Parallel World C-drama
Hey Beanies! Who’s watching the cool adventure-fantasy Parallel World? After @indyfan piqued my interest, I got caught up with the current episodes, and let me just say, I AM A HUGE FAN. We’ve now gotten @attiton to start watching, too! Let’s chat about the drama in the comments below 👇 Beware – spoilers are likely to abound!
So far, I think the main theme that keeps coming up in my mind is “waiting” or, I suppose more generally, “time.” But really, “waiting.”
I often feel like I’m waiting for things to happen. The characters are waiting for the time to act. Maybe a better second term than “time” would be “patience.” Ye Liuxi was patient for a year waiting for the “men” to come find her. Chang Dong was a “form of patient” as he whiled away his time, pretending to be an old dude, making shadow puppets and putting on plays.
You know who is NOT patient? Fatty Tang. Nothing good surrounds that guy.
That’s really interesting! I hadn’t thought about the passage of time as a theme. I actually love the pace this drama has taken… I like that there was time spent in world-building and character setup. For the three main characters, we understand their character, personalities, and motives before being thrown into a new world. In the setup episodes, I see it as a “biding their time.” Ye Liuxi was patient, but she was the one who found Chang Dong (the man in the magazine she had with her when she woke up with no memories), hooked him, and made him come find her to go into the desert. I like that she’s the one who sets everything in motion. Chang Dong was living as one who had used up his years, until Ye Liuxi “woke” him from his illusion of age. So maybe as I’m writing, I’m seeing this as a theme of dreams and wakefulness? Related to this, I’m wondering if the old man and the painter that have been used as a framing device are actually part of the story, or if they’re really just a framing device that’s going to be used to get around the censors at the end…
Lol Fatty Tang is NOT patient 😂 I love that after Ye Liuxi freaked him out with her knife that he started calling her the equivalent of “noona” 😂 (I think? Can someone correct me if I’m wrong??)
If there is a lesson, it is that I am not as patient as these desert folks. Ha! In the early episodes, I did want the plot to hurry along and skipped portions. I liked tho Hopeful how you framed their pre-meeting waiting period, and how YL is the one to force it to an end for CD as well. It really does set the tone for their characters in the series. (Was I the only one thinking for a moment to drop the show thanks to that godawful mask?)
I didn’t really understand the need for painter scenes even as a framing device. But I didn’t think of it as a way to get around censors. Speaking of which, did the depiction of the modern Chinese “Wild West” throw you off? Since then, Beanies have recommended a few other gritty series. But I still wonder if they got away with it due to the fantasy tag. And also cos it’s the western desert and politics of that region.
I quite liked Fatty Tang’s arc. (I’d be super put off by his name but it’s common to label folks in my culture too—not that I like it.) I bet he didn’t expect who’d replace him as the star side-kick. 😂 Just you wait Seon-ha.
I don’t think I was as surprised by the “gritty realism” approach at the beginning because I had heard it mentioned, so I was kind of braced for it?
I like FT’s arc, too!! He starts out as an avaricious coward, and now he’s being given room to grow – I bet he’ll end up doing something very brave and important.
Interestingly, I didn’t do my FF trick until the fight scenes (probably a Moving reflex). I was super happy to watch them talk and wait and talk and wait some more without them even telling me what they were waiting for. “Why are you just sitting in the tent sleeping and making shadow puppets,” I’d think from time to time. Then I’d stop caring and watch, and wait.
I think I only just got the first “painter scene” last night? Somewhere between episode 10-13? I loved it. Did I forget one from earlier? It was like a “Dance Break” only with animation? Is that what y’all mean?
Ah! The painted scene was cool… we’re talking about the old guy who talks to the young female painter like he’s telling her a story of the drama… there should have been a couple of these scenes by 10-13?
I loved Ye Liuxi’s reason for waiting. She wanted to troll the people who left her those clues and are probably watching her so that they’d be like “wait…why isn’t she doing anything? Is she really just fine with just slicing melons all day and not finding out what happened to her?”
I warmed up to Fatty Tang as the episodes went by.
Haha I’m glad you’re catching up!!! The shadow puppets do play more of a role that you’ll see soon… but I’m still not sure how they connect to the themes? I think they do reinforce the fantasy theme in that they’re traditionally used to tell stories… I’m curious to learn more!! I think they’ll be important…
Yeah. They play a pivotal role. But it seems a past role, right Hopeful? I would love for them to play a part in the present as well. And for it to connect with DC’s expertise as well. It’s such a cool, creepy mythology. They mustn’t waste it.
I bet they will play an important role, including with Chang Dong’s skill… I think he’s more involved with the history that has set everything in motion than has been currently revealed.
Oh poo. You two are censoring yourselves. I’m serious. I don’t mind spoilers. I’ll still watch for the slow-burn attraction. *snickers* That scene with the stick and she points it at him and he misses grabbing it and then insists on grabbing it and then lets go and she sticks it in his hand over and over *snickers*
HA! That scene made me laugh 😂 Their interactions are just such fun!! She almost takes a playground-style approach to teasing him until his walls crumble and he can acknowledge his feelings… ❤️
There have been more plot reveals about the shadow puppets, but not about Chang Dong and the shadow puppets yet – but I think there WILL be soon…
HOWLS OF LAUGHTER just erupted here, alone in my kitchen, @indyfan. I’m so, so, very sorry. I swear my mind is often in lofty places. And it was, um, wordless bonding…um…too?
On the production front…I get it, but we can tell it isn’t night even though you put a filter on the lens because of the really intense shadows that the sun casts out here in the freaking desert. So distracting.
Other thing…you know what was NOT distracting? The awesome TRON CGI that happened when they entered the gate at the end of episode 10. That was amazeballs.
Lol the Night scenes are sooooo dark I still have a hard time seeing what’s going on even with brightness turned all the way up!! But yes, the TRON portal CGI was truly cool (*TRON LEGACY is my out-of-left-field favorite movie*).
On another production note, I’ve really enjoyed the action/fight scenes – they’re pretty cool and seem well choreographed for a drama like this. I think that may be because this is a bit like a modern, fantasy wuxia?
We are all watching this despite the production values, or perhaps because, nostalgia or something. 😀 I never watched Tron, but the second portal within the parallel world, oh dear, that was trippy. LOL.
I do like that the characters and set are allowed to get relatively dirty and gritty. Of course, the leads are gorgeous even if they be caked in mud and wearing potato sacks. Speaking of clothes, I’m so glad LY’s outfits get relatively less sexy and more practical. The whole time I was worrying about sunburn/sandburn! And so distracted by that belt thingie on her chest!
On another note… I love how the characters have been built, revealed, and developed! Especially the FL and ML feel vibrant and real (and so does their chemistry). An example of this building and revealing is when Yi Liuxi shares the notes she’s made about herself with Chang Dong…. good at fighting; loved ones either lousy or dead – they tell us about her, and also about how she sees herself. I also love that she is undisputedly the strongest and toughest in their group, and both men are willing to step back and let her protect them – which she does! And Chang Dong is an honorable, good man – my favorite type of ML!
Does our OTP remind you a little bit, just a wee bit of our Heartbeat one? She’s tough, no-nonsense, and he’s our honorable softie? OK, yeah, I should never make that comparison, but this is one of my favorite types of couple, mostly cos it’s so rare.
And I love the show doesn’t play ML’s softness for laughs, denigrates it in anyway. He can kill if need be, somersault over rocks he doesn’t need to. (But pls don’t do that parkour move again. I cringed so hard.) However, neither he, nor anyone in the show bats an eyelid when YL is in charge. So rare.
Btw I completely forgot about that diary scene. You’re right, it was great! I do whinge a bit about the slowness of the early episodes, but that allowed them to build a genuine, slow burn romance (my favorite) and relationships across the group in general. They really feel like a solid couple and team now. So well done.
Now that you mention it, they do remind me of them a little! But that combo – she the tough one, he the soft one – is one of my favorites, too. Just like you said, I LOVE that Chang Dong’s soft-heartedness isn’t scoffed at or played for laughs. He still does what needs to be done to protect them, but he also feels deeply. Lovely!! It also gives such a nice push/pull to their relationship… she wants his leg, he wants her heart ❤️
Haha he looked shocked!😂 His reaction was a combo of, I’m pretty sure that’s a joke, but I know she could follow through 😅 So many of their interactions feel so natural that it makes me wonder how much of their dialogue was ad libbed?? If any?
No, I actually can’t say that they do…and I’m not just saying that to ward off the INFINITELY BAD MOJO you’re bringing on by saying it. They remind me more of Han and Leia, if Han had an artistic side-hobby.
I guess it could be Leia, but even more kickass. And if I squint real hard, I can see Han, but DC is a whole lot sweeter, not a spoon, but a jar full of more sugar.
@indyfan@attito@asianromance
Oh HEY you mean this parkour scene? That parkour moment was cringy funny – I’m glad the ML is kind of (an adorable) dork 🙈
😂😂😂 The Office is Gif Gold I tell you, gold. You know sometimes in a drama they forget a character’s traits they showed a few episodes ago and you roll your eyes? Well, I hope that happens with his parkour skillz. LOL. Taking some courses at the local Y (or equivalent) does not an expert make.
I loved the diary scene as another example of Liuxi’s competence. She didn’t freak out upon discovering herself left for dead in the middle of the desert with a case of amnesia to boot. She lost her memories but not her intelligence or cool, analytical mind.
Thanks. I have seen two episodes and it is definitely interesting! It reminds me of something, it’s on the tip of my tongue, but constantly slipping…
Anyway, I think you guys have a much faster pace than me (I have lately energy just for some daily outside my usual watching schedule 😆).
Out of space on the “painterly scenes,” so moving here…plus I have a new topic (sorry that I’m like this, folks).
Ah, @hopefulromantic, maybe I’ve not seen the painterly scenes, as I don’t know a female painter yet.
ALTHOUGH this does remind me of another theme I thought of in the night (I slept fine, but it was a little fitful)…which was stories within the story—like parallel worlds. I kept thinking it was funny when Liuxi would stop at an important scene and say “Wanna hear a scary story?”
But then it kept happening, and then another character would do it—and apparently there are even more.
So, stories within stories within stories. Where does it all end??? @indyfan we may be back at Buddhism.
Eeek yes!!! Stories within stories!!! And my prediction is that Ye Liuxi and Chang Dong are both part of the original stories in ways they’re not currently aware of… I love the storytelling, the “oral tradition” with the traditional methods of storytelling… this flavor of fantasy is LIKE MY FAVORITE THING. Borrowing from literature, it’s taking a Robin McKinley approach to purposefully leaving much unexplained, which adds to the mystery. I’m firmly of the opinion that fantasy works best when it’s not over-explained. If there’s an explanation and definition for everything, the magic is gone… if you provide a technical manual for everything that’s happening; well, now you’ve got science fiction 🤷♀️
Another risk of over-explanation is that the logic and world-building start to fail … and then you see the holes instead of getting sucked into the story. I like how we get little bits of information here and there about the parallel world (and who knows how reliable these various storytellers are). The world itself has a great blend of fantasy and realism — yes, there are shapeshifting creatures, but you still have to find gas for the SUV and pay for your motel room.
I worry about the gas too, especially since cars are rare in that world. When Fatty Tang had to toss an entire tank, I almost screamed. But apparently that car that is carrying 5 people and all their belongings…gets amazing mileage. Maybe it’s a hybrid??
I too like the idea of stories within stories, but I am not quite sold on how PW is using the painters to frame the story. It feels a little throwaway. Watching cautiously.
While I’m not reading much fantasy these days, I’d love to take a break from the heavy stuff now and then. Hopeful, what Robin McKinley would you recommend to start with?
Yeah, I’m cautious about how those painters are going to play into the framing of the story 😬
I love Robin McKinley – I hope you like her, too, if you get a chance to read anything of hers! Her books are very slow… think first five eps of Parallel World. I happen to love that pace and find it soothing/relaxing. Two of my favorites are Spindle’s End and Chalice, but those aren’t as popular. I more recently read her two most famous books, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown, and loooooooved them. They’ll all be a break from heavier themes!!
I’ve never seen PPL for “oil” which is clearly “lotion” but has no brand. I think they’re doing it wrong.
PS: Comfort scenes are the best. Also scenes in the hospital where the cute young man is clearly upset but doesn’t know how to comfort, those are also awesome.
PPS: Ah, yes, the “painterly scenes.” I had seen one, but had forgotten—way early on.
Haha I had the same reaction to the PPL – I was like, Hold on, aren’t you going to show me the brand???
Aww I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the comfort scenes!!!! With the FL/ML and then with that scrappy princess and her stoic bodyguard who would obviously walk through fire for her but doesn’t know how to explain that he would do that in a ~romantic~ sense ❤️
As an aside, that bodyguard actor is also in Love Like the Galaxy as one of the SMLs, and one of the few characters I actually liked (I still haven’t finished, and I’m not sure I will… I have a lot of problems with that drama, even though it’s opulently magnificent) – I’m glad to see him in something else!
Agree, I’m glad I can root for him to wind up with the SFL in this drama (instead of how he was SML’d in LLTG). His loveline with the princess in Parallel Worlds is adorable. They’re the more immature couple that everyone but them can see is perfect for each other. It’s a fun contrast to the more mature, communicative leads.
Yes exactly!!!! I’ve actually been surprised at how invested I am in their relationship. They’re a really cute contrast – the SFL is more scatterbrained, and the SML is more stoic, and they’re just adorable.
This stupid, MAJESTIC rooster has my heart. Y’all weren’t wrong. He’s got me making gifs. The only gifs I’ve wanted to make so far, all contain this bird.
Look at how he struts into this interrogation room. Totes owns the place. PLUS, he’s like an alarm chicken, warning you of incoming dangers. AND, so what if he’s a voyeur, always around when sexy times call. I mean a rooster’s gotta roost.
HA!😂 That interrogation scene with the rooster’s self-assured confidence… so fun! And a super useful alarm system. Yay Seon-ha I’m glad you’re having fun with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yay, join us on the Rooster Ride. May he never be roasted.
Should we have a new PW post leading with Rooster gifs (if they are coming, no pressure)? Maybe then we can switch the focus from the start to the middle of the series? Or is it best to just continue here? Not sure how this works.
It works the way we want it to work!! The beauty of being totally in charge is that the world is your oyster.
I wasn’t going to make any more rooster gifs, unless there were direct requests, but I do think that having a second post to start “post-second-wormhole” conversations would be swell.
You offering to host? I’d love to come to your house, @indyfan 😉
@hopefulromantic I’m finishing episode 20 at the moment. Well, not at this very moment. Right now, I’m typing to you in a moment before going into meeting number 5 today.
I’m also daydreaming about the episode of DWY that I won’t be able to watch for 5 more hours…hoping it’s awesome…AND STAYING OFF THE FAN WALL.
So, after DWY later tonight…No…Let’s face it, after I watch DWY twice tonight (because that’s usually what happens), I’ll be finishing episode 20 of PW.
Y’all?? “Wandong” and “Chang Dong” are NOT that different of a name. I get it. I get it. East/West. Shadow Puppets/Not Shadow Puppets…we shall satisfy these dichotomies with this relationship FOREVAH.
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!! 💯💯💯 I’ve been rewatching the early episodes (obsessed? I’m not obsessed!), and I have theories, you guys… I think (1) he and she are both part of the prophecy, and (2) Chang Dong is either the reincarnation of that original wizard, OR he and Ye Liuxi are the reincarnations of that king and his queen who split the worlds in the first place. If there’s a reincarnation reveal, that would also potentially explain the “modern” painter + grandpa framing device that could say “it’s all just FICTION” at the end, because I think reincarnation/transmigration of souls is one of the censor no-no’s for modern dramas (??? I’m not sure – can someone correct me?) Because the first time the light puppets find them in the desert, I think they were either calling to Chang Dong, or he drew them to him – they were responding to him, not Ye Liuxi, because he’s the other half of the prophecy. It can’t be a coincidence that he is a master at this traditional craft!!!
Love your theory … it really does seem that both of them have a deep and destined connection to the parallel world.
Remember when the central problem was recovering the bodies of the lost expedition?!?? When that story wrapped up well before the halfway point I wondered what else the show would explore. Well … just about everything you could imagine and a million things you couldn’t! 🤯
This show’s vibe = Yes, there seem to be dragons circling overhead, but no big deal, we’ve got other things to worry about.
I like how you described it – a deep and destined connection! That also emphasizes @attiton‘s analysis of the beautiful symmetry of East/West, shadow puppets/not shadow puppets. I’m really loving the vibe – lol it reminds me of a lot of the YA fantasy fiction I’ve loved 😁
Until we start a new thread for the back part of the series … let me just say, I watched ep. 26 and OMG this writer keeps finding new ways to surprise. Can’t wait to get your takes. I don’t think we need to worry about this show having too many episodes to sustain our interest. It’s reverse nesting doll or chambered nautilus … the story and stakes keep getting bigger and we’re making discoveries along with the characters.
Regarding the painting device and potential strategies to dodge the censors, the show addresses the tension between security and personal freedoms in an authoritarian regime, as well as slavery and forced labor that privileges the elite few, and control of trade with the outside world — all in the name of “safety and stability.” So … yeah, themes that could raise some governmental eyebrows.
Eek I’m going to watch ep 26 tonight! Your comment makes me really excited!!! Ooh I love your analysis of the political themes… yes, I agree that these themes could be problematic with the censors… I wonder if it helped them be more under the radar since this one seems smaller budget and not as hyped up? Either way, very excited.
Who wants to take a bet that, in episode 23, when Uncle Ao walks in and calls Cheng Dong, Gao Dong…that was an actual mistake by the actor??? That then the other two male leads covered up (poorly, even :))?
I didn’t know he was in that!!! Now I’ll have to look it up. He also does some cool cameos – I loved his appearance in Paddington 2!! My dearest wish would be for him to be in Taskmaster, but I think his real-life personality might be too shy for that.
