Evaluation: Pink Swan – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Present is objectively not superb, however it has just a few issues going for it:

1. Rain is sort of pitch excellent, as our story’s stoic, fearless bodyguard with a backstory;

2. The general story really turns into extra fascinating in Present’s second half; and

3. We get some fairly good performances by a few of our supporting solid.

On the draw back, the writing shouldn’t be nice, and the OTP chemistry is uneven, and, in my view, doesn’t actually stay as much as the guarantees made by Present’s promo supplies.

That mentioned, lens changes are essential, and may even make it easier to get pleasure from this one.

THE LONG VERDICT:

To be honest to Present, there are people who sincerely love and revel in it, however I feel it’s finest that I confess upfront, that I’m decidedly not one in all them. 😅

I completed this present for Rain, primarily.

I simply appreciated seeing him as a smoldering bodyguard 🔥, higher but if he’s incandescent and bathed in candlelight, whereas doing his badass bodyguard factor. 😁

That, and a morbid curiosity by way of precisely the place this story was going to go. Enquiring minds kinda needed to know. Or at the very least, my enquiring thoughts needed to know. 😉

And now that I’ve emerged from the opposite facet, I’m really type of shocked to say that I appreciated the ending greater than I’d thought I might.

What an sudden shock, sure? 😁

OST TRACK: WE ARE

I typically didn’t discover the OST all that a lot, whereas watching, however this primary observe on the OST album did stand out to me greater than the others, because the OST’s title observe.

To my ears, it does embody the “stunning angst” vibe that I felt that Present was going for, total.

In case you’d prefer to hearken to it on repeat whereas studying the evaluate, simply right-click on the video and choose “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

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

After that, I give an outline of what I considered the story itself, earlier than speaking about chosen characters and relationships. Lastly, I additionally spend a while speaking about my ideas on the finale episodes.

In case you’re fascinated with my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the assorted Patreon members’ feedback in the course of the course of our watch, you may 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 could be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Set your logic lens to a blurry setting

..Or higher but, put apart your logic lens fully, as a result of issues in our story world don’t have a tendency to carry up too effectively, when scrutinized too intently – or when scrutinized in any respect. 😁

2. A gradual makjang lens is useful

What I imply is, I do suppose that Present is a blithe B-grade makjang at coronary heart, however it doesn’t really lean into its true nature, till its later episodes.

Pacing your expectations, and having your makjang lens prepared, could be useful, I feel.

3. This isn’t really romance-forward

Perhaps that is true of most CEO-bodyguard lovelines (I haven’t watched sufficient of them to have fashioned an thought of their norms), however I assumed it will be useful to say upfront, that the OTP loveline is finally extra of a secondary arc, regardless of Present’s OTP-centric promo supplies.

We do get an excellent quantity of OTP moments, nevertheless, so there’s that?

4. Your temper is sort of essential

I personally discovered that I wanted to be in the best temper, in an effort to watch this present.

Once I was within the mistaken temper, I discovered myself feeling very underwhelmed, however in the best temper, the very same scenes tended to land a lot better.

So if you end up not having fun with your watch, perhaps put this on maintain, after which strive once more one other time – when you really feel prefer it. 😁

THOUGHTS ON THE STORY & THE STORYTELLING

Listed below are a handful of broad observations, in regards to the present normally:

1. Our story world has a slightly low cost, B-grade taste to it

Though Present does seem to have an honest funds, given the truth that there are abroad shoots concerned, I can’t assist however really feel like this one has a determined decrease funds kind of really feel to it.

A part of the reason being doubtless the very horrible English dialogue, which is served up fairly repeatedly within the opening episodes, in Present’s targeted try to determine that our characters are very high-flying, internationally savvy people who rub shoulders with excessive society throughout borders.

I cringed a good bit at these factors, though I’ve needed to endure fairly unhealthy English in fairly just a few dramas, by now. I cringed additional, when the prince dude exhibits up, and his line is, “I’m right here to make a contribution.” 😂

I do sympathize that it have to be difficult to jot down strains of dialogue in a language that isn’t your mom tongue, however.. I couldn’t assist cringing anyway. Sorry? 😅

To be honest, the Mandarin spoken by our characters, can also be fairly horrible. However that’s common, for a drama that’s principally in Korean, so I’m not holding it in opposition to Present too a lot.

