Binged all 6 episodes this week and it was worth it.

Their acting is restrained yet taut.

I'm wishing for these two to be properly together already. I liked how Woo-joo is starting to let Dong-jin in. And how they bring tiny smiles which I look forward to to each other's faces. And the cliffhanger better not be a fallout or a recipe for reclusion for Dong-jin.

And the way Dong-jin threatened his spy employee, that's one badass way to do it.

I'm with Hye-sang and Woo-joo on Ji-gu's dreams though. While I want him to pursue what makes him happy, there's no way I'll sit still if that 'makes him happy' is something that reminds me of the trauma the father caused them. Look for something else cause it can never be that.

Hye-sung and Jun🤭🤭. A perfect blend. They just hit it off.

The acknowledgement that he liked her was subtle but so within character. The way she took it was in character too. Their slow burn is one of the best slow burns I have seen in a good while. Delicious, rich, and slow.

I love this show so much.

I agree that it doesn't need any villains, and Dong-jin's mother is a ridiculous cartoon of a character, but I actually like the addition, or re-introduction, of Min-young. For one, her presence has shown that even though many people around him harp on the fact that his kindness and patience make him an easily manipulated doormat, Dong-jin has his limits and when they've been breached, he has no problem cutting people off. In fact, I really like his quiet strength, which is beautifully complemented by Woo-joo's epic brashness. He's outwardly very vulnerable, but inwardly surprisingly resilient, while Woo-joo is outwardly bold and brave in her calculated indifference, but inside, she's even more emotionally fragile than he is, precisely because she won't recognize and work through that pain.

I also like how Min-young appears to be more than just a complication in Dong-ji and Woo-joo's burgeoning relationship. There's no hint of a triangle, either. Instead, I feel like these writers could give her a satisfying arc of her own that has nothing to do with reuniting with Dong-ji or sabotaging whatever happens with Woo-joo. I could be wrong, but I feel like something more interesting will happen with her.

I agree that the humor in this show is very effective. I loved Jun telling the brother how he distracted Woo-joo by declaring that she doesn't tell him everything, either. His delight in his own cleverness at coming up with such a cool line and his imitation of himself doing so were so funny. I also loved Dong-ji's "Are you trying to console me?" He appreciates Woo-joo for exactly who she is (ignoring for a moment that he doesn't yet know exactly who she is).

The love story is definitely working for me, but I also like the way we've shifted from the idea of a plot-driven story centered on what Woo-joo would do next to exact revenge to one where it's all about watching different characters go through their lives. The slow burn whatever-it-is between Hye-sung and Jun is great, as is the tension between the two sisters, who are so different and yet deeply care for one another. I even enjoyed the brother's arc this week. Oh, and that sad moment when Sun-woo tried to take the team out to dinner and was rejected really got me. His painted on smile as the elevator doors close was so relatable, even though up until this point I haven't found his character particularly interesting.

There's clearly going to be more heartache to come as despite their growing attraction, neither Dong-ji nor Woo-joo (but mostly Woo-joo) seem fully ready for a romantic relationship yet. I'm also not sure what to make of the fact that Woo-joo's true identity is still unknown to Dong-ji. Will it matter to him? If so, how will he react? How will it change things between them? I'm very anxious to see it all unfold.

After the misunderstanding speech it’s like DongJin is standing there with the low blood sugar shakes and WooJoo is the Mars bar he desperately needs but can’t believe he is allowed to reach out for. Beautiful acting again. So loving this sweet treat of a drama.
Especially loving how it sets us up for the unrealistic candy floss we typically see in kdrama rom coms (eg the flask of hangover soup) but baits and switches for much more satisfying ‘real’ moments of connection.
And lovely to see DJ’s back was straight, his head was up, his steps were faster as he walked to the office to meet WJ for dinner - 👏👏👏 to the director and the actor both!

I am absolutely loving it! I basically cheered where she asked herself to ‘get a grip’ because she knew she is falling for him! We got spared from the scene of a friend intervention trope where they try to convince her that she is in fact in love with him over a few bottles of soju! Refreshing!

This show is so good. I absolutely love it.
I liked the way the "misunderstanding" between Woo-joo and Dong-jin was resolved. The guy who usually chooses to keep everything inside rather than force discomfort on others actually clarified what he was thinking, even at the risk of earning Woo-joo's disdain. Her response -- going ahead with dinner plans -- was classic Woo-joo and showed she really didn't mind.
Honestly, I'd be happy just watching scenes of them talking and listening to each other. Credit to the director for lingering on close-ups that show how they react to each other's words and not simply focusing on whoever's speaking. Their interactions make me think of a scene from the movie "Lady Bird" that asks whether attention can be a type of love. Dong-jin has had Woo-joo's attention from the very beginning. Now we'll see how the intentions behind her attention continue to evolve. 

