discreet when approaching Mr. Pyo, there had been part of her that knew that he can be put to quantity of bother as a result of she’d gone to see him, and pretended to not know.
I really feel that she pretended to not know, with a view to ease her conscience; it was her means of feeling good about herself, as she lived her life.
And now, when she realizes the long-lasting, far-reaching impression that her go to has had on Mr. Pyo’s life, she’s wracked with guilt, and that’s why she goes to see Director Choi, in a determined bid to vary issues, if in any respect attainable.
I imply, she even asks if the Assistant Director place, which Mr. Pyo is taking, would nonetheless be accessible to her now; she’d be keen to stop her job and be part of Director Choi, if she might cease Mr. Pyo from becoming a member of the hagwon business.
This additionally implies that, in her opinion and expertise, she feels that it will be very exhausting for Mr. Pyo to make it within the hagwon business, and in her view, he’s principally leaping from the frying pan, into the hearth.
On this level, although, I’d agree with Director Choi, that that is all Hye Jin’s assumption and conjecture; that Hye Jin actually is likely to be underestimating Mr. Pyo’s talents, and that’s why she’s getting all anxious and upset.
Objectively talking, that is Mr. Pyo’s resolution to make, and as a full-grown unbiased grownup, he has the proper to resolve to stop his job and begin anew, at Choiseon.
Plus, we even hear the scholars say, in episode 10, that Mr. Pyo’s after-school courses had been fairly enjoyable and fascinating, so who’s to say that he wouldn’t blow away the hagwon college students too?
Moreover, I feel there’s a problem right here with how Hye Jin sees educating at a college as actual educating, whereas educating at a hagwon is much less noble.
So far as Jun Ho is worried, Mr. Pyo is simply selecting to vary his location, not his occupation or vocation, and Hye Jin sees it utterly in a different way.
So sure, I do really feel that Hye Jin could have some soul-searching to do on this entrance, as a result of, whilst she offers lectures that encourage the likes of Si Woo, she nonetheless, deep down, appears to be like down on herself for not being a real trainer, which is unhappy.
Do I feel that Mr. Pyo is making an attempt to shift the blame to Hye Jin?
Nicely, sure and no.
I really feel that he’s, in a means, guilt-tripping Hye Jin over the truth that he stop his job due to her.
Nonetheless, I do consider him, when he says that he had been haunted by their encounter, and that that had been the start of the top, for him.
If Hye Jin hadn’t determined to take issues into her personal fingers, Mr. Pyo may need by no means gotten to the purpose the place he felt that he couldn’t keep it up educating on the college.
Do I nonetheless suppose that it was an affordable shot on his half? Nicely, sure.
As a result of, all of us encounter setbacks and troubles in life, and typically, it may be on account of another person’s conduct.
However, that doesn’t make it proper for us responsible that another person, significantly if the motion hadn’t been meant maliciously to start with.
We are able to’t management what occurs to us, however we will management how we reply to the state of affairs, and Mr. Pyo might have – ought to have, in my view – chosen to steer clear of Hye Jin. That might have been the classier factor to do.
[END SPOILER]
Ahn PD’s distinctive type
Coming into this present, I used to be really low-key amused that this very a lot seems like an Ahn Pan Seok world.
I haven’t seen all of his works, however I’ve seen handful, specifically: Secret Love Affair, Heard It By means of The Grapevine, One thing within the Rain, and One Spring Evening.
Instantly, I felt like there are parts on this present, that give it the texture of an Ahn Pan Seok mission.
For one factor, there are plenty of regulars, by way of actors making up this story world.
A number of the supporting actors are ones that I’ve seen play supporting roles within the numerous different dramas that I’ve talked about.
That in itself was a little bit of enjoyable, coz I couldn’t assist however attempt to place as lots of them as I might.
Since my most up-to-date watch from Ahn Pan Seok was Heard It By means of The Grapevine, I amused myself by inserting variety of supporting actors as the assorted folks staffing the primary home, in Grapevine. Sure I’m fairly simply amused. 😁
For the file, it’s not like these actors work solely on Ahn Pan Seok tasks; it’s simply this specific mixture of actors, going about their enterprise in any such story world, simply has Ahn Pan Seok written throughout it.
Talking of sort of story world, that is faintly harking back to the story world in Secret Love Affair, a minimum of in spots.
What I imply is, in Secret Love Affair, our feminine lead was a really succesful character working in a reasonably poisonous setting that was peopled principally by snooty wealthy varieties, and it was her job of preserve them glad, regardless of any issues that will pop up.
..And that’s precisely what we see our feminine lead do, in Present’s first jiffy.
The distinction right here, is that our feminine lead, Hye Jin, works as an teacher in a hagwon attended by the youngsters of fairly snooty wealthy varieties, and it’s her job to maintain the mother and father glad, and the scholars calm, regardless of any issues that may pop up.
You see the place I’m getting that concept from, that there’s some similarities at play right here?
Fortunately, this story world doesn’t look like utterly impressed by Secret Love Affair, as a result of by and huge, the story world in Secret Love Affair was suffocating and unbearable, for our fundamental characters.
Like I mentioned, it seems like Present is impressed by a variety of Ahn PD’s works, so I really feel like we’re getting a mashup of assorted parts, and the poisonous setting seems to be contained principally with the 2 parts of bold mother and father, and disgruntled highschool trainer.
If reminiscence serves, Secret Love Affair, One thing within the Rain and One Spring Evening all had noona romances within the middle, and that is related in that regard, with Hye Jin being older than Jun Ho.
Moreover, with Hye Jin having been Jun Ho’s trainer for a season, it does form of give some Secret Love Affair-adjacent vibes, due to the teacher-student dynamic.
A male lead who’d interacted with the feminine lead whereas he was a teenager, after which comes again as a completely grown man? We’ve obtained that right here, and that’s just like the setup in One thing within the Rain.
Talking of One thing within the Rain, we even get a Crimson Umbrella Scene on this present, very reminiscent to the one within the poster of One thing within the Rain, by the point we get to the top of episode 1.
