[Discussion] Padam Padam

Spoilers for 3, 4 & 5 ~ Sorry so long..again!

How much is a man worth? ~ The underlying question of exactly how and why Kang Chul was framed for murder and spent 16 years in jail is still being revealed like a pot on the stove at a steady low boil. At a much faster pace is the playing out of Kang Chul's reconnection with life outside prison. In these episodes, step by step, welcome or unwelcome, a family begins to gather around him. It's almost like Kang Chul was the magnet and when he went away nothing remained to hold the magnatized pieces together and they scattered. Now that he's back everyone is being pulled together again. His mother, former friends and his son. All those connections, with the help of Gook Soo, make up a little hodge podge of a family reforming around him. Slowly Kang Chul is going through the pains of learning how to reconnect and relate to people. The connection he is forming and the feelings that are growing for Ji Na are particularly touching to me. He is so genuine and innocent with her. He is still a 19 year old boy who has almost no experience with women but with the added underlying current of bittersweet self knowledge that he is 35 and knows nothing. Kang Chul is smart and raw but at the same time, full of wonder at the marvel of this woman and his feelings. The way he looks at her sometimes kills me! It's so tender, sometimes lustful and sometimes longing. I have to say, Jung Woo Sung ...you can act! It feels so real when he is awkwardly child like and dorky. Not always knowing how to behave. He has NO IDEA how to be cool. He is like a raw nerve or exposed wound when it comes so many things; whether it be someone embarrassing him, someone being kind to him, feeling love/lust for Ji Na or even the chance to freely stuff his face at the pojangmacha with food long denied to him while in Jail for 16 years. The relationship with his son is also one I'm looking forward to unfolding but I'm not going to say much here. I will wait for more episodes to air before I comment.

It's the meaningful small touches written into the everyday happenings as we follow Kang Chul's journey that makes this show an absolute joy to watch! I love that Kang Chul is so representative of the Id and the Ego. But Gook Soo...He is the superego. It's kind of amazing to me how this show is pulling off the fantastical element so well for me. So far it's been a light touch and layers are being pealed back to reveal and confirm that Gook Soo is the real deal. The angel..the super ego. He is even on his way to getting wings! Kim Bum...

Kim Bum: When ever I heard that name I always, ALWAYS thought...cute little boy. I didn't really pay much attention to him (or anyone really) in BBF. I really enjoyed his character in The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry. He had a spark in that, but in this?! He has grown up. His performance is earnest, mysterious, serious, hilarious! There are little touches he adds to scenes that just make me smile. There is one in particular in episode 5 where they are sitting around the table and he is watching the family fight...His reactions are hilarious and touching but almost so subtle you have to pay attention. I LOVED THAT SCENE. I am a Kim Bum Fan Forever!

I can't wait to see how the main plot point of clearing his name and fighting against the evil that is Kim Chan Gul pans out. How Kang Chul and Gook Soo triumph over him..or if they can? This show is busy...There is a lot going on; between all the relationships, the re-entering of everyday life, Kang Chul's illness, finding out he does indead have a son, falling in love, trying to puzzle out why he was framed and how to clear his name. So far it is all being handled very well, pacing wise. This show is becoming a new favorite.

graphicfighter wrote: Is there some place where ep. 5 is already subbed I don't know of? D:

You can also watch it here. They have it up pretty quickly too, and the subs are pretty accurate and reliable.

OST:
Noel- In order to live


JeA- You are a fool

And here I'm back after watching the 6th episode. I'm so glad my insights and instinct didn't fail me. This show is an absolute wonder and such a pleasure to watch! Everything I laid out after the first two episodes are just being confirmed. I just want to add that all the cast is new to me; I've never seen them in other dramas before so I'm getting a fresh view and opinion on everyone's acting.

SPOILERS for episode 5 and 6 ahead!



... and so they kissed!

From Ji Na's perspective, I think it was way too soon. The moment did feel appropriate, with a lot of chemistry going on, but you know she was not ready. She is like a frailed deer with multiple wounds made by men (her father, her ex-boyfriend) that have not fully recovered. Ji Na closes herself up, acts distant and wary after Kang Chil demonstrated a gesture of tender affection because she doesn't want to be hurt again/anymore and doesn't seem like she's at peace with herself and her feelings for her ex yet.
From Kang Chil's point of view, I don't think it was a wrong move though. He's eager to catch up the lost time and if there's a chance to seize love, why not taking it? Gook Soo even told him "don't feel bad about it, that's how everybody does it!". When he asked Ji Na to apologize for not loving him back with a trembling chin and that hurtful look in his eyes, I bawled! The contrast between the two leads is rich but they have more in common than they know. Kang Chil is as wounded as Ji Na is, not by men in particular, but by people. The difference is that he's giving them a chance without a second thought, because that's just the way he is. He's hungry, he eats. He finds something pretty, he says it. He wants to kiss, he does it. Kang Chil just doesn't live in the present, he lives the present. I'm not sure if it's because he has liver cancer, because his jail time made him having so much to make up for or both. Either way, the last episodes just reinforced my liking of Kang Chil. His character is extremely well portrayed, very human and touching.

http://www.soompi.com/news/kim-bum-copies-jung-woo-sung

I love this show! The friendship/bromance/dynamic between these two is so fun!

graphicfighter wrote: Episode 7 reaction:

It had me OMG and cry and smile and laugh at the same time. I'm seriously in love. Call 911. This drama makes me want to revise all the ratings I've given before because it's setting very high standards right now.

/me ..Runs to DramaFever!!!!

how does padampadamn?

is it uber good too?