[SPOILER ALERT]

On a considerably associated (worldwide) tangent, I’ve to say, I’m undecided how I really feel in regards to the present utilizing ISIS threats as a plot level.

I feel I might have most popular a fictional group to have been used as a substitute; I feel that will maybe have labored higher, since I’m certain the point out of ISIS may contact some uncooked nerves for folk watching.

[END SPOILER]

2. Present prioritizes plot objectives over logic, all the time

I discovered this to be very true within the gentle of the OTP loveline.

I seen that Present usually stretched logic, in an effort to push this loveline ahead. Listed below are some examples from our opening episodes.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. It doesn’t make sense to me that Wan Soo is so flagrantly nonchalant about safety, when she’s simply been on the receiving finish of loss of life threats by a identified terror group.

I do know it’s in order that she’ll run into bother, and subsequently want safety, thus making a motive for her to attach with Do Yoon.

In reality, I notice that Present is pleased to disregard a logic fail, if it should get Do Yun and Wan Soo into place to share some moments of closeness.

For instance, Do Yun’s clearly adept at dressing his personal wounds, like we see within the rest room, the place he cleans his wound, and places on a bandaid on it.

I might have anticipated that somebody like Do Yoon, would have some present know-how, in relation to tying a bandage round his personal arm, however he fumbles with it, not simply as soon as, however twice – and that’s why Wan Soo steps ahead to assist him, thus making a second of shut proximity.

I’m principally right here for the sparks between our resident CEO and her bodyguard, so I’m not complaining per se; I’m simply amused.

I truthfully thought it was actually random that Do Yoon would assist Wan Soo wipe the blood off her face (coz actually, that got here out of nowhere), however once more, I’m able to roll with it. 😁

[END SPOILER]

3. Present may be fairly humorous, generally

I truthfully would have most popular it if Present had taken itself much less severely, and perhaps have the actors hamming it up for the digital camera in a nudge-nudge, wink-wink kind of manner, however that isn’t Present’s chosen method, to my disappointment.

Nonetheless, there have been precise instances when I discovered Present to be fairly humorous, and listed below are just a few examples from episodes 3 & 4.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. I truthfully cackled for an excellent bit, on the press convention, the place Wan Soo makes that announcement, that Tae Ra’s son is, actually, born of her late father-in-law.

Hahaha!! Omigosh, it’s outrageous, and type of not possible to show or disprove, isn’t it, since Chairman Dad is now not alive?

Chairman Mother’s shocked, flummoxed expression is fairly nice, and Tae Ra being promoted to Yong Kook’s mistress stepmom, is among the finest twists, heh.

In a similar-but-different spirit, I additionally discover myself fairly amused at Yong Kook’s assertion that he’s not incompetent, he’s simply irresponsible. 😂

It makes me consider these report playing cards the place trainer write that the child would accomplish that a lot better, if he would simply apply himself. 🤭

In the direction of the tip of episode 4, we get that press convention, the place Chairman Mother exhibits up carrying the very same outfit as Wan Soo, and the eventual pictures are hysterical, as a result of Chairman Mother appears so awkward and uncomfortable making an attempt to behave all chummy and affectionate with Wan Soo, for the digital camera.

The truth that these awkward pictures are splashed all around the information, could be very a lot bonus. 🤭

I truthfully thought that will be the spotlight to finish the week’s episodes, however no, we then get an eyeful of Chairman Mother sparring with all of the (I assume) bodyguards, who all let her win – till she will get to Do Yoon.

I acquired a kick out of watching Do Yoon spar with Chairman Mother, and not let her win, whereas nonetheless trying extraordinarily respectful and correct, whereas doing it. 🤭

After that, it’s wild how Chairman Mother goes on an extended spiel about how good Do Yoon smells, and how one can inform every little thing about an individual based mostly on how they odor (you gotta surprise what writer-nim was smoking, to give you that line, eh? 😂).

[END SPOILER]

4. Logic fails are the order of the day

I’ve already made point out of the truth that logic fails are actual and plentiful in our story, however I assumed I ought to supply some examples, to exhibit what I’m speaking about.

