Overview: The Trunk – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This isn’t your typical kdrama – is, basically, what it is advisable to know. 😁

There’s a homicide thriller that doesn’t operate like most homicide mysteries in dramas, and there’s a contract marriage that completely doesn’t operate like most contract marriages in Dramaland.

I personally felt that Present could possibly be a bit pretentious generally, however I discovered the psychological exploration of our characters fascinating sufficient, to make my drama funding worthwhile.

Gong Yoo and Website positioning Hyun Jin are superb, as may be anticipated, and there are spots of sweetness between their characters available, for the affected person.

Not a must-watch by any means, however could possibly be fascinating and worthwhile, given the fitting viewing lens (extra on that in a bit).

THE LONG VERDICT:

I understand that there’s a large spectrum of differing reactions to this present, from drama followers.

Some folks assume that is actually improbable, whereas others assume that it’s boring and boring, and mainly not definitely worth the time.

I feel my first intuition in the direction of this present, leaned extra in the direction of the second camp; I didn’t take to this one rapidly or naturally, and had been tempted to faucet out early.

Primarily, I couldn’t determine methods to relate to our characters, and so they – in addition to the remainder of this drama world – felt so dysfunctional, that I simply didn’t know methods to strategy them/it, and make sense of all of it.

After which, whereas watching episode 2, I discovered myself getting the start of an inkling of methods to strategy our characters, and that modified an incredible deal, for me.

Principally, tweaking my viewing lens modified nearly every part for me – which I’ll discuss extra about, in a bit bit.

Hopefully, that may likewise show you how to tweak your viewing lens, and possibly you would possibly find yourself appreciating this another than you’d anticipated to, as effectively?

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

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

General, I assumed the music was atmospheric and efficient, although it didn’t really find yourself getting underneath my pores and skin.

That’s most certainly as a result of I wasn’t as heart-engaged in my watch as another viewers, and I take that as a private “your mileage might range” factor, relatively than a fault on the present.

If I needed to decide a favourite, I feel I’d go together with Monitor 4, Shadow, if just for the truth that lyrics are a bit extra hopeful and optimistic than the opposite contender, Savior. I do just like the groove of each songs, for the report.

Right here’s Shadow by itself as effectively, in case you’d choose to hearken to that on repeat. Excellent-click on the video and choose “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll discuss methods to handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens could be most useful.

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

In case you’re curious about my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the varied Patreon members’ feedback through the course of our watch, you would possibly like to take a look at my episode notes on Patreon right here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Listed here are some issues that I feel could be useful to bear in mind, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Don’t count on to love our characters

..no less than, not straight away.

I personally prefer to really feel a way of fondness or attachment to the principle characters in a drama; it simply seems like a part of the pure choice course of, y’know?

Like, if I don’t just like the characters in a present, why would I need to spend 8, 12 or 16 hours of my life watching them, proper?

Letting go of my choice to love the characters in a drama, has been useful.

2. Assume psychological drama, not homicide thriller

Though Present is marketed as a homicide thriller, I discovered myself extra within the psychology of our characters, than within the homicide thriller itself.

Adjusting my lens to see this as a psychological drama made all of the distinction for me, and that is the viewing lens that I’d counsel, for this present.

3. There’s some nudity on this.

I hadn’t identified about that upfront, and so, once I was out of the blue confronted with an entire bunch of pores and skin in a few scenes within the first 2 episodes, I felt fairly shocked.

This simply isn’t one thing I affiliate with kdramas, y’know? 😅

In case you don’t choose your dramas to have occasional splashes of pores and skin, then possibly have your finger prepared on the Quick Ahead button, so that you could comfortably skip over these scenes, and nonetheless watch the remainder of the present.

4. There are two timelines on this story

The primary timeline happens within the current, however there are events after we get flash-forwards, that give us some particulars of stuff that occurs sooner or later.

Or, I suppose the opposite method of it, is, the story happens prior to now, the place we spend lengthy durations of time in flashbacks, and we solely spend snippets of time within the current.

Both method works, and the one purpose I’m mentioning this, is in order that hopefully it is going to be much less complicated for you, going into your watch.

STUFF I LIKED

It’s polished and shiny

Our drama world is bathed in cool tones, is moodily, atmospherically lit, and boasts shiny manufacturing values.

The Netflix price range; it reveals on this one, for certain. And I depend that as a plus, as a result of:

1, It’s simply good to have good manufacturing values to get pleasure from, and

2, The darkish glossiness of this drama world really provides to the predominant taste of dysfunction, I discover, so it really works fairly cohesively, to my eyes.

The psychological examine of all of it

Whereas our characters aren’t notably likable or sympathetic (straight away, anyway), I really feel prefer it’s fairly fascinating to attempt to perceive them.

Principally, why are they the best way they’re? Why do they behave the best way they do? Why do they make the alternatives they make?

I discovered this fairly fascinating to consider, throughout my watch, and Present does maintain dripping bits of knowledge and context, that we are able to take into consideration, whereas twiddling with our psychological footage of our characters.

When Present makes me assume

One of many issues that I discover myself liking about this present, is that it makes me assume.

Not solely did I discover myself occupied with what made every of our characters tick, and in regards to the dynamics of every of the relationships in our story world, I additionally discovered myself stumbling on fascinating “examine and distinction” nuggets, when contemplating our characters facet by facet.

I’ll elaborate on this later, however one of many issues I discovered most fascinating, was occupied with how our two feminine leads are very completely different from one another.

Any drama that will get me to chew on what it serves up, lengthy after I’ve completed watching an episode, will get bonus brownie factors from me. 😁

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

When Present is obtuse on objective

I generally do really feel like Present’s making an attempt to be mysterious and intellectual in a relatively.. heavy-handed kind of method? Prefer it’s working to offer us a way that it’s very intelligent, and solely very sensible folks can perceive it?

Possibly that’s simply me, although; this may be very subjective.

In my opinion, some reveals are simply offhandedly sensible; like, they simply occur to be superb, and so they aren’t too fussed about it.

I’d contemplate Taiwanese drama Sometime Or One Day (overview right here, and Open Threads right here!) to be that class of present.

For the report, I wouldn’t contemplate this to be that class of present; in that sense, I do really feel like there’s a little bit of a try-hard vibe to this one, that isn’t my favourite factor.

Alongside comparable traces, I discovered episode 1 fairly bemusing and exhausting to get a deal with on, as a result of (once more, in my subjective opinion), it felt like Present was being mysterious and enigmatic on objective – prefer it was making an attempt to maintain me from understanding. 😅

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. For instance, in our opening scene, the digicam zooms in on the trunk, because it sits submerged in water.

I hadn’t realized it at first, however that is really a snippet from the long run timeline, however that solely turns into clear on the finish of episode 1, after we get one other snippet from the identical timeline, of Gong Yoo’s character Jeong Gained, being questioned in an interrogation room, the place he solutions that he’s the husband of the one who owns the trunk.

For some time there, I’d assumed that that the trunk in our opening scene, was a distinct one than the one we see Website positioning Hyun Jin’s character, In Ji, utilizing, shortly afterwards.

