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Beans of Wisdom: Choose your ending

This week in Beans of Wisdom…

In “2016 Year in Review, Part 3: A drama for every day of the year,” Stardust discusses why we have higher expectations for fantasy dramas. In comment #39, she writes:

I want to say I agree that fantasy dramas have a higher set bar for expectations, esp when it comes to closing the drama.
So I feel the same abt [Legend of the Blue Sea].
I’m liking the show now, and it’s LMH joon Jae and DR who is doing it for me now compared to the mermaid who started off with a splash (pun intended) but I’m also of the view that it might turn out disappointing me.

Simply for the reason, fantasy dramas have a richer world, the rules can be bended and possibilities are endless – all these meant that if you can’t think ahead of your viewers, you disappoint them.

If your viewers can fan fic endings, theories or write 1000 essays on forums on the various possibilities and theories of the plot (think : W) and you end up with a lame or senseless ending (think : W, Big) you disappoint BIG Time because there is no excuse. You build the world, you should have explored the best story to tell because you could create those rules from the onset.

I see that risk of LOTBS because the same writer wrote MLFTS – I love the show but the story did lose steam in the last portion and I completely felt the ending was just fan service. I mean I had to Google what’s a black hole in theory and then still feel it doesn’t make senses. Right now for her she has quite a bit of options but my expectations are high and it probably will miss the bar.

 

Sylvia helpfully lists the possible endings for Goblin in “The Lonely Shining Goblin: Episode 5” comment #7.1.4:

1. Bittersweet ending: he dies, but leaves her enough emotional and material substance to live out a good life. She does well and eventually finds peace. His spirit is there to greet her in the tearoom when she dies at a ripe old age.

2. Happily Ever After: they find a way around the curse; writer pulls a deus ex machine and have Divinity (Lee El?) decide to change the rules … because, duh, Divinity makes up the rules in the first place. We want OTP to be happy, OTP wants to be happy, and the true Divinity (writer KES) wants OTP happy. So happy ending we get.

3. Early hallyu melo ending: almost everyone dies. Reaper finds out he was the silly king; out of guilt he jumps off cliff. Goblin dies when the sword is removed. Eun Tak gets the dreaded cancer because her fate was terminal in the first place. Sunny moves to Australia and opens a new chicken shop.

4. The narrative loophole ending: OTP is technically separated, but through some kind of narrative loophole or just plain re-framing, they are shown together in a different lifetime or dimension, proving they are Fated To Be No Matter the Time and Place.

5. The open ending: closes on an artistic MV-like sequence showing some ambiguous scenes or scenarios, so viewers can decide themselves what happened, and narrative is open for sequal season 2.

Of these I guess I prefer option 2? but 1 is ok too. Options 4 & 5 would make me flip tables, while 3 would just be amusing.
But truly, deep inside I want KES to do better this time and surprise us with none of the above.

 

While Miranda shows some love for the Reaper in comment #9.2.1:

It’s exactly the Reaper’s style of off-kilter deadpan that’s got me completely hooked! When he’s talking, his face is usually completely flat and emotionless, but when he’s NOT talking his face goes wild transmitting all of his thoughts – I especially loved him watching the morning drama.

It feels like he’s been out of the human loop for so long that he’s gone glitchy. He interacts with people at the absolute worst, most disorienting time of their lives and has to calmly and swiftly move them along, almost as a non-presence. But at the same time he’s stuck doing literal paperwork, documenting his expenses and having to scrape together money for rent… But not having any real friends or interactions outside of work, where he’s apparently pretty senior.

I love that he’s out of sync within himself and has been reading the same script for so long that he’s basically forgotten other words. Eun Taek is helping with that a bit, in that with more than one input source he’s starting to have to tailor his reactions, but the Reaper overall is one of my favorite pieces of this drama.

Sylvia adds:

Agree with your description. Basically Goblin and Reaper are gay dads raising a kid called Eun Tak and her up-to-no-good cousin Deuk Hwa. Goblin tries to be Cool Dad, while Reaper is the ajumma-with-a-perm mother.

 

Yumi points out a nice thought in “The Lonely Shining Goblin: Episode 6” comment #5.1.3:

It’s kind of interesting than that the man’s blindness remained after he crossed over. I’m use to the idea of infirmities disappearing in the afterlife.

pickledplumtree:

Yes, I thought that was interesting too. I was surprised by it, but I liked it for some reason. Happy was the happiness he needed, more than sight! <3 <3 <3

 

Dee writes in “Beans of Wisdom: When dramas reflect life” comment #3.2:

About power imbalance… my take on it is that the basis of many romantic relationships is often (but not always, and not necessary either) is friendship. Sometimes even a sort of familial bond and love amongst romantic partners.