Listed below are some, from episodes 5 & 6.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. So, a number of issues depend as logic fails.

Like, how Wan Soo doesn’t name for assist when her mom goes into cardiac arrest on the hospital, and the way no nurse or physician comes operating (as a result of certainly the system would alert them to the arrest).

Additionally, there’s actually no motive for Do Yoon to forestall Wan Soo from crying over her mom’s physique – besides that Present needed Wan Soo in Do Yoon’s sturdy, all-embracing arms as a substitute of sprawled over her mom’s physique. 🤭

One other one could be how Do Yoon, being so competent and sharp, wouldn’t cotton on to the truth that somebody was following them, when he and Wan Soo went off the grid, in an effort to convey her mom’s ashes to their outdated dwelling.

Critically, the way in which he and Wan Soo stood there and seemed round, backwards and forwards, for an excellent lengthy minute earlier than heading as much as the home, felt like they have been actually posing for the digital camera, ha. 😂

[END SPOILER]

5. Our story will get extra fascinating in its later episodes

I’m shocked to search out that I used to be really extra within the story than I’d thought I’d be, after I acquired to episodes 7 & 8.

Though I hadn’t neem paying tremendous shut consideration to the playing cards that our varied characters thought they have been holding, I did discover it fascinating to see them play off one another, whereas making an attempt to guess who had accomplished what and why.

I depend that as a fairly large plus, in Present’s smallish secure of pluses.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7-8. It’s change into very clear that the massive mastermind behind most of our happenings, like the assorted murders, is none aside from Lawyer Han, and the rationale driving his actions, is that he desires to provide Hwain to his son, Yong Min.

I appreciated having this complete factor achieve extra layers of that means, over the course of those episodes.

Like, it was fascinating to see Lawyer Han get offended and impatient with Yong Min for taking issues into his personal fingers, and attempt to exert authority over Yong Min, for not asking permission, when technically, Lawyer Han is an worker and subsequently has no authority over Yong Min.

It was additionally fascinating to discover Yong Min’s perspective in direction of Lawyer Han, as a result of at first, I’d assumed that Yong Min’s vanity in entrance of Lawyer Han, was for the rationale I simply described.

However then, in episode 8, Yong Kook confronts Lawyer Han and bites out that even Yong Min appears down on him, though it’s apparent to see that Lawyer Han is Yong Min’s father, and that the rationale for that, is as a result of Yong Min is ashamed of the truth that he’s Lawyer Han’s son.

Ooh. Within the gentle of this context, Yong Min’s disdainful perspective in direction of Lawyer Han takes on an entire new layer of pathos, doesn’t it?

I additionally discovered it fascinating to see how Lawyer Han was trying to shift your complete chessboard in Yong Min’s favor, as a result of he has to persuade a number of layers of individuals with totally different tales.

Like, he tells Chairman Mother that the rationale they need to ship Wan Soo and Do Yoon to Busan, is in order that they’ll get proof of their affair, in order that they’ll make Wan Soo resign, and thus have this information divert consideration away from the embezzlement case.

After which he tells Wan Soo that the journey is in order that she will have a pair’s photoshoot with Yong Kook, in order that they’ll deflect any unfavourable rumors about their relationship.

After which he creates that complete diversion to make it not possible for Yong Kook to go away as scheduled – after which we see that he’s ordered successful on Wan Soo, through K1.

I type of marveled at how Lawyer Han’s acquired so many layers of various data occurring directly, in an effort to additional his plan to do away with Wan Soo – in order that Yong Min may get Now Basis, in her absence, in order that Yong Min would obtain the cash that Lawyer Han believes will go to Now Basis, after Chairman Dad’s will is executed.

[END SPOILER]

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS / RELATIONSHIPS

Rain as Do Yoon

The reality is, I got here to this present for the CEO-bodyguard sparks, however stayed for Rain. 😁

Very early in my watch, I made a decision that I simply appreciated Rain, and I additionally determined that my favourite factor about Do Yoon, is when he simply stops and appears at Wan Soo.

He could or could not say something; the purpose is in how he appears, when he appears at her.

Clearly, PD-nim loves him like this too, as a result of every time we get scenes like this, Do Yoon is superbly, superbly lit.

