The subtle and thoughtful writing of plot points is probably my favourite thing about this show. I loved how each plot point is never blown out of proportion for the sake of drama but resolved with so much emotion. Parent issues are a common trope in dramaland but it all comes down to execution. I love how it was resolved through mature conversations and poignant moments. It was especially nice that the lead couple were together through it all while also trying to give each other space when needed.
Another thing I really liked was the resolution of Eun Gi and even the growth of Hyo Jin. Eun Gi was a difficult one because he really felt like an irrelevant character when he tried to go beyond being Deok Mi’s family and I think the reduced screen time he had and time away from Deok mi onscreen gave us and him time to think about his actions and revisit his feelings for her. That whole conversation they had of not being there as a friend when needed spoke volumes about the nature of their relationship and how sad it was that they couldn’t be around each other because of the awkwardness. Also when he came to tell her that he was sorry for making her feel uncomfortable and that seeing her happy is what he wanted was the icing on the cake. I gotta hand it to Ann bo hyun for making me empathise with him in that scene.
Cindy’s arc is also another plot point which I found was done quite naturally without even giving her a lot of screen time, which I honestly thought was impossible given the nature of her character in the beginning. I like that she still felt like the same person from the start but it shows that the only thing she needed was good role models which were Ryan and Deok Mi to realise she needed to stand up for herself and find something that she was good at.
Last but not least it’s obvious but Deok Mi! I thought Ryan was the perfect boyfriend but then there’s Deok Mi. Again another female character of Park Min Young that I love. She has been pretty insightful from the beginning from noticing Ryan’s dislike for hand holding and his inability to draw but the way she encourages him to overcome it is literally the sweetest. Honestly even if I was in Ryan’s shoes I would have blurted the L word because how can you not love someone as supportive as Deok Mi. With only the childhood connection left I have full hope they will get through it together.
On a shallow note KJW’s bed hair should be a look:
thanks for the insightful analysis. I enjoyed those 2 eps too and for all the same reasons! I have to say, though, that I found Ryan’s mum’s reason/excuse too simple, to the point of not wanting to believe it. She lost him. that’s it??
Mind you, now everything is hinting at Deok Mi’s mum being involved in dropping him at the orphanage… I hope this doesn’t spell “mandatory noble idiocy break up” in our Heroine’s mind!! 🙁
I thought the same with the reason. Maybe they didn’t want to paint the Mum as heartless so they needed a legitimate reason however simple. I have full hope they’ll talk through it and get over it just like they did with the mother storyline only because this writer has dealt with things very nicely so far.
I love how nothing is drawn out for too long. Also, how the relationship between our leads grows and changes amidst and around all these other storylines.
yes to all this. i was really impressed with both Eun-gi and Cindy in these episodes. I’m particularly charmed with how much I’ve grown to like Cindy–I really DID NOT like her at the beginning. I am always a huge fan when female characters are given a dynamic arc, and I feel like Cindy’s is the most defined in this show.
As to the mom dropping Ryan off at the orphanage…I think there must be some more to the back story… it’s not just a boy she met at the park once, and then took to the orphanage. Did he live with them for a while? And then could not for some reason? We know she’s the kind of mom who takes people in warmly. And she has so much feeling associated with him. So maybe she had hoped to adopt him but wasn’t able to because of finances or whatnot?
I’m actually scared that this is the part where we’ll get some crazy “We Must Beak Up over Helpless Feelings of Guilt and I’ll Let go of Your Hand in a Huge Cinematographic Shot” type drama: when we find out why Deok Mi’s mum left Ryan at the orphanage… 🙁
aw man thats so true. it could be! well even if there is, at least it won’t last more than an episode. if this were coming out in Ep 6 or 7, i’d be more apprehensive for sure.
Yessss, I totally agree with your review! 💖💖💖 The side characters’ stories were resolved well. And thank you for capturing adorkable Ryan in this gif! Hehe
seoul_searcher
May 24, 2019 at 4:45 AM
Her private life 13 & 14:
The subtle and thoughtful writing of plot points is probably my favourite thing about this show. I loved how each plot point is never blown out of proportion for the sake of drama but resolved with so much emotion. Parent issues are a common trope in dramaland but it all comes down to execution. I love how it was resolved through mature conversations and poignant moments. It was especially nice that the lead couple were together through it all while also trying to give each other space when needed.