And naturally, we even have an English track scoring the proceedings, which was one thing we noticed (effectively, heard) in One thing within the Rain and One Spring Evening, although not in Secret Love Affair or Heard It By means of The Grapevine.
Fortunately for me, personally, the track lands as breezy and nice, fairly than irritating and annoying (Stand By Your Man, anybody? 😅)
..See what I imply, about having the ability to decide up the Ahn PD taste of issues, simply by wandering round this story world for a bit? 😁
STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH
When Present is healthier in idea than in execution
I alluded to this earlier, that there have been issues on this present that had been simply higher to me in idea than in execution.
I’d even go as far as to say that plenty of what Present serves up, is healthier to me in idea, than it’s in execution, given that I discovered it tough to actually get into this story, and get to know these characters.
It’s all very subjective, after all (the interpretation of any type of artwork all the time is), so what didn’t work for me, might completely give you the results you want, and vice versa.
For the sake of curiosity, enable me to simply discuss by way of a few of it, from our early episodes.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E3-4. Typically, I feel I like the concept of what Present goes for, however the execution is in some way touchdown a bit hole for me.
So what’s the concept?
Nicely, I feel the concept is that Hye Jin is a lady who’s develop into jaded by all of the years that she’s spent on the hagwon, having to outlive and even thrive within the very aggressive setting.
And alongside comes Jun Ho, who’s removed from jaded, and who nonetheless remembers, vividly, how Hye Jin had been a passionate trainer, when she’d taught him.
Despite the fact that she’s now way more practical-minded and competition-conscious, and appears to have forgotten a lot of how she’d was once, he nonetheless holds onto these beliefs that he’d witnessed firsthand in her.
Relating to educating, which Jun Ho is now selecting as his new vocation, he instinctively adopts that heartfelt, love-for-learning method that Hye Jin had as soon as used on him.
It’s harsh that she forces his hand, and tells him to depart these beliefs behind, if he desires to outlive on this world that riddled with cut-throat requirements and competitors, and he complies, as a result of he desires to respect her needs, and acknowledges that as a result of she is now his supervisor, it’s his job to hold out her directions.
However, due to Jun Ho’s presence in her life, Hye Jin finds herself doing issues in a different way.
First, she agrees to the partnership that she’d by no means imagined can be a factor, and places effort and time into collaborating with Jun Ho.
After which, she finds herself loosening up, despite herself, and we see that in the way in which she falls into texting with Jun Ho that night, late at night time, full with completely satisfied giggles.
On this second, it seems like all of the chains of her context have fallen away, and we’re getting a glimpse of her true self, the place she’s unfettered by accountability and obligation.
However the context comes again, when morning comes, and he or she’s again to being her practical-minded, goal-oriented self, and he or she is typically fairly brusque and even nearly harsh with Jun Ho, whereas guiding him and dealing with him.
That’s, till no one reveals up for the pattern lecture besides that one single scholar.
At first, Hye Jin defaults to probably the most sensible resolution, which is to cancel the lecture, for the reason that quantity doesn’t justify the time and effort.
However it’s Jun Ho who insists on going forward, and it’s this one-on-one tutoring time that Hye Jin has with this scholar, Si Woo, that brings again a spark to Hye Jin; she’s tasting the enjoyment of educating, another time, and it’s a sense that she’d thought she’d lengthy left behind.
Her enjoyment and her pleasure is obvious to see, and Jun Ho basks within the sight of the Hye Jin whom he remembers – now standing in entrance of him once more, as her shiny, luminous self, glowing as she soaks within the pleasure of imparting data and perspective to Si Woo.
And, regardless that she nonetheless considers the lecture a bust due to the shortage of members, it appears to be like just like the universe goes to reward that pure want to impart data, as a result of Si Woo loved himself sufficient, that he tells his buddies that he’s pondering of switching hagwons.
It’s a reasonably romantic concept, sure? I imply, we’re not but on the romance-romance of all of it, in our story, however this bud of a notion, of getting a pure want to show for the sake of studying as a substitute of exams, is sort of romantic, on this results-oriented story world.
As for the romance-romance of all of it, this set of episodes, we’re proven that Jun Ho had certainly nursed a crush on Hye Jin, again when she’d been his trainer, and he, her scholar.
It stays unclear whether or not he’s come again to her with romantic intentions, however both means, it’s a provided that as Jun Ho and Hye Jin proceed to work collectively, love will finally blossom.
Total, I actually fairly like this complete idea, in that, I really feel like I’m promoting it to myself as I’m penning this, and I’m really fortunately shopping for what I’m promoting, heh.
The issue for me, is that whereas I just like the concept of this entire factor, the execution isn’t fairly popping for me, as a lot as I’d prefer it to.
Whereas Hye Jin does pop for me later in our story, like I talked about earlier, I’m sorry to say that Jun Ho as a personality, and this OTP relationship, didn’t fairly come alive for me in the identical means.
[END SPOILER]
When Present is dense
This story was by no means meant to be of the simply slurpable selection, however I’ve to confess that I discovered quantity of Present’s second half significantly dense.
This made the watch really feel way more effortful than I’d have most popular, and I typically felt fairly exhausted simply making an attempt to have interaction with what Present was serving up.
This was not my favourite factor, by far.
For instance, my private response to episodes 9 and 10, is that I did discover these episodes illuminating by way of displaying us who Hye Jin actually is, but additionally, that these episodes had been very dense.
I take into account myself an individual who enjoys slice-of-life, and I’ve to admit that I needed to take breaks in the course of every of those episodes, as a result of I felt so.. drained, as a result of it usually felt like not an entire lot was taking place, or that issues had been taking place actually slowly. 😅
I bear in mind pondering to myself, “Is that this what artwork movies are imagined to be like?” coz I bear in mind Secret Love Affair (additionally by Ahn PD) shared a few of any such power, and I’d likened it to an artwork movie, again once I’d first watched it.
In that case, then I feel my tolerance for artwork movies has gone down, coz I discovered these episodes a bit exhausting, not gonna lie. 😅
That mentioned, it did really feel like I gained one thing, from sitting by way of the denser parts that I discovered exhausting to know.
