Jae-hyuk may be the worst but Lee Ji-hoon is killing it in the role. He plays the nuances of Jae-hyuk’s decent into insanity beautifully, and honestly as much as I loathe the character I am finding myself really engrossed in this performance. It’s not even that he’s redeeming the character or even making him sympathetic. If anything, he’s doing the opposite, and making him harder to stomach with each passing episode. I get that Jae-hyuk has severe mental problems and that his family is terrible, but that doesn’t give him a free pass. The fact that he’s now using his mental instability as a tool to tear people apart is just disgusting beyond belief. But it’s also so fascinating to watch, especially given this performance.
I also kind of get why Geon-woo is so sympathetic to him – it seems that Jae-hyuk was one of the few who truly accepted him when he came out and so he feels obligated to him for that. Moreover, Geon-woo is a good person who has only the best of intentions, and who doesn’t know all the details of everyone’s relationships. He clearly cares deeply for Jae-hyuk, Do-hee, and Hae-kyung and believes he is doing what is best for them. But he doesn’t know how much Jae-hyuk has manipulated all of them or how he has inadvertently given Jae-hyuk the fodder for his delusions. Geon-woo is a peacekeeper and he seems to love harmony more than anything else. I love that he is so open with his feelings for those around him, because clearly he has lost a lot too. In a lot of respects he serves as a contrast to Jae-hyuk, as they both have been shunned by family; but Geon-woo found healthy coping mechanisms and relationships while Jae-hyuk let himself wallow in his feelings and lot that ability.
I still don’t get why Geon-woo enables No-eul though. She’s just a terrible person.
I totally agree with what you say about Lee Ji Hoon’s performance. He has me invested in Jae Hyuk’s storyline and I fear what he will do in the coming episodes. I also agree with what you have said about Geon-woo. Jae Hyuk was the only family member who accepted him and kept contact with him so he naturally feels obligated to help him out. I think Geon Woo enables No Eul because he sees himself in her in the sense that she was also abandoned by her parents
You’re probably right, I forgot that they were connected like that. I also suspect that No-eul being so accepting of him is part of it too. But she’s still The Worst. I kind of think that may be his most unhealthy relationship. At least Jae-hyuk is family. No-eul kind of gets his situation, but she’s just spiraling into pettiness and stupidity at this point. Plus, her selfishness makes me want to slap her whenever she opens her mouth.
Honestly, I’m less sympathetic to Geon-woo. Do-hee has told him several times that she doesn’t want anything to do with Jae-hyuk. I get why Geon-woo is sympathetic to Jae-hyuk, but it’s not fair of him to burden Do-hee in this way. True, he doesn’t know the full extent of Jae-hyuk’s misconduct, but I think he’s gotten enough indication from Do-hee already that he should stop trying to act as an advocate on behalf of Jae-hyuk to Do-hee.
I feel same way about No-eul as well. He’s repeatedly called Hae-kyeong about things that have happened to No-eul, even though Hae-kyeong and No-eul aren’t a thing anymore, even though he knows the hardship No-eul put Hae-kyeong through, and even though he knows Hae-kyeong does not want to be with No-eul anymore. It’s unfair imo.
I agree with you all on this. Geon-woo is really hard to accept as BOTH Do-hee and Hae-kyeong told him in no uncertain terms that they did NOT want to be contacted about their exes.
And yet he still calls them – and then recommends JH to go to Hae-kyeong for counseling?
I think JH went there (as planned) to stir things up and make a scene which would damage Hae-kyeong’s reputation.
I love LJH in this role as well. I hate the character, but I’ll also be the first to say he’s incredibly fascinating to watch (in the way a serial killer documentaries are fascinating). LJH has done an amazing job with this role and I honestly want to watch him in more stuff!
