So, ISWAK takes up a lot of space in my head because its my favorite drama and all. I was thinking how I AM READY FOR A NEW ADAPTATION and how the world keeps not giving me what I want so I thought, if I were in charge of the world, what would I want in an adaptation of ISWAK?
1. Perfect casting, especially of Zhi Shu. 95% of the character is unwritten. You need someone like Jung Hae In who is good at the micro expressions who can show that Zhi Shu only seems cold, but if you look at him more closely he has a lot going on under the surface. Thats how XQ falls for him over and over again. She pays enough attention to see what is under the surface. So many of the young actors get this character wrong and just frown, glare, and act stiff when Zhi Shu is so much more than that. Also, a perfect XQ is just as vital. Shes not dumb! Or, you know, shes kinda dumb, but mostly shes just not smart in the traditional sense. Hes good at everything but love. Shes good at love and nothing else. But shes persistent af so, thats a thing all of its own. And you know, she could be smart? She just needs that one on one attention?
2. I would love an adaptation from ZS pov, or even every other ep from his pov splitting the narration between ZS and XQ.
3. Season 2! So many adaptations skip season 2 when season 2 is clearly the superior season! I only watch season 1 so that the emotional pays off from season 2 hit as hard as their supposed to (and because season 1 is awesome).
3a. But also, Season 2 with considerably less filler. Maybe even make one season but have it be a long one.
4. The side characters. ZS has a friend in season 1 for like 2 eps and then he disappears and is never seen again. XQ has her core homies that see her through high school and college and then she has her nursing school friends. None of them are particularly well developed. In my dream adaptation they would be, so when the story checks in on them it doesnt feel like filler. Like in the adorable Meeting You Loving You Dr. Yan and Cong had their own thing happening and I was always thrilled to check in on them. They were insane and deserving of their own drama. But, whatever. In other adaptations of ISWAK the drama comes to a screeching halt when we check in on the side characters because seriously, by the time they do—who cares? They never bother giving us any information about them but here we are 20 eps into the second season and Im supposed to care that whats her name is pregnant by her boyfriend whos name I never knew and that her future mil hates her? All I can tell you about the storyline is theres an ugly dress and I dont even remember who wears it. XQ? Preggers friend?
5. Take a cue from Kiss Me and give our mom a reason for wanting ZS and XQ together.
6. Remember that ZSs mom is HIS mom and that she actually does love her son.
7. No Christine. Not nary a single Christine anywhere up and through (who wants to risk it?)

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    8. Hot dad. Every drama needs a hot dad. Im not actually sure this is true, but, you know, who has a hot dad ever hurt?
    9.A good actor playing the little brother. And get one in the middle age-wise so you can age him down in season one and age him up in season 2.
    10. And we need a good actor playing little brother because the relationship between him and XQ throughout both seasons in ISWAK/TKA is amazing. I dont even care if we skip the whole plot line with his love interest. His dislike/hatred of XQ in season one, to being the one following her and making sure she’s ok when she fights with ZS, to his utter disgust with his big brother/hero during the jealousy/near separation storyline, to how much he genuinely loves her as his big sister in the end is one of my favorites in any drama. And I love that theres no attention called to it. Its just happening, in the background.

    Ok. This is what I need from you dramaland. Make it happen! I dont care what country wants to pick it up!
    Bonus Points: Any adaptation should have an Ariel/Joe cameo. Or, they could play the parents. Im not picky.
    Yes. I said I wasnt picky after typing up a 10 point wishlist for my adaptation.

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    Reading this just made me realize that ISWAK just had the perfect cast. I mean who can do the dumb but not that dumb acting that Ariel did? And Joe.. omg I love him so much. I agree about the side characters tho. I also didn’t care for the friend who got pregnant. Lol. And yes to hot dad.

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    agree with everything. it is about different personalities trying to really make something work and understand each other. and S2 is so important in that. one of the few dramas where they admit the reality of a relationship takes a lot of patience and honesty.

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    isaaaaa, I actually went back and watched a sad episode of ISWak the other day! Weirdly seeing them cry, helped me to unleash something lol!
    but yess i loveee this post and we definitely have so much story left to tell!!

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    okay the only part I disagree is that JHI plays ZS, we need someone else, even though he is such a great actor!
    Season 2 is so important because I feel like we always see the happy ever after but not the real life struggles of day to day life. Dealing with work stress, family issues/health, jealousy, I’m curious to see how their relationship would change as they become parents. Would they mimic more of ZS’s parents, or hers. The friends defintitely could use more development, I think Chun Mei lived alone from her parents, which is why her MIL disapproved of her a lot and the music friend was the eldest in a large family.
    Above all we need to show how smart XQ is, emotionally smart and receptive! How Nursing is the perfect profession for her because of she freely gives her heart to people she cares for.

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