Erika Song

There's an analysis about the drama that the more that the professional conflict route is being foreshadowed, the more it's not bound to happen, because that's what the writer wants the viewers to think.

Thanks for this info!

I hope the writing delivers well too. I liked the confession scene tho it still had its own ambiguity, but I hope this time, the direction they'll move forward would atleast become much clearer and Yijin's point of view on that will surely be helpful.

I thought she's still about to graduate senior high school?

I hope they do address it at least once and I'm also in the "I hope he doesn't kiss back" camp. But I can't deny everything in that scene was delicate, so that's what I liked about that part tho.

I know you love them hahaha. I'm just saying that we did have different interpretations on their relationship dynamic. I also understand now that what you are pointing out is a writing issue as this conversation goes on. For me honestly, I would like it better if the writer didn't even introduce the age gap issue if it will not be addressed at least once properly. From episode 2-9, I've always felt like they treat each other as equals therefore even that adult statement had not been a problem to me. But as the writing is exploring their romantic relationship, I agree with all of you that it should be properly addressed because she setup that herself.

Well, we still have different interpretations on his previous actions and I don't think we can immediately change our points of views on that. For me, the romantic attachment only became much clearer at episode 12, and I think of all the previous episodes as part of their deep and meaningful relationship. Nevertheless, I think I'm you that we need to at least have his point of view regarding "their" situation that the writer created.

I also agree with @jia04 in this part:
"My ideal scenario would be him clarifying his position fully (even if it comes across a bit like they're breaking 4th wall) because I think it needs to be addressed. I think just an acknowledgment that he blurred lines because he couldn't "keep the distance" would help me understand his position since I don't agree that he ever had bad intentions to her, just that the pacing of show is a bit ??? when it comes to them."

Here is a nice interpretation why he doesn't like it when Heedo avoids him: https://sexyglances.tumblr.com/post/678757105125261312/yijins-and-heedos-forms-of-isolation

Also, here's another good interpretation from the same author where she addressed Yijin's behavior in episode 8: https://sexyglances.tumblr.com/post/678408640655409152/your-mistakes-werent-small-blunders-but-much

Well, we still have 24 & 20 timeline for that and it's only in 23 & 19 timeline when those feelings were acknowledged and it's only when Heedo legally turned 20 that's been sealed as romantic so we'll just have to wait and see.

I don't think those are just "gay fans" probably some fans of The Handmaiden are the proper term. Anyway, I have seen some of those ridiculous comments and it hurt my eyes that they were literally hating on that kiss scene and Nam Joo Hyuk without context on what the drama is about.

I still stand on my argument before hand that the confession is not just a romantic confession and that it was beautifully done. I just think that from the start of their interactions in episode 12, their feelings were heading towards a romantic relationship like what we're already expecting and we're even wishing them to be endgame lol. So, for me, the direction was clearer in episode 12 compared to what they have in episode 11. So, I guess, I'll just wait for episode 13 to see how things will go.

I agree tho, but maybe the writers are trying to setup something diff here like what the tumbler user was trying to prove? That during those time it wasn't much bigdeal but it was Yijin's own principles? Anyway, I just hoped all these things will be resolved the sooner the better hahahaha.

Actually the restaurant scene, I enjoyed that part not only because it's sweet but because were really good friends before romantic feelings are starting to get involved, but I understand that it can be off-putting to some. However, when they were inside the restaurant, Yijin paraphrased that scenario as a reporter and subject introducing themselves to each other.

In a tumblr discussion, a viewer said that the restaurant scene can be used to imply that the minor-young adult relationship is not a big deal during those times because no one reacted differently to them being like a "couple". And concluded that the age gap issue could be something from Yijin's principles given his previous statement in episode 2. That can also be true, but I think it's still some sort of an issue as that Heedo's ex accused Yijin of toying with Heedo.

I also hope he doesn't kiss her yet. I know people do not like noble idiocy plot, but atleast having a point of view from Yijin would be so much helpful before they proceed into changing their relationship dynamics.

I haven't watched any of the writer's works so I can't vouch for her that she will be able to properly addressed this issue she setup herself, but the confession scene in my opinion was handled very well so I'm expecting that.