So while it is not as usual to find friendship with “power imbalance” as defined in here (age, wealth, etc.), it is not impossible, and in my experience, not even that rare. Such friendships where there is some kind of background gap between the friends exist. (Cases I’m more familiar with include a more successful friend, much richer friend, more popular friend, and even older friend by about 20 years).

Such gap is hard to overcome for some people, which is why some people don’t like to be friends with people who are not “similar” in status, and find such relationship stressful or unhealthy. But some people can be not only friends, but extremely good and loyal friends despite the “power imbalance” as they bring to each other something in their lives outsiders often overlook. Some people I personally know, connect better with people who are older and younger than them.

So if friendship is possible even with “power imbalance” as defined by people on dramabeans, you only need to add attraction to shift that friendship to romance. If two people can connect on a friendship level, and find each other attractive, I don’t see why their love wouldn’t work.

The word “power imbalance” implies an unhealthy relationship, but if you think about it, all relationships do have some inequality inherent in them. A man and woman are physically not equal in general, for example. Because abuse of women is prevalent in the world does not mean women should avoid being attracted to stronger men. So what is the limit to “too much?” The answer to that question should be answered by the two individuals involved in the relationship. It is a limit unique to them, their personality, and compatibility.

 

pinkfluff99 writes in comment #20 of “Solomon’s Perjury: Episode 1”:

I think that Solomon’s Perjury does a great job of showing the depth of pain of students these days. As a high school student myself, I’ve endured some of the worries and fears these students go through.

Often in our lives, we fail to see what is truly important and focus purely on our self benefit. We are taught to do so by our parents and adults around us. And then we don’t notice other people’s pain and how our actions hurt them.

Solomon’s Perjury, I believe, opens our eyes to the status quo. There’s a difference between looking and seeing, and hearing and listening.

 

While in “Hwarang: Episode 1,” Lord Cobol notes in #9:

Sung Dong-Il must be a good guy this time. It’s a saeguk and his teeth aren’t horrid ?

nchoe:

Are those horrid teeth his idea? He has already used that look for 2 dramas now.

I just can’t stand looking at his face whenever he’s on screen with those horrid teeth. I always try to focus my gaze on something else, like tv channel logo at the top-right corner of the video.

bbstl:

I think about those teeth. I look closely to see if they’re the same ones in different shows (and believe they are). I’ve come to wonder if they were so expensive to make that their cost has to be amortized over multiple productions? Seriously.
Is this finally the sign that I’m too into kdramas? ?

 

Miranda writes in “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju: Episode 11” comment #5.2:

One fascinating thing about this show is how persistently they shake up the “stereotypical” relationship roles. All of the women have almost excluded themselves from the dating pool based on their non-feminine careers, bar the occasional slick of lipstick (or insane doctor-crush). Coach Choi is being pursued by a part-time actor who finds her strength attractive, Seon Ok looks like she’s being lined up with a featherbrained party boy, and Bok Joo has a handsome, surprisingly emotional, universally popular classmate confessing to her on every available level. This seems to blindside every one of the girls, and the guys are being framed as the more romance-aware, social parts of each pairing.

It’s incredibly refreshing – and it’s creating a kind of balanced dynamic that I think is played off as some sort of “beta male” joke in other shows, but here is dead serious and shown as a GOOD kind of relationship. Sure, the girls could probably launch the guys through the window, but the guys are doing a lot of the heavy emotional lifting.

Quinze adds:

The best part is that none of the men see it as an attack to their masculinity to see women being strong. It’s all admiration with none of the “be more feminine, please” aspects. Bok joo never tries to change her stance, her walk, or her mannerisms to be more feminine around Joon Young but he doesn’t see that as a miss. We’re reinforced on that idea from the beginning. That Joon Young has always seen that beauty in people whether they’re gymnast thin or weightlifter bulky.
Same with the Uncle, he’s literally in awe of Coach, it’s cute! And Tae kwon…lol I love this little cupcake. (It’s like he’s a chocolate cupcake and Nan Hee’s the one with sprinkles! ? )But yeah, from his first meeting with Bok joo and friends, he’s always been in awe of her (and also very afraid haha) but never do we hear them say that she’s not pretty or cute.

