My Ahjussi watch (I’m not rewatching). Episodes 1 and 2.

When the show aired I was not in the mood of watching despinte IU and Lee Sun Kyun when I love them both. I still wonder why I didn’t watch. And then, when everybody liked it so much, I was so scared to begin to watch because… what would happen if I didn’t like it? Because it happens. People loving Sky Castle and me dropping in episode 14. People talking wonders about Mr. Sunshine and me only loving the costumes (and Yoo Yeon Seok, I’m not blind). It could happen, so I’d rather not begin, just in case, and keep it as an eternal “to watch” drama.

But then some beanies talked about a rewatch, and they were (and are) discussing it on their fanwalls. So… was it a signal? Was it my opportunity to watch, to have a commitment with the show and watch two episodes a week? I decided it would be the moment, and I start just this weekend. I thought I would have watched four episodes by now, but I’ve only gone through number 1 and number 2 (they are longer than I expected).

So far, I cannot decide whether I like the drama or not. I love the leads, that’s for sure and the actors are fantastic. I need to know more about them and how they will bond. And I couldn’t remember that Chang Ki Yong was in it, and it was a surprise to see him a baddie, as all the shows I’ve seen him, he’s being the good guy (even in Kill it, which, I know it’s odd to say). Why do I say I’m not sure about the show? Because I don’t like the brothers at all. Not a single bit. I hate people that shouts as a means of communication. And these two episodes the’ve only been shouting, specially in episode two. I hated them during the wedding and I hated them when their brother called for help and they only could shout. They remind me of some people I’m related and I wish I wasn’t because in life there are other things than shouting.

I know a watch is not a rewatch, and I know if I had seen the whole drama I could understand them better. But right now, I don’t like them.

So, I’ll tell you something more when I’ve watched episodes 3 and 4.

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    I hope you do give the entire show a try. It’s a gem but i totally get how many people won’t like it, specially the brothers aspect which Lixie also mentioned as one of the reason why they didn’t like the show that much.

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    I hated the brothers the first time around and on rewatch… I still frigging hate them. They are such losers. The show is about middle age when you realise that the time to achieve your youthful dreams has past. It’s… not pretty. But it also has a child at that point in her life and she can’t even afford to dream because she’s too busy surviving.

    I do hope you stay for the whole show. The brothers do get better. Or at least maybe you get used to them idk.

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      I’m loving the two leads so far.
      I’m staying. I promise.

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    I’m jealous that you get to watch this for the first time. I stall eww d in my rewatch, had tried to do it with a friend, but may need to pick it back up. Just the title gives me a warm feeling, lol.

    So, when I first watched it when it was airing I was automatically intrigued by our two leads, they were the hook for me, but I didnt really become hooked until around ep 3 or 4. That was when I was totally in. Yes, some of the characters are hard to watch and there is a lot of pain, yet this drama unfolds in the most beautiful way. It really does. To me it is really a novel in the way it is constructed and how they take time to reveal the characters to you, their weakness but also the best parts of themselves too.
    If also reccomend not marathoning it if you can. It should be consumed 2 eps a week or around that.
    I want to say I promise it is a satisfying journey, but it might not be for you and that’s ok.

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    It’s a really hard show to watch, partly because some lives are horribly grim and partly because some of the characters are people just like people we know. I grew to adore the brothers.

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    Do please stay with the show a little longer, and then decide. I also agree that you shouldn’t try and binge watch this. Each episode is so intense, you need to digest it slowly before moving on to the next.

    I didn’t detest the brothers actually. The three brothers jointly, along with Dong-hun’s friend who appears later, and the bar group, are the various manifestations of how middle-aged life can play out, depending on what choices you make. While (re)watching, I was thinking of “midlife” (crisis or not) as a flow chart, with each question and answer leading down to a different character. It’s like the show is showing us what all the possibilities are.

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      I’m not planning to leave, believe me.
      Nw that I’ve begun, I want to stay.
      I will probably watch episodes 3 and 4 today because I want to catch up.
      I can see why people is so attached to the show, I only was surprised on how little I like the brothers.

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        Good good 🙂 hope you get as attached to the show – it needs a lot of love! *fingers crossed*

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        My feelings towards the two brothers were exactly like yours – how annoying could they go!? But like others, I grow to understand and like them. What the elder brother did towards the end of the drama remains a most favorite moment of mine. But there are people like them in real life that I can totally relate – life is an ongoing disappointment in their lives and that is manifested in their behavior.

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      I would add Dong-hoon’s wife in this group.

      Also I have been trying to comment on the recaps here and there. So if you want to, people can join in there too.

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        Got it! I actually meant to read the recaps after watching each episode (because I haven’t done that as yet).

        Yes, Dong-hoon’s wife, even Sang-hoon’s wife and the actress – they all are examples. I must admit though that on my initial watch, I felt that the female characterization – other than Ji-an – was not the show’s strongest suit. I will keep this in mind this time around to see if I was wrong.

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