I dunno…I actually need to cultivate this skill. I was going to respond with “**cough**My Dearest**cough**” but then I remembered how I couldn’t actually stop myself from WATCHING THE WHOLE DAMN THING TOO (albeit with a heavy FF finger).
How do I not also watch??? Teach me. I am your Padawan learner, oh great Jedi Masters.
As my Jedi schooling ending after the first three films (with an exception here and there), alas I cannot be your master in that line of philosophy.
However, I was referring to the inevitability of all of us going down in flames with some drama or the other. So watch out popcorn eaters.
And, how could you impugn upon My Dearest? We will tear out our hair, beat our chests. But it will be for the most satisfying, beautiful of crying. The popcorn eaters will be carried away in a flood of salt waters.
Also, I’m currently crying. I have one bar. I can barely get this site to load. How will I stream DWY. 😭
So true… I keep telling myself I can come out of this Heart ❤ Beat induced anxiety and angst … still processing apparently. Can’t i get a pre-end drama leap or an amnesia wand or something.
Hmm. Sounds like you might have it pretty bad for DWY, Indy.
As always, I’m here for you. I’ll make your gifs and write you a better drama, if need be.
I also had this thought: “If DWY goes down in flames this week or next, at least that’ll be better than going down in the last FIVE minutes. I can handle this. I can handle this.”
It’s Infinitely better than in the last five minutes!!! HB was such a disorienting drama experience; it makes me feel like I’ve come out of that experience a more resilient drama-watcher. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. But it’s also made me really jumpy with dramas – I’ve been dropping them left, right, and center lately.
Also, I did this tonight in part because I know for a fact now that I won’t be able to resist a gif-fest for episodes 9-10, I just don’t know what focus the community will bring to it. What I did know is that if I didn’t get this thing “published,” I’d start getting BEHIND, and buhjesus, is this my JOB now???
#MadDog
Hey Beanies! 😊 @attiton and I are doing a watch-and-chat of Mad Dog here on the fanwall, and you\’re welcome to join us! One of us will post a comment here every so often as a place to talk about a set of episodes. I\’ve seen eps 1-3, so I\’m going to add some thoughts on those in the comments below. @seeker@elinor
So I thought this was going to be the insurance version of Numbers, and I think that’s the general idea, but it hasn’t gripped me yet like Numbers did. But I’ve been told it gets better, and I get to enjoy Woo Do Hwan’s lovely, lovely voice, so I’m definitely continuing! I was much more affected by the story and passing of the insurance maknae than by the ML’s own family trauma. As soon as we meet the new insurance guy (the SML from Our Blooming Youth!!!), I knew he was going to die, but it still hurt. Then I was surprised to see Park Sung-Hoon (!!!), playing a villain… again. I’ve also been weirded out by the fact that the only (?) female character is being used as an eye candy prop – I think they are going for a bit of a Mission Impossible vibe? Oh well. So far, it’s an easy watch that doesn’t demand my whole attention or deeply involve my emotions, which is a win!! And also Woo Do Hwan 😍
I love how, on Viki, there’s a Soompi article there on (my) Mad Dog page with the headline, “What To Watch If You’re Already Missing Woo Do Hwan.” I mean what does one do if one “already misses” Woo Do-hwan while watching Woo Do-hwan? I think that’s happened to me during Joseon Attorney! Imagining the moment when he wouldn’t be speaking in his dulcet tones and gallivanting 🙆♀️
“Dulcet tones and gallivanting” 😆 That’s his charm in a nutshell!! And that’s all I want from this drama, haha! So far, there’s been some of both, so I’m pleased 😊
OOH. I just had an idea about why this doesn’t feel like Numbers. Because the “one-upsmanship” game is between two people that I want to both LIKE. There’s no villain like Han Je-kyun to just hate on. I mean, even though he was our dear Seung-Jo’s dad, that was no reason to care for him.
We can hate the insurance fraudsters like the economic fraudsters, but it’s like the good guys are one-upping one another, and that’s sort of a waste. Maybe that’s what settles down and makes the show more enjoyable?
I won’t spam to much more—to do that would drown out other folks who want to join in, I am aware—but I’ll have one last larger post below and then will join the commenting crowd on other folks’ ideas!!!
I really like that idea!! I think that describes well what I’m feeling. There’s disharmony and discord right now, but I know they do team up, so… hopefully the dynamic shifts to the more enjoyable soon!!
What ?? Ok, I though that Number would be the accounting version of Squad team 38 and Mad dog an insurance version. But I utterly disliked Numbers, and I adored Mad dog even more than the other fraud-team investigation.
I love Woo Do Hwan, and the dynamic with Yoo Ji Tae not unlike in Healer.
Numbers grabbed me from the start because it was passionately acted, dramatic, all-in nonsense right out of the gate. I was wondering how accounting was going to be made (a) interesting and (b) not Tracer and it let me know immediately. This is taking a little more time to set a tone. I wasn’t as skeptical about insurance fraud investigation being an excuse for lots of action, because insurance cases by their nature can involve accidents, death, mysterious circumstances, deceit, and dangerous circumstances.
I’m into ep. 5 now and this has predictably turned into The Woo Do-hwan Show for me, too. I’d never seen him except in a few bath random scenes from Joseon Attorney, and he is living up to the hype.
No worries, I assume there will be spoilers here and there and I’ll probably forget these particular ones anyway because what you wrote is meaningless to me without context. I’m excited!
So excited. I have kimchi jjigae to eat (I left my Korean food desert!!!) and my suitcase to unpack and then I’m going to remind myself what the first three episodes were about…more v. soon.
WHOA I’m jealous – no Korean restaurants near me!! That’s definitely one of the many dishes I want to try sometime 😊 Enjoy your meal, and I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts!!
Uh, I think how I’m going to do this is post in smallish bits with one idea each, so folks can respond to subsections rather than one long post? I’m gonna wing this. It may not work.
Poor Gen X: Yet Again Never Measuring Up
If I’ve said it once, I’ve, well, said it once—these poor Gen X male actors! Both Yoo Ji-tae (Kang-woo) and Choi Won-young (bit part here, but the co-ML in Mystic Pop-up Bar) have this way about them that drives me up the wall. There’s like a macho swagger to them that, like, angers me. Probably because they’re close to my age and remind me of men I actually know rather than fake men that I can distance myself from like our dearest WDH. It only makes things worse that they have to play against actors like WDH, Ji Chang-wook and Yook Sung-Jae.
I really liked Yoo Ji-tae in Healer – like a LOT – but here there’s an intangible something (swagger, like you said?) that just annoys me in this role 🤷♀️ … So far, at least. But Woo Do Hwan already delights me in his role, so it all evens out. I think because the plot is leaning too hard on the melo this early, it has actually taken me out of the emotions, which means I watched all the tragedy dry-eyed (a rarity for me!).
My biggest issue with Choi Won-young so far is: why is he wearing his tie that weird way, with half of it over his dress shirt collar? I thought it was a wardrobe malfunction the first time, but it’s consistent.
Yeah, that tie/collar thing becomes like his “schtick/concept,” doesn’t it? It feels deeply 1984 to me, somehow, like something “High Wham!” would have worn. Also, how wrong could I have been about the “bit part” thing? I sort of which his part were, indeed, smaller so that we wouldn’t have to look at these “fashion choices” or, now that I’m on a rant and can’t stop, his horrible haircut!!
YEAH what is up with his collar/tie disarray? Is it supposed to indicate fashion? Dissipation? His lax moral character??? I’m so confused every time I see it and his weird haircut that looks like he did it himself
There seems to be a slit on the left collar where the tie goes in and the comes out on top of the right collar. Very distracting and unfashionable … perhaps an idol can carry it off in a concept photoshoot but here the skewed tie and bad haircut makes him look like a wannabe.
On the Backstory Episodes
I agree totally with Hopeful that the first two episodes are all backstory, Episode 1 being “backstory to insurance fraud” and Episode 2 being “backstory to co-ML’s trauma.”
Here’s something interesting. I watched (it turns out) 2.5 episodes only maybe three weeks back. As I was skimming episode 1, I thought, “Hey, this was more interesting in retrospect than it was while I was watching the first time!” Like when the building fell down, I was anticipating WDH’s “experiment” on the roof later, and was all, “Huh! Interesting!” But, of course, I couldn’t have had that thought the first time through…what would it be like to have a drama that’s only good on second watch? I mean, not a very good drama 😆
I also remembered that I literally sat on my FF button for the entirety of episode 2. It was a mix between “yes yes, sad sad…got it.” [Eek, I’m cold-hearted!] but also “I don’t want to sit through an entire makjang hour of his sadness and the horror of losing your family!!! Perhaps I’m not the right audience for this particular approach to backstory. But again, going through it again quickly, it was like studying for a test and sort of knowing the material. “Ah yes, this and that plot point…interesting, yes, THAT is going to come back.”
Sounds like you’re in a similar—although nicer—boat, Hopeful, insofar as episode 1 was more interesting to you than 2.
Haha oh no, I used FF for all the scenes of him crying over his family 😅 I just couldn’t connect with his style of crying (contrast that with WDH in Joseon Attorney, when he had me ugly-sobbing for 1.5 episodes)… think part of it is that the reveal and descent into deep emotions is too soon – I’m not so fully invested within the first two episodes to cry for his loss. If the reveal of his personal connection had come later, maybe I would have cried with him. Dramas do need to take some time to create those connections with the viewers, I think. These are all such great observations, Seon-ha!! Much deeper than my reflections, which were much more along the lines of, “LOOK! Park Sung-Hoon!” 😂
Oh my stars, I cried so much over JA. That second-to-last episode, I think it was. Why did people hate on that drama so much?? I think it was all the other characters, perhaps 🙂
As for my comments, I hope they don’t limit conversation or set any expectations that folks don’t want. I like to start conversations, not stop them!
Are you going to try Kidnapping Day because of Park Sung-hoon? I know @elinor is watching. I’m going to wait and see…Blue said it turned dark in episode 2, and I can’t imagine that it’s going to be too dark for me.
I love it so far! It’s not that dark, yet – it just delivered what we already knew would happen, which is murder. Or rather, discovery that a murder had occurred. The show is premised on kidnapping, murder, and the dad/kid duo being fugitives so of course it’s got that darkness, but it has definitely delivered the “comedy” part of “dark comedy.” Dive in!
Thanks for the report, @elinor! It does really intrigue me, but I think this one may be a better bingewatch for me so that I don’t have to wait anxiously week to week 😊
The thought that Dramabeans was gone for good and I’d never hear @elinor’s thoughts on Mad Dog…let’s just say, it didn’t make my yesterday any easier 🙃
Yeah, I FF’d or ate my salad without looking at the screen A LOT during the crying. He’s sad, we get it, next. I also had to look away from most of the plane crash scenes because that was simultaneously too fearfully real and too poorly CGI’d, if that makes sense.
This will, forever more, be how I think of you when I imagine you not wanting to watch a part of a drama:
Elinor: “Ooh, I fear that this will be both poorly done and designed to tug on my heartstrings.” Show: [Does exactly that] Elinor: “How to cope? Which do I choose? Fast-forward button??? Or, better yet…salad????”
Glorious. Just glorious.
I just get angry, fast-forward too far, then have to rewind some because I over-shot, making a one-hour show last easily 90 minutes, when I could have just watched and gotten it over with. I’ve got no “salad option,” is what I’m telling you.
😆 Salad is usually a poor choice for my drama-eating because I have to look at it if I want to get it on my fork instead of my lap. I may have to develop a list of salad-worthy dramas or classification of salad-ready scenes.
I have developed better FF/rewind skills over time, but still often panic-rewind back to exactly the point I started to FF in the first place. I wish there were more forward/back options on streaming platforms. Prime and Tubi are the worst – 30 seconds is the only option, which is usually too much.
But do you have a “salad option,” Hopeful??? If so, what is it?
Also, I’d take a “mute video” choice. Like when Kang-woo tells the “boys” not to monitor his conversation with what’s-her-insurance-CEO’s-daughter and they’re like “fine,” but only turn off the video monitor…but still listen? I’m way more affected by sight than sound, and I only understand 10% of the Korean anyway…but I would still be able to tell when to turn the sound back on!! And, hey, I could eat my salad during that time!!
@attiton I don’t have a salad option, but maybe I should! (Does checking emails or Dramabeans count?) If the culprit is primarily auditory – i.e., excessive aegyo or crying or shrieking, I’ll mute. If it’s scary-ness or I think there will be a jump scare, I cover the screen. If there’s something really terrible happening, like violence *with sound effects,* I cover the screen AND mute and only peek at the subtitles to see when it’s safe again 😅 Maybe I’ll just start calling that strategy my “Salad Option.”
I liked how the drama introduces / sets up Woo Do-hwan’s character in episode 1 –
a. The very first scene narrating a story about insurance scams.
b. Then nothing till halfway through the episode when he has meet-cutes Ha-ri and Kang-woo. We are led to believe he is meeting them for the first time and is just trying to be a good employee to the architect.
c. Meeting the Mad Dog team at their office is where he first shows his hand a bit.
d. The end of the episode reveal about his identity.
While backstory for a drama character is important – to set up the character, understand their motivations, what to they want where they are headed – episode 2 even with chock-full information seemed like a filler. Nothing which could not have been conveyed in 10 minutes.
Also drama, show (in character’s behavior, interactions, responses) not tell (in painfully elaborate detail) is a good way to tell your story.
Although the drama sets up Kim Min-joon as a character who is many steps ahead of the Mad Dog gang, at times Yoo Ji-tae’s acting prowess tends to over power Woo Do-hwan.
Admittedly, Choi Kang-woo is not a particularly endearing character, and Yoo Ji-tae’s acting is old school but Woo Do-hwan’s relative lack of acting experience shows. He barely put a foot wrong in The King: Eternal Monarch and Joseon Attorney.
Oh, side note before I start my last post here (which is way shorter than I thought!)…Do you think that Min-joon is actually afraid of bugs (from that scene in the architect’s office)??? Also, every part of me wants to call him Jan, because this stupid Notes app understands “Jan” as a name, and I don’t have to ride herd on typing Min-joon which can come out as ANYTHING after auto-correct gets a hold of it.
Episode 3
Oooh, I’m not so fond of deus ex machina/one-of-a-kind illnesses.
Oooh, I’m not so fond of anyone hitting Woo Do-hwan like that.
Yeah, I’m still not gripped. I need to see these guys working as a team. Also, for them to stop being proud assholes. Too much to ask? I’m still in…I am promised improvement!
Lol I didn’t think he was really afraid of bugs, but maybe he is?? And yes – I need everyone to crank down the arrogance by a LOT. Sheesh, you all want the same thing (I think), just collaborate on a solution. But it should get better!!
I hope this is the usual kdrama exaggeration during the character establishment phase, and everyone will calm down a little and swagger and pose a little less. I appreciate that Ha-ri, as of ep. 3, is already showing less of a tits-and-ass approach and more skill and resourcefulness – although women should get to use whatever tools they have in a man’s world, which so far this show definitely is.
I also dislike the rare-illness trope, but I googled Lafora disease and it might not have been the worst one to pick, as it does cause seizures that manifest the way the guy who died in the car fire showed.
I want Min-joon to be afraid of bugs so we can have some sort of ridiculous situation from which Ha-ri can rescue him later on.
I’m so glad you Googled it, because I was too lazy to do that and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt – “it’s just crazy enough to be real” was my approach 😅 I’m glad it had plausible authenticity at least!
The “afraid of bugs” did seem put on at first watch but by the end it was confirmed that not only did Min-joo know all about them but was playing the Mad Dog team.
@attiton@lapislazulii@indyfan
You know what, I think I may have dropped this one. I haven’t seen ep 8 yet, and I’m thinking I might not… I’m so disappointed in the writers for not having Shin-yu make a clean break with SFL before confessing his real feelings and kissing Hong-jo. What weak and icky behavior. The more I think about it, the more upset I get. The way to solve this narrative mess was NOT to double-down on the cheating angle. Ugh. So that’s why I’m not going to be in the recap comments tomorrow! BUT SERIOUSLY, what is UP with writers doing weirdly disappointing things with plots lately???
Understood, @hopefulromantic!!! A big UGH that this is a drama that really gets to you! For me, it’s MLL–I’m still not over how upset I became this week.
And who knows, maybe I’ll come back to it later after I see how they decide to resolve all this, but for right now, I’m upset 😞 And I’m sorry about MLL… What is happening right now with these romance dramas??? Seriously.
I also don’t want to spoil #8 for you as @lapislazulii but really, it just treads the same murky waters. Sigh. I hate that my theory the even episodes are better was wrong.
I’ll probably keep watching for a few episodes more tho. Just how I am.
I’m getting my fantasy rom-com kicks from Parallel World. I laughed last night. I swooned. Half way done. It’s good. I know the angst is coming but it seems more external action driven than this nonsense. 🤞🏽
I’ve seen your and Blue’s updates on Parallel World, and it sounds fun!! I hope it continues to go well – I want to try it, but I’ll probably wait to see how it ends, just in case. I hope it continues to be swoony and funny!!
@hopefulromantic I understand. You have to wonder if all this live watching fun with Beanies is worth it sometimes, given all the pain these dramas inflict sometimes.
@indyfan aww I really enjoy the live watching experience with all you cool Beans! ❤️ But it’s stressful for me to start a drama and not know how it’s going to end, haha 😅 I used to only watch previously-aired dramas so I could check and see if the plot and ending would be ok for me. I’ll keep live-watching in the future (a few upcoming dramas sound intriguing!), but I’ll be poised and ready to drop when things go south, lol
For what it’s worth, I’ve adored these last two episodes of DWY. I’ve watched them both three times each. To each their own, I know…but this show is not pain to me.
I’ll step back for y’all to vent on it. The folks who said “I told you so” can take over. But this show is currently about “being swayed,” I’d say…and I think I’m not in the mainstream on this one. This show’s doing a damn good job with it in these two episodes.
It’ll probably all go to shit for ALL OF US soon, because as Hopeful so rightly said WHAT IS UP??? But right now, this show can just…be…mine. I’m OK with that.