On this sense, I do assume that generally Present is obtuse on objective, and I don’t like that an excessive amount of, personally.

[END SPOILER]

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS

Like I discussed earlier, I discovered it most fascinating, to attempt to perceive our varied characters, throughout my watch of the present.

Personally, I discovered this to be probably the most compelling facet of our story, and that’s why I’ll be spending most of this overview, discussing the varied characters.

Gong Yoo as Jeong Gained

I’ve seen some folks say that Gong Yoo’s character Jeong Gained, is extra of a foil to Website positioning Hyun Jin’s character In Ji, than something, and I don’t disagree with that, in that, I can see why In Ji is perhaps the extra fascinating character, between the 2.

On the similar time, I do give Jeong Gained credit score; he does undergo a journey of progress over the course of our story.

He begins our story very a lot within the “helpless sufferer” kind of area, however by the top of our story, he’s gotten to some extent the place he’s capable of be extra impartial and proactive, and that’s a giant achievement, particularly given how weak he’s proven to be, firstly of our story.

Definitely, as a longtime Gong Yoo fangirl, it was counter-intuitive and under no circumstances gratifying, to see his character Jeong Gained basically be the reverse of the standard romantic Dramaland hero, however props to Gong Yoo for selecting an fascinating character, after which delivering a efficiency that feels natural and plausible.

I wouldn’t have anticipated something much less. 🥲

I can be discussing Jeong Gained at better size, in different sections of this overview, arising shortly.

Website positioning Hyun Jin as In Ji

In Ji is a personality that actually grew on me, from episode to episode.

Truthfully, I’d began out feeling very bemused about In Ji, as a result of we’re not given any context for her as a personality till a bit later, and I largely felt very quizzical, as I watched her; like, what am I alleged to make of this character?

Why is she working as a subject spouse, going from contract marriage to contract marriage, for instance? And what’s beneath that emotionless masks that she wears a lot of the time, whereas doing her subject spouse responsibility?

So long as I couldn’t determine her out, I felt bemused and perplexed, however as Present peels again the layers, I discovered myself rising to grasp, respect, and even like In Ji.

In my view, Website positioning Hyun Jin knocks it out of the park on this position.

From the emotionless beats the place In Ji barely betrays any emotion, to the bigger, extra emotional scenes, Website positioning Hyun Jin actually brings In Ji to life. Actually properly achieved, I assumed.

I’ll discuss extra about In Ji in different upcoming sections, however for now, listed here are a number of ideas I had about her, from our preliminary episodes.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I really feel unhealthy for In Ji, that her fiancé Do Ha (Lee Ki Woo) had disappeared like that, proper earlier than the marriage, and he or she’d been left to choose up the items.

On that be aware, I simply wished to say that Website positioning Hyun Jin knocks it out of the park, as soon as once more, in portraying deep and utter heartbreak; In Ji’s wails and tears are so uncooked and guttural, that I felt like I used to be gazing on open wounds, whereas watching her cry. 💔💔

To make every part worse, it feels just like the CEO of NM (Uhm Ji Gained) had preyed on In Ji’s weak state, to promote her the concept being a subject spouse could be a type of revenge.

It’s true that In Ji’s good on the job, judging from the opening scene the place her earlier consumer had thanked her, on his demise mattress, however I get the sense that In Ji nonetheless hasn’t healed from the occasion that had ended up placing her within the subject wifery division.

In any case, she nonetheless retains her ex-fiancé’s residence, and makes certain that his fish are taken care of; it offers me the sensation that she’s nonetheless hoping that he’ll return, sooner or later.

Within the meantime, it feels to me like she’s current in that skilled subject spouse area, however doesn’t fairly appear to be really dwelling her life, if that is smart?

On prime of all of it, there’s a stalker on the market, who appears intent on getting concerned in In Ji’s life? That seems like method an excessive amount of for one particular person to deal with. 😅

E3-4. We’re studying extra about In Ji as we go, and I’ve to say, I’m rising to love her, or no less than, recognize and admire her.

In our opening scene the place we flashback to her dialog together with her first contract husband (cameo by Jung Kyung Ho! 🤩), it actually comes by means of how jaded and cynical she is, at this cut-off date.

She talks about how meaningless a wedding contract is, and the way it’s a press release of mistrust, greater than something, and that there’s nothing romantic about it.

In actual fact, she’s all able to throw within the towel, and the factor that will get her to remain, really, is Husband #1 revealing that he has a really restricted time to reside.

We don’t see her reply, however circumstantially, we all know that she agrees to marry him, and I can solely conclude that In Ji’s compassion is bigger than her cynicism.

I really feel that that is vital, as a result of I do really feel like there’s an identical dynamic at work, in her relationship with Jeong Gained.

[END SPOILER]

Jung Yun Ha as Website positioning Yeon

It’s no exaggeration to say that I used to be most fascinated by Website positioning Yeon, out of all of our characters.

I beloved to hate her, however I used to be additionally morbidly inquisitive about her, and wished to grasp her.

I wished to know why she did the issues she did, and I additionally wished to know what made her tick; like, did she turn into this fashion due to varied traumas that she’s skilled, or was she simply born like this?

[BROAD SPOILERS]

I’ll elaborate extra on this in my dialogue of the finale episodes, however I simply wished to state for the report, that after watching the whole drama, I’ve come to the conclusion that Website positioning Yeon’s basically a weak-minded particular person, who possible had additionally been born with sociopathic tendencies.

I don’t know for certain if that’s what writer-nim had in thoughts, in crafting this character, however that’s my private take, after ending this present.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I did really feel sympathy for Website positioning Yeon, after we get that flashback to how she’d apparently thought-about committing suicide, whereas closely pregnant.

We don’t know the context of that but, however I do assume that simply her having been in such a scenario, deserves some sympathy.

That stated, I don’t know if it’s clear but, however I do relatively dislike Website positioning Yeon, although I’ve arrived at a spot the place I really feel like I can form of perceive the place she’s coming from.

And, I feel that the explanation I don’t like her, is how she needs to go away Jeong Gained, however gained’t let him depart her.

Like, sure, if you wish to divorce him and reside a brand new life with a brand new husband, go forward and try this – however why are you dangling the potential of a reconciliation at him, if he makes it by means of a yr of contract marriage?

Are you.. testing him, to be sure that he can’t reside with anybody else however you? Even when that another person is knowledgeable..?

I do know, I do know; that is the entire human nature factor at work. She hates him, however nonetheless loves him; she doesn’t need him, however nonetheless needs him.

That’s why she will generally say horrible issues like she needs he have been useless, however nonetheless need to be the particular person he wants and craves, like his life trusted it.

ALSO. How in regards to the factor the place she is aware of that the chandelier in the home is actually giving Jeong Gained nightmares, however refused to vary them when reworking the home?

She says that it’s as a result of the lights suited the home, and so.. I suppose it doesn’t matter to her if her husband Jeong Gained suffered day by day nightmares due to stated lights?

That’s one more reason I don’t like her. The a part of her that loves Jeong Gained, clearly doesn’t love him sufficient to spare him from nightmares.

Or.. maybe she purposely stored him having nightmares, in order that he could be all of the extra depending on her.