I also hope Jiwoong will not just suddenly go back to Yijin's room so we can hear some honest answers from Yijin^^

@Ivy You know what, this is my making my head hurt as well T-T I hope the writing is able to discuss all the floating issues around in episode 13. I, for one, didn't particularly like the adults should date adults statement of yijin and how he kept calling them kids in episode 10 tho because it's setting a different tone and could've been the reasons why others feel icky about it. I really really love them as you guys probably know hahahah so I hope this issue will be handled given the fact that it's the writer who setup those things as well >.<

“As you said, YJ and Heedo share a special bond - and I think its value is bigger than whether or not it's romantic, because they have helped each other through things each of them needed support during, for no reason other than that they wanted to. It's a beautiful human connection (among many other ones in the show) that is nice to see being portrayed with tenderness like this show does. That's why I am afraid of the writers potentially "ruining" it so close to the finish line.”

I agree with everything you said here as their relationship growth is evidently steering in a different wheel, I am hoping for a sensible writing here as well. I really do love these two to be together because it was very clear that they are soulmates from the moment they shared at episode 2 and what a lovely thing if they ended up marrying each other and having their own loving family.

I will also appreciate it a lot if the drama will show Yijin’s clear POV on his relationship with and if he has a different stand now from his statement before and I do hope it will be in next episode. The confession of his love for her scene was beautifully done, and I hope the writing choices after the first kiss will also deliver. Angsts will come in the next episodes and I’m sensing that it will touch on this issue as well; it may also serve as a great dilemma for Yijin to rethink if his actions and if he will put a clearer line over their relationship. Since Yijin’s character is written as a dependable one, I have a clear inclination that he will put mini break on their relationship as it seems to me from his conversation with dalkong that he strongly feels that Heedo’s time is more precious than his and by “time” I think it’s her youth and dreams are the things that he’s referring. But then again, he's always been straightforward on sharing his feelings so I cannot be sure.

In another point that you mention that it’s Heedo should be the one to decide whether dalkong should comeback in her life, I understand and I do agree with you on that the girl/woman who needs to make choices for herself and not the man—regardless of age differences. But I still appreciate Yijin’s pure intentions behind his words on that conversation.

Thank you so much for replying to my long comment and this had been an insightful thread I also enjoyed!

I always noticed this comment and I think the reasons why he doesn't hang out much with his peers are these:

- The drama itself doesn't have enough time for that. Lol hahaha <-- BIGGEST REASON JUST KIDDING
- Yijin didn't graduate college, his peers might probably thinking that he's no good; talk about workplace discrimination
- Yijin did hangout with some of his friends on first episode but was treated differently and badly because of his new status; He also caused a riff with his friends there so I doubt he will hang out with them anymore.
- Yijin is a reporter and his peers who are reporter too probably don't have enough time to hangout after their assignments are over; they are all busy! co-workers only can interact if they have drinks after their work
- He's in the same neighborhood with Heedo so he can meet her coincidentally
- As sports reporter he has chances to get closer to heedo because she's his subject.
- Hanging out with the squads such as seungwan cannot be avoided because she's the landlord's daughter
- The beach scene already made them close to the squad are already fond of him and they were the ones who are seeking him out now like how Jiwoong seeked him when his sad because yurim can't attend the concert and jiwoong delivered the photo to yijin
- Lastly, Yijin actually has an older colleague who he calls his sunbaenim but they are already in different departments T-T

So yeah, here are the logical reasons I can come up why he hangs out with highschoolers just in case there are those who are feeling uncomfortable regarding this.

same :(

that's the only thing I didn't like about this drama to be honest, I think they wanted to pull some crazy twist and it was indeed crazy I really couldn't get that off my mind for weeks T-T But neglecting that everything else was so gooood about this one

I love the shampoo song a lot!

Hi, you opened an insightful conversation here regarding Heedo and Yijin's relationship and I hope they will be tackled on the next episodes too. I have always appreciated the way their relationship was written but I do appreciate your insight regarding this. This is a very good discussion of relationship dynamics, social norms and ethics as well.