@attiton, I’m really glad you’re still enjoying it!!!! And like I said earlier, depending on how everything gets resolved, I may be back later… It’s so interesting that you mentioned rewatching the episodes, because I was just thinking about the fact that this is the only drama in recent memory where I would rewind scenes to watch them OVER and OVER again – there’s a special spice somewhere in the mix with this drama that – up until the cheating shenanigans – I couldn’t get enough of!
@attiton Same as Hopeful. Glad you’re liking it! And don’t get me wrong. Rowoon swaying had me swooning for a bit so I plan to keep watching. But for me the show has done a poor job of demonstrating the forces that have lead Rowoon to the said swaying. I’ll think a bit more on that pre-recap. It’s time to get ready to head out here.
You may spoil! I’ve watched 8 now – and yeah I was also holding out hope but it somehow got messier lol 😭 I’ll also be sticking around because I’m annoyed as but don’t feel like dropping it (go figure) – we shall be annoyed together, and also hold out desparate hope that things start steadying (this directly translates to: JANG SHIN YU CAN YOU PLEASE BREAK UP WITH HER ALREADY!!!).
I need to try Parallel World out – the fan wall posts has my interest piqued!!
That’s so fair!! Without trying to spoil anything, I just finished ep 8 and basically spent the whole time trying not to shake the screen🙃 I’m going to have to pull myself together for tomorrow’s recap because I want to write alot just to vent lol but don’t want to spam everyone with a nonsensical essay either shdkajshdiuehaksjhdakjsdhakjsdew
Aww thank you Lapislazulii!🥰 The first part of ep. 7 was SO FUNNY (And seeing both ML and SML being THIS CLOSE to breaking character and starting to giggle during that sequence was DELIGHTFUL). But then it went downhill 😑 *SIGH*
If it wasn’t a known fact that this drama was written and filmed a while ago, I’d be mighty convinced that the writers saw our theories and how much fun we were having and then set out to spite us 😪
You know what though, I wasn’t really sparing SML a second glance until he let loose and relaxed a bit in ep 7, and then I was like ‘oh wait hang on 👀 …”. Also the fact that our ML is being annoying (to say the least) is doing a lot to make the SML seem more attractive too lol. They bETTER come out with a really great explanation next week (like someone will die if SY and NY break up or the entire fate of his dad’s company is resting on this marriage going through).
Yes to ALL of this!! Haha it’s funny because I’ve had the same thought recently about drama writers catering to our theories – but then I remembered it was already done filming! 😂 And the SML was decidedly more pleasant once he started warming up in ep. 7. But UGH to all the rest of it 😩
Oh, hey, @hopefulromantic…Speaking of binging rather than live-watching, I’m still in for Mad Dog! I remember you said that you were going to fan-wall post maybe this weekend—and whenever is fine—but I was just thinking through my WWW post for this weekend and I wanted to touch base because…if not DWY, then maybe we can think through a drama together whose ending we already know! Whatever will disappoint us here won’t be surprising anyway, because we can just spoil it for ourselves by reading past Beanies or asking current ones!!! Also Woo Do-hwan.
Thanks for the reminder @attiton – I’m still down for a Mad Dog watch! I’ll post something today to start a place to discuss. After the first three episodes, I certainly don’t love it, but like you said, it’s nice to know the outcome!! And Woo Do Hwan, of course 😍
Well we can drop it together at some point too. 😁 See why I was stuck though? It’s not gripping yet. I think Darwi in particular said to push through a bit so…I’ll give it until episode 6 for sure, especially if you will!
There have been some discussions lately about satisfying and disappointing drama endings, and what needs to happen at the end of a drama for its ending to be considered truly \”happy.\” At @attiton\’s urging, I\’m sharing Hopeful Romantic\’s Happy Ending Formula:
For any drama where a central romantic relationship is the focus or purpose of the drama, in order for the ending to be considered a truly Happy Ending, the OTP must be shown to be unquestionably alive and together (with the implication of being romantically involved) at the end of that drama.
I acknowledge that this is a very narrow definition, and a very low bar to clear, but it\’s also amazing how many dramas just barely squeek by. There are also dramas that circumvent these rules while still achieving them (see \”A\” below), and some that transcend these rules while still delivering satisfying endings (see \”B\” below). What other personal criteria do Beanies have for classifying Happy Endings?
Because of spoilers, the examples are here in the comment! I know these two examples may both be controversial endings for some, but these were both endings that I was very happy with:
A. Arang and the Magistrate
B. Call it Love
I actually haven’t seen Goblin yet! I know it’s going to make me cry a lot, so I’ve been putting it off. But I know about the ending. I think it will fit into a third criteria space, where the ending is technically “happy” by the definition I have provided, but where I will become less and less satisfied with the outcome the more I think about it…
OMG. Why are we watching Mad Dog if you’ve not seen Goblin, but are willing to do so??? I’m joking (mostly), but when you get to that latter drama, I’m here for you while you watch, if that’s a draw.
And, so you know, I didn’t know what the ending was going to be when I first saw it and I HATED THE ENDING—was literally was crushed and cried for a long time, even cried when I related the ending to others days later, felt all sorts of bleak hopeless despair about the meaning of life and love…but then the opposite of what you fear happened. I came to terms with it. It’s the right ending. I will defend it now, all the way to the ground.
Oh that’s really good to know, because I know we’ve had similar takes on quite a few drama endings!! I’ll let you know when I do start watching Goblin! Lol Mad Dog is an easier watch so far – not too much attention needed, and even less emotional involvement (so far). They haven’t been able to hook me in with their maudlin emotional manipulation yet! I shall resist!!😤
Idk what the general sentiment is about Goblin’s ending, so I’d be really curious to find out but I for one found it heartbreaking but not disappointing! Considering the way the plot had been set up from day one, it made sense honestly. Like would a different more positive ending been good? Yes! But this ending made the drama more memorable in a weird way and it was bittersweet rather than just only depressing I thought.
This sorta parallels what the Romance Writers of America say:
“Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work.
An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.”
Maybe more stricter than yours. Dramaland might have taught us to moderate those expectations: “OTP must be shown to be unquestionably alive.” LOL. A minimum.
I hadn’t heard the Romance Writers of America definition – I really like that! And that’s definitely what I’d prefer to see for endings. “Unquestionably alive” really is a rock-bottom minimum, isn’t it? 😅
“Unquestionably alive” 👈🏾🤣This has got to be the quote of the day because it is ridiculous that it has to be written in as a basic criteria. It’s like that sad country and western song which sounds like a sweet reminisce of an old married couple and turns into a sob fest its called Honey by Bobby Goldsboro.
Yeah, I’m starting to think romance kdramas need to develop standards like American romance books and advertise in the summary that there will be a HEA
Does The Dog Die? has a field for “Does it have a sad ending?”
Unfortunately, not all K-dramas are registered there (but YOU can do it … NOW!) and also alas, it’s audiences that fill out the slots, so untill a show has run, they don’t know more than you and me. Still, I have used it quite a bit.
Then we have to wait for them to finish airing, sadly. I love watching on-air dramas so it’s just a risk I’ll have to take. I guess I could stick to webcomic adaptations, but even then they will change the ending (cough Sixth Sense Kiss See You in My 19th Life cough)
Thanks for sharing this definition I almost missed it as I was waiting for a link or reply to say it was up. Hopefully it was just me, who was not being proactive.
Consistency.
For me a happy ending is a consistent ending.
Spoilers (dramas 25-21, Black, Bojack?).
That’s why 25-21 ending didn’t make sense for me. There’s no way in history you go from being a freaking rainbow to nothing, just like that. Without really fighting for it. Not when you’re Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin.
But there’s also sad endings that are consistent, so they’re technically “happy endings” because I felt satisfied with the show.
For me it wouldn’t have made sense for 444 to stay alive and happy with Ha Ram when the whole situation was so… twisted. I think Black’s finale made total sense.
I actually dislike it more when they try to force a happy ending. Like Bojack Horseman. For me, that last episode shouldn’t exist.
Consistency is a great qualifier for a happy ending! I agree that an ending that is consistent with the tone, message, characters, etc. should be given at the end of a drama.
I agree that a satisfying ending is consistent but it doesn’t necessarily have to be happy. The original ending was Someday, for example, or The Red Sleeve were consistent and deeply satisfying but I don’t call them happy by any means. Perhaps we can call them good endings instead.
I think that’s a fantastic formula Hopeful – it is kind of funny how that’s a low bar to clear and yet so many dramas literally are digging their way under to not clear it properly/cleanly/if at all. And it’s way worse on the C-drama side too, with xianxias literally being like ‘this one simple thing is actually excruciatingly difficult for us to achieve so here have some pain instead’ 😆
Adding on to this, I’m greedy so I usually consider it a Happily Ever After when we get weddings/post weddings/family scenes (depending on the drama of course). But in general, any ending where it feels like closure – like the plot trajectory has completed it’s run in a smooth and satisfactory manner – is Happy Enough for me. Because sometimes you have dramas that rush to provide the hallmarks of a Happily Ever After, and it feels like a disappointing cop out because it all just feels empty, thanks to how messy plot trajectory was in the lead up. An example would be with Our Blooming Youth the ending gave us something, but it felt like it was just going through the motions in a really rushed way, and so even though OTP was alive and together it was disappointing because the journey there was a mess and things had been dragged out. Conversely, although Call It Love had an implied happy ending, it still felt like a Happy Ending, because plot trajectory was smooth and the ending made sense considering the way the climax of the story had been developed and executed leading up to that ending.
I love your interpretation and additional “clauses” for a satisfying ending! Not all satisfying endings are “happy” endings, and not all happy endings are satisfying. I felt the same way about Our Blooming Youth and Call it Love – OBY’s happy ending was so sudden and not necessarily logical for the MLand FL that it didn’t feel substantial. And for Call it Love, while it was more open, it felt so emotionally satisfying – I believe that the ML and FL will begin their romantic relationship again, but it doesn’t even matter to me if they do are not – the point is that they greet each other with joy as healed, whole people again. Call it Love felt consistent with the trajectory of the plot, like you mentioned, but OBY didn’t really feel consistent… Like you and others on this thread have pointed out, consistency is key for a satisfying ending!! And I also want more dramas to show glimpses of happiness after the ending – married life, family life, doing life together. It’s unfortunately quite rare!!
I totally agree with this and with others here. I sometimes like endings that are not happy but good anyway, provided they are consistent with the rest of the story. But I think these are good criteria for a legitimately happy ending. I would also add: The OTP should be shown to be happy together. Good-natured bickering is fine (and sometimes expected!) but when they are shown together at the end it should be an unambiguous positive thing. It doesn’t happen very often to the contrary, but that might make it more disappointing than usual when it does.
I love that addendum – that the OTP should be shown to be happy together!! There have been some “romance” dramas that really bothered me because they didn’t spend time with the OTP being happy/joyful together. If you’re not going to show that, what’s the point?? You’re exactly right – it’s when they don’t show that happiness that it’s more disappointing.
There are dramas that speed through and you don’t get to see much of the OTP being happy (I find this frustrating, but it’s not a total dealbreaker for me), but in at least one recent drama (that I only followed through weecaps) the OTP seemed actively unhappy at the end, which is much worse. Most Beanies recommended you stop watching before the last ~10-20 minutes because of that.
Oh yikes – that doesn’t ring any bells, so it must not have been one I watched, but how disappointing! Especially when OTP interactions are framed as the narrative payoff at the end of a drama!!
I saw one Chinese drama and the credits were literally rolling when the ML made the confession and this was a couple of scenes after they met for the first time after several years of separation! There was no post credits extra scene believe me I looked for it.
“Good-natured bickering is fine (and sometimes expected!) but when they are shown together at the end it should be an unambiguous positive thing.”
Kiss Sixth Sense final episode. They spent the entire episode together fighting after they got together. Awful to watch. What was even the point of their HEA? Ruined the show.
Interesting characters mustn’t be conventionalised. That goes wrong e.g. in Her Private Life , in Mr. Queen (I’d say) and in Beautiful Gong Shim.
Maybe this does not belong under “Happy” endings but under “Good” endings. But for me, it is not really happiness if everybody has to be un-special.
This is for you, @dorotka! Hmm… is Jang Shin-yu a closet Jane Austen fan? 🤔 Because his style sounds pretty familiar (*P.S. I am not equating Jang Shin-yu to Mr. Darcy*)
I mean who doesn’t want someone else to be completely unable to stop their love for you, even though there are good reasons for them to stop.
This is where I get the DWY nay-sayers. There are actually no real reasons for SY not to love HJ beyond the normal “I’m just not that into you” ones. I suppose there a few that he might share with Darcy, but he’s not actually expressed an issue of class difference. So, the spell seems to have created the love and the hurdle all at the same time—surely we’d rather it be MORE like Darcy, a true love that comes from within rather than without.
That said, and as you know Hopeful, this initial hurdle might (just might) make it even more sweet as the fake love turns real, but the show might also mess it up. I’d be sad.
I’m still talking.
You know what all of this typing is reminding me of? That moment when Shin-yu is talking to our Shaman when they’re asking how to nullify the love spell, and he says something like, “What if I really fall in love with her?” That he said that seems more interesting to me today than last week (or whenever) when he initially said it. Why would he worry about that? I don’t know that we really yet understand the stakes for him…and I agree with the Beanie on the WWW thread today that said that there’s probably some (family?? Family-political??) reason that he’s still walking around with the Mayor’s daughter, agreeing to let her call him his fiancé in public.
*rambling post full of free-association and hope for more chatting ends*
I like your analysis, and I agree with you! You know, in some ways, it reminds me of the central romantic relationship in Beating Again/Falling for Innocence – seeing the ML struggle with himself about whether his love for the FL and his desire to BE good and DO good were genuine, or only a side effect of his transplant, and to what extent that mattered… I want to see Shin-yu doing some messy self-reflection and being brutally honest with himself soon! I think he’s currently a couple of levels of self-deluded with his feelings about both women. Again, his head warring with his heart. Or am I ascribing too much nuance to the writing? Eh, who cares. I’m enjoying the drama emotionally, not logically 😉
Yes, we may be trying to think too much 😄😄
Honestly, I’m here mainly for Shin-yu and his lines and the couple bickering right now. And the MaGong couple… and the Secretary 😁
Do we know that guy from somewhere? It seems that I have a memory of his teeth and smile…checking…hmm Dr. Cha. That’s probably it, but I’d have no real reason to remember him…I guess he was one of the two younger doctors who were rude to our FL.
That guy’s all reaction shots. I’m with you two.
Also, I’m going to say the unspoken @dorotka you said “I’m mainly here for…” like you were only gonna list one thing, but you listed like the whole show 🙂
His father wants him to be married young and to have a son to perpetuate the family name before dying from the curse. It’s why he talked to Na-Yeon behind his son’s back.
For Shin-Yu’s feelings, I think he got feelings in parallel of the Love spell. The spell forced him to spend time with her and they shared a lot of moments since. He could see how dedicated she is to her job, her loneliness, how she missed her father, how cute she’s is with her crush, etc. They’re very themselves when they’re together, very honest with each other. He talked to her about his disease which he never did with Na-Yeon during 2 years…
HAHAHA I WAS THINKING THIS TOO!! Esp. the iconic ‘your family is trash, you’re a peasant, I don’t even know why I like you, and my family would want better but I still love you – you’re welcome!’ confession from Darcy is exactly what a lot of Shin-yu’s backhanded compliments with a dose of self-love sound like 😂
Haha good question!!!😂 I’m usually reacting like Tom, but there have been some moments where I’m April (I think I did the same hands motion when watching ep 6) 😆
I’m off to sleep because I’m old…so fun on the DWY thread (where ARE you @indyfan??)…I’m heading off before the naysayers of the second wave take over (and also, I’ve staked my claim—help don’t help…halp…no don’t 🥹)
Did Shin-yu possess you for a bit at the end there? 😉
Have a great sleep!! Day has just started for me so off I go to do chores while I keep one 👁️ on the DWY thread to see what the sentiments of the second wave are…..
Good morning!! I predict that the second wave will come today during the U.S. daytime (there was a long delay last week too—I only saw it happening because of the comment stream. And I don’t plan on doing anything! They can have their fun too.
OMG the domination conversation was THE BEST THING TO WAKE UP TO. Let’s maintain the bawdy puhleeeeze.
Kenny G, @indyfan ? Are you trying to kill me with funniez?
I’m living for the thirst comments 😆 Usually those comments featured in Buzzfeed’s thirst tweets videos are a bit too much for me, but I’d pay to see a spin on the idea where actors/actresses read some of the swooning, squealing, meme-ing and GIF-ing, bawdy and otherwise hilarious comments on DB threads about them.
Good morning!!🌄 But also, isn’t it good evening, @lapislazulii? 😊 I said my piece (and then some), so I’m probably done on the thread for the day – the nay-ers can do as they wish.
@hopefulromantic yeah it’s good evening and if I had any sense I’d go to bed soon instead of waiting for Arthdal to drop because I’ve got tutoring to do first thing tomorrow! But…..🤷♀️
I wish DB had a messaging feature so we could be chatting here and there, but these little post threads work just as well – sorry (but also not sorry hehe) to Indy and Seon-ha who’ll keep getting reply notifs too 🤭
@lapislazulii haha I know what you mean!! I stayed up to late commenting on the recap last night 😅 Good luck doing tutoring tomorrow!! And keep me posted if you try Arthdal – I’m curious about it for LJG’s sake!! I want to see him stare intensely and fight cool-ly.
Good morning American peeps! Good night lapis. It’s dinner prep time here. I’m typing with my left hand while stirring with the other. Mistakes will be made.
The threads were funny. We missed you two! But take good care of our recap. You’re all correct. Nothing much to do with the second wave (really the Americans?). I suspect they tanked the ratings and dropped. And that’s all right.
I’ll probably just look at some late comments so they’re less lonely as Mother Bean has taught us.