His pores and skin appears so luminous, prefer it’s bathed in candlelight, and the way in which the lighting’s accomplished, the sunshine is mirrored in his eyes. It’s fairly breathtaking, actually.

To be very sincere, it was roundabout this scene in episode 2, with Do Yoon trying so superbly lit, that I made a decision that I used to be sufficient to wish to watch extra of this present, in spite of everything. 🤭

I might say that I’m fairly happy with Rain’s supply of Do Yoon, our stoic and really succesful bodyguard.

Do I want that we may see extra nuance in his supply? Sure, I might; I feel that will make Do Yoon much more interesting as a personality.

Nonetheless, I’m content material along with his broody aura, his studied decorum across the “Royal Household,” and the quantity of depth and smolder that he provides off, normally, however specifically, round Wan Soo.

I additionally do love that we get to see Do Yoon showcase some sharp combat skillz over the course of our story. 🤩

On condition that Rain’s educated in varied martial arts for motion roles, like in Ninja Murderer, it’s no shock that he appears proper at dwelling, and fairly wonderful, within the sparring scenes.

I truthfully perked up, each time Do Yoon had a motive to combat anyone. 🤭

Kim Ha Neul as Wan Soo

I’m certain Kim Ha Neul has her followers, however I’ve to admit that I discovered her supply within the function of Wan Soo slightly flat and underwhelming, as a common rule.

I perceive that Wan Soo could be guarded as a personality, and that that would translate into an impassiveness about her, however.. the sense I acquired, is extra like Kim Ha Neul’s not proudly owning the supply, and the shortage of expression isn’t really an intentional interpretation of the character.

Fairly, I felt like that’s simply her being on the flat and uninspired facet of issues. 😅

To be clear, Wan Soo does present a spread of emotion, and there are even some scenes the place she cries hysterically.

I simply felt that Kim Ha Neul’s supply lacked a sure one thing; Wan Soo simply by no means popped for me, as a personality.

The OTP

Like I discussed earlier, I got here for the CEO-bodyguard sparks, however fairly shortly ended up placing apart focus in favor of Rain himself.

Partly as a result of I discovered Kim Ha Neul’s supply on the flat facet of issues, and partly as a result of the writing simply wasn’t very sturdy at teasing out the connection between Do Yoon and Wan Soo in an natural and plausible trend, the OTP connection ended up being fairly uneven for me personally.

Primarily, you possibly can say that I used to be pleased to only roll with it, on the energy of Rain’s smolder, however was undoubtedly hampered by the ungainly writing.

Largely, I’m referring to the sudden ramping up of concern on each side, for the opposite individual, in addition to a sudden strengthening of their emotions for one another.

I used to be low-key amused by the jerky connection of the dots of their relationship, however let’s simply say it was.. arduous to purchase. 😅

I discovered it simpler to roll with randomly inserted moments of smolder and care between Do Yoon and Wan Soo, however I did really feel just like the writing failed at some fairly key factors.

Listed below are these key factors – in addition to my eventual conclusion, about this OTP connection.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. Present’s ramping up the bond between Wan Soo and Do Yoon, and so long as I don’t demand issues like an natural build-up, I suppose I’m content material to smirk on the OTP-esque beats that Present serves up.

Like the way in which DoYoon wrist-grabs Wan Soo when she goes to see him in his room after he’s been punched by Yong Kook, after which, the very first thing he says to her, all smoldery and intent, is, “Will you be my girl?”

Hahaha, I really giggled at this level, as a result of it actually appears like this randomly got here out of nowhere. 🤭

After which, I blinked in shock, as a result of I couldn’t determine whether or not the scene itself was meant to be romantic or not.

It felt like Present was making an attempt to make it romantic, however it didn’t really feel romantic to me, y’know?

The entire thing about Wan Soo asking him in return, whether or not he’d be keen to be her man as a substitute, feels weirdly defiant, after which the way in which she tells him to change into somebody whom she will belief, appears like she’s difficult him.

This.. doesn’t really feel romantic or sparky to me, truthfully. However the edgy romance-adjacent music within the background makes me suppose that Present intends this scene to be romantic.