I cannot even find words to say how much I love this show! I am immersed hook, line and sinker.

I love our leads. I love their interactions. I love their conversations. I love how different they are but they just connect so beautifully.

Woo-joo's retaliation is revenge - Every time life is unfair or someone does something wrong to her/family she wants to avenge them. That's her coping mechanism. But clearly she has failed. It hasn't helped her heal or be happy. Her falling in front of her dad's car risking her life didn't change a thing. Her dad continued to live a happy life with his mistress.
While Dong-Jin knows that living a better life and being happy is the ultimate revenge, yet he is failing miserably.
Woo-joo is the mind voice Dong-Jin needs. And vice versa.

That scene where DJ walks to meet Woo-Joo to have dinner is the perkiest we have seen him in 6 episodes!

I love Jun and Hye-Sung - they make me laugh so much. I don't know if I want them as a couple, but I love this dynamic. Hye Sung is so perceptive when it comes to others, but terrible in handling her own romantic pursuits. I hated that she is fabricated lies to form a bond?? Why?? Girl, you are much smarter than this. You deserve better.. sigh..

p.s. I am weak for KYK's puppy eyes, and I am not sure how I will survive this.

I see many people "love" this show. Love isn't my word, but I started because of Lee Sung-Kyung and I'm still here - enjoying the slow burn romance but mostly intrigued by the back stories of the other characters - what happened to Dong-jin's father (a "weak man" according to Mom); what is the relationship with "Uncle" Daejohn - the owner of the campground and, perhaps, owner of Min-Young's apartment (his daughter?) as well as Dong-Jin's. He's obviously the "old man" that Kang (a son?) refers to. The "mysteries/back-stories are why I keep watching every week. If it was solely romance, I would binge at the end.

More comments in next post.

In an attempt to better understand the relationships and back-stories of the supporting characters, I re-watched bits and pieces of these first episodes. Connections are beginning to clarify.

“if Sun-woo was the co-cheater in her affair (it’s still not totally clear, but it seems they are just old friends).” Min-young apparently gave him the monogrammed leather golf tag – I think they were more than “just old friends”. That entire interchange -once I re-watched – shows they were close at one time and he was still hurting.

“Dong-jin obtains some bailout funds from a former colleague”. Former colleague? Perhaps, but Kang is also somehow connected to Uncle Daejohn (the “old man” at the campground).

“I think we’ve got sufficient problems in this drama that Hee-ja and Min-young (who are basically versions of the same character) could disappear from the present storyline — and remain demons of the past — and we’d be okay. “ Not me – karma’s a bitch and I like mine served hot. Their full back story must be revealed and karma served as appropriate.

Am really liking the romantic slow burn along with everyone else. I also hope the heart of the drama stays there.
Is anyone else getting Weightlifting Fairy vibes how LSK is playing her gruff but soft character?

@dramaddictally: Thank you for your recap. No, you are definitely not alone as even though we might only(?) be a handful of viewers for this sublime drama, I too count the days until the next eps. I haven’t been this interested - since ‘Bloody Heart’ last year - in a serious KD. Initially the heaviness was stifling but I got used to it pretty quickly given how quickly it was balanced with wit and pathos. The leads have developed such a potent chemistry and I love - as I commented elsewhere - that they are not held hostage to multiple rote tropes but on the contrary, some tropes are used to subvert our expectations. This is so so welcome. I wish more writers would write so carefully and bring layers of meaning to their characters’ actions and motivations.

Hyesung annoys me but I hope she grows on me soon. I was thinking why this is and I think this is because I’m embarrassed for her but she has her own kind of courage as she is not hamstrung by some conventions and expectations as she regards life as fleeting and doesn’t want or doesn’t know how to be unattached. I don’t think this is a healthy outlook but pride is not her break pedal. She believes love is going to work out if she tries again. And again, and…

Joon is a lovely character. He is not yet fully fleshed out as how can he own such a big house? Has he inherited it? Being a pharmacist is unlikely to be such a gold mine. And, is his house in the Seoul suburbs?That might explain why it is possible for him to own that. I know Manhattan well enough so am able to call bullshit on big apartments in NYC being rented by TV characters who barely have jobs but I don’t know Seoul apart from knowing how expensive rents and buying RE is there.

Anyway, I digress.
Looking forward to the next eps. Whatever they may bring, I hope it won’t be serial killers and shrieking chaebols. Until then.