For my part, the rationale some parts felt exhausting to know, was as a result of, whereas watching, it’s exhausting to see precisely the place Present’s going with a selected arc or beat, and it may be tiring, to maintain our consideration targeted on one thing that’s shifting slowly, and infrequently in dimly lit settings, with out realizing what it’s that we’re supposed to achieve from all of it.
When the writing is clunky
There have been a few instances once I felt that the writing was fairly clunky, and never consistent with the restrained, artwork movie type of vibe that Present was apparently going for.
[SPOILER ALERT]
E9-10. Truthfully, I couldn’t assist questioning why, if Jun Ho couldn’t bear to depart her alone on a day like this, he wouldn’t recommend going to her place as a substitute of his.
In any case, she can be extra snug at her personal place, and all her issues are there too, proper?
Which implies that if anybody wanted to make do and be uncomfortable, it will be him.
..That’s, till Jun Ho’s mother comes knocking the subsequent morning.
That was once I was like, Ahhhh. No surprise Present needed to have Jun Ho bringing Hye Jin house, and never the opposite means round! 😏
I assumed that was fairly clunky writing.
E11-12. It actually felt like a bizarre late-stage type of reveal, that Assistant Director Woo really has a long-time grudge towards Director Kim, and desires to take him down – and that’s the entire motive she’s making an attempt to take Hye Jin down.
Despite the fact that we’ve seen that AD Woo doesn’t appear to love Hye Jin, this nonetheless feels a contact makjang to my eyes. Like, she’s been pretending to be on Director Kim’s aspect for the previous 8 years, when he’d destroyed her life’s work when he’d purchased over her academy.
And so, all of the sudden with this reveal, we’ve obtained a brand new antagonist within the combine, and it’s not my favourite factor, actually.
[END SPOILER]
Wi Ha Jun as Jun Ho
It hurts me to say this, as a result of Wi Ha Jun being a romantic male lead was one of many key causes I’d even had this present on my radar, however.. I didn’t love him on this. 🙈
I feel it’s partly the writing, and partly his supply; I felt like I by no means related with Jun Ho, as a personality.
Provided that he’s our male lead and is subsequently an enormous a part of our story, it’s really actually necessary, that I really feel related to him, or on the very least, really feel like I can perceive him.
Sadly, I discovered Jun Ho exhausting to learn as a personality, for just about everything of my watch.
I felt like all I had had been bits and items of a personality on paper, like a tough sketch; Jun Ho by no means stuffed out to develop into an actual individual in my eyes.
That is very regrettable, as a result of if Jun Ho had managed to return alive and really feel like an actual individual in my eyes, maybe I’d have some affection for him, to stability out the instances that Present has him act in ways in which I didn’t like.
Let’s simply say that I obtained fairly upset with Jun Ho, at factors. 😅
[SPOILER ALERT]
E1-2. I actually discover Jun Ho exhausting to learn, as a common rule.
He smiles lots and is pleasant and amiable, and usually fairly unruffled – and I really feel like I don’t know what’s actually occurring, on the within, for him.
No less than so far as his objective is, in working on the hagwon, I really feel that we have now a fairly clear image; that Jun Ho feels that that is his quickest solution to earn sufficient cash to ascertain himself independently, in Gangnam, with out having to depend upon his mother and father.
His motive for going again to the hagwon from which he’d graduated, doesn’t seem to have something to do with Hye Jin in any respect, and I’m relieved about that.
He does look like very decisive and savvy as effectively, as a result of as soon as he decides that he desires to affix the competitors, he goes all in, and even takes time to rehearse – and movie himself rehearsing
I used to be fairly impressed by that, not gonna lie, coz I really feel like many individuals don’t rehearse, or they don’t file themselves rehearsing, which is likely one of the greatest methods to enhance, in my view.
The factor is, I simply have this sense that we’re not fairly seeing by way of to the true him.
All I’m getting from him, is that he’s cheerful and bold, and never afraid to take a danger with a view to get what he desires.
We get slight indications that he’s perplexed at how upset his mother and father are, like when he sighs after Dad leaves the restaurant, after a failed try to influence Jun Ho to pursue his research as a substitute.
Apart from that, although, all I’m getting is his cheerful entrance, like, after that fast sigh, he’s again to shrugging issues off, and persevering with to take pleasure in his barbecue dinner, regardless that Dad’s simply walked out on their dinner date.
And that’s just about the response we see from him, when Hye Jin asks to see him on the espresso store, and proceeds to warn him, in a reasonably stern method, of how exhausting life goes to be for him, going ahead.
E5-6. I’ve to admit that, by way of these episodes, I do nonetheless battle with how Wi Ha Jun is coming throughout, as Jun Ho.
I don’t know if it’s simply me, however to my eyes, it seems like he’s holding again from the digicam?
As in, it seems like he’s not fairly permitting us full entry to Jun Ho’s emotions, and I really feel like there’s some form of barrier between Jun Ho’s inner panorama, and me, as a viewer.
He feels oddly enigmatic to me, like I can’t learn him, and I don’t know if that is on goal, or if it is a private quirk of Wi Ha Jun’s.
E7-8. I nonetheless discover myself struggling to attach with Jun Ho, as a personality.
I’m coming to the tentative and unhappy conclusion, that this might be on Wi Ha Jun.
The factor is, even once we form of know what’s occurring with Jun Ho, like the truth that he likes Hye Jin, and desires thus far her, and that he enjoys educating, and loves having Si Woo as a scholar, he’s nonetheless not popping for me onscreen, for some motive.
I’m questioning if Wi Ha Jun’s simply much less expressive, maybe, on this melo type of house, versus extra action-thriller sort areas, just like the character he performed in Squid Recreation, or extra mysterious-smoldery sort areas, just like the character he performed in Little Girls.
E7-8. I’m beginning to get a niggling feeling of discomfort, with regards to Jun Ho, as a personality.
I’ll admit that that is largely to do with my Drama PTSD from One thing within the Rain, and I do know I don’t often examine dramas like this, and I additionally know that it’s not likely honest to place my Drama PTSD from One thing within the Rain on this present, as a result of they’re two utterly completely different dramas, however.. they share Ahn Pan Seok as their PD, so.. my concern is likely to be warranted?