This drama is so healthy lol. Like I’m reminded that I need to work out because I’ve been too lax lately. But then I’m also reminded of how real it is to go through emotions like love, heartbreak, embarrassment, depression, anxiety, etc. It’s just lovely to see how people deal with it in healthy ways.

 

And peanut warrior also showers the show with love in #13:

One thing I love about this drama is how consistent it is, especially in character development.

1. In one of the earlier recaps, someone commented about Joon Hyung’s background of experiencing trauma, therefore making him afraid that others will leave him (credits to him/her!) I just thought it was tied in again in this episode. In the warehouse when bok joo told him to leave, you could see the hurt in his eyes. Then, immediately after confessing. And again when they had the debrief session where he leaned against the tree trunk. It’s almost as if he expected bok joo to reject him straight away, or to never talk to him again because of that confession.

2. Bok Joo grows, but the essence of her personality doesn’t change, and that’s beautiful. Too often, the female protagonist almost always becomes a completely different person once they’re attached to the male protagonist. I like that Bok Joo is still herself, strong and innocent, but is growing to consider other perspectives. I think that’s natural, and a clearer documentation of growth.

3. There’s a wonderful balance in showing the characters’ maturity, yet never letting go of the fact that they’re youth after all. I’m glad that our characters, be it the girls’ friendships or between Joon Hyung and Bok Joo, were able to rationalism instead of the typical angst/avoiding the problem totally. Yet we see that they’re ultimately teenagers, Joon Hyung being shy when asked about Bok Joo, Bok Joo getting a part-time job etc.

This drama really lives up to its name. It lifts the weight off many of its viewers because it’s so uplifting and poignant, making the Everyday moments that little bit more special. It gives people hope, and probably highlights certain issues currently present in the society. Kudos to the writer. This drama is beautiful.

 

lindl shares her philosophy on dealing with opposing views in “Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching” comment #7.2.2:

The age gap hasn’t been an issue for me, but people have a right to their opinion. They shouldn’t be silenced just because they’re the minority (if they are) or because other people think differently. I can like the show even if others don’t. Their annoyance doesn’t take away from my own enjoyment, and my enjoyment is not worth suppressing their right to express their views.

 

Thanks for the reminder, lindl! And thank you to the beanies who keep the weekly discussions healthy!

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Love, love, and LOVE the comments about Weightlifting Fairy, especially the one about the OTPs. I bet not a lot of people expected Tae Kwon to share some moments with Seon Ok (myself included - I was originally down with shipping him and Nan Hee!), but going down this route I think it sounds sweet - a swimming cheerleader and a cool weightlifter? And the cheerleader is a guy while the weightlifter is a girl? Count me in!

I'm curious about Solomon's Perjury, but based on the synopsis it sounds a little too dark/scary for my tastes. Is it worth sneaking a peek at least?

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Well... Solomon's Perjury pilot sure is very dark and depressing, but the next episodes are becoming less so.

I've watched the first three episodes and I must say I really like it so far. If investigative story is your cup of tea, I highly recommend it.

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I second this. It's not as dark as the pilot suggested. It's more like investigation drama with a bit social commentary.

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I swear I only come here anymore to read what people have to say about Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju. The show has me hooked, and I love seeing what others have to say about it. I totally agree that the show has such a healthy perspective on womanhood and relationships!

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Are you me?lol totally agree about your comment on WLF kim bok ju,since i've rewatched ep 11-12 often enough,looked at WLF forum in soompi and come here to interact with WLF fans so i can gosh and squee about the show.i guess i sounded like i'm totally obsessed with the show its sound unhealthy.help!!??

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OMG That's me! Searching WLFKBJ hashtag on Instagram, browsing soompi forums, rewatching the episodes and reading the comments and squeeing with everyone else are all I have done this weekend! I'm just obsessed!

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Nan-Hee hugs to everyone! I never obsess to drama like this before! coming to every DB post and searcHing for WFKBJ comments ONLY:P

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Amen to the comments about WFKBJ portraying healthy relationships and friendship. Not only that, the growth of each character is beautiful to watch. We had the awesome confession and discussion between BJ and JH. Then we also had Shi Ho curbing her fixation on JH (she's still spiralling downwards and hopefully that'll come to an end soon..). Sigh I'm so madly in love with this drama. When 1% ending I thought I'd be lack of a drama that gave me the warm fuzzies. I have to admit despite my love for 1% the frank discussions between the leads beats 1% where JI was an ass sometimes.

