I like The Red Sleeve, especially Junho and Lee Deok Hwa but I’m struggling a bit to get used to the pace of events. Yi San is very swoony in his confession but I can’t help but feel it’s a bit sudden. Am I the only one who feels this? I know this drama will cover a greater sequence of events so I understand the reason behind the pace but I wish I could “believe” this attachment a bit more. I’m sad beanies!

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    I absolutely see where you are coming from. For me, it also required a measure of suspension of disbelief initially as I think the FL is not as strong or emotionally emotive an actor as Junho even though she is largely charming, delightful and mischievous. The Library scenes had a nice zingy badinage between them and after 4 episodes, I kind of had to surmise rather than emotionally believe that they were falling for each other. But, I think after that Bravura performance in Ep 5 and that achingly beautiful (h/t to Lonestar Girl) duet of confession via poetry, I feel much more invested in their story. What annoyed me though was the spectre of women’s actual and perceived inferiority which was present in Yisan’s irritating barb about “do you even know what it means”? The gendered lens always reminds me of the reality of women’s subjugation wherever a story depicts it.

    Also, I have just started JBL and it is sad from the get go but it has already hooked me. Infeel dor the characters and was infuriated when Junho’s character was insulted, berated and struck. I was roapable. So glad he stood up for himself and didn’t accept that.

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      Yeah I wrote that halfway into episode five and I admit the remaining events made up for it and built on their relationship. But I still think the book confession was a bit sudden! Lol 😅 Regarding Yisan’s condescending expressions, of course I’m not surprised because not only was it a different time period but he is royalty so you know he’s going to have those moments. I’m just waiting for her to turn him down haha that’ll take him down a notch.

      Ooooh yay to JBL! There is no male lead like Kang Doo. He’s broken down but knows what he wants and believes and is a gentleman! Junho blew me away with his acting here. You can feel his pain. I do hope you keep enjoying it. It’s the perfect show for this season.

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