The entire thing felt a bit off to me, truthfully. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Your complete message appears like, show your self to me, and after you do, I’ll love you.

E5-6. Wan Soo is now satisfied that she will belief Do Yoon, due to how he’d gotten so injured saving her, and we get a affirmation embrace, within the hospital room.

It’s a bit shaky, certain, since he’s already saved her as soon as, from a extremely harmful state of affairs, however no matter. I assume Wan Soo wanted affirmation?

ALSO. Can I simply say, Wan Soo going to Do Yoon when he’s nonetheless recovering from his wounds, and asking him to infiltrate the annex, to steal the cash laundering ledgers for Now Basis, decidedly uncaring?

I imply, I suppose I get that Do Yoon is simply that badass, that this isn’t an enormous drawback for him, however when you love the man (and also you’ve simply type of established that you simply do), then would you actually ask him to do one thing dangerous, whereas he’s nonetheless recovering from the intense accidents that he sustained whereas saving you??

I’ve to confess that this makes me suppose much less of Wan Soo’s degree of care and concern for Do Yoon. 😅

I assume my worries are all for nothing, although, since Do Yoon manages to get these ledgers with what looks as if only a few minor hiccups.

E7-8. I notice that I’m simply right here for Rain, mainly, and haven’t any actual curiosity within the relationship between Do Yoon and Wan Soo.

Subsequently, I truthfully wasn’t actively in search of a kiss scene between them, however when Present serve up a kiss scene on the boat in episode 8, I couldn’t complain – as a result of Rain works it. 🔥🤭

Watching the kiss, I out of the blue remembered how famously sensuous Rain’s kpop performances was, and was all, “Ahh, of course he could make it work.” 😁

[END SPOILER]

Search engine optimization Yi Sook as Chairman Mother

I hadn’t been certain of what to make of Chairman Mother as a personality at first, however quickly  (at across the episode 3 or 4 mark) settled into an thought of her character that made sense to me.

Chairman Mother comes throughout as a bizarre mesh of a personality, as a result of she’s the highly effective matriarch of Hawin, however she additionally retains exhibiting streaks of bimbo about her.

I finally realized that that’s simply who she is. She may need to be an imperious matriarch, however that’s not the type of material she’s minimize from, although she tries arduous to stay as much as that function.

That’s why we’ve acquired all these makes an attempt on her half, to be commanding and scary – which regularly take a pointy left flip into extra air-headed territory, when she shortly loses her grasp of the state of affairs.

And that additionally explains her slightly oddly kooky moon chants, which we see in episode 1.

Credit score to Search engine optimization Yi Sook for leaning into her character, and mixing these two opposing traits so effectively, in Chairman Mother.

Jung Gyu Woon as Yong Kook

It truthfully took me a lonnng minute to comprehend that Yong Kook is performed by Jung Gyu Woon, whom I keep in mind finest because the lead actor in 2010’s Dr. Champ, the place he’d performed a extremely clean-cut, very healthful judo athlete.

Critically, doesn’t he look so clean-cut and healthful on this screenshot?

And so, for some time, I used to be barely perplexed that the healthful, lean judo athlete had now change into an growing older chaebol prince who’s clearly on the shallow and sleazy facet. 😅

I truthfully hadn’t anticipated to be too fascinated with Yong Kook as a personality; in my head, he was simply there to supply an impediment for the OTP pairing involving Wan Soo and Do Yoon, y’know?

However then, in Present’s later episodes, I out of the blue felt like Yong Kook was popping extra for me, as a personality, and I’ve to say, Jung Gyu Woon’s supply of the extra poignant moments, was a really nice shock.

Immediately, Yong Kook felt fascinating to me, y’know? 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E7-8. I discovered myself surprisingly turning into extra sympathetic in direction of Yong Kook as a personality, these episodes.

He out of the blue.. got here alive to me, a good bit extra.

It’s mainly from the purpose the place he sits down subsequent to a sleeping Wan Soo upon arriving in Busan, the morning after the failed assassination, and appears so startled when Wan Soo sleeps so simply on his leg, when she turns over.

I truthfully actually like the way in which Jung Gyu Woon performs the second; he’s startled, but additionally weak.