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I totally agree! 1% was beautiful in that the relationship felt so natural and real, but there were times when the leads lacked the maturity it took to have a completely healthy relationship (though they definitely got better as they went). WLFBJ definitely stepped it up a notch, which is I think what makes it so heart-fluttery — the best moments aren't the Big Romantic Gestures loved by Kdramas, but the realistic moments of mutual respect and understanding that the two have. It's so relatable and REAL that it feels like I feel everything right along with them!

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me too. and im not disappointed with the annointed beans of wisdom. they all got us speechless. esp WFKBJ's wisdom. i so love beanies!

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I think Kim bok joo is going to be my new favorite comfort drama... I love the characters, the little stories, the gentle message to push yourself to be better by your standards, not others'. I know I'm going to come back to this one again and again <3

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The weightlifting drama is proving to be a nice end to 2016 for me..As much as we all love and wish for someone similar to JH, let's not forget that we also can be like him- mature (not impersonate) into someone that people would like...Also kudos to 'beans of wisdom' (& the so-appropriate do min joo picture)- i really liked the fun comments (shout out to subway and TOD) as well as the deeper thoughts- the civil 'agree to disagree' feelings that run here make me realise how often it is disregarded in real life and how important I value this mentality.. Thanks for everything DB staff, beanies and K-drama!

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Love the comments. Happy Christmas everybody! Wishing all of you love, peace, and joy, especially in the new year! ?

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So true. Love it that it was never mention the need to be more ladylike and bokjoo never really had an issue with her body. Overall they really handle all this possible issue with tact, particularly weldone given that korean netizens can really nitpick every details.

Im still on the camp that will watch Goblin but hasn't started. Ive wayched LoBS til ep 10, not that im dropping but i just didnt feel the pull. I'm glad for varietyin genres buti thk Solomon is too dark for me. I might watch Hwarang later if i decide i need entertainment on the fluffy side

Currently my heart n brain just wants to enjoy weightlifting fairy whichis unfortunately ending soon..

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I like what was said about fantasy dramas, and I sometimes wonder if the business of live shoot and basically not having a done script comes into play. This is a genre that doesn't go well with having to change a story line because of the audience (as what might have happened in MLFAS's ending).

I think I tend to be a little picky because I am a fan of so many fantasy novels and other shows and when it is done well, it is very satisfying and enjoyable for me. Heck, even when not done well I generally am game. This is why I am really getting frustrated with Goblin. I feel like the set up was solid but it isn't close to fulfilling its potential....or else my expectations got the best of me.

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I agree, what is the point of fantasy theme if the writer won't explore the fantasy elements, but just don't get lost . For example W, I really love the drama and the fantasy elements in it, the drama, romance but it got too confusing towards the end I almost gave up. But I glad I stayed till the end. It is one of my favorite drama this year.

As for the LOTBS, I hope I see more of the fantasy elements more than what I have seen until now. and more intense love too.

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Totally agree about W...a solid watch but could have been better. Holding off on LOTBS until it completes its run. Having a lot of frustration with Goblin right now.

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Oh I'm loving Sylvia's Goblin ending options in particular #3 The early hallyu melo ending. It hits the nail on the head with opening a chicken shop in Australia!!! I can't pinpoint the exact ones but it felt like all dramas HAD to have an Australian exodus at some point. Merry Christmas!! Is it an addiction that I MUST check dramabeans even during the "after Christmas dinner table convo"? It puts the crave to stream a drama at bay. Thank you all!!

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Merry Christmas to all and so much <3 to DB staff for including my silly comment :) :) I tend to write my (wackiest? longest? ) DB ramblings in the AM hours when everyone in my family is asleep, and I'm just sitting in a corner with kdramas, guilty late-night snack, and wine. It's basically my relaxing happy hour when work and family stuff is done and out of the way!! I get so many giggles browsing the funny, outrageous, and at times downright profound Beanie comments. [Also, a side note, I may have been too relaxed and wrote with a bunch of typos: it's 'deus ex machina' and 'sequel'; not 'deus ex machine' and 'sequal' LOL]

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I love what Miranda, Quinze and peanut warrior said about WLF. That show - ugh, it's just so darn HUG-inspiring! ❤to LollyPip's recaps that provide us the place to squee and also sometimes make profound comments like this week's Beanies.