[BROAD VAGUE SPOILERS FOR SOMETHING IN THE RAIN]
In One thing within the Rain, I’d been utterly passionate about Jung Hae In’s character, the youthful male result in Son Ye Jin’s noona, however that had finally given solution to dismay, due to the immaturity of Jung Hae In’s character.
Basically, past the giddy romantic feels, his character behaved in problematic ways in which I traced again to his immaturity, and this contributed chunk in direction of the issues between the OTP.
[END SPOILERS FOR SOMETHING IN THE RAIN]
For me, that is nonetheless an early-stage suspicion, and the niggling is pretty low-grade, however I can’t deny that my drama senses are tingling with some apprehension, at any time when I see Jun Ho act in a means that emphasizes his youth.
For instance, the way in which he retains bulldozing his means in direction of Hye Jin, even after she’s made it clear that she desires to maintain issues skilled between them, and the way in which he’s fairly flippant about the potential for rumors forming about them; these two issues make me really feel apprehensive.
I don’t know if this stuff had been meant to land as swoony and melty, however for me, it worries me that Jun Ho’s perspective goes to finish up inflicting issues for this OTP.
To not say that he isn’t good to Hye Jin; he’s.
Like when he persuades her to let him drive her house, as a result of she’s drained; the way in which he will get her groceries as a result of he’d heard from Cheong Mi that Hye Jin’s fridge is empty; the way in which he will get her to go to the clinic as a substitute of pushing by way of her bodily discomfort to show.
And naturally, he’s light and candy, with regards to his budding romance with Hye Jin, now that she’s displaying her true emotions in direction of him.
However like Hye Jin says, he does tend to bulldoze his means by way of issues, and I can already see that he’s not being very cautious about their relationship.
Cheong Mi managed to avoid wasting him as soon as, by volunteering to report Hye Jin’s absence in his place, however he’s not displaying any warning in any other case.
I imply, he tells his pal Sung Gyu about courting Hye Jin, however doesn’t warn Sung Gyu to maintain it a secret from his mom, Supervisor Kim, who works at Daechi Chase.
I really feel very uncomfortable about this, and am already anticipating a fallout stemming from this oversight. 😬
E11-12. This week, I’ve to admit that I felt fairly perplexed by Jun Ho’s conduct.
I feel writer-nim is making an attempt to make some extent, that Jun Ho could be very captivated with educating, not for the aim of examination grades, however for the aim of empowering his college students.
Even with that in thoughts, nonetheless, I discover myself pondering that Jun Ho’s very belligerent and bulldozer-y plenty of the time, and, effectively, I don’t like that very a lot.
First, we see him get all impatient together with his mother, when she talks to him concerning the introduction that his father want to make for him, to help his dream of changing into a star teacher.
I assumed that was unhappy for Mother, as a result of she’s simply making an attempt to be a peacemaker, and making an attempt to attach together with her son, and it’s not even her concept that she’s sharing. She’s merely being a intermediary for Dad.
And but, she has to take care of Jun Ho’s frustration and impatience. I didn’t suppose effectively of him for that, actually.
Additionally, on second watch, I notice that when Hye Jin first begins reminding Jun Ho that he must get his textbook printed, he very probably had already began serious about deleting his textbook and beginning over.
That’s in all probability what he meant when he mentioned that Hye Jin in all probability wouldn’t be hanging out with him for some time; he in all probability knew that she would get actually upset with him, for destroying all of the work that he’d performed up to now, to start out over.
..Which simply makes Jun Ho’s actions much more irritating, actually.
He might have talked issues over with Hye Jin, and he ought to have, as a result of she’s his staff chief and subsequently his supervisor, however he doesn’t.
As a substitute, he goes forward and shreds the textbook, and deletes the unique file, on his personal, after which tries to persuade Hye Jin that his means is the one means ahead.
That’s so annoying, actually.
Despite the fact that I choose his method to studying vs. Hye Jin’s exam-centric method, I nonetheless wish to smack him upside the top, for not dealing with this in a extra mature, respectful method.
The way in which he goes about all of it, screams disrespect to Hye Jin as his staff chief, and I don’t like that in any respect.
It actually makes me surprise if he would have been so fast to do issues his personal means, if he weren’t really courting his staff chief, y’know? Like, is he being presumptuous as a result of Hye Jin is his girlfriend?
I’ve seen some feedback from different viewers who discovered their huge argument actually well-written and well-acted, and the way it’s so nice that neither of them feels the necessity to maintain again, as a result of they’re safe within the data that the opposite individual can take no matter they are saying.
I don’t essentially disagree, although I used to be flinching by way of all of it, greater than something.
I simply couldn’t get it out of my head how inappropriate it’s, for Jun Ho to be in a shouting match together with his supervisor, and never present her any deference or respect, in entrance of the remainder of the workers, who all collect to look at.
In a state of affairs like this, if there’s an deadlock between a trainer and their supervisor, the supervisor will get the ultimate say – and if the trainer disagrees strongly sufficient, they will vote with their toes, by leaving the job.
Whereas I agree that it’s necessary to work out energy imbalances in noona romances, significantly if one get together has energy and affect over the opposite, I additionally really feel that the other is true; simply because Hye Jin is Jun Ho’s girlfriend, doesn’t imply that he will get to disrespect her at work like this.
It simply doesn’t sit proper with me, regardless that I agree with the purpose he’s making.
After which so as to add insult to damage, Jun Ho gained’t go away Hye Jin alone, regardless that Crew Chief Lee tells him that Hye Jin has expressed that she’d wish to be alone.
When he finds her with Mr. Pyo at their common hangout, he will get all up in her enterprise, regardless that she tells him to depart.
I hated that. AGAIN, with not respecting her needs and her private company.
He virtually forces Hye Jin to inform him what’s actually occurring together with her assembly with Mr. Pyo, by being his bulldozer-y worst self, and I needed to smack him so unhealthy.
To make it even worse, he begins arguing with Hye Jin, proper in entrance of Mr. Pyo.