You possibly can see that he likes it and dislikes it, on the similar time. He likes it as a result of he loves Wan Soo and desires nothing greater than to be near her once more, however he dislikes it as a result of he is aware of that that ease that she’s exhibiting, isn’t for him; he senses that it’s for Do Yoon.

And he’s damage, and scared, and he doesn’t wish to lose Wan Soo, and he’s jealous and offended too – and all of it exhibits in his face.

Due to this, I discovered my curiosity rising in Yong Kook, and my sympathies too, though I completely don’t condone his a number of flings with different ladies.

I felt actually fairly unhealthy for Yong Kook, when Chairman Mother and Lawyer Han launch these photos of Wan Soo and Do Yoon to the press, in an effort to provoke a divorce between Yong Kook and Wan Soo.

The determined manner he beelines for Chairman Mother and confronts her with a lot damage and anger in his eyes, actually acquired my consideration.

I really actually admire that he additionally confronts her with all the hurts that he’s been carrying, all these years, of why she hadn’t protected him from her affair, and why she hadn’t been sorry in direction of him, for hurting him.

Chairman Mother is fairly unrepentant, and I’m with Yong Kook on this; irrespective of her state of affairs, she ought to have thought of her son, and brought measures to guard him.

In a while, the way in which he goes to Lawyer Han, tipsy however with a number of reality bombs to drop, was fascinating to me, principally for the perception that Yong Kook offers, in regard to Yong Min’s perspective in direction of Lawyer Han, and why.

I additionally discover Yong Kook’s speculation, that Lawyer Han had had Chairman Dad killed due to how Chairman Dad had all the time disdained Yong Min, fairly persuasive.

Additionally, I admire that Yong Kook threatens Lawyer Han, that he’ll personally kill anybody who harms Wan Soo.

I don’t understand how severely Lawyer Han takes that menace, however hey, at the very least somebody is threatening him to not hurt Wan Soo, sure?

I did suppose it was OTT for Yong Kook to have Do Yoon confined, after which threaten him with a rifle, however importantly, I discovered the shade of damage in Yong Kook’s eyes saved it for me.

Like, sure, he’s offended and type of unhinged at factors, however I can inform that that is principally pushed by damage, and concern that he may lose Wan Soo, and people are issues that I do really feel sympathetic in direction of him for.

I do admire that though Wan Soo (who bursts onto the scene in a match of fear for Do Yoon) admits that she loves Do Yoon, she tells Yong Kook that she trusts him, which I really feel is a suitably therapeutic kind of silver lining.

The best way she pats his again whereas he cries on her shoulder, feels essential and therapeutic. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E9-10. Y’know, contemplating how perplexingly uninteresting I’d discovered a few of Present’s earlier episodes, I’m fairly gleeful, truthfully, at how effectively I loved these finale episodes.

Your mileage could definitely fluctuate, however I used to be personally fairly thrilled that Present lastly leans into being the makjang queen that I all the time needed her to be, as a result of that made these episodes a lot extra entertaining to observe.

Actually, as with the makjang style at giant, you could droop your want for logic, however I do suppose that after you’re in a position to try this, this finale does work out to be fairly satisfying.

Loads of stuff comes spilling out in these episodes, as they need to, and I used to be fairly happy with how this felt like a rollercoaster experience, within the watch expertise.

To Present’s credit score, many of the plot items come collectively to make a makjang type of sense. 😁

The massive reveal, which I’m solely mildly shocked by, is that Yong Min had been the one who’d killed Chairman Dad, and that it had been an accident, which Lawyer Han had promptly coated up, in an effort to shield Yong Min.

I feel the larger shock, was the reveal that Lawyer Han had by no means destroyed the gold bar proof, and had, actually, hidden that proof, for its potential usefulness, sooner or later.

I discovered it shocking, as a result of he’d all the time appeared to protect and shield Yong Min, and this whole gold bar, with the blood and fingerprints nonetheless intact, may simply put Yong Min behind bars for a really very long time, if it have been to be dropped at gentle.

However, the way in which he used the proof, to blackmail Chairman Mother into taking the autumn for ordering the hit on Wan Soo, made sense to me, in that, I may consider that Chairman Mother would care about her repute, even when she didn’t care as a lot about Yong Min, as she did Yong Kook.