The notion of being in BoW myself due to Sung Dong Il's sageuk teeth is ... well, highly unexpected ?! Thanks, guys!

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I never thought that the first kdrama romcom that I follow religiously is youth romcom drama like WFKBJ. I looveee everything about it. The healthy relationship between the characters. The way they handle social issues etc. I think the characters act more mature and rational that most another kdramas characters. no noble idiocy, arrogant or geeenius and rich leads, super annoying/clingy second lead, evil chaebol mom that made me skip scenes or fast foward.
all characters have their weakness and problems.
and as bonus, I can oohhh-ing and aahh-ing on the cutest couple ever ;)

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It's always great to read everyone's comments.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

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Me too!! #3 and #5 are my favourite.

For #5, see ending of CITT( hand connection) and Moon Lovers( piggyback ride). And people thought Prime Minister and I was bad cause it ended on a handshake.

For #3, I will laugh my ass off cause you just know the reactions will be epic and I'll be on the sidelines, mildly frustrated but very entertained by peoples flip outs like I did for Moon Lovers( shout out to the beanie Cali for one of the hilarious comments).

I've got a confession, I don't think Goblin is gonna end well.
* runs from rotten tomatoes*

Forgive my cynicism, but I've been cautiously following the drama, repressing my expectations and hopes, and breathing in relief when it doesn't go to bad. I blame this entirely on one drama and one drama only: you guessed it, CHEESE IN THE TRAP!!! I've said much( but. of enough for my peace of mind) on that drama so I won't start, I'll just say I'm still stuck rewatching in tears.
I'm not even here in Go blin for the storyline, it's a pleasant bonus( can you imagine?). But its the actors and only the actors that brought me here. I've had not so good things about KES dramas so I know to adjust my expectations.

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Goblin : ending

Reaper will get his memories back !! He is very disappointed with the things he did previously as a king. So decides to support Goblin in what ever decision Goblin makes. To LIVE against all odds and love against all odds !!!

Both Reaper and Goblin will fight against oracle to save Eun tak against death. They are going to work towards the same cause ultimately Reaper will sacrifices himself saving Goblin and Euntak as redemption. When sword is pulled by Euntak , Oracle forgives Goblin for the goodness he did so far :)

Goblin becomes mortal , sword becomes dust and he will loose all his memories. So the CEO Eun tak meets at the age of 29 is our Yoo Shin :) The perfect ending. Then our 29 year old meets 35 year old and fall in love all over again !!!

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bbstl

I think about those teeth. I look closely to see if they’re the same ones in different shows (and believe they are)....Is this finally the sign that I’m too into kdramas? ?

This is too funny! But yes, if you have remembered all the details of those teeth, you are indeed too much into kdramas!

and this one -

Sylvia adds:

Agree with your description. Basically Goblin and Reaper are gay dads raising a kid called Eun Tak and her up-to-no-good cousin Deuk Hwa. Goblin tries to be Cool Dad, while Reaper is the ajumma-with-a-perm mother.

makes me feel like picking up Goblin again :D

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Hi, ET! Also, I suppose I'm in the wrong place to get an intervention?

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Hear...hear...hear... lindl

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That comment was a great reminder of why we come here. Though it is infinitely more difficult to endure negative comments about a thing you like than positive ones, urging people who don't agree with you to stop watching/participating in discussion is not in the spirit of this community. I'll keep that in mind as I continue to lurk and occasionally comment. Thanks, lindl!

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fantasy dramas are dificulta. they don't tend to be satisfying because Since we watch them with high expectation is easier to get dissapointed. I was with BIG, partially wirh Faith and a lot wirh MLFTS because she was left to suffer each time Min Joo leaves and for who knows how long. That's women abuse to me LOL.

With BIG obviously I wanted to see the lead couple together. They didn't give Shin's character the chnce to be with her. His character was the lead man, The Hong Sisters shouldn't have him being younger than her if that was the problem.

I hope LOTBS does not go this way. It can go even on a sad ending but a good one. maybe She may die and a promise to find each other next life... would be cool...

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definitely Miranda and Sylvia were both savage! hah

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I've been staying away from the age gap comments on the Goblin thread but @Dee is one of the most convincing post about the whole 'power imbalance' thing.

Whenever its mentioned, am always there thinking "but to me, power imbalance is not always a bad thing". Then I see the negative connotations attached to it, and I keep shut.

So thank you @Dee, for taking the time to write your comment.

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