Which is totally tousled, sure, however which I’d completely imagine of her.

E3-4. Website positioning Yeon actually comes throughout as fairly unhinged, these episodes.

I can’t fairly determine if she’s only a born sociopath, or if there are causes for her obsessively manipulative habits.

I’ve to admit that I’m very confused in regards to the flashbacks that we get, to the day that she’d misplaced the infant.

We don’t have the complete context of it, however first, we see her uncover that her water had damaged, after which we see that as a substitute of getting herself to emergency care, she smokes a cigarette whereas wanting like she’s making an attempt to determine what to do, and the following factor we all know, she’s been knocked down by a automotive.

I really feel like there’s a giant data hole right here, as a result of we don’t know what had brought on her to behave in such self-destructive methods, throughout her being pregnant.

Clearly, she doesn’t appear to have the infant’s wellbeing as prime precedence, as a result of we’ve seen her ponder suicide by way of capsules, and now, we’ve seen her not rush to emergency care, although her water had damaged, and we’ve seen her smoke a cigarette, whereas the infant should have been going into misery.

Definitely, it’s theoretically attainable that she’d gotten into that accident whereas making an attempt to get herself to emergency care, however circumstantially, primarily based on the context that we do have, it seems to me extra like she’d walked into site visitors, in an try and kill herself.

It actually makes me marvel what had been driving her self-destructive habits throughout her being pregnant.

It certain seems like she’d been depressed, and that was possible why she was considering suicide within the first place.

I do marvel what her ideas across the child had been, and likewise, what her ideas round Jeong Gained had been.

Does she blame Jeong Gained for the being pregnant, maybe? Like, with out him, she would’ve by no means been pregnant, and that may have solved numerous her issues..?

E3-4. That factor that Jeong Gained says to his buddy about fishing, that utilizing one other dwelling factor as bait to catch one other sport is merciless, makes me assume that that’s really what Website positioning Yeon appears to be doing.

She’s utilizing In Ji as bait to catch Jeong Gained for sport, isn’t she??

And sure, that’s merciless.

In Ji asks her, later in episode 4, why she’d go to such lengths to torment Jeong Gained, and we do get a touch by way of Website positioning Yeon’s phrases to In Ji, by means of rationalization.

She talks in regards to the fable the place the scorpion stings the frog regardless of using on the frog’s again – that the scorpion hadn’t been capable of assist its personal nature.

So.. the conclusion I’m drawing right here, is that Website positioning Yeon’s only a sociopath then.

A sociopath who delights in tormenting Jeong Gained, and can go to nice lengths to take action, as a result of she will’t assist herself?

I do marvel if Website positioning Yeon is telling the reality right here, or if that is only a smokescreen for another purpose that she doesn’t need to discuss. Hrmm.

I might imagine she’s only a sociopath, given her habits, however I’m really hoping that there’s extra to it than a easy, “she was born this fashion.” 😅

[END SPOILER]

Kim Dong Gained as Eom Tae Seong [SPOILERS]

Eom Tae Seong is, doubtless, probably the most unstable and disturbed character in our story, and I simply wished to offer props to Kim Dong Gained, as a result of his supply of unhinged Eom Tae Seong legit gave me the creeps. 😅

After we’re first launched to him, he seems calm and fairly regular, however over time, we begin to see simply how unhinged he actually is, and the way.. frighteningly fearless he’s, with regards to the implications of his actions.

Curiously, Present doesn’t really care to discover why Eom Tae Seong’s unstable, so we don’t know whether or not it’s attributable to nature or nurture, that he’s received this psychotic tendencies.

I discover this to be an fascinating omission, as a result of this whole drama seems like a psychological examine – and but, within the midst of all of it, Eom Tae Seong, who’s probably the most disturbed of our characters, is usually handled like a handy monster; a plot system to nudge alongside the remainder of our story.

In Ji vs. Website positioning Yeon

Like I alluded to earlier, I discovered it completely fascinating to check In Ji and Website positioning Yeon, as characters.

A part of it needed to do with the facility wrestle that quickly grew to become apparent between the 2 ladies, with Jeong Gained because the hapless entity on the heart of all of it.

One other a part of it, needed to do with sussing out what every lady is manufactured from, and tracing that by means of their respective actions, to reach at a extra full image of how In Ji and Website positioning Yeon are full opposites of one another.

This layer of meaning-making positively added numerous curiosity to my watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. I’m actually intrigued by the reveal, that Website positioning Yeon had chosen In Ji particularly, to be Jeong Gained’s contract spouse.

I need to know why Website positioning Yeon would select In Ji, out of all of the contract wives out there.

Website positioning Yeon doesn’t reveal how she is aware of In Ji, so my greatest guess is that maybe Website positioning Yeon had learn all of the gossip that had exploded, when In Ji’s wedding ceremony had been known as off.

If I perceive Present appropriately, that had brought on fairly a social media furore, so possibly Website positioning Yeon had remembered In Ji from that, and had chosen In Ji, out of a morbid fascination together with her..?

I’ve no actual clue, actually, and that is simply my greatest stab in the dead of night, till Present offers us extra data.

What’s clear to see, nevertheless, is that Website positioning Yeon is getting far more affected by In Ji than I feel she’d anticipated to be, and it’s scary her to behave out, in fairly undesirable methods.

On that be aware, I actually do love how unruffled and emotionless In Ji tends to be, in response to every part that Website positioning Yeon throws at her.

I’m certain In Ji’s lack of seen response actively aggravates Website positioning Yeon, as a result of for somebody like Website positioning Yeon, who craves the affirmation that she has energy over another person, this lack of response is the alternative of what she’s on the lookout for.

Website positioning Yeon clearly hopes to impress In Ji, and see indicators that In Ji is upset, and doesn’t know methods to take care of Website positioning Yeon’s assaults, however In Ji’s giving her none of that satisfaction.

I really like the concept that is quietly driving Website positioning Yeon nuts. 🤭

I additionally love that In Ji offers pretty much as good as she will get, whereas wanting like she’s not really preventing again.

For instance, I really like the best way In Ji responds, when Website positioning Yeon presses In Ji on how she is aware of Website positioning Yeon.

In Ji explains so calmly, that somebody she knew, had dedicated suicide due to Website positioning Yeon, saying that dying was the one option to escape Website positioning Yeon, however that doesn’t imply that that’s how In Ji sees her.

That no one can know what had been on the thoughts of somebody who’d determined to vanish from the world; that Website positioning Yeon might have simply been their excuse – however that that doesn’t imply that In Ji’s concluded that Website positioning Yeon isn’t a bitch.

Burrnnn. 🤭

I really love how calm and unruffled In Ji is, as she states all of this like she’s merely speaking in regards to the climate.

E3-4. I persistently get the sense that In Ji all the time tries to see issues from Jeong Gained’s perspective, after which strategy him in the best way that she feels would assist him.

Like the best way she volunteers details about Website positioning Yeon’s go to, although he doesn’t ask – as a result of she feels that she’d need to know, in his place.

And when she sees him flinching on the physician’s appointment whereas her stitches are being taken out, she tells him that it doesn’t harm, in order that he’ll really feel higher.