Talking of Yong Kook, I didn’t suppose that Present wanted to kill him off, although I can see the tragic enchantment of his loss of life.

The scenes that we acquired of Yong Kook making an attempt to do the best factor by Wan Soo, in reducing ties with Tae Ra, and giving her all his financial savings to make up for every little thing, really acquired to me.

I appreciated the way in which Jung Gyu Woon performed these scenes, injecting an excellent quantity of wistful pathos into his expression, as a result of Yong Kook is aware of that every little thing that he’s doing to honor his relationship with Wan Soo is futile, as a result of he is aware of that she loves Do Yoon.

The truth that he did all of it willingly anyway, regardless of understanding that there was no likelihood of him reviving his relationship with Wan Soo, tugged at my heartstrings.

And the truth that he wouldn’t again down from declaring that the cash that Chairman Dad had left, was totally for Wan Soo to make use of for good through the Now Basis, even when Yong Min was pointing that rifle at him, was fairly touching too.

I don’t suppose that he thought he was actually going to die, in that, I consider that he felt Yong Min was too cowardly to really shoot him, however I additionally suppose that he was ready to defend Wan Soo to the loss of life, if that’s what it got here all the way down to.

I don’t really understand how stable a chunk of proof it’s, however I like the concept that Lawyer Han’s greed did him in, as a result of he’d ordered K1 to kill Hyun Soo after getting the ledgers from him, which had gotten caught on Do Yoon’s digital camera, after which turned in these ledgers to incriminate Chairman Mother of embezzlement.

I simply discover it low-key amusing that it had by no means occurred to Lawyer Han that Chairman Mother wouldn’t order K1 to kill Hyun Soo, after which have the ledgers turned in, to incriminate herself. 🤭

I slightly thought that the grieving in these episodes was too restrained, each Wan Soo for Hyun Soo, and Chairman Mother for Yong Kook.

Specifically, I’d anticipated Chairman Mother to virtually lose her thoughts with grief over shedding Yong Kook, however as a substitute, it appears to shock her into her proper thoughts, and that thought low-key amuses me too. 🤭

I assumed it was becoming that Lawyer Han and Yong Min each find yourself in jail, and it additionally gave me some measure of darkish satisfaction, to see Yong Min attempt to strangle and kill Lawyer Han, for every little thing he’d accomplished to him.

If I squint a bit, it kinda-sorta mirrors how Yong Min had killed Chairman Dad, and successfully places him in the identical class as Chairman Dad, whom he’d seemed down upon, as a result of Lawyer Han is now being attacked by his personal son.

It is sensible in my head, at the very least. 😅

With Yong Kook’s loss of life, it makes story sense that Wan Soo and Do Yoon separate for a time period, earlier than reuniting once more.

It might have made Wan Soo seem too heartless to have launched into a romance with Do Yoon proper after her husband had been murdered, in spite of everything.

Like I mentioned earlier, I do suppose that it was pointless for Present to have Yong Kook killed, however I feel writer-nim was gunning for: 1, a tragically interesting ending for Yong Kook, and a couple of, a motive for Do Yoon and Wan Soo to separate, after which reunite after a time-skip.

Truthfully, I referred to as the separation and time skip, the second Do Yoon handed in his resignation, they usually mentioned goodbye. 😁

My intestine response, is that they did this out of respect for Yong Kook, though it’s not particularly said.

ANYWAY. Proper on cue, a 12 months later, we see Do Yoon present up for a charity journey with the Now Basis, which Wan Soo is main, and we don’t must be instructed, to know that romance is totally going to blossom once more for them.

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Extra fascinating and entertaining in its tail finish than its entrance. On stability, not superb however not unhealthy.

FINAL GRADE: B

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The following drama I’m protecting on Patreon, rather than  Pink Swan, is No Means Out: The Roulette [Korea].

You possibly can take a look at my episode 1-2 notes on No Means Out: The Roulette on Patreon right here.

Right here’s an outline 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 exhibits coated on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Entry (US$5): +Serendipity’s Embrace [Korea]

Early Entry Plus (US$10): +The Story of Rose [China]

VIP (US$15): +Miss Evening and Day [Korea]

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