I’m also glad we have this workaround to group chat. 🥰
@indyfan – have a nice dinner! That takes serious skills to type with one hand and cook with another! 👍 I was surprised at how low the ratings are now 😮💨 It’s nice to have the fanwall as a group-chat workaround with you all!!
You know…at my partner’s first real job back in the early 19th century, he had a boss who was from England, but who worked in the US’ Pacific Time Zone. When that boss retired, he started a “tech help” website service with his brother back in England. There are (obviously) eight hours of time difference between these two places, so they could basically run a service that looked like they were always there to offer their clients help, as one woke up, the other was going to sleep…
I say that’s what this group plus @elinor definitely has to offer the Dramabeans. We’ve basically got the 24-hour clock covered here and then some, so if there’s ever a dramatic drama fire that needs putting out or if someone needs to keep an eye on any situation here on Dramabeans…call on the four of us! One of us is up, and probably already has at least one eye on this site.
We even overlap for a few hours all of us—so we can have meetings to discuss strategy.
I’m laughing at how un-fun I could now make this silly idea by turning it into a late-capitalist nightmare of a bureaucracy.
OH! But what I DO know is that this “business” idea that I’m hatching will have us all needing to do company dancercizes like in Hello, Me! and Race. Anyone here have a background in dance choreography?
Ahh that’s so funny!! 😆 It’s hilarious, but we are the perfect tactical team… it reminds me of the unit on crisis communication I taught when I was an instructor – we can be on-call as the DB Drama Crisis Communication Team! Lol. I love the dancercize from Hello, Me! but I have no dance skillz 😂
I already work for a late-capitalist nightmare of a bureaucracy AND my office sometimes does dance flashmobs or dance-offs at holiday parties (it’s actually a pretty fun bunch, and no one is pressured to join such events), so I’M READY. I’m not sure for what, exactly, but count me in!
BTWS, Lapis…he totally did possess me. I realized as I was typing about my totally normal not going to be obsessive or crazy—DID YOU SEE HIS BEAUTIFUL BEADY EYES IN THAT REARVIEW MIRROR SEARING DEEP INTO MY SOUL??—interest in the 2ML here, that I was fighting inwardly with my own desire to sink deep into a love that should not be and one that is normal and about Ro-swooning and that everyone would understand.
I’m headed to bed, too! I’m not a night owl, haha 😊 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, @indyfan! And I’m going to recuse myself from the ongoing thread, depending on how the sentiments of the second wave go. But it was a fun convo this evening! Have a good day, @lapislazulii!
I hear you, Lapis, wanting a chat feature, and I’m 100% with you in spirit…but could you imagine how much less time we’d all have for like eating and sleeping? Perhaps it’s best that we’re stuck in the late 90s internet of slooooow posting…. I am happy that the site’s been loading fastER these days making things slightly less frustrating.
That said, if we’re to be the DB Drama Crisis Communication Team (Thanks for the name upthread, Hopeful!!!) maybe we do need…nah. We’re perfect the way we are. “The DBDCCT has you covered.” Is that our tagline? Someone help…we need a better one than that…with a drama pun in it.
That’s very true actually, especially since I have zero self control lol (this is why I need the DBDCCT to feed me logic and sense every now and then!) I absolutely love that little story Seon-ha about the round the clock customer service duo which has now inspired the birth of the DBDCCT. I am for that tag line too – I’m imagining us as some kind of 24/7 news service now 😂
And Indy, hope dinner prep went smoothly and you’re enjoying it now (sans mistakes or splatters!) Very impressed by your multitasking, I can’t even walk and type without tripping or typing nonsense – something has to give hahahaha
Yes that’s an absolutely FABULOUS story!!! What a smart way to run a small business like that. I think between the four of us, we offer a pretty balanced take on rom-coms and fantasy dramas, lol 😄
I couldn’t do it! But here I am all splattered now. 😂
You know I used to work for the newspaper website before the very first dot-com bubble first. 24/7. Nightmare. But call, and I shall answer! DBDCCT…activate!
What’d ya have for dins? I’m gonna be imagining a curry with lots of turmeric so those splatters will be all yellow and difficult to clean. If only you lived next to what’s-her-name from MLL. She seemed good with the tteokboki stains… 🙂
And Khow Suey, the curry base made with the freshest ingredients and depepest love by my favorite Burmese restaurant. 😂 I’m Junho in Chief Kim, not Junho in Wok of Love. Tho if I had to choose, I’d rather be well fed by the WoL one.
But but but this recipe for this delicious-looking dish that I totally might also now make myself for dinner in 7 hours has lots of turmeric in it, not tomato!! Are these not right?
For “reasons,” I’ve been cooking meals for myself and my family since I was 12. I’ve never had this dish, and am seriously going to try it. I don’t know that I’ll have time to head to the store I’ll need for these ingredients today, but I may make the effort!
And, sigh, tteokbokki is red from chili powder. God I’m such an asshole.
Beanie PSA: I interrupt your regularly scheduled #DestinedWithYou squeeing (wait, or is that me?) to let you know that the FULL OST for Call it Love has FINALLY been released!!! Lol, it only took them months and months 😂
I’m on my computer so there are no emojis (mianhaeyo), but Beansprout award for you for looking after the OST obsessives out there! I don’t know if I ever would have discovered this on my own but now I’m off to listen!
Yay!! You’re most welcome!! I’ve been checking consistently because the Disney dramas haven’t been releasing full (with instrumentals) OSTs, but then this one suddenly appeared – so that gives me hope for others! I’ve really liked the OST for Moving, and I’m hoping we’ll get the instrumentals for that one, too. Happy listening!! 😊
Spotify made a Playlist of the vocal tracks and the actors’ comments, but today the full album, including vocal tracks AND background instrumentals was released!! I’m super happy because I loved the instrumentals for this one, and had been wanting to be able to listen to them 😊
If I had the skills, I’d grab a shot of the scary hand (dried blood-like on the steering wheel), another of the sexy hand (sparkly wet blood-like on his face) and then one of sad me, no more hand in the episodes 🙁
Also, me being all, “Not only is Moving not yet posted…but also DWY (which has been promised for like a day)…and it’s super late for like so many of us…don’t want to complain…but also really want to complain…I think I need a drink. Or a place to talk about k-dramas. Do I need to start a Fan Wall shaman post. Hewp.”
Haha!😂 So much to talk about in dramas lately!! And if recaps are posted later, that’s actually better for me, because then I’m not tempted to keep up with the conversation while at work (oops) 😬😅
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 25, 2023 at 3:17 PM
Parallel World C-drama
Hey Beanies! Who’s watching the cool adventure-fantasy Parallel World? After @indyfan piqued my interest, I got caught up with the current episodes, and let me just say, I AM A HUGE FAN. We’ve now gotten @attiton to start watching, too! Let’s chat about the drama in the comments below 👇 Beware – spoilers are likely to abound!
Seon-ha
September 25, 2023 at 4:41 PM
OK, I’m through episode 10. Watcha wanna talk about, @hopefulromantic? @indyfan?
So far, I think the main theme that keeps coming up in my mind is “waiting” or, I suppose more generally, “time.” But really, “waiting.”
I often feel like I’m waiting for things to happen. The characters are waiting for the time to act. Maybe a better second term than “time” would be “patience.” Ye Liuxi was patient for a year waiting for the “men” to come find her. Chang Dong was a “form of patient” as he whiled away his time, pretending to be an old dude, making shadow puppets and putting on plays.
You know who is NOT patient? Fatty Tang. Nothing good surrounds that guy.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 25, 2023 at 5:36 PM
That’s really interesting! I hadn’t thought about the passage of time as a theme. I actually love the pace this drama has taken… I like that there was time spent in world-building and character setup. For the three main characters, we understand their character, personalities, and motives before being thrown into a new world. In the setup episodes, I see it as a “biding their time.” Ye Liuxi was patient, but she was the one who found Chang Dong (the man in the magazine she had with her when she woke up with no memories), hooked him, and made him come find her to go into the desert. I like that she’s the one who sets everything in motion. Chang Dong was living as one who had used up his years, until Ye Liuxi “woke” him from his illusion of age. So maybe as I’m writing, I’m seeing this as a theme of dreams and wakefulness? Related to this, I’m wondering if the old man and the painter that have been used as a framing device are actually part of the story, or if they’re really just a framing device that’s going to be used to get around the censors at the end…
Lol Fatty Tang is NOT patient 😂 I love that after Ye Liuxi freaked him out with her knife that he started calling her the equivalent of “noona” 😂 (I think? Can someone correct me if I’m wrong??)
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 8:21 PM
If there is a lesson, it is that I am not as patient as these desert folks. Ha! In the early episodes, I did want the plot to hurry along and skipped portions. I liked tho Hopeful how you framed their pre-meeting waiting period, and how YL is the one to force it to an end for CD as well. It really does set the tone for their characters in the series. (Was I the only one thinking for a moment to drop the show thanks to that godawful mask?)
I didn’t really understand the need for painter scenes even as a framing device. But I didn’t think of it as a way to get around censors. Speaking of which, did the depiction of the modern Chinese “Wild West” throw you off? Since then, Beanies have recommended a few other gritty series. But I still wonder if they got away with it due to the fantasy tag. And also cos it’s the western desert and politics of that region.
I quite liked Fatty Tang’s arc. (I’d be super put off by his name but it’s common to label folks in my culture too—not that I like it.) I bet he didn’t expect who’d replace him as the star side-kick. 😂 Just you wait Seon-ha.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:28 AM
I don’t think I was as surprised by the “gritty realism” approach at the beginning because I had heard it mentioned, so I was kind of braced for it?
I like FT’s arc, too!! He starts out as an avaricious coward, and now he’s being given room to grow – I bet he’ll end up doing something very brave and important.
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:01 AM
Interestingly, I didn’t do my FF trick until the fight scenes (probably a Moving reflex). I was super happy to watch them talk and wait and talk and wait some more without them even telling me what they were waiting for. “Why are you just sitting in the tent sleeping and making shadow puppets,” I’d think from time to time. Then I’d stop caring and watch, and wait.
I think I only just got the first “painter scene” last night? Somewhere between episode 10-13? I loved it. Did I forget one from earlier? It was like a “Dance Break” only with animation? Is that what y’all mean?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:04 AM
Ah! The painted scene was cool… we’re talking about the old guy who talks to the young female painter like he’s telling her a story of the drama… there should have been a couple of these scenes by 10-13?
ar_arguably romantic
September 26, 2023 at 3:30 PM
I loved Ye Liuxi’s reason for waiting. She wanted to troll the people who left her those clues and are probably watching her so that they’d be like “wait…why isn’t she doing anything? Is she really just fine with just slicing melons all day and not finding out what happened to her?”
I warmed up to Fatty Tang as the episodes went by.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:50 PM
Me too, arguably romantic – Ye Liuxi has such a good grasp of strategy, and Fatty Tang has gotten a lot more sympathetic!
Seon-ha
September 25, 2023 at 4:41 PM
I’ll be very interested to see how the theme of shadow puppetry plays out. They’re awesome.
Any thoughts on that from folks are welcome! I don’t mind spoilers…and I’m totally breaking my rules and catching up fast anyway.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 25, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Haha I’m glad you’re catching up!!! The shadow puppets do play more of a role that you’ll see soon… but I’m still not sure how they connect to the themes? I think they do reinforce the fantasy theme in that they’re traditionally used to tell stories… I’m curious to learn more!! I think they’ll be important…
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 8:24 PM
Comment was deleted
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 9:15 PM
Yeah. They play a pivotal role. But it seems a past role, right Hopeful? I would love for them to play a part in the present as well. And for it to connect with DC’s expertise as well. It’s such a cool, creepy mythology. They mustn’t waste it.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:30 AM
I bet they will play an important role, including with Chang Dong’s skill… I think he’s more involved with the history that has set everything in motion than has been currently revealed.
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 4:54 AM
Oh poo. You two are censoring yourselves. I’m serious. I don’t mind spoilers. I’ll still watch for the slow-burn attraction. *snickers* That scene with the stick and she points it at him and he misses grabbing it and then insists on grabbing it and then lets go and she sticks it in his hand over and over *snickers*
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:01 AM
HA! That scene made me laugh 😂 Their interactions are just such fun!! She almost takes a playground-style approach to teasing him until his walls crumble and he can acknowledge his feelings… ❤️
There have been more plot reveals about the shadow puppets, but not about Chang Dong and the shadow puppets yet – but I think there WILL be soon…
indyfan
September 26, 2023 at 5:16 AM
Whaaat? That was such sweet wordless bonding and you’ve gone and ruin— Oh god, that’s hilarious! Why didn’t I think of that. 😂
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:21 AM
HOWLS OF LAUGHTER just erupted here, alone in my kitchen, @indyfan. I’m so, so, very sorry. I swear my mind is often in lofty places. And it was, um, wordless bonding…um…too?
Seon-ha
September 25, 2023 at 4:42 PM
On the production front…I get it, but we can tell it isn’t night even though you put a filter on the lens because of the really intense shadows that the sun casts out here in the freaking desert. So distracting.
Other thing…you know what was NOT distracting? The awesome TRON CGI that happened when they entered the gate at the end of episode 10. That was amazeballs.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 25, 2023 at 5:45 PM
Lol the Night scenes are sooooo dark I still have a hard time seeing what’s going on even with brightness turned all the way up!! But yes, the TRON portal CGI was truly cool (*TRON LEGACY is my out-of-left-field favorite movie*).
On another production note, I’ve really enjoyed the action/fight scenes – they’re pretty cool and seem well choreographed for a drama like this. I think that may be because this is a bit like a modern, fantasy wuxia?
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 8:36 PM
We are all watching this despite the production values, or perhaps because, nostalgia or something. 😀 I never watched Tron, but the second portal within the parallel world, oh dear, that was trippy. LOL.
I do like that the characters and set are allowed to get relatively dirty and gritty. Of course, the leads are gorgeous even if they be caked in mud and wearing potato sacks. Speaking of clothes, I’m so glad LY’s outfits get relatively less sexy and more practical. The whole time I was worrying about sunburn/sandburn! And so distracted by that belt thingie on her chest!
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:13 AM
I’m ignoring that she has a bare midriff while he has on three (wise) layers including a whole overcoat.
I focus on how much fucking body her hair has in those moments. The sand probably helps, but I’m just flat-out jealous.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 25, 2023 at 6:13 PM
On another note… I love how the characters have been built, revealed, and developed! Especially the FL and ML feel vibrant and real (and so does their chemistry). An example of this building and revealing is when Yi Liuxi shares the notes she’s made about herself with Chang Dong…. good at fighting; loved ones either lousy or dead – they tell us about her, and also about how she sees herself. I also love that she is undisputedly the strongest and toughest in their group, and both men are willing to step back and let her protect them – which she does! And Chang Dong is an honorable, good man – my favorite type of ML!
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 8:52 PM
Does our OTP remind you a little bit, just a wee bit of our Heartbeat one? She’s tough, no-nonsense, and he’s our honorable softie? OK, yeah, I should never make that comparison, but this is one of my favorite types of couple, mostly cos it’s so rare.
And I love the show doesn’t play ML’s softness for laughs, denigrates it in anyway. He can kill if need be, somersault over rocks he doesn’t need to. (But pls don’t do that parkour move again. I cringed so hard.) However, neither he, nor anyone in the show bats an eyelid when YL is in charge. So rare.
Btw I completely forgot about that diary scene. You’re right, it was great! I do whinge a bit about the slowness of the early episodes, but that allowed them to build a genuine, slow burn romance (my favorite) and relationships across the group in general. They really feel like a solid couple and team now. So well done.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:33 AM
Now that you mention it, they do remind me of them a little! But that combo – she the tough one, he the soft one – is one of my favorites, too. Just like you said, I LOVE that Chang Dong’s soft-heartedness isn’t scoffed at or played for laughs. He still does what needs to be done to protect them, but he also feels deeply. Lovely!! It also gives such a nice push/pull to their relationship… she wants his leg, he wants her heart ❤️
indyfan
September 26, 2023 at 4:49 AM
OMG. That line of hers was so out of left field. I swear she ad libbed it. He looked genuinely surprised. 😂
I’m so glad you’re remembering all these details. I’ve forgotten everything till you jog my memory.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 4:53 AM
Haha he looked shocked!😂 His reaction was a combo of, I’m pretty sure that’s a joke, but I know she could follow through 😅 So many of their interactions feel so natural that it makes me wonder how much of their dialogue was ad libbed?? If any?
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 4:57 AM
No, I actually can’t say that they do…and I’m not just saying that to ward off the INFINITELY BAD MOJO you’re bringing on by saying it. They remind me more of Han and Leia, if Han had an artistic side-hobby.
indyfan
September 26, 2023 at 5:12 AM
OK, yeah. That was bad, Indy, bad. Apologies.
I guess it could be Leia, but even more kickass. And if I squint real hard, I can see Han, but DC is a whole lot sweeter, not a spoon, but a jar full of more sugar.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:47 PM
@indyfan @attito @asianromance
Oh HEY you mean this parkour scene? That parkour moment was cringy funny – I’m glad the ML is kind of (an adorable) dork 🙈
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Oops – @attiton I meant to @ you!
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:51 PM
HahahahahahaHAlolololol…that’s exactly it!!! So silly of Chang Dong. And so, unlike him!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:54 PM
… almost like he was trying to show off and impress her like a kid on the playground “Are you watching? Watch me do something cool!” 😆❤️
indyfan
September 27, 2023 at 5:59 AM
😂😂😂 The Office is Gif Gold I tell you, gold. You know sometimes in a drama they forget a character’s traits they showed a few episodes ago and you roll your eyes? Well, I hope that happens with his parkour skillz. LOL. Taking some courses at the local Y (or equivalent) does not an expert make.
♡Peach_Mochi♡
September 26, 2023 at 11:31 AM
I loved the diary scene as another example of Liuxi’s competence. She didn’t freak out upon discovering herself left for dead in the middle of the desert with a case of amnesia to boot. She lost her memories but not her intelligence or cool, analytical mind.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:30 PM
Yes!!! Exactly!!! She’s competent and thinks before acting (*usually*). She’s an awesome FL character!
indyfan
September 25, 2023 at 9:14 PM
All credit to @mayhemf for recommending it first. They may have dropped it, but we’ll keep going.