I’m 100% certain that if it had been Website positioning Yeon, she would have continued to let Jeong Gained squirm, to drive house level that she’d gotten harm due to him.

After which, when In Ji notices that Jeong Gained struggles to take the elevator, she tells him to give attention to the numbers; that it’s simply numbers, in the long run.

What a distinction to how Website positioning Yeon’s approached it, by providing her personal presence to be Jeong Gained’s security internet. Like sure, that helps Jeong Gained within the second, but it surely creates a dependency on her, which provides her a way of enjoyment and energy.

In Ji, alternatively, is giving Jeong Gained a option to survive elevator rides on his personal, by specializing in the numbers; he can do with with out In Ji by his facet.

See what an incredible distinction in strategy the 2 ladies have?

E3-4. We get extra distinction between Website positioning Yeon and In Ji, with the best way Website positioning Yeon asks to maintain the previous chandelier, whereas In Ji doesn’t hesitate to eliminate them, as a result of she is aware of how a lot Jeong Gained loathes them.

With Website positioning Yeon, every part is an influence journey, from that very awkward dinner for 4, the place she flaunts the truth that she used to reside there, to the best way she units up hidden cameras in the home, in order that she will spy on Jeong Gained and In Ji.

I do love how In Ji speaks up for Jeong Gained, unflinchingly, when Website positioning Yeon oversteps the boundaries of civil dialog, and accuses Jeong Gained of being infantile as a result of he can’t let go of the previous.

It’s so nice, the best way In Ji seems her proper within the eye, and says that some issues can by no means be forgotten, and that Website positioning Yeon ought to watch herself. Burrnnn. 🔥

E5-6. One of many huge “Aha!” moments for me, these episodes, is the belief that Website positioning Yeon and In Ji are very completely different, in the best way they take care of crises.

Sure, we’ve seen in flashback, In Ji utterly break down within the wake of her ruined marriage, however within the current, In Ji is far more rational-minded, and he or she’s additionally persistently about doing one thing to resolve the difficulty at hand.

Website positioning Yeon, alternatively, is exhibiting herself to be extraordinarily emotional, and her resolution is persistently escapism.

Whether or not that’s by means of medication, or making an attempt to kill herself, or getting a divorce, or intercourse together with her contract husband, the best way she responds to her issues, all the time appears to be by means of discovering a option to escape stated issues.

And, we see, these episodes, that these escapes aren’t fairly doing it for her proper now – like with Contract Husband refusing to sleep together with her, as a result of she’s going to divorce him anyway – and it’s driving her loopy.

She actually seems misplaced, when her typical options don’t yield the escape that she craves.

She’s all the time on the lookout for the blue capsule, in a fashion of talking, so it’s no shock, I suppose, that the answer that she gives Jeong Gained, can also be the blue capsule, actually, which permits him to let him see and imagine issues the best way he likes.

E5-6. These episodes, I actually appreciated the best way In Ji stands as much as Website positioning Yeon.

The best way Website positioning Yeon presumes to tackle the position of daughter-in-law when Jeong Gained’s father dies, is fairly unhinged in itself; I suppose that reveals us the place she is, in that she’s by no means seen herself as really divorced from Jeong Gained? That she’s solely been separated from him, whereas punishing him?

I like how Website positioning Yeon is ready to provide the help and assist that Website positioning Yeon can’t give Jeong Gained, which I really feel is represented by how Website positioning Yeon casually tells Jeong Gained to get a staffer to assist him together with his tie, whereas In Ji steps in to really assist him with it.

It’s in regards to the tie, sure, but it surely’s additionally about ethical help, I really feel, and Website positioning Yeon doesn’t provide any, even when she’s sitting proper there, wearing mourning garments, whereas In Ji is ready to provide that straight away, even when she’s nonetheless in that stage the place she’s telling Jeong Gained that she will’t attend the funeral, in response to the guide.

That scene within the washroom the place In Ji confronts Website positioning Yeon is one which I received numerous gratification from, largely as a result of In Ji handles herself so confidently, and is so unintimidated by Website positioning Yeon, wanting her within the eyes, and managing to out-maneuver her, such that Website positioning Yeon chooses to go away the funeral corridor.

PLUS. How in regards to the two makes an attempt that Website positioning Yeon makes, to slap In Ji, which In Ji intercepts with out batting an eye fixed, after which turns the transfer round to place Website positioning Yeon at a drawback.

YESSS.

I imply, Present’s informed us greater than as soon as, that In Ji needed to take up jiu jitsu, however I hadn’t anticipated that we’d get to see her use any strikes.

How excellent, although, that she makes use of her expertise so easily towards Website positioning Yeon, when Website positioning Yeon does her entitled factor and tries to slap her, for being out of line.

E5-6. I suppose Website positioning Yeon can sense these shifts between Jeong Gained and In Ji, which is why she resorts to her final resort energy transfer – ordering Jeong Gained and In Ji to break up.

And it does appear like an actual energy transfer, within the sense that she’d paid for the contract marriage, in order the consumer, it is smart that she would get to name off that exact same marriage.

I do love that In Ji’s eventual response to this, is that she refuses, and subsequently, in response to the guide, the divorce is not going to occur. Muahaha. Gotta love In Ji’s intimate information and understanding of that guide! 🤭

But in addition. How about that combat in that cage elevator on the building website! 😱

Clearly, In Ji’s actually managing to push Website positioning Yeon’s buttons, as a result of Website positioning Yeon’s the one who loses management and tries to assault In Ji, clearly forgetting that she’s no match for In Ji, whether or not in combat expertise, or arguing expertise.

In Ji’s received Website positioning Yeon’s pinned, both method, I actually kinda love that In Ji stalks off, leaving Website positioning Yeon in a crying, screaming heap. 🤭

[END SPOILER]

Jeong Gained and Website positioning Yeon

One of many key issues that fed my morbid fascination whereas watching this present, is the connection between Jeong Gained and Website positioning Yeon.

I couldn’t assist however marvel at what had occurred between them, to make them this state of affairs, the place Website positioning Yeon’s arm-twisting him to enter right into a contract marriage with another person, whereas he’s desperately making an attempt to carry onto her.

I discovered it very weird and dysfunctional, to place it mildly, and my want to discover a option to make sense of all of it, positively was a driving issue, throughout my watch.

On this spoiler part, are my unfolding ideas and analyses about this pair, throughout my watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I simply couldn’t determine what was the take care of Jeong Gained and his ex-wife, Website positioning Yeon.

Do they like or dislike one another, are they over, or not over, and why on the earth would she insist that Jeong Gained be in a contract marriage with another person?? – these have been among the predominant questions I discovered myself questioning about, whereas watching.

I’ve concluded – for now, no less than – that they’ve a love-hate relationship with one another.

What I’m about to share, are my best-guess conclusions about our characters, and it’s completely attainable, that you just may need a distinct interpretation, since Present leaves a lot to our personal evaluation and deciphering.

So, right here’s what I feel.

Due to his childhood trauma, Jeong Gained is relatively crippled, psychologically and emotionally, and this has made him extraordinarily depending on Website positioning Yeon.