Another thing I really liked was the resolution of Eun Gi and even the growth of Hyo Jin. Eun Gi was a difficult one because he really felt like an irrelevant character when he tried to go beyond being Deok Mi’s family and I think the reduced screen time he had and time away from Deok mi onscreen gave us and him time to think about his actions and revisit his feelings for her. That whole conversation they had of not being there as a friend when needed spoke volumes about the nature of their relationship and how sad it was that they couldn’t be around each other because of the awkwardness. Also when he came to tell her that he was sorry for making her feel uncomfortable and that seeing her happy is what he wanted was the icing on the cake. I gotta hand it to Ann bo hyun for making me empathise with him in that scene.
Cindy’s arc is also another plot point which I found was done quite naturally without even giving her a lot of screen time, which I honestly thought was impossible given the nature of her character in the beginning. I like that she still felt like the same person from the start but it shows that the only thing she needed was good role models which were Ryan and Deok Mi to realise she needed to stand up for herself and find something that she was good at.
Last but not least it’s obvious but Deok Mi! I thought Ryan was the perfect boyfriend but then there’s Deok Mi. Again another female character of Park Min Young that I love. She has been pretty insightful from the beginning from noticing Ryan’s dislike for hand holding and his inability to draw but the way she encourages him to overcome it is literally the sweetest. Honestly even if I was in Ryan’s shoes I would have blurted the L word because how can you not love someone as supportive as Deok Mi. With only the childhood connection left I have full hope they will get through it together.
On a shallow note KJW’s bed hair should be a look:
KSKalways
May 24, 2019 at 4:55 AM
thanks for the insightful analysis. I enjoyed those 2 eps too and for all the same reasons! I have to say, though, that I found Ryan’s mum’s reason/excuse too simple, to the point of not wanting to believe it. She lost him. that’s it??
Mind you, now everything is hinting at Deok Mi’s mum being involved in dropping him at the orphanage… I hope this doesn’t spell “mandatory noble idiocy break up” in our Heroine’s mind!! 🙁
seoul_searcher
May 24, 2019 at 5:17 AM
I thought the same with the reason. Maybe they didn’t want to paint the Mum as heartless so they needed a legitimate reason however simple. I have full hope they’ll talk through it and get over it just like they did with the mother storyline only because this writer has dealt with things very nicely so far.
Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
May 24, 2019 at 6:21 AM
Unrelated, but how do you separate your paragraphs and pictures though? I need this trick!
seoul_searcher
May 24, 2019 at 6:26 AM
I used the image HTML after writing the text.
Beverly
May 24, 2019 at 6:54 AM
I love how nothing is drawn out for too long. Also, how the relationship between our leads grows and changes amidst and around all these other storylines.
another woodalchi nicole recruit
May 24, 2019 at 7:29 AM
yes to all this. i was really impressed with both Eun-gi and Cindy in these episodes. I’m particularly charmed with how much I’ve grown to like Cindy–I really DID NOT like her at the beginning. I am always a huge fan when female characters are given a dynamic arc, and I feel like Cindy’s is the most defined in this show.
As to the mom dropping Ryan off at the orphanage…I think there must be some more to the back story… it’s not just a boy she met at the park once, and then took to the orphanage. Did he live with them for a while? And then could not for some reason? We know she’s the kind of mom who takes people in warmly. And she has so much feeling associated with him. So maybe she had hoped to adopt him but wasn’t able to because of finances or whatnot?
KSKalways
May 24, 2019 at 10:06 AM
I’m actually scared that this is the part where we’ll get some crazy “We Must Beak Up over Helpless Feelings of Guilt and I’ll Let go of Your Hand in a Huge Cinematographic Shot” type drama: when we find out why Deok Mi’s mum left Ryan at the orphanage… 🙁
another woodalchi nicole recruit
May 24, 2019 at 10:10 AM
aw man thats so true. it could be! well even if there is, at least it won’t last more than an episode. if this were coming out in Ep 6 or 7, i’d be more apprehensive for sure.
loveblossom🌸
May 24, 2019 at 9:48 AM
Yessss, I totally agree with your review! 💖💖💖 The side characters’ stories were resolved well. And thank you for capturing adorkable Ryan in this gif! Hehe
seoul_searcher
May 24, 2019 at 12:37 PM
The pleasure is mine ♥️