I believe @marysadanaga and @asianromance are watching. Maybe @dorotka ? Tagging just in case.
Dorotka
September 25, 2023 at 11:08 PM
Thanks. I have seen two episodes and it is definitely interesting! It reminds me of something, it’s on the tip of my tongue, but constantly slipping…
Anyway, I think you guys have a much faster pace than me (I have lately energy just for some daily outside my usual watching schedule 😆).
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 4:54 AM
Come back whenever, Dorotka! If you tag us, I know we’ll all come rushing back to hear what you have to say!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 4:55 AM
No worries, Dorotka – you can join in the conversation anytime, no matter how much you’ve watched!
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:11 AM
Out of space on the “painterly scenes,” so moving here…plus I have a new topic (sorry that I’m like this, folks).
Ah, @hopefulromantic, maybe I’ve not seen the painterly scenes, as I don’t know a female painter yet.
ALTHOUGH this does remind me of another theme I thought of in the night (I slept fine, but it was a little fitful)…which was stories within the story—like parallel worlds. I kept thinking it was funny when Liuxi would stop at an important scene and say “Wanna hear a scary story?”
But then it kept happening, and then another character would do it—and apparently there are even more.
So, stories within stories within stories. Where does it all end??? @indyfan we may be back at Buddhism.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 6:05 AM
Eeek yes!!! Stories within stories!!! And my prediction is that Ye Liuxi and Chang Dong are both part of the original stories in ways they’re not currently aware of… I love the storytelling, the “oral tradition” with the traditional methods of storytelling… this flavor of fantasy is LIKE MY FAVORITE THING. Borrowing from literature, it’s taking a Robin McKinley approach to purposefully leaving much unexplained, which adds to the mystery. I’m firmly of the opinion that fantasy works best when it’s not over-explained. If there’s an explanation and definition for everything, the magic is gone… if you provide a technical manual for everything that’s happening; well, now you’ve got science fiction 🤷♀️
♡Peach_Mochi♡
September 26, 2023 at 11:39 AM
Another risk of over-explanation is that the logic and world-building start to fail … and then you see the holes instead of getting sucked into the story. I like how we get little bits of information here and there about the parallel world (and who knows how reliable these various storytellers are). The world itself has a great blend of fantasy and realism — yes, there are shapeshifting creatures, but you still have to find gas for the SUV and pay for your motel room.
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 12:56 PM
LOL. I know. I keep worrying about the gas. It’s (in part) pandemic-panic rearing its ugly head…
More, @marysadanaga, more more comments!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 3:31 PM
Haha I worry about the gas, too!!! I love the magical realism approach to fantasy
ar_arguably romantic
September 26, 2023 at 3:42 PM
I worry about the gas too, especially since cars are rare in that world. When Fatty Tang had to toss an entire tank, I almost screamed. But apparently that car that is carrying 5 people and all their belongings…gets amazing mileage. Maybe it’s a hybrid??
indyfan
September 27, 2023 at 6:01 AM
@asianromance
Didn’t FT somehow burn down a whole city with just that one tank of gas? And it wasn’t even effective on those vines? Or did I imagine that?
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 6:12 AM
Yes, FT torched color-I-can’t-remember town via those vines, although he ended up on his knees about it 😉
@indyfan
ar_arguably romantic
September 27, 2023 at 12:41 PM
@indyfan I think they later learned that torching those vines was the opposite thing you really should have done when confronted with those vines.
indyfan
September 27, 2023 at 6:03 AM
I too like the idea of stories within stories, but I am not quite sold on how PW is using the painters to frame the story. It feels a little throwaway. Watching cautiously.
While I’m not reading much fantasy these days, I’d love to take a break from the heavy stuff now and then. Hopeful, what Robin McKinley would you recommend to start with?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 9:16 AM
Yeah, I’m cautious about how those painters are going to play into the framing of the story 😬
I love Robin McKinley – I hope you like her, too, if you get a chance to read anything of hers! Her books are very slow… think first five eps of Parallel World. I happen to love that pace and find it soothing/relaxing. Two of my favorites are Spindle’s End and Chalice, but those aren’t as popular. I more recently read her two most famous books, The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown, and loooooooved them. They’ll all be a break from heavier themes!!
Seon-ha
September 26, 2023 at 5:16 PM
I’ve never seen PPL for “oil” which is clearly “lotion” but has no brand. I think they’re doing it wrong.
PS: Comfort scenes are the best. Also scenes in the hospital where the cute young man is clearly upset but doesn’t know how to comfort, those are also awesome.
PPS: Ah, yes, the “painterly scenes.” I had seen one, but had forgotten—way early on.
@marysadanaga @indyfan @hopefulromantic
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Haha I had the same reaction to the PPL – I was like, Hold on, aren’t you going to show me the brand???
Aww I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the comfort scenes!!!! With the FL/ML and then with that scrappy princess and her stoic bodyguard who would obviously walk through fire for her but doesn’t know how to explain that he would do that in a ~romantic~ sense ❤️
As an aside, that bodyguard actor is also in Love Like the Galaxy as one of the SMLs, and one of the few characters I actually liked (I still haven’t finished, and I’m not sure I will… I have a lot of problems with that drama, even though it’s opulently magnificent) – I’m glad to see him in something else!
♡Peach_Mochi♡
September 26, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Agree, I’m glad I can root for him to wind up with the SFL in this drama (instead of how he was SML’d in LLTG). His loveline with the princess in Parallel Worlds is adorable. They’re the more immature couple that everyone but them can see is perfect for each other. It’s a fun contrast to the more mature, communicative leads.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 26, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Yes exactly!!!! I’ve actually been surprised at how invested I am in their relationship. They’re a really cute contrast – the SFL is more scatterbrained, and the SML is more stoic, and they’re just adorable.
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 5:12 AM
This stupid, MAJESTIC rooster has my heart. Y’all weren’t wrong. He’s got me making gifs. The only gifs I’ve wanted to make so far, all contain this bird.
Look at how he struts into this interrogation room. Totes owns the place. PLUS, he’s like an alarm chicken, warning you of incoming dangers. AND, so what if he’s a voyeur, always around when sexy times call. I mean a rooster’s gotta roost.
@indyfan @hopefulromantic @asianromance @marysadanaga
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 5:34 AM
HA!😂 That interrogation scene with the rooster’s self-assured confidence… so fun! And a super useful alarm system. Yay Seon-ha I’m glad you’re having fun with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
indyfan
September 27, 2023 at 6:07 AM
Yay, join us on the Rooster Ride. May he never be roasted.
Should we have a new PW post leading with Rooster gifs (if they are coming, no pressure)? Maybe then we can switch the focus from the start to the middle of the series? Or is it best to just continue here? Not sure how this works.
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 6:12 AM
It works the way we want it to work!! The beauty of being totally in charge is that the world is your oyster.
I wasn’t going to make any more rooster gifs, unless there were direct requests, but I do think that having a second post to start “post-second-wormhole” conversations would be swell.
You offering to host? I’d love to come to your house, @indyfan 😉
indyfan
September 27, 2023 at 6:32 AM
I could. But lemme get home (in transit), recover and watch last week’s episodes finally. In a day or two? Unless someone else is up for it?
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 6:35 AM
@indyfan I don’t think there’s a rush… But if anybody else wants to take this up, that’s fine with me!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 9:18 AM
Just out of curiosity, where are you at currently in your watch, Seon-ha?
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 11:54 AM
@hopefulromantic I’m finishing episode 20 at the moment. Well, not at this very moment. Right now, I’m typing to you in a moment before going into meeting number 5 today.
I’m also daydreaming about the episode of DWY that I won’t be able to watch for 5 more hours…hoping it’s awesome…AND STAYING OFF THE FAN WALL.
So, after DWY later tonight…No…Let’s face it, after I watch DWY twice tonight (because that’s usually what happens), I’ll be finishing episode 20 of PW.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 11:59 AM
Awesome @attiton!! You’ve really caught up quickly!! Haha this was an easy bingewatch for me to get caught up with, too 😊
YIKES five meetings in one day!!! 😬 Good luck, and I’m glad you have some eps to look forward to to relax after work!
Seon-ha
September 27, 2023 at 5:18 PM
Y’all?? “Wandong” and “Chang Dong” are NOT that different of a name. I get it. I get it. East/West. Shadow Puppets/Not Shadow Puppets…we shall satisfy these dichotomies with this relationship FOREVAH.
@indyfan @hopefulromantic @asianromance @marysadanaga
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 5:29 PM
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!! 💯💯💯 I’ve been rewatching the early episodes (obsessed? I’m not obsessed!), and I have theories, you guys… I think (1) he and she are both part of the prophecy, and (2) Chang Dong is either the reincarnation of that original wizard, OR he and Ye Liuxi are the reincarnations of that king and his queen who split the worlds in the first place. If there’s a reincarnation reveal, that would also potentially explain the “modern” painter + grandpa framing device that could say “it’s all just FICTION” at the end, because I think reincarnation/transmigration of souls is one of the censor no-no’s for modern dramas (??? I’m not sure – can someone correct me?) Because the first time the light puppets find them in the desert, I think they were either calling to Chang Dong, or he drew them to him – they were responding to him, not Ye Liuxi, because he’s the other half of the prophecy. It can’t be a coincidence that he is a master at this traditional craft!!!
♡Peach_Mochi♡
September 27, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Love your theory … it really does seem that both of them have a deep and destined connection to the parallel world.
Remember when the central problem was recovering the bodies of the lost expedition?!?? When that story wrapped up well before the halfway point I wondered what else the show would explore. Well … just about everything you could imagine and a million things you couldn’t! 🤯
This show’s vibe = Yes, there seem to be dragons circling overhead, but no big deal, we’ve got other things to worry about.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 27, 2023 at 5:55 PM
I like how you described it – a deep and destined connection! That also emphasizes @attiton‘s analysis of the beautiful symmetry of East/West, shadow puppets/not shadow puppets. I’m really loving the vibe – lol it reminds me of a lot of the YA fantasy fiction I’ve loved 😁
♡Peach_Mochi♡
September 28, 2023 at 9:35 AM
Until we start a new thread for the back part of the series … let me just say, I watched ep. 26 and OMG this writer keeps finding new ways to surprise. Can’t wait to get your takes. I don’t think we need to worry about this show having too many episodes to sustain our interest. It’s reverse nesting doll or chambered nautilus … the story and stakes keep getting bigger and we’re making discoveries along with the characters.
Regarding the painting device and potential strategies to dodge the censors, the show addresses the tension between security and personal freedoms in an authoritarian regime, as well as slavery and forced labor that privileges the elite few, and control of trade with the outside world — all in the name of “safety and stability.” So … yeah, themes that could raise some governmental eyebrows.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 28, 2023 at 11:06 AM
Eek I’m going to watch ep 26 tonight! Your comment makes me really excited!!! Ooh I love your analysis of the political themes… yes, I agree that these themes could be problematic with the censors… I wonder if it helped them be more under the radar since this one seems smaller budget and not as hyped up? Either way, very excited.
Seon-ha
September 28, 2023 at 6:37 PM
Who wants to take a bet that, in episode 23, when Uncle Ao walks in and calls Cheng Dong, Gao Dong…that was an actual mistake by the actor??? That then the other two male leads covered up (poorly, even :))?
@indyfan @hopefulromantic @asianromance @marysadanaga
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 5:57 AM
Don\’t mind me; I\’ll just be over here waiting to read y\’all\’s thoughts and feelings about Destined With You now that I\’m an outside observer 😁
Seon-ha
September 21, 2023 at 6:26 AM
Ha. I now feel surveilled. 🧐
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 6:35 AM
Ha! 😂 No, I’m just looking forward to hearing how it’s going, and if it will sway me to come back and finish it later…
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 7:16 AM
Same!
I feel like now I’m truly able to enjoy the show. 😎
Can’t wait for the recaps and comments.
PS. Moss is just ADORABLE.
Seon-ha
September 21, 2023 at 7:30 AM
WAIT. Now I feel used…
@hopefulromantic What have you started??? 😉
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 7:36 AM
🤣🤣 it’s not like that. Hehehe.
DwY is just one of those shows that brings beanies together. If you like it it’s fun and if you don’t like it is even more fun!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 8:07 AM
Lol yes 😂
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 8:06 AM
Moss is SO ADORABLE!! In general I adore Richard Ayoade 😊
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Same!!! ^^
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 9:14 AM
Have you seen him in Travel Man??? I’d highly recommend it if not 😊
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 2:33 PM
That’s the show with a lot of food, right? I’ve seen some videos.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 3:13 PM
Comment was deleted
Unaspirated
September 21, 2023 at 9:41 AM
Have y’all watched the cinematic masterpiece that is The Boxtrolls?!? His character is totally fantastic in it and in general it’s just really good.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 12:15 PM
I didn’t know he was in that!!! Now I’ll have to look it up. He also does some cool cameos – I loved his appearance in Paddington 2!! My dearest wish would be for him to be in Taskmaster, but I think his real-life personality might be too shy for that.
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 2:34 PM
Omo, I didn’t know! Thank you for the rec!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 3:15 PM
Replying to the below – that’s the one! (I don’t know how to @ you)
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 21, 2023 at 9:15 PM
It’s @enriquequierecagar
But don’t worry, I got the notification because you replied to comment.
And yeah, I watched a few of his videos after my unhealthy obsession with The IT Crowd.
indyfan
September 21, 2023 at 7:38 AM
This was me during My Lovely Liar. Karma (in the popular sense) I guess. But dramaland will eventually get us aaaaall.
Seon-ha
September 21, 2023 at 7:49 AM
I dunno…I actually need to cultivate this skill. I was going to respond with “**cough**My Dearest**cough**” but then I remembered how I couldn’t actually stop myself from WATCHING THE WHOLE DAMN THING TOO (albeit with a heavy FF finger).
How do I not also watch??? Teach me. I am your Padawan learner, oh great Jedi Masters.
indyfan
September 21, 2023 at 8:05 AM
As my Jedi schooling ending after the first three films (with an exception here and there), alas I cannot be your master in that line of philosophy.
However, I was referring to the inevitability of all of us going down in flames with some drama or the other. So watch out popcorn eaters.
And, how could you impugn upon My Dearest? We will tear out our hair, beat our chests. But it will be for the most satisfying, beautiful of crying. The popcorn eaters will be carried away in a flood of salt waters.
Also, I’m currently crying. I have one bar. I can barely get this site to load. How will I stream DWY. 😭
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 8:09 AM
“Going down in flames with one drama or another” 👈 So true, so true. The flames will pop the popcorn, though!! 😁 🍿
indyfan
September 21, 2023 at 8:17 AM
True. True. For someone else. 😀
Cera (@Seeker)
September 21, 2023 at 9:28 AM
So true… I keep telling myself I can come out of this Heart ❤ Beat induced anxiety and angst … still processing apparently. Can’t i get a pre-end drama leap or an amnesia wand or something.
Seon-ha
September 21, 2023 at 8:22 AM
Hmm. Sounds like you might have it pretty bad for DWY, Indy.
As always, I’m here for you. I’ll make your gifs and write you a better drama, if need be.
I also had this thought: “If DWY goes down in flames this week or next, at least that’ll be better than going down in the last FIVE minutes. I can handle this. I can handle this.”
Tell me it is so, Internet Friends!!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 21, 2023 at 9:17 AM
It’s Infinitely better than in the last five minutes!!! HB was such a disorienting drama experience; it makes me feel like I’ve come out of that experience a more resilient drama-watcher. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. But it’s also made me really jumpy with dramas – I’ve been dropping them left, right, and center lately.
vienibenmio
September 21, 2023 at 9:43 AM
See, I skipped My Dearest because it sounds like it’ll be super sad.
vienibenmio
September 21, 2023 at 9:43 AM
The reincarnation story has started (so the sageuk scenes) and ohhh man I’m loving it.
Seon-ha
September 21, 2023 at 5:35 PM
@lapislazulii @hopefulromantic @indyfan @cecilieDK @sonai
I’m done with my “early Jae-kyung” essay :). When everyone’s awake, feel free to go check it out and comment, if you like:
https://www.dramabeans.com/activity/p/1457673/
Also, I did this tonight in part because I know for a fact now that I won’t be able to resist a gif-fest for episodes 9-10, I just don’t know what focus the community will bring to it. What I did know is that if I didn’t get this thing “published,” I’d start getting BEHIND, and buhjesus, is this my JOB now???
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 2:45 PM
#MadDog
Hey Beanies! 😊 @attiton and I are doing a watch-and-chat of Mad Dog here on the fanwall, and you\’re welcome to join us! One of us will post a comment here every so often as a place to talk about a set of episodes. I\’ve seen eps 1-3, so I\’m going to add some thoughts on those in the comments below.
@seeker @elinor
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 2:47 PM
So I thought this was going to be the insurance version of Numbers, and I think that’s the general idea, but it hasn’t gripped me yet like Numbers did. But I’ve been told it gets better, and I get to enjoy Woo Do Hwan’s lovely, lovely voice, so I’m definitely continuing! I was much more affected by the story and passing of the insurance maknae than by the ML’s own family trauma. As soon as we meet the new insurance guy (the SML from Our Blooming Youth!!!), I knew he was going to die, but it still hurt. Then I was surprised to see Park Sung-Hoon (!!!), playing a villain… again. I’ve also been weirded out by the fact that the only (?) female character is being used as an eye candy prop – I think they are going for a bit of a Mission Impossible vibe? Oh well. So far, it’s an easy watch that doesn’t demand my whole attention or deeply involve my emotions, which is a win!! And also Woo Do Hwan 😍
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 5:52 PM
I love how, on Viki, there’s a Soompi article there on (my) Mad Dog page with the headline, “What To Watch If You’re Already Missing Woo Do Hwan.” I mean what does one do if one “already misses” Woo Do-hwan while watching Woo Do-hwan? I think that’s happened to me during Joseon Attorney! Imagining the moment when he wouldn’t be speaking in his dulcet tones and gallivanting 🙆♀️
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 6:07 PM
“Dulcet tones and gallivanting” 😆 That’s his charm in a nutshell!! And that’s all I want from this drama, haha! So far, there’s been some of both, so I’m pleased 😊
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 6:38 PM
OOH. I just had an idea about why this doesn’t feel like Numbers. Because the “one-upsmanship” game is between two people that I want to both LIKE. There’s no villain like Han Je-kyun to just hate on. I mean, even though he was our dear Seung-Jo’s dad, that was no reason to care for him.