It’s like he can’t operate with out Website positioning Yeon, although they’ve already gotten a divorce, and he or she’s married to another person.

And, I feel that Website positioning Yeon has a love-hate relationship with him, and the way he’s, together with her.

I feel she feels suffocated from being the one individual that he needs to rely upon, and I’m guessing that that’s presumably – most likely? – why she’d wished a divorce within the first place.

If you’ve borne the load of a heavy burden over a protracted time frame the best way Website positioning Yeon’s borne the load of Jeong Gained’s psychological well-being, you do are likely to get exhausted and drained, after which it’s only a matter of time once you really feel like the one option to survive, is to get away.

On the similar time, with how Jeong Gained’s been relying so closely on her through the years, I can see how this would possibly suck the life out of her, in order that she would really feel a mix of fatigue, frustration and a have to combat for a life that feels really her personal – as a substitute of a life the place she’s obliged to be another person’s crutch, 24/7.

I feel that’s why we see Website positioning Yeon relishing all these sexytimes together with her new husband.

I really feel prefer it’s her method of, 1, rebelling towards the life that she’d led up thus far, 2, taking revenge on Jeong Gained, for what he’d achieved to her life, and three, aggressively laying down a brand new basis for the form of life that she needs, going ahead.

A minimum of, that’s what it seems prefer to me.

All that stated, it appears fairly clear, that Website positioning Yeon does benefit from the sense of energy that she has over Jeong Gained, and when she discerns that he’s now not as depending on her, she feels threatened, and nearly offended, in response.

To my eyes, this is the reason Website positioning Yeon goes to the difficulty of visiting the home and introducing herself to In Ji, when she hears that Jeong Gained had managed to go to sleep, with out medicine, and on the sofa, no much less.

So far as I might inform, the aim of Website positioning Yeon’s go to, is not only out of a curiosity round the one who’d helped Jeong Gained go to sleep with out medicine, however about staking her territory, to the one who’d dared to encroach. 😏

The sense that I get is that Jeong Gained wants and will depend on Website positioning Yeon, and.. that’s it.

What I imply is, I don’t detect that there’s love in there; all I’m getting from him, is a determined want for Website positioning Yeon in his life, in any other case he seems like he can’t operate, even at a really primary degree.

And that entire dynamic may be very a lot shaken up, with the arrival of In Ji, Jeong Gained’s contract spouse, In Ji.

E3-4. Website positioning Yeon’s rising more and more unsettled, by how Jeong Gained’s doing higher with out her than she’d anticipated, and showing to settle so significantly better into life with In Ji, than she’d anticipated.

The extra Website positioning Yeon sees indicators of this, the extra uncontrolled she feels; just like the one particular person whom she’d thought she’d had full management over, is exhibiting indicators of not really being in her span of management anymore.

Website positioning Yeon retains making an attempt to check Jeong Gained, and when she finds that the unique testing mechanism isn’t giving the outcomes she’d hoped for, she finds a option to amp up the take a look at additional.

Gosh, I hate her for that, significantly. She’s unbearable. 😒

She’s all the time discovering a method so as to add strain to Jeong Gained, like when she tells him to hold in there, in his contract marriage, as a result of she’d prefer to belief him too.

And when she texts him with that backwards taunt, that he should have forgotten what day it’s – thus reminding him of the day they’d misplaced their child, which she should know is an occasion that triggers his nervousness.

She’s actually discovering methods to poke at him, and provoke him, simply to show to herself, that he’s helplessly at her mercy, and I hate her for that.

She’s nonetheless weaponizing the failed being pregnant towards Jeong Gained, what with giving him that ultrasound image, with these capsules hooked up – as one more take a look at for Jeong Gained.

Like, right here’s one thing that may set off your nervousness, and listed here are capsules that may show you how to get by means of an nervousness assault – however your job is to attempt to not take these capsules.

She’s so sadistic, like she takes precise pleasure from seeing Jeong Gained endure. Ugh.

She all the time says one factor, however means one other – like the best way she says it’s a reduction to see Jeong Gained and In Ji bonding, however in the best way she sneers when she says the phrases, you possibly can inform that she doesn’t imply it one bit, and is, actually, livid that Jeong Gained would dare bond with another person, or rely upon another person.

And but, the factor is, Website positioning Yeon refuses to again down from this sport.

Earlier than the marriage, Jeong Gained texts her and says that so long as she says the phrase, he gained’t undergo with the marriage.

I feel the entire purpose Website positioning Yeon permits the marriage to go forward, regardless of her discomfort, is as a result of she doesn’t need to admit defeat.

I really feel prefer to her, calling off the marriage could be like admitting that In Ji’s gotten underneath her pores and skin, and that she will’t take the warmth. It’s twisted, sure, and I do assume that that’s what’s going by means of Website positioning Yeon’s twisted head.

E3-4. Truthfully, among the finest issues about Jeong Gained and In Ji going out for a film, is them not being at house for Website positioning Yeon to spy on. 🤭

Clearly, Website positioning Yeon hates feeling like she’s dropping management, and them being out of her sight, makes her antsy and moody, and I positively felt fairly gratified to see that.

E5-6. These episodes, we get a clue as to why Website positioning Yeon’s so set on punishing Jeong Gained, and it seems prefer it has to do with Jeong Gained’s request to the medical doctors, when she’d walked into site visitors, to prioritize saving the infant.

On the floor, it seems like an harmless request that many fathers would possibly make, to prioritize saving the infant, as a result of it’s human nature to need to shield the younger and harmless.

Nonetheless, In Ji’s comment afterward, is probably going the extra correct one – that Jeong Gained had really made that request, not with saving the infant as his prime precedence, however the considered eliminating Website positioning Yeon, and being free from her.

Sure, that’s a horrible factor for Jeong Gained to have thought, and even acted on, so I can see how Website positioning Yeon would possibly maintain onto that and be unable to maneuver on from it, had she come to know of Jeong Gained’s request.

On the similar time, given the flashbacks to the previous from when she’d been pregnant, it seems like Website positioning Yeon’s been disturbed and unstable for a very long time.

And if she’d been tormenting Jeong Gained for on a regular basis that they’d been collectively, I can see Jeong Gained buckling underneath all of that, and being determined sufficient to take a method out, when he sees it seem in entrance of him.

That doesn’t make Jeong Gained’s want to let Website positioning Yeon die okay, definitely, but it surely does assist to place issues in perspective, I feel.

[END SPOILER]

Website positioning Yeon and Ji Oh [SPOILERS]

Ji Oh (Cho I Geon) is written as a personality who simply can’t say ‘No’ to Website positioning Yeon, and I discovered it fairly curious that he could be so in love together with her, as a result of I personally discovered Website positioning Yeon very unappealing, as an individual.

Present doesn’t give us any perception as to why Ji Oh’s drawn to Website positioning Yeon, and that’s most likely why I discovered their connection tenuous at greatest.

He may need thought that he was in love together with her, however she clearly solely actually noticed him as a plaything; somebody with whom she might distract herself, whereas punishing / testing Jeong Gained.

I did discover it fascinating that even Ji Oh, who appears to be blindly smitten with Website positioning Yeon, would really get visibly pissed off together with her erratic habits and controlling methods, in episodes 3-4, and finally begin to say ‘No’ to her, with a view to shield himself.