The makings of a classic is the best way to describe it! For that reason, I'm nervous already. Will it stay this way till the end? Fingers crossed!

One scene that made me clutch my sides was when FL bro (after he's run away) and ML meet on the street, and the set up is like a romantic encounter.

I do have some gripes, mainly that there are too many side characters who I'm not invested in, and the antagonists are generally flat and 2D, so far (Hee-ja and Min-young). Director Shin is an exception, that "on your knees" scene was terrific, and made me wanting more.

Loved these two episodes, I knew this drama might be my vibe since that poster of the leads looking at each other sitting before a window, idk something about that screamed the slow burn romance I wanted and it has been better in a lot of ways.

One thing I really like about the show is how human Woo-joo is, I can see both her strengths and weakness and those things come across as relatable I can understand her. And the show is well showing me these things very organically in comparison to a lot of kdramas. I saw some mdl comments being upset that this was not enemies to lovers or some being upset that revenge doesn't seem important enough and well if that's how they interpreted the premise lowkey fair enough. But these are the exact reasons I am watching the show. I enjoy the conversations our leads have and seeing those conversations change as they grow closer and I relate to Woo-joo as being someone who wants to be this revenge drama heroine even when she thought Dong-jin was someone like his mother who took something that was hers for his own gain but not being good at it and just not having the heart to do it when she realises he is a good person.

Lastly love the chemistry of our main cast that is the leads, siblings and Joon. The little bro seems to be getting absolute best boys as future in-laws, good for him. LSK and KYK definitely understood the assignment of setting the mood of a slow burn romance.

This continues to be an engaging watch. I love especially the effort to create that ‘undertone’ while so much is being built and felt. It’s honestly quite sublime. Almost all the characters pull you into their side stories, except the mom who can disappear pronto.

The top billing actors are all doing a good job. KSK and LSK are probably both delivering career-changing performances. And, Sung Joon whom I always consider a lightweight is simply glove-fitting in his role - cheeky but so full of empathy. I love him here. A question for everyone - does he have romantic feeling for Woo Joo? I can’t answer it.

Again, I just see so many traces of my other favorites here:
* My Ajusshi - the ML and FL vibe
* My Liberation Notes - the three siblings, all three different persons but similar dynamics
* Oh Another OHY - the second FL has that exact vibe and probably the back story too, plus the same actress playing the same gold digger mom character.

Hope this one will become my another favorite.

Loving the way this show is shot/the cinematography

I cried along with Dong-jin when Woo-joo tells him that he's not going to go down. The story he shares about being weak-willed was so relatable and he just needed that someone to tell him that they believe in him ;)

If I needed a reason to check this drama out (and I did), then this is it. I am now convinced that this drama is one I have to see. I'm loving these weecaps, and our characters. Can't wait to start watching.

Definitely a new favorite. Don't let me down, show. I'm immensely enjoying our two leads and the shippy vibe around the BFF/big sister duo. (Not sure yet about the little brother but he's growing on me due to his interactions with the other guys.)

Wasn't exactly impressed by SJ's acting in "Madame Antoine" but this role here suits him well and I find him charming and fun. The giraffe conversation and his interactions with lil' bro were probably some of my favorite comedy parts in this week's episodes.

I'm also really loving the restraint in KYK's performance that highlights when DJ's actually letting intimate bits of himself shine through the facade. The moment when DJ told WJ that he could misunderstand her intentions? Absolutely swoon-worthy. As somebody who has a long history of struggling with depression, the way life has beaten DJ down really struck a chord with me. I hope that WJ will help him to get some of that fighting instinct back while he, in turn, helps her soothe some of the hurt that's been festering inside her soul.

Things I don't like: The Ex-Girlfriend and The Stepmother. I get that they are the impulses our protagonists needed for getting to where they currently are (and where they will be in the future) but I'm hoping that we don't have to suffer them too much. For example, I would hate seeing a scenario in which DJ is blackmailed to give his ex another chance in order to save the company.

I actually can’t make out if Joon likes WooJoo romantically or not. Was he really just acting out that morning to help JiGoo or is his moody actions that WooJoo has gone out on a date with DongJin is real (and lied to JiGoo about it)?

Greetings from the lonely reviewer, 9 months adrift of everyone else. I'm still plodding along, though it's like wading through molasses. Thankfully, Dong jin is showing signs of rudimentary conversation so things are looking up. Like someone lost and stumbling in the desert I'm just putting one foot in front of the other and this drama is gradually
beginning to grow on me. Slowly.

Slowly.