Eep. I discovered this extremely uncomfortable to look at, as a result of I couldn’t cease serious about how inappropriate this was, to argue in entrance of Mr. Pyo, who’s simply making an attempt to be useful. 🙈😅
After all, I do suppose Hye Jin deserves some blame right here too, as a result of when she requested Mr. Pyo to excuse them for a bit, I assumed she was taking Jun Ho apart, to have a personal dialog, to not have that dialog proper in entrance of Mr. Pyo. 🤦🏻♀️
I assumed that was a really bizarre transfer, and I feel writer-nim did it that means, in order that Mr. Pyo can be intrigued by what Jun Ho mentioned, and ask to speak additional with Jun Ho about it.
STILL, although. Certainly it might have been performed one other means? Like, have Hye Jin take Jun Ho apart, however have them argue loud sufficient, that Mr. Pyo overhears anyway, and thus asks to speak with Jun Ho?
That’s not good both, however a minimum of it’s much less mortifying? 😅
ALSO. What is that this with Jun Ho apologizing to Mr. Pyo for being impolite, however then telling Hye Jin, within the very subsequent scene, that he’s not going to apologize to her?
I imply, sure, he can stand by what he mentioned, however certainly he can apologize for being impolite to her, too?
As you’ll be able to inform, I’m very irritated by Jun Ho generally.
[END SPOILER]
Hye Jin and Jun Ho
Sadly for me, this OTP was higher in idea than in execution.
This loveline by no means popped for me, nor gave me the feels that I’d count on from a loveline’s extra melty or squeeworthy moments.
Principally, I discovered myself appreciating this loveline with my head, however not my coronary heart.
Partly, it has to do with the truth that I personally didn’t see any actual chemistry between Jung Ryeo Gained and Wi Ha Jun (once more, a really subjective factor!), and partly, I feel it’s the execution that simply form of fell flat, for me.
On this spoiler part, you’ll be able to see me processing this OTP as greatest as I might. 😅
[SPOILER ALERT]
E5-6. We see that a part of the rationale Hye Jin has been reluctant to depart Daechi, is as a result of she had felt that Jun Ho wanted her.
I discovered Jun Ho’s response upon gaining his first scholar in Si Woo, fairly fascinating and surprising.
I’d actually been fairly bowled over, when, after spending a while pondering on his personal, he tells Hye Jin to go forward and be part of Director Choi.
It’s solely when he explains how he feels in direction of Si Woo as his trainer – that he would do something for him – and the way he then lastly understands how Hye Jin should really feel in direction of him, as his trainer, that it is sensible to me.
I like the truth that Jun Ho doesn’t wish to maintain Hye Jin again, and be her burden.
Despite the fact that he has private causes for wanting her to remain at Daechi, he’s sucking it up and telling her that she ought to do what she desires to do, and never be swayed by something that he’s mentioned.
I additionally like that it’s this dialog with Jun Ho that brings issues extra sharply into focus for Hye Jin, as a result of up up to now, it seems that she hadn’t been cognizant of the truth that she’d loved being wanted by him.
And so, I do like that their conversations immediate reflection and realization, which then result in extra conversations about mentioned realizations.
This feels wholesome – a minimum of, to date.
With this occurring, it feels fairly pure that as they discuss extra, Jun Ho’s emotions for her get nearer to being laid naked.
Provided that framing tidbit that Present offers us, that one other hagwon had run into plenty of bother, shedding college students and all the things, as a result of two of their academics had dated, and that had led to rumors and lack of confidence, it’s not shocking to me that Hye Jin rapidly tries to redefine their relationship.
I assumed it was a neat little element, the place we see her renaming him in her telephone contact checklist, from “My Delight” to the way more businesslike “Trainer Lee Jun Ho,” as a result of that tells us all the things about the place she’s coming from, whereas being economically small by way of narrative actual property.
After which, when Jun Ho begins hinting fairly closely about his emotions for her, which he hasn’t overtly expressed but, she’s fast to chop brief the dialog and go away the room.
Tellingly, her motive for this, is as a result of rumors are the scariest issues – and never as a result of she doesn’t really feel the identical means about him.
Whereas Director Kim being a drunken nuisance and falling into the water is a catalyst in giving us the eventual closing kiss in episode 6, I’d argue that even when Director Kim hadn’t acted the way in which he did, there would probably have been another catalyst that will have prompted Jun Ho to behave on his emotions.
In any case, he actually was already displaying his emotions, even earlier than he put phrases to them.
Additionally, even when Director Kim had been a nuisance, the one motive we finish the place we do, is as a result of Hye Jin cares sufficient about Jun Ho, to fuss over him, and Jun Ho’s emotions are sturdy sufficient, that he’d act on them.
In that sense, I really feel like an OTP affirmation was going to return a technique or one other, and Director Kim’s drunken antics simply occurred to nudge it alongside.
I do just like the honesty of their dialog, the place Jun Ho’s considerate sufficient to ask how Hye Jin felt about him coming alongside and making her world unpredictable, and if she wished to return to how issues had been, earlier than he’d disrupted her world.
And, I like that Hye Jin’s sincere sufficient to confess that she doesn’t really want for that.
I additionally like the way in which Jun Ho frames his confession, as a primary love that Hye Jin couldn’t haven’t identified about, and that’s simply persevering with to develop, inflicting his coronary heart to spill out.
It is sensible to me that Jun Ho would shoot his shot, on this second, and take an opportunity by kissing Hye Jin, and I do like that he’s light and unhurried, making the kiss really feel tentative sufficient that Hye Jin might have put her foot down and stopped it, if she’d felt uncomfortable.
E9-10. I’m nonetheless discovering it exhausting to learn Jun Ho, and I additionally am nonetheless discovering his extra immature actions and reactions extra regarding (within the context of maybe inflicting future issues) than endearing.
Like how he runs again house to feed Sung Gyu, earlier than working again to Hye Jin’s condominium, in order that they will proceed with their plan for sexytimes.