Present has Website positioning Yeon selecting Ji Oh after we get to the top of our story, however I personally am not satisfied that there’s a real connection right here.

That stated, possibly it’s a relationship that would work for them, since she’s used to utilizing folks, and he appears prepared for use. 😅

Jeong Gained and In Ji

I got here into this present for the potential chemistry between Gong Yoo and Website positioning Hyun Jin, and they didn’t disappoint.

Sure, the narrative charting of this loveline is something however typical, and that’s not shocking, given how dysfunctional our total story world is.

But, like I alluded to earlier, there’s a poignant sweetness that finally comes by means of, within the connection between Jeong Gained and In Ji.

It’s a gradual burn for certain, however I personally discovered the thought of two damaged souls coming collectively regardless of their sharp ragged edges initially hurting one another, and finally serving to one another to glimpse hope, fairly touching. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Jeong Gained begins the contract marriage by studiously ignoring In Ji, and he or she simply takes all of it in stride, and continues to make an effort to achieve out and join, which I really feel should take rather a lot out of an individual, notably when the opposite particular person retains rebuffing the efforts made.

That additionally provides to my sense that In Ji’s simply current in her skilled area, conditioning herself to do what’s greatest within the scenario, even when it means bodily damage.

I do assume that that’s the place she’s coming from, when she shields Jeong Gained from the falling shards of the chandelier, and finally ends up struggling that gash on her arm that requires stitches.

At this level, I don’t imagine she has any true emotions for Jeong Gained, and that’s why I see it as her largely appearing out of professionalism.

That stated, if I have been to pinpoint a touch of real connection between them, I’m considering that In Ji may need some empathy for Jeong Gained as somebody who’s caught; maybe she feels a way of solidarity there, as a result of in a fashion of talking, she’s caught as effectively?

Or maybe it’s so simple as one sad soul recognizing one other sad soul, sure?

As In Ji continues her measured-yet-unflagging strategy to Jeong Gained, we see that he really begins opening as much as her, and offers her solutions to questions that possible nobody else has dared or thought to ask, like why he’s afraid of the chandelier in his house.

To my eyes, I don’t assume that which means Jeong Gained is beginning to like In Ji.

As a substitute, I really feel that it’s as a result of he feels secure together with her.

For one factor, she’s saved his life and gotten harm within the course of, so she’d put herself on the road to guard him.

For an additional, he doesn’t really feel judged by her. It doesn’t matter what he says or does, In Ji doesn’t take a judgmental stance, and I feel that goes a great distance in the direction of Jeong Gained feeling secure sufficient to speak in confidence to her.

And thirdly, I really feel that over time, Jeong Gained begins to really feel that he can rely upon In Ji – and that’s precisely the place issues start to shift, since his dependence on Website positioning Yeon has all the time been so key for him.

Now, In Ji’s beginning to do the wifely factor, of telling Jeong Gained that they need to make a visit to the hospital, to see his father.

And different smaller wifely issues too, like reaching throughout the desk to wipe soup off his lip.

She ably fills the hole that Website positioning Yeon had left, when she’d insisted on getting divorced from Jeong Gained.

Not solely that, In Ji’s exhibiting some very shrewd perception as to Website positioning Yeon’s sport, like when she remarks that, since Jeong Gained would by no means do something Website positioning Yeon didn’t need, then it should have been Website positioning Yeon who’d urged medicine to him within the first place.

In that second, Jeong Gained doesn’t say something, however there’s a delicate shock in his eyes, like his total worldview has simply been challenged, and it’s all due to In Ji.

E3-4. I do assume that Jeong Gained’s used to the best way Website positioning Yeon’s been treating him, judging from the best way he feels uneasy, and even asks In Ji to whine a bit, in order that it would ease his guilt.

Whereas with In Ji, she’s all the time making an attempt to think about methods to reframe issues for Jeong Gained, to make it simpler for him to digest or endure.

Like the best way she leaves that be aware in his go well with pocket, that it’s simply commonplace process, in response to the guide, in order that he gained’t get too stressed in regards to the wedding ceremony.

Slowly however absolutely, we are able to see Jeong Gained beginning to decrease his guard round In Ji.

Not solely is he speaking extra to her when she asks a query, he even brings her beer on their wedding ceremony evening, and initiates dialog. A giant step, given the place we’d began, sure?

And, he’s exhibiting curiosity in attending to know her higher too, judging from the truth that he asks her what she’d used to do, earlier than stepping into the contract marriage enterprise.

E3-4. With In Ji being so useful and protecting in the direction of Jeong Gained, I’m not stunned that he would discover himself gravitating in the direction of her. In any case, you naturally need to go in the direction of security, proper? And he or she makes him really feel secure.

I really like that he asks about her educating dance, and even requests an indication – which is how we get the scene of them dancing collectively, and having sufficient enjoyable, with sufficient hyper-proximity, that Jeong Gained could be galvanized into kissing her, proper in the midst of all of it.

Can’t lie; I gasped a bit on the sudden improvement, after which rapidly gloated on the apparent displeasure on Website positioning Yeon’s face, as she watches all of it on her display, HA. Serves her proper for spying, I say. 😏

In actual fact, I received a kick out of it, each time we see Website positioning Yeon seething, whereas watching Jeong Gained and In Ji interact in on a regular basis couple-type actions, like chatting whereas folding the laundry collectively.

I can already inform that this was one thing that Jeong Gained had by no means achieved with Website positioning Yeon, whereas they’d been married.

E3-4. I assumed Jeong Gained’s film date with In Ji was fairly cute, with him inviting her to the films, after which shopping for tickets for a horror film, however being unable to look at it, coz he’s too scared.

Hahaha. I can see why In Ji would discover him amusing, when he’s like this. 🤭

I recognize that Jeong Gained’s self-aware sufficient, to grasp that he’s confused about what he’s feeling in the direction of In Ji, and cozy sufficient together with her, to inform her so.

It definitely doesn’t land as romantic, with Jeong Gained saying that he’s undecided if he needs to sleep with In Ji just because she’s a girl, or as a result of he really likes her – however he hopes it’s simply because she’s a girl.

However, no less than he’s expressing himself and being sincere, and I take that as a step in path.

By these episodes, I really feel like there’s a shift that goes on, between Jeong Gained and In Ji.

He’s the one who seems like he’s drowning, and we see that in that dream that he has, whereas we see that she’s the one who spends her mornings floating effortlessly on the water, when she goes kayaking.

They’re in utterly completely different positions, with this visible distinction.

These episodes, In Ji tells Jeong Gained that she’ll assist to dam the tidal waves for him, and he begins sleeping effectively, together with her subsequent to him.

However, with the best way Website positioning Yeon targets In Ji, and even outright causes a automotive accident, after assembly In Ji at that Heritage Lounge gathering, after which informs In Ji that she’d particularly chosen In Ji to be Jeong Gained’s contract spouse, In Ji’s the one who begins having nightmares.

It actually seems like she’s taken on the tidal wave in Jeong Gained’s stead, doesn’t it?

