I don’t think my heart has hurt this much for a character in a long time.
What she did was wrong, but it wasn’t a sin. The system is broken. It’s set up to ensure people like her – that women like her – fail. It’s wrong and unjust. Kang Dani needed a way around it and lying was the only avenue she saw. She lied because she needed to survive. I can’t fault her for that. But what I loved even more was that she swallowed her pride and asked them to reconsider. She was open about her reasons. That takes more strength than admitting to her fault.
But oh my goodness. The loneliness in that moment. In those moments when she knew it was over. The way the camera isolated her in the frame; up close, watching her face change as the truth came out. Then, sitting alone at her desk while her co-workers continue on, most unaware of the earthquake that just happened. When she finally lets her tears flow. When she steels herself to go back. And when she finally leaves for good. All these little moments. All these choices. They all show so much strength and they all broke my heart. Lee Na-young and the director did an amazing job here.
My heart breaks because in dramaland this will all be OK in the end. But in the real world? It won’t be. I’m terrified to ever take a break in my career. If I chose to take two years off, I’d be screwed. All those years I spent studying and working long hours wasted. Women like Kang Dani will always be the scapegoats, the ones tossed aside, the ones who are left behind. They will never get that second chance, no matter how many times they prove that they’re worth taking a chance on. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating.
You’re right. Very right. I have a one year gap in my career where I was working part time for various reasons, and despite my still being young etc, it’s been difficult to overcome it. People look at my resume & think I lack commitment or a sense of responsibility. I can’t imagine how much more 200 times tougher it will be for someone in Kang Danyi’s position.
Same. I had a bit of a spotty period on my resume, which I sort of filled in with a bit of BS but it was hard to talk around at times. It wasn’t my fault but that doesn’t make it easier. I think it’s so much worse for women who have families and take time off because people have no respect for women who do that. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.
I’m so sorry that happened to you. The world isn’t geared towards being fair to those who need to take time off, no matter the reason. I almost understand the hesitation to hire someone with seven years off, but even a year can be so harmful. At least with a seven year gap there’s the fact that there is so much change in an industry.
But even then, this is unfair. Kang Dani has proven that she’s a hard worker, and good at her work. Her level of education should make them ashamed for putting her in such a menial position but I guess that’s point? They’re both ashamed that they did that to her but they’re not willing to examine the hypocrisy of that or change the systemic issues from which the situation arises from.
Sorry to hear this guys. The world really isn’t geared for those who take a break – it’s work, work , work or else.
What I find even sadder is that despite having worked with her for months, they didn’t even think to give her chance to present her side of the story. It was a unilateral decision, taken without hesitation.
You write so beautifully. You said everything that’s been going on in my head since this morning. I have been borderline sad since this noon. Like you said, this real world problem has no solution. It makes me so mad.
And boy did LNY deliver. Such nuanced acting. That scene when she comes back to her desk after knowing she was found out. When she sends that text to EunHo and walks into the conference room. All the thought that must have raced in her head.
It broke my heart. Really. I was afraid I would cry.
When she broke down in the bathroom I felt that in a visceral way. It was the release of so much pain and sadness and anger that I felt like crying with her. That sense of defeat, that the world is not on her side, that she’s no longer useful — I felt it all. Heartbreaking is the only word to describe the way that made me fee.
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SnarkyJellyfish
March 9, 2019 at 3:10 PM
I don’t think my heart has hurt this much for a character in a long time.
What she did was wrong, but it wasn’t a sin. The system is broken. It’s set up to ensure people like her – that women like her – fail. It’s wrong and unjust. Kang Dani needed a way around it and lying was the only avenue she saw. She lied because she needed to survive. I can’t fault her for that. But what I loved even more was that she swallowed her pride and asked them to reconsider. She was open about her reasons. That takes more strength than admitting to her fault.
But oh my goodness. The loneliness in that moment. In those moments when she knew it was over. The way the camera isolated her in the frame; up close, watching her face change as the truth came out. Then, sitting alone at her desk while her co-workers continue on, most unaware of the earthquake that just happened. When she finally lets her tears flow. When she steels herself to go back. And when she finally leaves for good. All these little moments. All these choices. They all show so much strength and they all broke my heart. Lee Na-young and the director did an amazing job here.
My heart breaks because in dramaland this will all be OK in the end. But in the real world? It won’t be. I’m terrified to ever take a break in my career. If I chose to take two years off, I’d be screwed. All those years I spent studying and working long hours wasted. Women like Kang Dani will always be the scapegoats, the ones tossed aside, the ones who are left behind. They will never get that second chance, no matter how many times they prove that they’re worth taking a chance on. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating.
greenfields
March 9, 2019 at 6:24 PM
You’re right. Very right. I have a one year gap in my career where I was working part time for various reasons, and despite my still being young etc, it’s been difficult to overcome it. People look at my resume & think I lack commitment or a sense of responsibility. I can’t imagine how much more 200 times tougher it will be for someone in Kang Danyi’s position.
SnarkyJellyfish
March 9, 2019 at 7:32 PM
Same. I had a bit of a spotty period on my resume, which I sort of filled in with a bit of BS but it was hard to talk around at times. It wasn’t my fault but that doesn’t make it easier. I think it’s so much worse for women who have families and take time off because people have no respect for women who do that. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.
Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2019 at 8:14 PM
I took a one year sabbatical and getting back was a nightmare. I couldn’t even get an interview. That’s why this show breaks my heart.
SnarkyJellyfish
March 9, 2019 at 10:51 PM
I’m so sorry that happened to you. The world isn’t geared towards being fair to those who need to take time off, no matter the reason. I almost understand the hesitation to hire someone with seven years off, but even a year can be so harmful. At least with a seven year gap there’s the fact that there is so much change in an industry.
But even then, this is unfair. Kang Dani has proven that she’s a hard worker, and good at her work. Her level of education should make them ashamed for putting her in such a menial position but I guess that’s point? They’re both ashamed that they did that to her but they’re not willing to examine the hypocrisy of that or change the systemic issues from which the situation arises from.
greenfields
March 10, 2019 at 12:37 AM
Sorry to hear this guys. The world really isn’t geared for those who take a break – it’s work, work , work or else.
What I find even sadder is that despite having worked with her for months, they didn’t even think to give her chance to present her side of the story. It was a unilateral decision, taken without hesitation.
Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2019 at 8:19 PM
You write so beautifully. You said everything that’s been going on in my head since this morning. I have been borderline sad since this noon. Like you said, this real world problem has no solution. It makes me so mad.
And boy did LNY deliver. Such nuanced acting. That scene when she comes back to her desk after knowing she was found out. When she sends that text to EunHo and walks into the conference room. All the thought that must have raced in her head.
It broke my heart. Really. I was afraid I would cry.
SnarkyJellyfish
March 9, 2019 at 11:17 PM
When she broke down in the bathroom I felt that in a visceral way. It was the release of so much pain and sadness and anger that I felt like crying with her. That sense of defeat, that the world is not on her side, that she’s no longer useful — I felt it all. Heartbreaking is the only word to describe the way that made me fee.