I’m sorry, but when this was meant to be endearing, it was misplaced on me 😅; it landed a bit juvenile for me, like that is the form of stuff younger folks (learn: not totally grown adults) would possibly do, working round and making an attempt thus far in secret. 😅
Sure, it’s true that he did finally inform Sung Gyu that he was off to see Hye Jin, however frankly, his preliminary plan had clearly been to get Sung Gyu passed-out drunk, in order that he might sneak again to see Hye Jin, with out getting caught by Sung Gyu.
I.. discovered it fairly uncomfortable that Jun Ho had meant to get his pal drunk, with a view to get him out of the wya, actually. However, I’m relieved that that’s not the way it works out, ultimately.
I do respect that the OTP consummation is one thing that our lead couple doesn’t rush into, within the warmth of the second, for instance.
Within the time that passes whereas Jun Ho runs house to deal with issues with Sung Gyu, there’s loads of room for both of them (however principally Hye Jin) to vary their minds – however they don’t.
On this sense, the transfer to consummate their relationship feels deliberate and sober, fairly than one thing that they impulsively get into – with out thought as to if or not that is what they’d love to do, and whether or not or not they may find yourself regretting this resolution.
The awkwardness of their first night time is lifelike, and I felt very sympathetic in direction of Hye Jin, when she principally loses each temper and confidence, as a result of Jun Ho, out of behavior, addresses her as “Trainer,” regardless that they’re within the bed room. 😅
I shook my head at the truth that Hye Jin needed to spell it out for Jun Ho, that him addressing her as “Trainer” made her uncomfortable, and that it made her really feel like she was doing one thing incorrect to him.
On the one hand, I respect the candidness, however however, I’m not inspired by Jun Ho’s obtuseness. 😅
Nonetheless, I respect his willingness to take suggestions and course-correct, and I additionally respect that he’s light and tender, as he holds her and tells her that he loves her. Aw. That’s candy. 🥲
The giddiness from them taking their relationship to the subsequent stage, and subsequently them eager to kiss and contact one another on a regular basis, coupled with the forbidden thrill of making an attempt to maintain their relationship beneath wraps, is fairly heady stuff.
..Although I confess that I used to be on tenterhooks, worrying that somebody would stroll in on one in every of their touchy-feely moments, and that each one hell would then break free. 😅
I did very a lot giggle although, at that second when Jun Ho tells Hye Jin that Cheong Mi’s gone for a stroll as a result of she feels as if she’s creating mattress sores on her butt, after which when Hye Jin asks about whether or not he wants a stroll too, he cheekily tells her that his butt is ok – simply as she’s seen for herself (Omo!🫢).
Hahaha. I used to be a bit scandalized too, at Jun Ho’s freedom speaking about his butt. 😁
E9-10. Once more, we see Jun Ho’s immaturity present, in how oblivious he seems to be, in direction of Hye Jin’s state of coronary heart and thoughts, when Hye Jin tells him, all shaken up, about her dialog with Mr. Pyo.
As a substitute of studying how she feels and responding to that, he’s all able to declare conflict on Mr. Pyo – which, like So Younger places it, displays precisely the aspect of herself that Hye Jin despises.
That’s why she tells Jun Ho that she will be able to’t see him in the intervening time; not as a result of she doesn’t love him anymore, however as a result of she will be able to’t bear to see that a part of herself mirrored in him.
Nicely, that and the truth that he doesn’t appear to know within the slightest, why Hye Jin feels unhealthy about Mr. Pyo’s announcement that he’s becoming a member of Choiseon.
Right here’s the place I categorical my appreciation for Cheong Mi, for being the mature voice of motive for us all, in these episodes.
I actually couldn’t assist agreeing extra, when Cheong Mi remarks, whereas observing Jun Ho, that courting a youthful man is absolutely exhausting. 😅
Oh, how my fangirl coronary heart has modified, on this level!
I used to suppose it was so romantic, {that a} youthful man wouldn’t care a few girl’s age, and love her anyway.
However, more and more, the immaturity that these youthful suitors show, has been standing out to me an increasing number of, because it has with Jun Ho, and it simply seems like Cheong Mi’s placing my emotions into phrases for me right here. 😅
I’m additionally glad for Cheong Mi, for telling Jun Ho what’s incorrect together with his response, in such a succinct, easy-to-understand method, which basically units Jun Ho heading in the right direction, for when he goes off to hunt out Hye Jin.
I’m glad that Jun Ho apologizes to Hye Jin, and I’m additionally glad that Hye Jin opens as much as Jun Ho, and lays out for him what she’s pondering and feeling, about this entire state of affairs with Mr. Pyo.
I do really feel like this was an general good studying expertise, for our newly-minted couple.
[END SPOILER]
SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES [SPOILERS]
E13-14. My buddies, I discover that I’m in a bizarre place, with this drama.
I wish to really feel emotionally related and invested, however irrespective of how exhausting I strive, I discover myself arising empty.
I’d thought that I’d managed to attach with Hye Jin, at that time when she’d confessed her fears and emotions to bestie So Younger, however someplace alongside the way in which, I really feel like I’ve misplaced that connection.
And so, regardless that I did discover these two episodes extra fascinating than common, I discover that my curiosity and engagement is extra.. impartial and nearly scientific.
That’s not my intention, and I want it wasn’t this fashion, however it’s the place I’m, and I simply felt that I must be upfront about it and allow you to know.
I notice that with this present, those that find it irresistible, find it irresistible viscerally and deeply, after which those that don’t find it irresistible, battle to attach with it.
As a substitute of tapping out of my watch, nonetheless, I’ve determined {that a} scientific curiosity continues to be higher than no curiosity in any respect, so I’m going to complete this one, and make the perfect of it.
I’m simply sorry to these of you who love this one, as a result of I can’t be part of you in that love, although not for lack of making an attempt. 😅
These episodes are when all the things hits the fan, and we actually see everybody’s true colours, as a result of it’s true what they are saying; it’s in instances of bother that you just actually see what somebody is made from.
I feel the individual I’m most disillusioned in and delay by, is Yoon Ji Seok, the staff chief who’s been nursing a crush on Hye Jin.
I imply, wow, the way in which he activates her, is nothing in need of callous, isn’t it?