We can hate the insurance fraudsters like the economic fraudsters, but it’s like the good guys are one-upping one another, and that’s sort of a waste. Maybe that’s what settles down and makes the show more enjoyable?
I won’t spam to much more—to do that would drown out other folks who want to join in, I am aware—but I’ll have one last larger post below and then will join the commenting crowd on other folks’ ideas!!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 6:57 PM
I really like that idea!! I think that describes well what I’m feeling. There’s disharmony and discord right now, but I know they do team up, so… hopefully the dynamic shifts to the more enjoyable soon!!
Cera (@Seeker)
September 15, 2023 at 9:27 PM
While watching I didn’t realise Numbers was gripping … still tuned in weekly. Yes I get the vibe you’re going for.
The ML trauma is a hard one to sympathise with … well-worn trope but just can’t seem to recall anyone where it really hit you.
Yes we are all in for our Woo Do-hwan fix!
darwi
September 16, 2023 at 12:58 PM
What ?? Ok, I though that Number would be the accounting version of Squad team 38 and Mad dog an insurance version. But I utterly disliked Numbers, and I adored Mad dog even more than the other fraud-team investigation.
I love Woo Do Hwan, and the dynamic with Yoo Ji Tae not unlike in Healer.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 19, 2023 at 5:09 AM
I haven’t seen Squad 38 yet, but I’ll put it on my list!! The dynamic between the MLs in Mad Dog really is similar to Healer 😀
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 24, 2023 at 1:38 PM
Numbers grabbed me from the start because it was passionately acted, dramatic, all-in nonsense right out of the gate. I was wondering how accounting was going to be made (a) interesting and (b) not Tracer and it let me know immediately. This is taking a little more time to set a tone. I wasn’t as skeptical about insurance fraud investigation being an excuse for lots of action, because insurance cases by their nature can involve accidents, death, mysterious circumstances, deceit, and dangerous circumstances.
I’m into ep. 5 now and this has predictably turned into The Woo Do-hwan Show for me, too. I’d never seen him except in a few
bathrandom scenes from Joseon Attorney, and he is living up to the hype.Seon-ha
September 24, 2023 at 1:42 PM
Oh, yeah, the bath.
But really, I mean, I keep posting this, but for a reason: https://imgur.com/4QOtAvz
I watch many scenes from Bloodhounds many, discrete, scenes.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 24, 2023 at 2:22 PM
YEAH @elinor!! The Woo Do Hwan show!! That’s where I’m at with my investment in the show, too.
And FWIW, there were like, a lot of bath scenes in Joseon Attorney, which was pretty much a one-man show for our boy.
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 15, 2023 at 3:12 PM
I’m going to start it this weekend – maybe even tonight!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 3:17 PM
YAY!!! Join us!!! Depending on everyone’s watch schedules, we can probably discuss a couple of episodes a week! (P.S. sorry for the spoilers 😅)
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 15, 2023 at 3:29 PM
No worries, I assume there will be spoilers here and there and I’ll probably forget these particular ones anyway because what you wrote is meaningless to me without context. I’m excited!
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 4:07 PM
So excited. I have kimchi jjigae to eat (I left my Korean food desert!!!) and my suitcase to unpack and then I’m going to remind myself what the first three episodes were about…more v. soon.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 4:19 PM
WHOA I’m jealous – no Korean restaurants near me!! That’s definitely one of the many dishes I want to try sometime 😊 Enjoy your meal, and I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts!!
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 6:17 PM
Uh, I think how I’m going to do this is post in smallish bits with one idea each, so folks can respond to subsections rather than one long post? I’m gonna wing this. It may not work.
Poor Gen X: Yet Again Never Measuring Up
If I’ve said it once, I’ve, well, said it once—these poor Gen X male actors! Both Yoo Ji-tae (Kang-woo) and Choi Won-young (bit part here, but the co-ML in Mystic Pop-up Bar) have this way about them that drives me up the wall. There’s like a macho swagger to them that, like, angers me. Probably because they’re close to my age and remind me of men I actually know rather than fake men that I can distance myself from like our dearest WDH. It only makes things worse that they have to play against actors like WDH, Ji Chang-wook and Yook Sung-Jae.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 6:27 PM
I really liked Yoo Ji-tae in Healer – like a LOT – but here there’s an intangible something (swagger, like you said?) that just annoys me in this role 🤷♀️ … So far, at least. But Woo Do Hwan already delights me in his role, so it all evens out. I think because the plot is leaning too hard on the melo this early, it has actually taken me out of the emotions, which means I watched all the tragedy dry-eyed (a rarity for me!).
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 24, 2023 at 1:18 PM
My biggest issue with Choi Won-young so far is: why is he wearing his tie that weird way, with half of it over his dress shirt collar? I thought it was a wardrobe malfunction the first time, but it’s consistent.
Seon-ha
September 24, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Yeah, that tie/collar thing becomes like his “schtick/concept,” doesn’t it? It feels deeply 1984 to me, somehow, like something “High Wham!” would have worn. Also, how wrong could I have been about the “bit part” thing? I sort of which his part were, indeed, smaller so that we wouldn’t have to look at these “fashion choices” or, now that I’m on a rant and can’t stop, his horrible haircut!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 24, 2023 at 2:24 PM
YEAH what is up with his collar/tie disarray? Is it supposed to indicate fashion? Dissipation? His lax moral character??? I’m so confused every time I see it and his weird haircut that looks like he did it himself
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 3:27 PM
There seems to be a slit on the left collar where the tie goes in and the comes out on top of the right collar. Very distracting and unfashionable … perhaps an idol can carry it off in a concept photoshoot but here the skewed tie and bad haircut makes him look like a wannabe.
Seon-ha
October 1, 2023 at 4:23 PM
In today’s post—I got a good screenshot of this horrid fashion geometry 🙂
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 6:19 PM
On the Backstory Episodes
I agree totally with Hopeful that the first two episodes are all backstory, Episode 1 being “backstory to insurance fraud” and Episode 2 being “backstory to co-ML’s trauma.”
Here’s something interesting. I watched (it turns out) 2.5 episodes only maybe three weeks back. As I was skimming episode 1, I thought, “Hey, this was more interesting in retrospect than it was while I was watching the first time!” Like when the building fell down, I was anticipating WDH’s “experiment” on the roof later, and was all, “Huh! Interesting!” But, of course, I couldn’t have had that thought the first time through…what would it be like to have a drama that’s only good on second watch? I mean, not a very good drama 😆
I also remembered that I literally sat on my FF button for the entirety of episode 2. It was a mix between “yes yes, sad sad…got it.” [Eek, I’m cold-hearted!] but also “I don’t want to sit through an entire makjang hour of his sadness and the horror of losing your family!!! Perhaps I’m not the right audience for this particular approach to backstory. But again, going through it again quickly, it was like studying for a test and sort of knowing the material. “Ah yes, this and that plot point…interesting, yes, THAT is going to come back.”
Sounds like you’re in a similar—although nicer—boat, Hopeful, insofar as episode 1 was more interesting to you than 2.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 7:04 PM
Haha oh no, I used FF for all the scenes of him crying over his family 😅 I just couldn’t connect with his style of crying (contrast that with WDH in Joseon Attorney, when he had me ugly-sobbing for 1.5 episodes)… think part of it is that the reveal and descent into deep emotions is too soon – I’m not so fully invested within the first two episodes to cry for his loss. If the reveal of his personal connection had come later, maybe I would have cried with him. Dramas do need to take some time to create those connections with the viewers, I think. These are all such great observations, Seon-ha!! Much deeper than my reflections, which were much more along the lines of, “LOOK! Park Sung-Hoon!” 😂
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 7:38 PM
Oh my stars, I cried so much over JA. That second-to-last episode, I think it was. Why did people hate on that drama so much?? I think it was all the other characters, perhaps 🙂
As for my comments, I hope they don’t limit conversation or set any expectations that folks don’t want. I like to start conversations, not stop them!
Are you going to try Kidnapping Day because of Park Sung-hoon? I know @elinor is watching. I’m going to wait and see…Blue said it turned dark in episode 2, and I can’t imagine that it’s going to be too dark for me.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 16, 2023 at 3:52 AM
I’m going to wait and see with Kidnapping Day – especially since Blue said it turned dark.
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 18, 2023 at 10:30 AM
I love it so far! It’s not that dark, yet – it just delivered what we already knew would happen, which is murder. Or rather, discovery that a murder had occurred. The show is premised on kidnapping, murder, and the dad/kid duo being fugitives so of course it’s got that darkness, but it has definitely delivered the “comedy” part of “dark comedy.” Dive in!
I’ll be back with Mad Dog reax today.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 18, 2023 at 4:30 PM
Thanks for the report, @elinor! It does really intrigue me, but I think this one may be a better bingewatch for me so that I don’t have to wait anxiously week to week 😊
Seon-ha
September 19, 2023 at 4:04 AM
The thought that Dramabeans was gone for good and I’d never hear @elinor’s thoughts on Mad Dog…let’s just say, it didn’t make my yesterday any easier 🙃
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 24, 2023 at 1:30 PM
Yeah, I FF’d or ate my salad without looking at the screen A LOT during the crying. He’s sad, we get it, next. I also had to look away from most of the plane crash scenes because that was simultaneously too fearfully real and too poorly CGI’d, if that makes sense.
Seon-ha
September 24, 2023 at 1:48 PM
This will, forever more, be how I think of you when I imagine you not wanting to watch a part of a drama:
Elinor: “Ooh, I fear that this will be both poorly done and designed to tug on my heartstrings.”
Show: [Does exactly that]
Elinor: “How to cope? Which do I choose? Fast-forward button??? Or, better yet…salad????”
Glorious. Just glorious.
I just get angry, fast-forward too far, then have to rewind some because I over-shot, making a one-hour show last easily 90 minutes, when I could have just watched and gotten it over with. I’ve got no “salad option,” is what I’m telling you.
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 24, 2023 at 2:06 PM
😆 Salad is usually a poor choice for my drama-eating because I have to look at it if I want to get it on my fork instead of my lap. I may have to develop a list of salad-worthy dramas or classification of salad-ready scenes.
I have developed better FF/rewind skills over time, but still often panic-rewind back to exactly the point I started to FF in the first place. I wish there were more forward/back options on streaming platforms. Prime and Tubi are the worst – 30 seconds is the only option, which is usually too much.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 24, 2023 at 2:27 PM
It makes perfect sense! It is simultaneously so real and so NOT real…
Sometimes I FF, sometimes I mute 🤷♀️
Seon-ha
September 24, 2023 at 2:36 PM
But do you have a “salad option,” Hopeful??? If so, what is it?
Also, I’d take a “mute video” choice. Like when Kang-woo tells the “boys” not to monitor his conversation with what’s-her-insurance-CEO’s-daughter and they’re like “fine,” but only turn off the video monitor…but still listen? I’m way more affected by sight than sound, and I only understand 10% of the Korean anyway…but I would still be able to tell when to turn the sound back on!! And, hey, I could eat my salad during that time!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 24, 2023 at 2:44 PM
@attiton I don’t have a salad option, but maybe I should! (Does checking emails or Dramabeans count?) If the culprit is primarily auditory – i.e., excessive aegyo or crying or shrieking, I’ll mute. If it’s scary-ness or I think there will be a jump scare, I cover the screen. If there’s something really terrible happening, like violence *with sound effects,* I cover the screen AND mute and only peek at the subtitles to see when it’s safe again 😅 Maybe I’ll just start calling that strategy my “Salad Option.”
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:20 PM
I liked how the drama introduces / sets up Woo Do-hwan’s character in episode 1 –
a. The very first scene narrating a story about insurance scams.
b. Then nothing till halfway through the episode when he has meet-cutes Ha-ri and Kang-woo. We are led to believe he is meeting them for the first time and is just trying to be a good employee to the architect.
c. Meeting the Mad Dog team at their office is where he first shows his hand a bit.
d. The end of the episode reveal about his identity.
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:21 PM
Random thoughts which popped up while watching episode 1:
– Omo that’s the guy from Oldboy (remembered him from Healer much later),
– Omo omo that’s JIN MU (from Alchemy of Souls), then spent most of the time expecting him to turn on a dime,
– building collapse triggered my Just Between Lovers shopping mall collapse trauma,
– Eh … does tapping fingers like that actually increase mental acuity?
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:32 PM
Also Woo Do-hwan makes the perfect Black Agent Kim Do-ha from My Lovely Liar complete with glasses and black suit.
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:38 PM
While backstory for a drama character is important – to set up the character, understand their motivations, what to they want where they are headed – episode 2 even with chock-full information seemed like a filler. Nothing which could not have been conveyed in 10 minutes.
Also drama, show (in character’s behavior, interactions, responses) not tell (in painfully elaborate detail) is a good way to tell your story.
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Although the drama sets up Kim Min-joon as a character who is many steps ahead of the Mad Dog gang, at times Yoo Ji-tae’s acting prowess tends to over power Woo Do-hwan.
Admittedly, Choi Kang-woo is not a particularly endearing character, and Yoo Ji-tae’s acting is old school but Woo Do-hwan’s relative lack of acting experience shows. He barely put a foot wrong in The King: Eternal Monarch and Joseon Attorney.
Seon-ha
October 1, 2023 at 4:35 PM
Shaman does it in DWY…and she seems smart!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
October 1, 2023 at 4:40 PM
The “Omo, that’s so-and-so from so-and-so!” has been really fun with this show 😄👍 Lots of famous faces!
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Oh, side note before I start my last post here (which is way shorter than I thought!)…Do you think that Min-joon is actually afraid of bugs (from that scene in the architect’s office)??? Also, every part of me wants to call him Jan, because this stupid Notes app understands “Jan” as a name, and I don’t have to ride herd on typing Min-joon which can come out as ANYTHING after auto-correct gets a hold of it.
Episode 3
Oooh, I’m not so fond of deus ex machina/one-of-a-kind illnesses.
Oooh, I’m not so fond of anyone hitting Woo Do-hwan like that.
Yeah, I’m still not gripped. I need to see these guys working as a team. Also, for them to stop being proud assholes. Too much to ask? I’m still in…I am promised improvement!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 16, 2023 at 3:55 AM
Lol I didn’t think he was really afraid of bugs, but maybe he is?? And yes – I need everyone to crank down the arrogance by a LOT. Sheesh, you all want the same thing (I think), just collaborate on a solution. But it should get better!!
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 24, 2023 at 1:27 PM
I hope this is the usual kdrama exaggeration during the character establishment phase, and everyone will calm down a little and swagger and pose a little less. I appreciate that Ha-ri, as of ep. 3, is already showing less of a tits-and-ass approach and more skill and resourcefulness – although women should get to use whatever tools they have in a man’s world, which so far this show definitely is.
I also dislike the rare-illness trope, but I googled Lafora disease and it might not have been the worst one to pick, as it does cause seizures that manifest the way the guy who died in the car fire showed.
I want Min-joon to be afraid of bugs so we can have some sort of ridiculous situation from which Ha-ri can rescue him later on.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 24, 2023 at 2:29 PM
I’m so glad you Googled it, because I was too lazy to do that and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt – “it’s just crazy enough to be real” was my approach 😅 I’m glad it had plausible authenticity at least!
Pt. 2: I want that too, Elinor.
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 4:59 PM
“…usual kdrama exaggeration during the character establishment phase”
It does tend to be too much in all characters.
Cera (@Seeker)
October 1, 2023 at 10:03 PM
The “afraid of bugs” did seem put on at first watch but by the end it was confirmed that not only did Min-joo know all about them but was playing the Mad Dog team.
Seon-ha
September 30, 2023 at 6:16 AM
@dncingemma This was the first post (there have only been two).
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 7:18 AM
#DestinedWithYou
Jae-gyeong when Hong-jo and Shin-yu told him about the spell
…Jang Shin-yu, all the time apparently
And then there\’s me, reacting to all the nonsense
vienibenmio
September 14, 2023 at 8:15 AM
The neural coupling thing REALLY got me.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 1:56 PM
@attiton @lapislazulii @indyfan
You know what, I think I may have dropped this one. I haven’t seen ep 8 yet, and I’m thinking I might not… I’m so disappointed in the writers for not having Shin-yu make a clean break with SFL before confessing his real feelings and kissing Hong-jo. What weak and icky behavior. The more I think about it, the more upset I get. The way to solve this narrative mess was NOT to double-down on the cheating angle. Ugh. So that’s why I’m not going to be in the recap comments tomorrow! BUT SERIOUSLY, what is UP with writers doing weirdly disappointing things with plots lately???
Seon-ha
September 14, 2023 at 2:19 PM
Understood, @hopefulromantic!!! A big UGH that this is a drama that really gets to you! For me, it’s MLL–I’m still not over how upset I became this week.
WHAT IS UP???
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 2:33 PM
And who knows, maybe I’ll come back to it later after I see how they decide to resolve all this, but for right now, I’m upset 😞 And I’m sorry about MLL… What is happening right now with these romance dramas??? Seriously.
Lol, here’s a little hyperbole
indyfan
September 14, 2023 at 6:25 PM
I also don’t want to spoil #8 for you as @lapislazulii but really, it just treads the same murky waters. Sigh. I hate that my theory the even episodes are better was wrong.
I’ll probably keep watching for a few episodes more tho. Just how I am.
