Burnout Syndrome Episode 7

ironically both Pheem & Jira r lying to…

ironically both Pheem & Jira r lying to themselves, Pheem knows that Jira is playing him, but he is so in-love he wont quit & even though i think both Mawin & Ing have given bad advise in the past, this time they were on point (at least in the smash room in Mawin's case) & the best thing Pheem can do for his own mental health - is distance himself from Jira, as he KNOWS (gut feeling) Jira is as hooked on Koh as Pheem is hooked on Jira. so he knows that even if Jira's not ready to admit this fact(!) he will never be with Pheem. if anything he will keep him on a leash, leading him on, never to "deliver". & as Pheem just cut ties with one manipulatively, toxic person (Koh) wish he did the same with Jira - who might be different, but really is the same. ****************************************************************************************************************************************
in Jira's case, either he is lying to himself or he is just plain lying (as i mentioned already) to him Pheem is a life line, the only "normal" in a crazy/insane situation = Koh, that's all consuming.... Pheem is a raft in a stormy sea, that he just needs to know is there, so he can reach out & touch to center himself, for an ego boost, but he is hell bent on drowning - so he will never really hold on to him. ************************************************************************************************************************
also even if he isn't aware of this fact, he is actively flirting with Koh, like an addict; as long as they r staying away from temptation they r fine, but the sec there is a hint, a mention of the drug of their choice, they can't help themselves - fight it as they may & lets face facts, Jira not really putting up much of a fight. ****************************************************************
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Koh on the other hand idk what i feel about this character, he's like a snake or a wild animal - u might think he is ruthless, even cruel, but he hasn't presented himself as anything but what & who he is from the start - yeah he uses gaslighting & manipulation to get under people's skin - but that's like a snake using it's fangs.. he never lied, so i can't hate nor love him. he is doing whatever... to survive & he needs Jira to sleep, to sooth his soul with his art, with his presence... can i fault him for doing what he does best? & if he is selfish, isn't Jira the same?!?

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Intense, uncomfortable, and impossible to ignore

Episode 7 of Burnout Syndrome deepens the series’ emotional chaos by prioritizing psychological confrontation over plot. The rage room scene anchors the episode, delivering an intense and unsettling moment through precise direction, oppressive atmosphere, and raw performances. Pheem drops his facade of control, while Jira’s restrained fear and quiet honesty heighten the discomfort, turning the scene into a clear emotional breaking point. Pheem’s explosion is shocking but necessary, exposing his insecurity, wounded ego, and inability to handle rejection, wrapped in a dangerous sense of entitlement. Dew’s performance keeps the character complex, pulling the viewer between sympathy and rejection because the emotions feel painfully real. It is an honest portrayal of someone who mistakes love for possession and vulnerability for an excuse to hurt others. The episode also reminds us that Pheem is not alone in being hard to defend. Koh’s calm, calculated emotional manipulation proves just as disturbing, as he controls Jira by managing his feelings rather than his actions. By the end, Burnout Syndrome fully embraces discomfort: Jira avoids his desires, Pheem erupts, and Koh advances quietly, resulting in a haunting emotional mess sustained by strong performances and confident direction.

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