To be brutally frank, I see In Ji’s resolution to sleep with Jeong Gained as a strategic transfer, relatively than a romantic one.

And I feel that her transfer has every part to do with deciding to play Website positioning Yeon’s sport, since Website positioning Yeon’s so decided to impress her.

Like, you need to take a look at whether or not Jeong Gained can be swayed by me? Positive. Let’s take a look at that – I’ll sleep with him, since that’s what he’s stated he needs, after which let’s see whether or not he nonetheless responds to you, if in any respect.

A minimum of, that’s how I’m studying it, given what I’ve seen to date.

E5-6. These episodes, it’s clear that the emotions between Jeong Gained and In Ji are rising, however actually, it’s solely on hindsight, that I understand that the dream that we see her have, on the prime of episode 5, is probably going the signifier, that In Ji formally has emotions for Jeong Gained.

Within the dream, she’s making an attempt to catch as much as her runaway groom, however on the final second, when he turns round to face her, it’s not her ex-fiancé, however Jeong Gained.

This seems like a reasonably robust assertion, that it’s now Jeong Gained in In Ji’s coronary heart.

On the similar time, it does seem to be In Ji’s deep-seated abandonment points is perhaps inflicting her to already concern being deserted my Jeong Gained.

I do recognize the general image that we get, although, that Jeong Gained and In Ji are drawn to one another, and need to assist one another, regardless of their very own brokenness.

For instance, I discover it touching, that Jeong Gained, who’s been proven to us because the far more damaged of the 2, would sit with In Ji and attempt to consolation her by means of that nightmare.

I’ve to confess that I actually am drawn to this concept of damaged folks reaching out to assist others, regardless of their very own wounds.

It feels.. open-hearted and beneficiant, when these folks, with all of their wounds and points, have each proper to decide on to be closed off and self-focused. 🥲

In fact, Jeong Gained has no concept what he’s up towards, when he tries to tackle In Ji’s demons, however I’m nonetheless in-principle touched that he needs to attempt.

That’s how he finally ends up getting entangled with Eom Tae Seong; it’s as a result of he occurs to see these messages on In Ji’s cellphone, that Eom Tae Seong’s lurking round her, and maybe she wants an air gun.

I like that In Ji’s sincere in answering Jeong Gained’s query about who Eom Tae Seong is; it seems like sincere, no-frills conversations are an indicator of their interactions.

On the similar time, the truth that Jeong Gained can’t cease himself from getting concerned, although In Ji tells him plainly that Eom Tae Seong isn’t any of his concern, says rather a lot about Jeong Gained’s rising emotions for In Ji.

E5-6. I recognize that we get all these snippets of Jeong Gained and In Ji inching nearer to one another.

One way or the other, the fragments of dialog that we see them have, are sincere and frank sufficient, that they in some way really feel like they add as much as one thing extra substantial.

Like the best way In Ji says that there’s nothing unsuitable with dying alone, and that when you’re not likely alone, how will you really love another person?

That feels deep and incisive, and on the similar time, you may as well see Jeong Gained reel a bit bit, from the belief, that In Ji’s beloved somebody earlier than.

After which, when, after Eom Tae Seong’s left the home, Jeong Gained tells In Ji that he’s had a protracted day, I’m impressed that In Ji doesn’t pursue the truth that Jeong Gained’s sticking his nostril into her enterprise, and as a substitute, simply holds him, which comforts him.

These are fragments, however the fragments themselves really feel meaty sufficient, that once I stack all of the fragments collectively in my thoughts, I really feel like I’m witnessing a stronger connection between Jeong Gained and In Ji.

E5-6. It’s very satisfying to see In Ji determine to ignore the guide, and keep by Jeong Gained’s facet, as his spouse, through the funeral wake proceedings.

Aw. That’s one other piece of particular proof, I really feel, of In Ji’s emotions for Jeong Gained. Why else would she disregard the guide, proper?

Afterwards, it’s really very nice to see Jeong Gained and In Ji take a while to only do couple issues, like go to the films, and do some road procuring; the same old issues {couples} do, after they go on dates. 🥲

With this, it seems like they’re changing into an actual couple, doesn’t it?

Plus, Jeong Gained does appear to be occupied with it, given the query that he asks In Ji, about what he ought to do if he doesn’t need to let her go, after a yr.

E5-6. It’s unlucky that the guide states that Jeong Gained and In Ji should not allowed to attach with one another exterior of the context of NM, however I’m relieved that that doesn’t appear to cease Jeong Gained from eager to be together with her.

That scene of him standing exterior the home, ready for her, and her coming house and strolling proper into his arms for a protracted hug, may be very satisfying.

After which, it’s actually candy isn’t it, when Jeong Gained tells her, over burgers (each with out tomato slices this time), that lacking her had made it a troublesome day. Aw!

It’s very candy too, that she responds that she’d missed him too. 🥲

I really like the visible of the following morning, that In Ji takes Jeong Gained kayaking.

Once more, it is a nice illustration of how she’s saving him from drowning, and serving to him to drift above the water – with them being an island collectively, on a single kayak.

I actually just like the symbolism of that. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E7-8. As our story involves a detailed, every part will get absolutely unfurled, and I discover that, as with the remainder of the present, I’m extra within the psychological facet of our story, than the homicide thriller facet of it.

It’s at this late stage of our story, that we’re given the ultimate lacking items to our characters’ backstories, and altogether, it completely paints an image of damaged folks struggling to outlive.

Truthfully, I feel that factor that shocks me probably the most, is that Do Ha blames In Ji so squarely, for his disappearance 5 years in the past; that she’d tried to vary him, and in so doing, had robbed him of his sense of identification, to the purpose the place he didn’t even know who he was, anymore.

We don’t discover that declare, in that, we don’t return in time to see whether or not his declare has any basis to face on, however I do stand behind In Ji’s tearful, barely managed retort; that he ought to have informed her this 5 years in the past.

I feel the underside line on this, is that it’s sophisticated, and it’s possible that each of them had contributed to the deterioration of their relationship, however I do assume it says rather a lot, that Do Ha’s first phrases, after disappearing for 5 years, are accountable In Ji for his actions.

I do assume that folks may be pushed to extremes after they really feel pressured, suffocated &/or backed right into a nook, however I additionally assume it says one thing about Do Ha, that he lacks the psychological and emotional fortitude, to even inform In Ji that it’s over, and simply.. disappears.

I really feel prefer it’s such a waste, that In Ji had spent 5 years of her life caught in limbo, paralyzed from shifting on as a result of Do Ha hadn’t given her the closure that she’d wanted.

In fact, this does additionally converse to the truth that In Ji’s much more fragile than she lets on; she may need proven that she’s robust in different methods, however on this space, which she’s stored buried out of sight as a lot as attainable, she is an open wound that’s by no means healed. ❤️‍🩹

I feel it says rather a lot, that In Ji breaks down in tears, when she sees Jeong Gained ready for her on the bus cease.

She and Jeong Gained later joke a bit bit, about why she’d cried, and the way he’d felt joyful that she’d cried, however to my eyes, the true purpose that she’d cried, is as a result of she felt secure with Jeong Gained.

