AYHT – 끝

Liked – if not completely loved the last episodes. I still think that Shin’s arc could and should have been handled a lot better, but given the very limited time left, it was ok. He needed complete proof of someone caring and it’s unexpected yet fitting that it was his replica’s ultimate sacrifice that got the job done (good job backing up Shinnamon’s memory, David! this reminds me I really need to sort out my new bkup server). Still really sore about the pointless death of mum and that Shin never got a chance to mend their relationship. Both OTPs being safe and together helped improve my mood. Would have liked to see some brothers interactions – I bet grumpy Shin and overcheerful Shin would be a hoot together. And they should play some nice robot games with their nephew too.
________________
As the title suggested from the get go, AYHT is ultimately not about robots but rather a fascinating exploration of humanity — at its worst and best. It did not shy away from showing some of the ugliest parts of human nature. Also, by starring a more-humane-than-humans robot, it forced me to think about what drives the best in people as well.

Even if it lost its way a little towards the end, the show was one of the most intellectually stimulating stories I have seen in a long while. I loved how it forced me to take apart feelings, to break them down to their very essence, and to ask what why we have them in the first place. I loved it even when it hurt, when trying to view the world from the characters’ perspective felt like permanently staining one’s soul. But I am not surprised that others feel very differently. At the very least, the moral relativism is hard to swallow. Still, I’ve enjoyed the discussions about the show; they proved extremely educational about human nature in themselves. To me, the diversity of opinions is testament to the show asking some important but difficult questions, where there is no clear-cut answer to be had.

What I am taking away from all this: we’re all faulty breakable machines trying to find our way within the constraints of our biology, our experiences and our limited perspective. The challenge is to find a way to not only tolerate but also truly care for, respect and love people despite all that. Not because they are perfect. But because they are not.
______________
AYHT not only solidified my love for Gong Seung-yeon and Lee Joon-hyuk, but brought along a couple of unexpected discoveries. First, the writer Jo Jung-joo – I’ll for sure pay attention to any new script coming from him. Second, Seo Kang-joon. Going into this I had zero experience with SKJ and thought him just another overhyped idol-turned-actor whose fame stems mostly from having an overly symmetric face*. Boy, was I wrong about that one! His performance was a true tour de force. It put him on my very short list of actors whose work I pay attention to.

*(I still find his face too perfect, to the point where it feels slightly unreal and almost disturbing)
______________
PS: So does the robot have feelings? No and yes. To me the feeling-like things that Shin has are just as real and legitimate as human feelings, not just a simulacrum of them. Are his kind of feelings different from mine? Yes? Does it matter? No. As SB pointed out love is a doing word. Robot or not, try show some to someone who matters. I will.

18
3

    Beautiful 💕👏👏👏

    3
    0

    Aw, that’s lovely.

    I was so glad they gave the last opener to Ro Ra, and so sad when I saw her last dream of her boys together under her loving gaze. I have hope for a brotherly future–and it’s so true that Shin wanted the 1000000% bulletproof evidence of love, but most people don’t come back from that, fool–but it’s so sad it will be without her. But lord did she raise her boy right. I refer, of course, to Apple Shinnamon Blini.

    4
    0

    THIS.

    All your reasons are why the series is now #1 on my list (Sorry, W, I love but now you’re #2 lol). To me, the show has been a masterpiece despite all its flaws. It’s unfortunate that others could not see beyond the robot concept to grasp the real meaning the show was trying to convey. I agree that I will definitely keep my eyes out for the writer, GSY and SKJ.

    As for your comments about SKJ’s face being too perfect that its disturbing, hahaha. I guess I see a lot of that: people with perfect faces (in real life) and I mean perfect as in overly symmetrical that I actually don’t think its impossible. Also I didn’t find his face overly symmetrical nor extremely perfect. I think his left side is better (slimmer cheek fat, more defined jawline) from a 3/4 angle as I saw a lot of shots on that side. I think there were times the right side with a 3/4 shot was used to differentiate NS from NS3 (his right eye sit slightly lower and his cheek’s a bit flabby and slightly wider on right side). I’m not completely sure tho. Plus there are other actors who kind of look like him too, so he’s not unique nor memorable. He looked almost exactly like Sang Yeob in that scene where NS3 sits up front with David as they go to the market in Czech. I think SKJ’s straight nose and defined jawline (probably had braces as a kid) gives us the illusion that his face is near symmetry. I guess because most people here (I live in America) have straight noses and wore braces as a kid (contributed to defined jawlines), that I’m used to it. Hence why I didnt find it disturbing at all. lol

    1
    0