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SnarkyJellyfish
June 30, 2020 at 9:45 PM
Jae-hyuk may be the worst but Lee Ji-hoon is killing it in the role. He plays the nuances of Jae-hyuk’s decent into insanity beautifully, and honestly as much as I loathe the character I am finding myself really engrossed in this performance. It’s not even that he’s redeeming the character or even making him sympathetic. If anything, he’s doing the opposite, and making him harder to stomach with each passing episode. I get that Jae-hyuk has severe mental problems and that his family is terrible, but that doesn’t give him a free pass. The fact that he’s now using his mental instability as a tool to tear people apart is just disgusting beyond belief. But it’s also so fascinating to watch, especially given this performance.
I also kind of get why Geon-woo is so sympathetic to him – it seems that Jae-hyuk was one of the few who truly accepted him when he came out and so he feels obligated to him for that. Moreover, Geon-woo is a good person who has only the best of intentions, and who doesn’t know all the details of everyone’s relationships. He clearly cares deeply for Jae-hyuk, Do-hee, and Hae-kyung and believes he is doing what is best for them. But he doesn’t know how much Jae-hyuk has manipulated all of them or how he has inadvertently given Jae-hyuk the fodder for his delusions. Geon-woo is a peacekeeper and he seems to love harmony more than anything else. I love that he is so open with his feelings for those around him, because clearly he has lost a lot too. In a lot of respects he serves as a contrast to Jae-hyuk, as they both have been shunned by family; but Geon-woo found healthy coping mechanisms and relationships while Jae-hyuk let himself wallow in his feelings and lot that ability.
I still don’t get why Geon-woo enables No-eul though. She’s just a terrible person.
Mani-chan
June 30, 2020 at 9:58 PM
I totally agree with what you say about Lee Ji Hoon’s performance. He has me invested in Jae Hyuk’s storyline and I fear what he will do in the coming episodes. I also agree with what you have said about Geon-woo. Jae Hyuk was the only family member who accepted him and kept contact with him so he naturally feels obligated to help him out. I think Geon Woo enables No Eul because he sees himself in her in the sense that she was also abandoned by her parents
SnarkyJellyfish
June 30, 2020 at 10:31 PM
You’re probably right, I forgot that they were connected like that. I also suspect that No-eul being so accepting of him is part of it too. But she’s still The Worst. I kind of think that may be his most unhealthy relationship. At least Jae-hyuk is family. No-eul kind of gets his situation, but she’s just spiraling into pettiness and stupidity at this point. Plus, her selfishness makes me want to slap her whenever she opens her mouth.
Maq
June 30, 2020 at 11:33 PM
Honestly, I’m less sympathetic to Geon-woo. Do-hee has told him several times that she doesn’t want anything to do with Jae-hyuk. I get why Geon-woo is sympathetic to Jae-hyuk, but it’s not fair of him to burden Do-hee in this way. True, he doesn’t know the full extent of Jae-hyuk’s misconduct, but I think he’s gotten enough indication from Do-hee already that he should stop trying to act as an advocate on behalf of Jae-hyuk to Do-hee.
I feel same way about No-eul as well. He’s repeatedly called Hae-kyeong about things that have happened to No-eul, even though Hae-kyeong and No-eul aren’t a thing anymore, even though he knows the hardship No-eul put Hae-kyeong through, and even though he knows Hae-kyeong does not want to be with No-eul anymore. It’s unfair imo.
stpauligurl
July 1, 2020 at 7:57 AM
I agree with you all on this. Geon-woo is really hard to accept as BOTH Do-hee and Hae-kyeong told him in no uncertain terms that they did NOT want to be contacted about their exes.
And yet he still calls them – and then recommends JH to go to Hae-kyeong for counseling?
I think JH went there (as planned) to stir things up and make a scene which would damage Hae-kyeong’s reputation.
Just like he did to Keanu Ahjussi.
Maq
June 30, 2020 at 11:27 PM
I love LJH in this role as well. I hate the character, but I’ll also be the first to say he’s incredibly fascinating to watch (in the way a serial killer documentaries are fascinating). LJH has done an amazing job with this role and I honestly want to watch him in more stuff!