He’d by no means made his emotions clear to her, and now that he hears that she’s courting Jun Ho, he calls foul, and accuses her of toying together with his emotions?
However, on what grounds, since he’d by no means made his emotions clear?
After which, in retaliation, he calls a gathering with all the opposite academics, to accuse her of favoring Jun Ho with sources and alternatives, due to their clandestine relationship?
That is precisely the form of man you by no means wish to become involved with, as a result of he’ll be good to you when issues are going effectively, however in case you ever fall out and break up, he’ll activate you and assault you with all the things that he has.
I additionally don’t have opinion of AD Woo, as a result of she’s so vindictive.
The way in which talks about it, it’s like Director Kim had snatched her hagwon from her with out her consent, however that actually can’t be true, since she’d needed to signal papers for the sale to proceed, plus, she’d signed an employment contract as effectively, to be the AD of Daechi.
And now, she removes her settlement from the equation, and executes a revenge plan of devastating proportions, as a result of she’d held a grudge all these years, as a result of he’d “taken Victory from her.”
There’s no possession right here; she’s solely keen on placing the blame on somebody, after which taking revenge on that somebody, and that’s simply not cool.
I’d be cautious of going into enterprise together with her, as a result of who is aware of whether or not she’ll activate me sooner or later, when she’s determined that I’d compelled her into this partnership..?
I really feel form of related about Director Choi, in that she’s additionally somebody to be very cautious of, as a result of when she’s determined that you just’re now not helpful to her, she will probably be ruthless, in the way in which she activates you, like the way in which she activates Hye Jin, after failing to recruit her.
Possibly in that sense, Director Choi and AD Woo deserve one another..?
I can see Mr. Pyo having second ideas already, as a result of whereas Director Choi will need to have wooed him with a wonderful image of his future at Choiseon, he’s studying in a short time that she expects him to do all the things her means – or else.
Maybe all our “good” academics – these with a ardour for really serving to college students – might band collectively to create a brand new form of hagwon?
On that notice, I’ve been asking myself what sort of completely satisfied ending we might count on to see, and I’ve to say, I’m undecided, actually.
The world during which hagwons function will not be going to vary. And the mother and father who foot the hagwon charges usually are not prone to change both.
So even when our “good” academics resolve to start out a brand new hagwon, would there be sufficient mother and father on board with their method, to make it possible? That’s an enormous query mark, I feel.
On a associated tangent, I’ve to say, I don’t suppose Hye Jin dealt with the change of educating methodology very effectively.
Not giving the mother and father any form of heads-up, and simply making use of it instantly with the scholars, regardless that she is aware of what sorts of attitudes and calls for these mother and father have, was an enormous mistake – and one which I’m stunned that somebody with Hye Jin’s depth of hagwon expertise would make, actually.
It’s not shocking in any respect, that the mother and father would really feel insecure and upset, and begin withdrawing their youngsters in droves.
It could have been smarter to clarify the brand new method to the mother and father, and exhibit the usefulness of the brand new method, whereas assuring the mother and father that this could be launched with out compromising the standard of the educating.
Certain, that will have probably met with resistance too, however it will nonetheless have been higher than what went down in these episodes, the place the mother and father are discovering it on their very own, by inspecting their children’ textbooks and setting the rumor mill on hearth.
That mentioned, I do respect that Hye Jin’s doing her greatest to salvage the state of affairs for Director Kim’s sake, as a result of that is his hagwon, and he or she doesn’t need her errors to price him his total enterprise.
It’s good that Hye Jin is upfront with Jun Ho that she’d like him to like her much more fiercely going ahead, and on the upside, he does simply that, by leaving her that notice the place everybody can see how lovey-dovey he continues to be, even on this disaster.
On the draw back, I don’t actually like that Hye Jin and Jun Ho are swearing love to one another – however then appearing on their very own, as a substitute of going through the storm collectively.
To be honest, it’s not like they’re divided on a regular basis, however it did strike me as a little bit of unlucky noble idiocy, once they every lied to the opposite individual, whereas aspiring to face the trainer’s assault convention on their very own.
I get that they wish to shield one another, and that’s why they each did that, however it’s finally higher for them to be sincere with one another and work collectively, as a substitute of making an attempt to shoulder sure issues on their very own.
I do suppose it’s factor, although, that Jun Ho lastly breaks down on the finish of episode 14, and admits that he’s scared.
That does body his conduct a bit higher for me, since I did really feel a bit disillusioned and perplexed, that he misplaced his cool like that, and nearly got here to blows with Myung Joon.
I imply, sure, Myung Joon is a jerk for saying one thing so nasty, however Jun Ho shedding his cool like that didn’t assist the state of affairs within the least.
However, having him confess his concern now, makes me notice that this response was simply as a lot one in every of concern, because it was of anger, and makes me really feel extra sympathetic.
It’s factor, I feel, that Hye Jin comes upon Jun Ho crying in entrance of Director Kim.
Maybe it is a stage of honesty that might make their relationship stronger and higher than they’d thought attainable?
Considered one of my private highlights, these episodes, is Cheong Mi’s resolution to not make the most of the scandal for her personal achieve.
I assumed Sung Gyu was properly goal in parsing out the state of affairs for her; what he says isn’t incorrect – even when Cheong Mi doesn’t make the most of the state of affairs, others would, and nobody would discover that she didn’t take a bit for herself.
This, regardless that his greatest pal Jun Ho is within the thick of the state of affairs at hand.
I can say that he’s actually placing his private emotions apart, and pondering on Cheong Mi’s behalf, in giving his enter on what he thinks she ought to do.
However Cheong Mi, good girl that she is, can’t bear to do it, and I really like her for it.
And, I additionally like that she’s impressed by the love notice that Hye Jin lets her learn, and realizes that she fairly likes the concept of getting somebody particular – and proceeds to fulfill up with Sung Gyu, to inform him so.
I really like that he will get so excited that he desires to formally confess his emotions instantly, and it feels so wholesome that Cheong Mi tells him upfront that she gained’t have a lot time to go on dates, and he assures her that he’s simply tremendous entertaining himself when she’s busy.