I’m getting my fantasy rom-com kicks from Parallel World. I laughed last night. I swooned. Half way done. It’s good. I know the angst is coming but it seems more external action driven than this nonsense. 🤞🏽
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 6:31 PM
I’ve seen your and Blue’s updates on Parallel World, and it sounds fun!! I hope it continues to go well – I want to try it, but I’ll probably wait to see how it ends, just in case. I hope it continues to be swoony and funny!!
indyfan
September 14, 2023 at 6:40 PM
@hopefulromantic I understand. You have to wonder if all this live watching fun with Beanies is worth it sometimes, given all the pain these dramas inflict sometimes.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 6:44 PM
@indyfan aww I really enjoy the live watching experience with all you cool Beans! ❤️ But it’s stressful for me to start a drama and not know how it’s going to end, haha 😅 I used to only watch previously-aired dramas so I could check and see if the plot and ending would be ok for me. I’ll keep live-watching in the future (a few upcoming dramas sound intriguing!), but I’ll be poised and ready to drop when things go south, lol
Seon-ha
September 14, 2023 at 6:50 PM
@indyfan and @hopefulromantic
For what it’s worth, I’ve adored these last two episodes of DWY. I’ve watched them both three times each. To each their own, I know…but this show is not pain to me.
I’ll step back for y’all to vent on it. The folks who said “I told you so” can take over. But this show is currently about “being swayed,” I’d say…and I think I’m not in the mainstream on this one. This show’s doing a damn good job with it in these two episodes.
It’ll probably all go to shit for ALL OF US soon, because as Hopeful so rightly said WHAT IS UP??? But right now, this show can just…be…mine. I’m OK with that.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 7:02 PM
@attiton, I’m really glad you’re still enjoying it!!!! And like I said earlier, depending on how everything gets resolved, I may be back later… It’s so interesting that you mentioned rewatching the episodes, because I was just thinking about the fact that this is the only drama in recent memory where I would rewind scenes to watch them OVER and OVER again – there’s a special spice somewhere in the mix with this drama that – up until the cheating shenanigans – I couldn’t get enough of!
indyfan
September 14, 2023 at 7:13 PM
@attiton Same as Hopeful. Glad you’re liking it! And don’t get me wrong. Rowoon swaying had me swooning for a bit so I plan to keep watching. But for me the show has done a poor job of demonstrating the forces that have lead Rowoon to the said swaying. I’ll think a bit more on that pre-recap. It’s time to get ready to head out here.
lapislazulii
September 14, 2023 at 7:36 PM
You may spoil! I’ve watched 8 now – and yeah I was also holding out hope but it somehow got messier lol 😭 I’ll also be sticking around because I’m annoyed as but don’t feel like dropping it (go figure) – we shall be annoyed together, and also hold out desparate hope that things start steadying (this directly translates to: JANG SHIN YU CAN YOU PLEASE BREAK UP WITH HER ALREADY!!!).
I need to try Parallel World out – the fan wall posts has my interest piqued!!
indyfan
September 14, 2023 at 11:56 PM
@lapislazulii PW isn’t for everyone. Really not. But it sure is entertaining to some of us.
lapislazulii
September 14, 2023 at 3:42 PM
That’s so fair!! Without trying to spoil anything, I just finished ep 8 and basically spent the whole time trying not to shake the screen🙃 I’m going to have to pull myself together for tomorrow’s recap because I want to write alot just to vent lol but don’t want to spam everyone with a nonsensical essay either shdkajshdiuehaksjhdakjsdhakjsdew
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 3:44 PM
Lol you can spam here, too, if you need more space! 😂
lapislazulii
September 14, 2023 at 3:37 PM
All of these are absolutely GOLD omg I’m laughing so much at the first and second GIFs especially 😂 You’re brilliant Hopeful!! 👏 👏👏
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 3:49 PM
Aww thank you Lapislazulii!🥰 The first part of ep. 7 was SO FUNNY (And seeing both ML and SML being THIS CLOSE to breaking character and starting to giggle during that sequence was DELIGHTFUL). But then it went downhill 😑 *SIGH*
lapislazulii
September 14, 2023 at 3:55 PM
If it wasn’t a known fact that this drama was written and filmed a while ago, I’d be mighty convinced that the writers saw our theories and how much fun we were having and then set out to spite us 😪
You know what though, I wasn’t really sparing SML a second glance until he let loose and relaxed a bit in ep 7, and then I was like ‘oh wait hang on 👀 …”. Also the fact that our ML is being annoying (to say the least) is doing a lot to make the SML seem more attractive too lol. They bETTER come out with a really great explanation next week (like someone will die if SY and NY break up or the entire fate of his dad’s company is resting on this marriage going through).
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 14, 2023 at 4:15 PM
Yes to ALL of this!! Haha it’s funny because I’ve had the same thought recently about drama writers catering to our theories – but then I remembered it was already done filming! 😂 And the SML was decidedly more pleasant once he started warming up in ep. 7. But UGH to all the rest of it 😩
Seon-ha
September 14, 2023 at 4:40 PM
It wasn’t my gif that had you re-thinking your position on the 2ML? Because I thought I made a pretty convincing case with my chosen seconds…
lapislazulii
September 14, 2023 at 4:45 PM
@attiton it was very convincing and definitely helped drive the point home (who knew glasses could also make all the difference?!)
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 2:53 AM
Oh, hey, @hopefulromantic…Speaking of binging rather than live-watching, I’m still in for Mad Dog! I remember you said that you were going to fan-wall post maybe this weekend—and whenever is fine—but I was just thinking through my WWW post for this weekend and I wanted to touch base because…if not DWY, then maybe we can think through a drama together whose ending we already know! Whatever will disappoint us here won’t be surprising anyway, because we can just spoil it for ourselves by reading past Beanies or asking current ones!!! Also Woo Do-hwan.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 3:25 AM
Thanks for the reminder @attiton – I’m still down for a Mad Dog watch! I’ll post something today to start a place to discuss. After the first three episodes, I certainly don’t love it, but like you said, it’s nice to know the outcome!! And Woo Do Hwan, of course 😍
Seon-ha
September 15, 2023 at 3:35 AM
Well we can drop it together at some point too. 😁 See why I was stuck though? It’s not gripping yet. I think Darwi in particular said to push through a bit so…I’ll give it until episode 6 for sure, especially if you will!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 15, 2023 at 3:41 AM
It’s not as thrilling yet as I thought it was going to be, but I’m more than happy to see it all the way through for Woo Do Hwan!!! 😄🥰
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 7:17 AM
There have been some discussions lately about satisfying and disappointing drama endings, and what needs to happen at the end of a drama for its ending to be considered truly \”happy.\” At @attiton\’s urging, I\’m sharing Hopeful Romantic\’s Happy Ending Formula:
For any drama where a central romantic relationship is the focus or purpose of the drama, in order for the ending to be considered a truly Happy Ending, the OTP must be shown to be unquestionably alive and together (with the implication of being romantically involved) at the end of that drama.
I acknowledge that this is a very narrow definition, and a very low bar to clear, but it\’s also amazing how many dramas just barely squeek by. There are also dramas that circumvent these rules while still achieving them (see \”A\” below), and some that transcend these rules while still delivering satisfying endings (see \”B\” below). What other personal criteria do Beanies have for classifying Happy Endings?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 7:19 AM
Because of spoilers, the examples are here in the comment! I know these two examples may both be controversial endings for some, but these were both endings that I was very happy with:
A. Arang and the Magistrate
B. Call it Love
Seon-ha
September 10, 2023 at 7:23 AM
Have you seen Goblin? How would you rate its ending? By your strict definition, it’s happy?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 7:26 AM
I actually haven’t seen Goblin yet! I know it’s going to make me cry a lot, so I’ve been putting it off. But I know about the ending. I think it will fit into a third criteria space, where the ending is technically “happy” by the definition I have provided, but where I will become less and less satisfied with the outcome the more I think about it…
Seon-ha
September 10, 2023 at 7:31 AM
OMG. Why are we watching Mad Dog if you’ve not seen Goblin, but are willing to do so??? I’m joking (mostly), but when you get to that latter drama, I’m here for you while you watch, if that’s a draw.
And, so you know, I didn’t know what the ending was going to be when I first saw it and I HATED THE ENDING—was literally was crushed and cried for a long time, even cried when I related the ending to others days later, felt all sorts of bleak hopeless despair about the meaning of life and love…but then the opposite of what you fear happened. I came to terms with it. It’s the right ending. I will defend it now, all the way to the ground.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 7:35 AM
Oh that’s really good to know, because I know we’ve had similar takes on quite a few drama endings!! I’ll let you know when I do start watching Goblin! Lol Mad Dog is an easier watch so far – not too much attention needed, and even less emotional involvement (so far). They haven’t been able to hook me in with their maudlin emotional manipulation yet! I shall resist!!😤
lapislazulii
September 11, 2023 at 1:40 AM
Idk what the general sentiment is about Goblin’s ending, so I’d be really curious to find out but I for one found it heartbreaking but not disappointing! Considering the way the plot had been set up from day one, it made sense honestly. Like would a different more positive ending been good? Yes! But this ending made the drama more memorable in a weird way and it was bittersweet rather than just only depressing I thought.
indyfan
September 10, 2023 at 8:59 AM
This sorta parallels what the Romance Writers of America say:
“Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work.
An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.”
Maybe more stricter than yours. Dramaland might have taught us to moderate those expectations: “OTP must be shown to be unquestionably alive.” LOL. A minimum.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 9:10 AM
I hadn’t heard the Romance Writers of America definition – I really like that! And that’s definitely what I’d prefer to see for endings. “Unquestionably alive” really is a rock-bottom minimum, isn’t it? 😅
Reply1988 - Mother Bean (DB Wooga squad)
September 10, 2023 at 11:23 AM
“Unquestionably alive” 👈🏾🤣This has got to be the quote of the day because it is ridiculous that it has to be written in as a basic criteria. It’s like that sad country and western song which sounds like a sweet reminisce of an old married couple and turns into a sob fest its called Honey by Bobby Goldsboro.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 11, 2023 at 2:55 PM
I feel like it’s sad but true that I’ve had to add that as an additional clause to my formula 😅
Reply1988 - Mother Bean (DB Wooga squad)
September 10, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Thanks for sharing these definitions.
vienibenmio
September 10, 2023 at 6:18 PM
Yeah, I’m starting to think romance kdramas need to develop standards like American romance books and advertise in the summary that there will be a HEA
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 6:45 PM
Haha, I would be a fan of that! 🙋♀️
DK-Drama 🫘Commitment to Past Dramas and Future Beanies🌱
September 20, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Does The Dog Die? has a field for “Does it have a sad ending?”
Unfortunately, not all K-dramas are registered there (but YOU can do it … NOW!) and also alas, it’s audiences that fill out the slots, so untill a show has run, they don’t know more than you and me. Still, I have used it quite a bit.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 20, 2023 at 12:31 PM
Thanks for sharing that!
vienibenmio
September 20, 2023 at 2:23 PM
Then we have to wait for them to finish airing, sadly. I love watching on-air dramas so it’s just a risk I’ll have to take. I guess I could stick to webcomic adaptations, but even then they will change the ending (cough Sixth Sense Kiss See You in My 19th Life cough)
Reply1988 - Mother Bean (DB Wooga squad)
September 10, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Thanks for sharing this definition I almost missed it as I was waiting for a link or reply to say it was up. Hopefully it was just me, who was not being proactive.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Oh, thank you for pointing that out! I’ll add the link with my original comment.
tabong wants to get kidnapped by KMJ
September 10, 2023 at 3:07 PM
Consistency.
For me a happy ending is a consistent ending.
Spoilers (dramas 25-21, Black, Bojack?).
That’s why 25-21 ending didn’t make sense for me. There’s no way in history you go from being a freaking rainbow to nothing, just like that. Without really fighting for it. Not when you’re Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin.
But there’s also sad endings that are consistent, so they’re technically “happy endings” because I felt satisfied with the show.
For me it wouldn’t have made sense for 444 to stay alive and happy with Ha Ram when the whole situation was so… twisted. I think Black’s finale made total sense.
I actually dislike it more when they try to force a happy ending. Like Bojack Horseman. For me, that last episode shouldn’t exist.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 10, 2023 at 3:18 PM
Consistency is a great qualifier for a happy ending! I agree that an ending that is consistent with the tone, message, characters, etc. should be given at the end of a drama.
indyfan
September 10, 2023 at 11:56 PM
I agree that a satisfying ending is consistent but it doesn’t necessarily have to be happy. The original ending was Someday, for example, or The Red Sleeve were consistent and deeply satisfying but I don’t call them happy by any means. Perhaps we can call them good endings instead.
lapislazulii
September 11, 2023 at 1:37 AM
I think that’s a fantastic formula Hopeful – it is kind of funny how that’s a low bar to clear and yet so many dramas literally are digging their way under to not clear it properly/cleanly/if at all. And it’s way worse on the C-drama side too, with xianxias literally being like ‘this one simple thing is actually excruciatingly difficult for us to achieve so here have some pain instead’ 😆
Adding on to this, I’m greedy so I usually consider it a Happily Ever After when we get weddings/post weddings/family scenes (depending on the drama of course). But in general, any ending where it feels like closure – like the plot trajectory has completed it’s run in a smooth and satisfactory manner – is Happy Enough for me. Because sometimes you have dramas that rush to provide the hallmarks of a Happily Ever After, and it feels like a disappointing cop out because it all just feels empty, thanks to how messy plot trajectory was in the lead up. An example would be with Our Blooming Youth the ending gave us something, but it felt like it was just going through the motions in a really rushed way, and so even though OTP was alive and together it was disappointing because the journey there was a mess and things had been dragged out. Conversely, although Call It Love had an implied happy ending, it still felt like a Happy Ending, because plot trajectory was smooth and the ending made sense considering the way the climax of the story had been developed and executed leading up to that ending.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 11, 2023 at 6:10 AM
I love your interpretation and additional “clauses” for a satisfying ending! Not all satisfying endings are “happy” endings, and not all happy endings are satisfying. I felt the same way about Our Blooming Youth and Call it Love – OBY’s happy ending was so sudden and not necessarily logical for the MLand FL that it didn’t feel substantial. And for Call it Love, while it was more open, it felt so emotionally satisfying – I believe that the ML and FL will begin their romantic relationship again, but it doesn’t even matter to me if they do are not – the point is that they greet each other with joy as healed, whole people again. Call it Love felt consistent with the trajectory of the plot, like you mentioned, but OBY didn’t really feel consistent… Like you and others on this thread have pointed out, consistency is key for a satisfying ending!! And I also want more dramas to show glimpses of happiness after the ending – married life, family life, doing life together. It’s unfortunately quite rare!!
Unaspirated
September 11, 2023 at 4:46 AM
I totally agree with this and with others here. I sometimes like endings that are not happy but good anyway, provided they are consistent with the rest of the story. But I think these are good criteria for a legitimately happy ending. I would also add: The OTP should be shown to be happy together. Good-natured bickering is fine (and sometimes expected!) but when they are shown together at the end it should be an unambiguous positive thing. It doesn’t happen very often to the contrary, but that might make it more disappointing than usual when it does.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 11, 2023 at 6:12 AM
I love that addendum – that the OTP should be shown to be happy together!! There have been some “romance” dramas that really bothered me because they didn’t spend time with the OTP being happy/joyful together. If you’re not going to show that, what’s the point?? You’re exactly right – it’s when they don’t show that happiness that it’s more disappointing.
Unaspirated
September 11, 2023 at 9:33 AM
There are dramas that speed through and you don’t get to see much of the OTP being happy (I find this frustrating, but it’s not a total dealbreaker for me), but in at least one recent drama (that I only followed through weecaps) the OTP seemed actively unhappy at the end, which is much worse. Most Beanies recommended you stop watching before the last ~10-20 minutes because of that.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 11, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Oh yikes – that doesn’t ring any bells, so it must not have been one I watched, but how disappointing! Especially when OTP interactions are framed as the narrative payoff at the end of a drama!!
Reply1988 - Mother Bean (DB Wooga squad)
September 11, 2023 at 3:02 PM
I saw one Chinese drama and the credits were literally rolling when the ML made the confession and this was a couple of scenes after they met for the first time after several years of separation! There was no post credits extra scene believe me I looked for it.
Unaspirated
September 11, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Ugh, just the worst.
indyfan
September 11, 2023 at 7:29 PM
“Good-natured bickering is fine (and sometimes expected!) but when they are shown together at the end it should be an unambiguous positive thing.”
Kiss Sixth Sense final episode. They spent the entire episode together fighting after they got together. Awful to watch. What was even the point of their HEA? Ruined the show.
Unaspirated
September 12, 2023 at 4:19 AM
This is the show I was talking about hahaha!
indyfan
September 12, 2023 at 4:23 AM
Oh was it? LOL. Good to know I wasn’t the only one.
DK-Drama 🫘Commitment to Past Dramas and Future Beanies🌱
September 20, 2023 at 3:52 AM
Interesting characters mustn’t be conventionalised. That goes wrong e.g. in Her Private Life , in Mr. Queen (I’d say) and in Beautiful Gong Shim.
Maybe this does not belong under “Happy” endings but under “Good” endings. But for me, it is not really happiness if everybody has to be un-special.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 20, 2023 at 3:57 AM
Agreed – this is a great point! Consistency in characters should also remain constant in a good ending. Thank you for sharing!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 6:12 AM
This is for you, @dorotka! Hmm… is Jang Shin-yu a closet Jane Austen fan? 🤔 Because his style sounds pretty familiar (*P.S. I am not equating Jang Shin-yu to Mr. Darcy*)
Meanwhile, there\’s creepy flower guy 💐
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 6:59 AM
I mean who doesn’t want someone else to be completely unable to stop their love for you, even though there are good reasons for them to stop.
This is where I get the DWY nay-sayers. There are actually no real reasons for SY not to love HJ beyond the normal “I’m just not that into you” ones. I suppose there a few that he might share with Darcy, but he’s not actually expressed an issue of class difference. So, the spell seems to have created the love and the hurdle all at the same time—surely we’d rather it be MORE like Darcy, a true love that comes from within rather than without.