She’d held all of it in, whereas speaking with Do Ha, after which all the best way again, on the bus, however then, at reaching her secure haven, Jeong Gained, she’d reflexively let go of every part that she’d been holding in, which is how we get that outburst of guttural sobs, from her. 🥲

I do assume that that’s why Jeong Gained feels joyful to see her cry too, although he’s unable to place it into phrases; I feel he’s simply instinctively gladdened that she trusts him sufficient, to launch her deepest tears, in his presence. 🥲

These episodes, we lastly get a agency reply, as to why Website positioning Yeon had chosen In Ji to be Jeong Gained’s contract spouse, and as I’d earlier suspected, this had all been a take a look at for him. Wow.

So Website positioning Yeon had remembered In Ji from that encounter again in faculty, when In Ji had provided Jeong Gained a pair of slippers due to his damaged sandals, and had felt jealous of the spark of connection that she’d felt between them, and had dragged it into the image, to be a take a look at for Jeong Gained?

That if he managed to nonetheless pine for Website positioning Yeon whereas nonetheless dwelling with In Ji, that may fulfill Website positioning Yeon sufficient, to return to him?

AND, that’s why she’s justified in putting in secret cameras, by way of which to watch Jeong Gained, and permit him to show, by his actions, that his coronary heart belongs to Website positioning Yeon?

Sure, that’s twisted certainly, and it simply makes me conclude over again, that Website positioning Yeon’s some form of sociopath.

One other a part of it, I do assume, is that Website positioning Yeon’s only a weak one that’s by no means realized any form of resilience or fortitude, as a result of, by her personal admission, she’s by no means needed to compromise on something; she’s all the time been ready to decide on an alternate, when she didn’t like one thing or somebody.

Add on her sociopathic tendencies, the place she doesn’t appear to register that different folks’s emotions are as legitimate as her personal, and we get the form of manipulative, controlling maniac, when she’s left to her personal units.

Sure, there’s that factor the place she’s haunted by the truth that Jeong Gained had requested the medical doctors to prioritize saving the infant over her (and sure, that could be a very tough factor to forgive or neglect, definitely), and I feel that the harm and sense of betrayal is simply amplified many instances over, in her weak but sociopathic state of mind. 😅

My tackle Website positioning Yeon, is that when she finds that her efforts to pressure herself again into Jeong Gained’s life fail, and he or she sees no remaining leeway in Jeong Gained’s coronary heart, for her, she defaults to Ji Oh, as her subsequent best option.

Curiously, she doesn’t appear to contemplate the chance that she is perhaps joyful on her personal; relatively, it appears to me that she wants somebody to manage, and now that Jeong Gained’s refusing to be that for her, she’s settling for the one who is prepared to be managed by her.

In the long run, she does take steps to be there for Ji Oh, after he will get detained as a suspect for Eom Tae Seong’s homicide, however I personally don’t assume that’s robust sufficient proof to conclude that she’s modified for the higher.

To my eyes, Website positioning Yeon continues to be damaged and twisted, and with chunk of that seeming to be a part of her innate nature, I feel she’s simply switching targets, and making the very best of it. 😅

I did benefit from the little pockets of togetherness, and the small moments of happiness, that Jeong Gained and In Ji share.

Particularly, I appreciated that they find yourself guffawing and chuckling collectively, over the truth that In Ji had overwhelmed up Website positioning Yeon, whereas hugging it out.

The time they spend doing coupley issues is modest and candy, however there’s a poignance about it that rapidly turns into pathos, when In Ji tells Jeong Gained that she needs a divorce.

I really feel for Jeong Gained, as a result of I imagine him when he says that he sincerely loves her, and I do know that he’s proper, that she loves him too.

At this level, I do assume that In Ji’s resolution had every part to do with defending Jeong Gained from Eom Tae Seong.

I additionally imagine that that’s a key purpose why she decides to give up NM so rapidly, as a result of theoretically, she might have waited till her marriage contract with Jeong Gained got here to an finish, earlier than quitting.

However with Eom Tae Seong changing into an increasing number of unpredictable and unhinged, and with Jeong Gained feeling an increasing number of urgency to guard In Ji from him, I can see why In Ji felt like she needed to forestall an impending catastrophe.

Technically, after that encounter with Eom Tae Seong by the lake, the place In Ji shoots him, after which places the gun to her personal head, considering that there are reside rounds within the gun, she might have chosen to be with Jeong Gained, and Jeong Gained makes it clear that that is one thing that he actually needs.

Nonetheless, I do assume that In Ji makes the wiser alternative, and I’m glad that Jeong Gained takes her lead.

As a result of, once you take a look at it, Jeong Gained and In Ji are each deeply, desperately damaged, even to the purpose of self-destruction, in In Ji’s case, and it’s vital that they each get contemporary new begins, after all of the nightmarish occasions they’ve been by means of.

Provided that they’ve every been a part of the opposite’s nightmarish occasions, it’s simply not attainable to remain collectively, and on the similar time, make a clear break with the previous.

That clear slate and contemporary future, is one thing that they should step into, alone, after casting apart their pasts – in order that they’ll heal and be reborn, in a fashion of talking.

In my thoughts, that’s the entire purpose In Ji and Jeong Gained want that point aside, and it does gladden my coronary heart, to see them get pleasure from easy pleasures on their very own, of their new dwelling areas (Jeong Gained did effectively, by demolishing that home), with their new furbabies.

To the common particular person, that is on a regular basis stuff that we are likely to take with no consideration, however for Jeong Gained and In Ji, who’ve lived by means of nightmarish pasts to get right here, this should really feel like an entire new world. 🥲

It’s poignant, although, to see In Ji go to the films alone, in order that she will see Jeong Gained’s title in the long run credit.

Aww. It’s touching, actually, to see that she hasn’t forgotten Jeong Gained, and is doing the little that she’s permitting herself, to achieve in his path, in order that she will.. contact his actuality, for a short while. 🥹

I did love the emotion of their probability encounter, as a result of, beneath the informal smalltalk, there’s a lot gladness and wonderment, notably in Jeong Gained’s gaze.

Some would possibly marvel why they’ll’t simply be collectively, after one probability encounter; like, why does it need to be two?

My private tackle that, is that they each want that a lot time to heal.

They’re doing higher now, on this current timeline the place we see them meet, however I do get the sense that their therapeutic continues to be work in progress, on either side.

I can actually say that I choose this strategy, the place they prioritize their very own therapeutic, although they clearly do nonetheless have emotions for one another.

And sometime, when the time is correct, I do imagine that these two folks will meet once more.

By that point, they’ll be prepared for that way forward for day by day happiness that Jeong Gained had spoken of.

They’ll know the identical folks, and have breakfast collectively, and be caught with one another all day, bored by one another’s firm; they’ll grumble and complain, then grill some fish for dinner and nod off collectively; and even so, they’ll get up facet by facet. 🥲

THE FINAL VERDICT:

A reasonably thought-provoking psychological drama.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The subsequent drama I’m overlaying on Patreon, instead of The Trunk, is Verify In Hanyang [Korea].

You possibly can take a look at my episode 1-2 notes on Verify In Hanyang 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): +Blossom [China]

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

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

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