Aw. They make a really cute couple, and actually, I really feel like they’re going to be greater than tremendous, as a result of they’ve already come to an understanding, earlier than beginning their relationship. 🥲
As we head into the finale, I’m nonetheless not tremendous positive what sort of ending we’re going to get, and if that ending will really be a cheerful one (coz it will effectively be open-ended, sure?), however I’m prepared to seek out out.
THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]
E15-16. Possibly it shouldn’t be a shock that Present’s ending is a combined bag for me, very similar to the remainder of its run.
But, I’d in some way hoped for extra, and higher, so I discovered myself feeling fairly perplexed throughout my watch of those episodes, and coming away feeling form of.. hole and dissatisfied.
To be honest, there are of us who’re completely glad with Present’s ending, and I even perceive their reasoning for why they’re glad.
However I have to be true to my response to those episodes, and I’m decidedly not within the glad camp. 😅
Primarily, it felt fairly unbalanced to me, that Jun Ho went from stuffed up crybaby, to a person with A PLAN, in what feels just like the blink of an eye fixed.
It additionally felt unbalanced, that a lot of that plan was resting on Jun Ho himself, with solely very selective participation from Hye Jin, in a while.
Moreover, the way in which The Massive Conundrum was resolved felt fairly.. simplistic?
I get the central concept right here, that Jun Ho and Hye Jin poke holes within the belief between Director Choi and Woo Seung Hee, however their success felt a bit too simple, and the truth that these two ladies obtained into an all-out catfight, is fairly unbelievable to me, as effectively.
I might consider that Woo Seung Hee would throw the primary punch (effectively, slap), particularly since she’s shedding all the things, however I discover it out of character for Director Choi to principally throw all warning to the wind, and run on the market, weapons blazing, for a no-holds-barred showdown.
After all, the truth that this showdown even occurred, would probably create a scandal for Choiseon Korean all its personal, which ranges out the enjoying discipline a bit, for Daechi to get its footing again.
And, sure, I get that it makes narratives sense for Supervisor Kim to step in because the angel investor, since Present’s been teasing from early on, that she’s all the time needed to start out her personal hagwon – that means, that she has the funds for it.
That mentioned, I assumed it was decidedly odd, the way in which that was performed.
I imply, I very a lot cherished the scene the place Cheong Mi tells Sung Gyu that he doesn’t must really feel like he has to have a automotive, with a view to be together with her, and that she doesn’t care about issues like that, and solely desires him to be true to his ardour.
I can perceive how this could contact Sung Gyu an amazing deal, and lead him to consider marriage prior to later.
I may perceive that Sung Gyu would method his mother for assist, since he doesn’t have cash of his personal with which to get married.
And I can perceive that Supervisor Kim would really feel touched by the truth that Cheong Mi is so understanding, accepting and supportive of her son.
BUT. To then make her funding in Daechi, on the situation that Director Kim makes Cheong Mi its new star teacher feels.. bizarre. 😅
It’s actually touchdown as fairly weird to me, that Supervisor Kim would make that an overt situation for her funding, after which chuckle that it’s as a result of she desires to offer Cheong Mi to her son.
Uh. I’d have a lot fairly have had Supervisor Kim make that funding to avoid wasting Daechi, whereas getting herself that Assistant Director place.
If Cheong Mi is as succesful and gifted as she says, then Cheong Mi doesn’t want to be made a part of the deal, with a view to succeed; she’d succeed anyway, with the star teacher place vacated.
It seems like a devaluation of Cheong Mi’s expertise, actually, to have Supervisor Kim again her like this, together with her funding.
On one other notice, it felt like Present dropped the ball, a bit bit, with Hye Jin deciding that she needed to return to high school to try this legislation diploma that she’d initially needed to do.
I perceive that from Hye Jin’s viewpoint, this might be an effective way to start out afresh.
It’s simply.. Present had made such a.. effectively, present, of Jun Ho working to persuade Hye Jin another time, of the romance inherent in educating, that this seems like a dropped thread, y’know?
Like, all of that drama and bluster, with that big fallout, and ultimately, Hye Jin offers up on educating? It seems like fairly an anticlimax, actually.
I’d have a lot most popular an ending the place Supervisor Kim took up Sung Gyu’s request to create a brand new hagwon altogether, and folk like Hye Jin, Jun Ho and Mr. Pyo might begin over collectively there, whereas embracing the romance of educating.
That might have been a extra thematically coherent ending, in my view.
Nonetheless, Present does finish on a candy notice, with Hye Jin watching Jun Ho rehearse for sophistication, and subsequently clearly nonetheless supporting his dream to be a trainer who imparts significant data to his college students.
And, we additionally get that cute role-play, the place Jun Ho asks if there are any questions, and Hye Jin cheekily asks to listen to about his past love.
..Which ends up in Jun Ho semi-proposing, with these rings – in order that the blokes on campus will know that Hye Jin’s already taken.
It seems like a cheerful ending and a brand new starting for them , because the digicam pans away from them, and we hear them persevering with to speak.
Given how I’ve my beefs with Present’s chosen ending, and have been lukewarm about this OTP for nearly our story’s total run, having the ability to stroll away on this candy notice is.. not unhealthy in any respect.
THE FINAL VERDICT:
Thematically inconsistent and finally fairly underwhelming. Higher in idea than in execution.
FINAL GRADE: B
TRAILER:
MV:
PATREON UPDATE!
The subsequent drama I’m overlaying on Patreon, rather than The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, is Crimson Swan [Korea].
You’ll be able to take a look at my episode 1-2 notes on Crimson Swan on Patreon right here.
Right here’s an summary 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 reveals coated on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)
Early Entry (US$5): +My Candy Mobster [Korea]
Early Entry Plus (US$10): +The Story of Rose [China]
VIP (US$15): +Miss Evening and Day [Korea]
VVIP (US$20): +The Princess Royal [China]
Final (US$25): +Crimson Swan [Korea]
If you happen to’d like to affix me on the journey, yow will discover 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 all your help, it actually means lots to me. ❤️
Associated