Actually, I earlier said in this site that I felt mixed emotions with the kiss scene because Heedo is still younger than Yijin and Yijin has more experienced with Heedo as you said when it comes to relationships and it concerned me on what kind of reaction Yijin will react upon or whether he'll kiss her back because given the mood of the kiss it might turn differently because he's a man and definitely older than Heedo, that's why I felt a little worried and concern that they showed kissing that early. I was actually hoping that at 25 & 21 timeline when they're probably away for each other for a year. However, as I get to rewatch the scene, I come to understand some of the artistic choices that director and the writer wanted to convey at the scene by making Heedo kiss him and by making Yijin stay still as she did. From my own perspective, we can also view art such as a drama not just on its literal sense but also poetically—for me, poetically, the scene was delicate and raw. If you also noticed their shadows when they didn't kiss yet, Heedo has a warm shadow and Yijin has a cold shadow (blue) and after Heedo's kiss their shadows exchanged. In a color theory created form a Tiktok account, color blue is Yijin's color and symbolizes maturity, meanwhile, warm color or red which Heedo always wear is a symbol of youth and passion. I think by making Heedo color blue after they kiss is a symbol of maturity and her finally realizing the depth of her feelings with Yijin. It's also good to learn other factors that led to the kiss scene was because there were theories that 2000 could be the end of the world and it was probably a courageous moment for Heedo to kiss her best friend and soulmate (aka Yijin).

I also appreciated that Yijin didn't kiss her back as it didn't only make the scene more delicate but on taking that scene literally, he pulled some matured choices there instead of taking advantage the situation, which I believe is very hard from his side knowing his strong feelings for her. It's Heedo's first kiss and their first kiss. Also, Heedo just turned 20 (internationally Heedo can still be at 18), I really appreciated that the writing let him stay still as Heedo navigate on her recognized feelings for Yijin.

For the scene with Heedo’s ex-boyfriend, while you got a point that Yijin did stray away that potential romantic interest of Heedo, for some it “might” felt grooming but from what I understood from the context of their conversation that “dalkong/sweetie-pie” said that Yijin is only toying with Heedo and there is another line in which that dalkong said that’s he’s not over with her yet. The “he’s not over with her yet” I believe can interpreted into two ways: (1) He’s enraged that he’s dumped and want to play with her for a while and probably take advantage of her before breaking up with her; or (2) He still sincerely likes her. I doubt that it is number (2) and there’s a chance that Yijin probably interpreted that as the number (1). It didn’t help that dalkong enraged Yijin by telling him that he’s only toying with Heedo (or taking advantage as an older guy). If you rewatched that conversation scene, it is only after the “toying statement” from dalkong that Yijin reacted differently and while it may “feel” like grooming to others that he’s shooing potential romantic interests of Heedo taking into account she’s still a minor who’s about to become legal, I don’t think he did that to show his jealousy, but it’s probably his sense of responsibility and protectiveness towards Heedo—his friend, confidant, and the girl he cherishes a lot.

Hadn’t the word toying and dalkong’s choice of words had been different, I might think differently of Yijin too, but it was only at those words where he only became enraged. Dalkong suggested that he's toying with Heedo but Yijin emphasized that Heedo cannot be toyed by anyone and that includes him. This is also an important scene for me because it showed that Yijin is aware that Heedo is a minor without any good experiences with romantic relationships and for that, he will not cross the line, until both have acknowledged the depths of their feelings and matured enough to commit into that. I don’t think it is Yijin who will make a move over Heedo or decide whether Heedo is already matured, but it will probably be Heedo who will affirm him as they both grow together. Actually, I’m curious on how the writer will transition their relationship into romantic one, because at episode 12 it’s already hinted that it’s already highly progressing into that because both have evident feelings for one another, and I guess this 24 & 20 timeline will be used for that.

Lastly, I don’t want to turn away with this insightful conversation, however, the reason probably why others may feel comfortable also at this is because it is common and there were other age gaps that are worse than this. I even know one at 17 and 27 and I don’t think it is right, but I won’t consider it grooming from what you said of its definition, because there’s not even probably waiting for the girl to be at a legal as they suddenly become a couple while the girl is still 17 close to being 18, so probably, compared to Yijin people are more forgiving because there are really worse case of age gaps right here. However, I consider your points that Yijin is still more experienced in romantic relationships, and you are not only referring to him but other relationships as well, so I understand and respect your insight on that matter. So aside that people find common of that age gap, Yijin and Heedo’s relationship while he knew she was still in senior highschool, they still met as two youth who become each other’s confidant and both have met the needs of each other at an emotional level so for most, what they have is a healthy relationship rooted from their special bond. Still, as the writing is starting to conclude their relationship and transitioning it into a romantic one, like you I am hoping for a sensible writing that would fit perfectly with Yijin’s principles and would not disservice the special bond that she created for Yijin and Heedo.