That said, and as you know Hopeful, this initial hurdle might (just might) make it even more sweet as the fake love turns real, but the show might also mess it up. I’d be sad.
I’m still talking.
You know what all of this typing is reminding me of? That moment when Shin-yu is talking to our Shaman when they’re asking how to nullify the love spell, and he says something like, “What if I really fall in love with her?” That he said that seems more interesting to me today than last week (or whenever) when he initially said it. Why would he worry about that? I don’t know that we really yet understand the stakes for him…and I agree with the Beanie on the WWW thread today that said that there’s probably some (family?? Family-political??) reason that he’s still walking around with the Mayor’s daughter, agreeing to let her call him his fiancé in public.
*rambling post full of free-association and hope for more chatting ends*
Dorotka
September 9, 2023 at 7:11 AM
I don’t know how deeply Shin-yu actually likes Hongjo, but he definitely doesn’t like Snake.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 7:12 AM
I like your analysis, and I agree with you! You know, in some ways, it reminds me of the central romantic relationship in Beating Again/Falling for Innocence – seeing the ML struggle with himself about whether his love for the FL and his desire to BE good and DO good were genuine, or only a side effect of his transplant, and to what extent that mattered… I want to see Shin-yu doing some messy self-reflection and being brutally honest with himself soon! I think he’s currently a couple of levels of self-deluded with his feelings about both women. Again, his head warring with his heart. Or am I ascribing too much nuance to the writing? Eh, who cares. I’m enjoying the drama emotionally, not logically 😉
Dorotka
September 9, 2023 at 7:43 AM
Yes, we may be trying to think too much 😄😄
Honestly, I’m here mainly for Shin-yu and his lines and the couple bickering right now. And the MaGong couple… and the Secretary 😁
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 7:45 AM
Those are my favorite things, too! The secretary is just casually hilarious, and I love it 😁
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 7:52 AM
Do we know that guy from somewhere? It seems that I have a memory of his teeth and smile…checking…hmm Dr. Cha. That’s probably it, but I’d have no real reason to remember him…I guess he was one of the two younger doctors who were rude to our FL.
That guy’s all reaction shots. I’m with you two.
Also, I’m going to say the unspoken @dorotka you said “I’m mainly here for…” like you were only gonna list one thing, but you listed like the whole show 🙂
Dorotka
September 9, 2023 at 12:28 PM
You are clearly ignoring a lot from the show, @attiton 😁😁 …and so am I 🙂🙃
Kurama
September 9, 2023 at 11:17 AM
His father wants him to be married young and to have a son to perpetuate the family name before dying from the curse. It’s why he talked to Na-Yeon behind his son’s back.
For Shin-Yu’s feelings, I think he got feelings in parallel of the Love spell. The spell forced him to spend time with her and they shared a lot of moments since. He could see how dedicated she is to her job, her loneliness, how she missed her father, how cute she’s is with her crush, etc. They’re very themselves when they’re together, very honest with each other. He talked to her about his disease which he never did with Na-Yeon during 2 years…
indyfan
September 9, 2023 at 8:04 AM
I feel tho every arrogant chaebol carries traces of Mr Darcy, no?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 8:08 AM
Oh yes – especially the Colin Firth brand of Mr. Darcy 😉
bbstl 🧹
September 9, 2023 at 9:43 AM
Omg, thank you for the laugh! Collins! What a dweeb 🤣
lapislazulii
September 11, 2023 at 2:25 AM
HAHAHA I WAS THINKING THIS TOO!! Esp. the iconic ‘your family is trash, you’re a peasant, I don’t even know why I like you, and my family would want better but I still love you – you’re welcome!’ confession from Darcy is exactly what a lot of Shin-yu’s backhanded compliments with a dose of self-love sound like 😂
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 5:01 AM
#DestinedWithYou – I\’m going to miss this Jang Shin-yu:
But this one\’s pretty fun, too 😂
…And it looks like we\’ll continue to get more of this Hong-jo:
And then there\’s me, every time Hong-jo talks to her crush 😬
Unaspirated
September 8, 2023 at 5:41 AM
Wait, are you Tom or April in the last one? I feel like my reactions are more like Tom, but I think both are appropriate hahaha!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 5:43 AM
Haha good question!!!😂 I’m usually reacting like Tom, but there have been some moments where I’m April (I think I did the same hands motion when watching ep 6) 😆
lapislazulii
September 8, 2023 at 5:39 PM
The ‘I’m drunk’ one is spot on 😂 Perfect GIFS Hopeful!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Thank you!!😊❤️ And I’m loving your memes – I look forward to seeing your posts, because they’re so accurate and they make me giggle 😆
Seon-ha
September 8, 2023 at 8:04 PM
@lapislazulii @hopefulromantic @indyfan
I’m off to sleep because I’m old…so fun on the DWY thread (where ARE you @indyfan??)…I’m heading off before the naysayers of the second wave take over (and also, I’ve staked my claim—help don’t help…halp…no don’t 🥹)
indyfan
September 8, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Coming! I’m old too! And I have a binge hangover.
I staked a claim on A Time. But Beanies no gonna be happy.
lapislazulii
September 8, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Did Shin-yu possess you for a bit at the end there? 😉
Have a great sleep!! Day has just started for me so off I go to do chores while I keep one 👁️ on the DWY thread to see what the sentiments of the second wave are…..
indyfan
September 8, 2023 at 8:29 PM
But what can we do exactly? 😔
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 4:21 AM
Good morning!! I predict that the second wave will come today during the U.S. daytime (there was a long delay last week too—I only saw it happening because of the comment stream. And I don’t plan on doing anything! They can have their fun too.
OMG the domination conversation was THE BEST THING TO WAKE UP TO. Let’s maintain the bawdy puhleeeeze.
Kenny G, @indyfan ? Are you trying to kill me with funniez?
lapislazulii
September 9, 2023 at 4:29 AM
Morning! ☀️
I’m living for the thirst comments 😆 Usually those comments featured in Buzzfeed’s thirst tweets videos are a bit too much for me, but I’d pay to see a spin on the idea where actors/actresses read some of the swooning, squealing, meme-ing and GIF-ing, bawdy and otherwise hilarious comments on DB threads about them.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 4:38 AM
Good morning!!🌄 But also, isn’t it good evening, @lapislazulii? 😊 I said my piece (and then some), so I’m probably done on the thread for the day – the nay-ers can do as they wish.
lapislazulii
September 9, 2023 at 4:44 AM
@hopefulromantic yeah it’s good evening and if I had any sense I’d go to bed soon instead of waiting for Arthdal to drop because I’ve got tutoring to do first thing tomorrow! But…..🤷♀️
I wish DB had a messaging feature so we could be chatting here and there, but these little post threads work just as well – sorry (but also not sorry hehe) to Indy and Seon-ha who’ll keep getting reply notifs too 🤭
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 4:50 AM
@lapislazulii haha I know what you mean!! I stayed up to late commenting on the recap last night 😅 Good luck doing tutoring tomorrow!! And keep me posted if you try Arthdal – I’m curious about it for LJG’s sake!! I want to see him stare intensely and fight cool-ly.
indyfan
September 9, 2023 at 5:00 AM
Good morning American peeps! Good night lapis. It’s dinner prep time here. I’m typing with my left hand while stirring with the other. Mistakes will be made.
The threads were funny. We missed you two! But take good care of our recap. You’re all correct. Nothing much to do with the second wave (really the Americans?). I suspect they tanked the ratings and dropped. And that’s all right.
I’ll probably just look at some late comments so they’re less lonely as Mother Bean has taught us.
I’m also glad we have this workaround to group chat. 🥰
@lapislazulii @hopefulromantic
@attiton
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 5:05 AM
@indyfan – have a nice dinner! That takes serious skills to type with one hand and cook with another! 👍 I was surprised at how low the ratings are now 😮💨 It’s nice to have the fanwall as a group-chat workaround with you all!!
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 4:50 AM
You know…at my partner’s first real job back in the early 19th century, he had a boss who was from England, but who worked in the US’ Pacific Time Zone. When that boss retired, he started a “tech help” website service with his brother back in England. There are (obviously) eight hours of time difference between these two places, so they could basically run a service that looked like they were always there to offer their clients help, as one woke up, the other was going to sleep…
I say that’s what this group plus @elinor definitely has to offer the Dramabeans. We’ve basically got the 24-hour clock covered here and then some, so if there’s ever a dramatic drama fire that needs putting out or if someone needs to keep an eye on any situation here on Dramabeans…call on the four of us! One of us is up, and probably already has at least one eye on this site.
We even overlap for a few hours all of us—so we can have meetings to discuss strategy.
I’m laughing at how un-fun I could now make this silly idea by turning it into a late-capitalist nightmare of a bureaucracy.
OH! But what I DO know is that this “business” idea that I’m hatching will have us all needing to do company dancercizes like in Hello, Me! and Race. Anyone here have a background in dance choreography?
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 4:56 AM
Ahh that’s so funny!! 😆 It’s hilarious, but we are the perfect tactical team… it reminds me of the unit on crisis communication I taught when I was an instructor – we can be on-call as the DB Drama Crisis Communication Team! Lol. I love the dancercize from Hello, Me! but I have no dance skillz 😂
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 5:01 AM
@hopefulromantic Yeah, well neither did KYK, but that didn’t stop him from DANCING!!
Elinor is indistinguishable from an AI
September 9, 2023 at 7:45 AM
I already work for a late-capitalist nightmare of a bureaucracy AND my office sometimes does dance flashmobs or dance-offs at holiday parties (it’s actually a pretty fun bunch, and no one is pressured to join such events), so I’M READY. I’m not sure for what, exactly, but count me in!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 7:47 AM
Yay!! Glad you’re game to join us, @elinor!!! 😁😁😁 There may or may not be dancing, but there will definitely be squeeing!
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 5:50 AM
BTWS, Lapis…he totally did possess me. I realized as I was typing about my totally normal not going to be obsessive or crazy—DID YOU SEE HIS BEAUTIFUL BEADY EYES IN THAT REARVIEW MIRROR SEARING DEEP INTO MY SOUL??—interest in the 2ML here, that I was fighting inwardly with my own desire to sink deep into a love that should not be and one that is normal and about Ro-swooning and that everyone would understand.
Oh god, the pain is so sweet. 😈
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 8:22 PM
I’m headed to bed, too! I’m not a night owl, haha 😊 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, @indyfan! And I’m going to recuse myself from the ongoing thread, depending on how the sentiments of the second wave go. But it was a fun convo this evening! Have a good day, @lapislazulii!
indyfan
September 8, 2023 at 8:28 PM
I did it! I did my part. I mostly just Ro-Swooned. I don’t care!
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 5:42 AM
@indyfan @lapislazulii @hopefulromantic
I hear you, Lapis, wanting a chat feature, and I’m 100% with you in spirit…but could you imagine how much less time we’d all have for like eating and sleeping? Perhaps it’s best that we’re stuck in the late 90s internet of slooooow posting…. I am happy that the site’s been loading fastER these days making things slightly less frustrating.
That said, if we’re to be the DB Drama Crisis Communication Team (Thanks for the name upthread, Hopeful!!!) maybe we do need…nah. We’re perfect the way we are. “The DBDCCT has you covered.” Is that our tagline? Someone help…we need a better one than that…with a drama pun in it.
lapislazulii
September 9, 2023 at 5:51 AM
That’s very true actually, especially since I have zero self control lol (this is why I need the DBDCCT to feed me logic and sense every now and then!) I absolutely love that little story Seon-ha about the round the clock customer service duo which has now inspired the birth of the DBDCCT. I am for that tag line too – I’m imagining us as some kind of 24/7 news service now 😂
And Indy, hope dinner prep went smoothly and you’re enjoying it now (sans mistakes or splatters!) Very impressed by your multitasking, I can’t even walk and type without tripping or typing nonsense – something has to give hahahaha
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 5:58 AM
Yes that’s an absolutely FABULOUS story!!! What a smart way to run a small business like that. I think between the four of us, we offer a pretty balanced take on rom-coms and fantasy dramas, lol 😄
indyfan
September 9, 2023 at 6:38 AM
I couldn’t do it! But here I am all splattered now. 😂
You know I used to work for the newspaper website before the very first dot-com bubble first. 24/7. Nightmare. But call, and I shall answer! DBDCCT…activate!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 9, 2023 at 6:50 AM
Wow, that does sound terrible to have to be on-call 24/7, especially at that time… hopefully life is more peaceful for you now!!
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 7:00 AM
What’d ya have for dins? I’m gonna be imagining a curry with lots of turmeric so those splatters will be all yellow and difficult to clean. If only you lived next to what’s-her-name from MLL. She seemed good with the tteokboki stains… 🙂
indyfan
September 9, 2023 at 7:35 AM
Ha ha. That was tomato!
And Khow Suey, the curry base made with the freshest ingredients and depepest love by my favorite Burmese restaurant. 😂 I’m Junho in Chief Kim, not Junho in Wok of Love. Tho if I had to choose, I’d rather be well fed by the WoL one.
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 7:47 AM
But but but this recipe for this delicious-looking dish that I totally might also now make myself for dinner in 7 hours has lots of turmeric in it, not tomato!! Are these not right?
https://www.mirchitales.com/chicken-khow-suey-or-khao-suey/
https://www.thetakeiteasychef.com/burmese-khow-suey-curried-noodles-recipe
indyfan
September 9, 2023 at 7:55 AM
@attiton Sorry. I meant tomato from tteokboki.
KS is indeed very yellow so it must have loads of turmeric. I’ve never made from scratch. 😔 I bet yours will be sooo good.
Seon-ha
September 9, 2023 at 7:58 AM
For “reasons,” I’ve been cooking meals for myself and my family since I was 12. I’ve never had this dish, and am seriously going to try it. I don’t know that I’ll have time to head to the store I’ll need for these ingredients today, but I may make the effort!
And, sigh, tteokbokki is red from chili powder. God I’m such an asshole.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 4:39 AM
Beanie PSA: I interrupt your regularly scheduled #DestinedWithYou squeeing (wait, or is that me?) to let you know that the FULL OST for Call it Love has FINALLY been released!!! Lol, it only took them months and months 😂
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 4:48 AM
Comment was deleted
Unaspirated
September 8, 2023 at 5:44 AM
I’m on my computer so there are no emojis (mianhaeyo), but Beansprout award for you for looking after the OST obsessives out there! I don’t know if I ever would have discovered this on my own but now I’m off to listen!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 5:47 AM
Yay!! You’re most welcome!! I’ve been checking consistently because the Disney dramas haven’t been releasing full (with instrumentals) OSTs, but then this one suddenly appeared – so that gives me hope for others! I’ve really liked the OST for Moving, and I’m hoping we’ll get the instrumentals for that one, too. Happy listening!! 😊
Ally
September 8, 2023 at 6:13 AM
I’ve been listening to it on Spotify. Were all the tracks not out yet? Spotify also has the main actors talking between tracks. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWYJer66eoqCP?si=1TvaN-mGQ3Cx7YsGqUOopQ
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 6:18 AM
Spotify made a Playlist of the vocal tracks and the actors’ comments, but today the full album, including vocal tracks AND background instrumentals was released!! I’m super happy because I loved the instrumentals for this one, and had been wanting to be able to listen to them 😊
lapislazulii
September 8, 2023 at 5:40 PM
omg bless you for this PSA!!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 8, 2023 at 5:59 PM
I listened to it today while working – it brought all the feels back!🥰 I hope you enjoy it, Lapislazulii!😊
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 4:05 AM
Hong-jo reacting to the consequences of her actions and (*and to Shin-yu*) Get a grip on yourself, Shin-yu! 😂 #DestinedWithYou
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 4:18 AM
@lapislazulii @attiton @indyfan I think Parks and Rec is going to be my gif inspiration for this show 😁
indyfan
September 1, 2023 at 4:28 AM
😂 I’d love some deadpan from Jo Boah too.
If I had the skills, I’d grab a shot of the scary hand (dried blood-like on the steering wheel), another of the sexy hand (sparkly wet blood-like on his face) and then one of sad me, no more hand in the episodes 🙁
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 4:33 AM
Maybe the hand will be back?? After all, it was a “disease curing” spell, not a “curse breaking” spell? 🤔
indyfan
September 1, 2023 at 4:41 AM
Oh! Good point. Missed that.
lapislazulii
September 1, 2023 at 4:35 AM
Yeah I’ve missed The Hand this week 🙁
lapislazulii
September 1, 2023 at 4:34 AM
HHAHAHHAHAH THE LAST ONE! 😆 Parks and Rec is going to be a gold-mine for DWY meme templates, I can’t wait to see them all.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 4:36 AM
YAY!!! 😁😁😁
mindy
September 1, 2023 at 4:41 AM
I was about to come here to say more Parks and Rec gifs please! Hehe
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 4:43 AM
😁👍❤️ I mean, they both work in City Hall now… it’s a good fit so far!!😂
Cori
September 1, 2023 at 10:14 AM
Haha I need to watch this week’s eps, but the gifs 😂❤️ Parks and Rec x DWY might be my new favorite thing!
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
September 1, 2023 at 1:19 PM
Woohoo!! 😁👍🥳
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
August 25, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Shin-yu\’s coworkers when the cursed hand visits him at work #DestinedWithYou
Seon-ha
August 25, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Also, me being all, “Not only is Moving not yet posted…but also DWY (which has been promised for like a day)…and it’s super late for like so many of us…don’t want to complain…but also really want to complain…I think I need a drink. Or a place to talk about k-dramas. Do I need to start a Fan Wall shaman post. Hewp.”
Oh wait. All good.
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth
August 25, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Haha!😂 So much to talk about in dramas lately!! And if recaps are posted later, that’s actually better for me, because then I’m not tempted to keep up with the conversation while at work (oops) 😬😅
Unaspirated
August 25, 2023 at 8:21 PM
My problem is, the later a weecap is posted, the more likely I am to have a drink beforehand.