These two kill me because they’re so clearly attracted to one another but they’re both so hung up on their respective crushes that they don’t see it. At this point it feels like they’re hanging onto those crushes out of sheer stubbornness than anything else. The way Seo-jun’s eyes softened when Hae-rin started talking about her love of books and they way she lit up over his ideas said so much more than all the love letters and cheesy gestures ever could.

I also love how they provide an contrast to the main couple. While Dan-yi and Eun-ho are slow-burn old friends to lovers, these two are sparks from the start. They too are friends, but it’s interesting how they connect so quickly over a their mutual love of books (which only makes me love them more) and how that gives them a deep connection right away.















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    Seo-Jun knows very well that’s danI doesn’t feel that way towards him.
    Even 3 months of dinner won’t change the way she feels. He knows that too.
    I need to see some emotional connect between the second leads.
    And DanI is very passive when it comes to love – which I can relate to. But I need to see her objectively reject SeoJun so he can move on.

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      Seo-jun definitely knows but he’s in denial. Hence the continuing to make big gestures. But he also probably thinks he can change her mind. Like I said, these crushes aren’t real feelings, they’re habit and here he’s holding onto it despite the lack of real emotional connection.

      I thought there was a very real emotional connection between Seo-jun and Hae-rim. First, when they talked about books in episode 9 and again in episode 10 the way they connected over their ideas for the covers. Both of them were more animated and passionate in the scenes where they discuss their love of making books than they are at any other time. If that’s not an emotional connection I don’t know what is. Also, he told her to call him when she was feeling down even though they barely knew each other, so he felt the need to be a comforting presence for her. That’s also an emotional connection.

      As for Dan-yi, yeah, she needs to express herself properly to both men. But also, seeing her personality and her way of forming connections with people, I can see why it’s hard for her to reject Seo-jun. She definitely needs to do that ASAP though.

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        Don’t get me wrong, I am totally up for the second leads to get together.
        I guess the blur between personal and professional is high in this drama.
        The love for books/book covers etc – I looked at it as two people who will make a great team at work.
        I guess I need to see them interact outside this context. I did like that he paused and asked her if she wants him to come back after leaving his dog. Clearly, he cares for her. May be I will notice more if I rewatch!!

        Dan-yi – yeah, she is still figuring out what she is feeling. But I have a strong feeling next episode she will atleast reject him. She clearly is not excited anymore. She is not even present when she is with him.
        It won’t be easy for her to resolve Eun-Ho’s confession. I hope they don’t rush into it. Am open to the idea of her accepting him or rejecting him.

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          I totally see what you mean about it being a professional connection. But I think also that one of the underlying themes of this show is having personal passion for one’s work, so that line is very blurred. I think Ji-yul’s story is the one that makes this most prominent (but don’t even get me started) but we see that all characters are personally invested in their work.

          I guess also it’s my love of books that made me see that as a personal connection between them? I think the fact that Seo-jun, upon realizing that Hae-rin loves making books for its own sake which came from a genuine place of passion, is what softened him to her. Just watch how his face changes as she answers his question — that’s the shot of him I have above. That was when I first felt more than a little spark between them. If this were another drama, they’d be the leads who coincidentally keep running into one another after a series of misunderstandings on his part.

          As for Dan-yi, I get where she’s coming from with staying in her undefined relationship with Seo-jun but I think she’ll be letting him down soon too. Or she better. Because if she strings him along that’s not cool. It was one thing when she didn’t know how she felt, but her feelings are becoming pretty clear now. That said, I do think they make amazing friends, especially considering how insightful he is to her feelings. But I never felt the chemistry.

          I loved how Eun-ho didn’t put any pressure on Dan-yi to accept him, but I also love that he seems at ease now that his feelings are in the open.

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    I forgot to look up the artist’s name to see if real or fictional.

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    To all the comments below AMEN! But can I say how much I loved them bickering over the conference table like an old couple? But what really sold me is how she backed up completely and was willing to look at, and LOVE his suggestions for artwork.
    These two clearly belong together.

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      That killed me. The passive-aggressive way they were telling Eun-ho their problems? So great. Also, I just loved that they weren’t afraid to challenge one another.

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