Erika Song

Question: Were others as uncomfortable as me when Yijin in ep12 said, 'It doesn't matter that she (heed) doesn't know what she's doing; I know.' Maybe it's a mistranslation, but in the present version, it came across as paternalistic and very odd.

Answer:
"...firstly, i hear two implied endings to this line:

1. she doesn't have to know what she's doing, because i know what she’s doing towards me.
2. she doesn't have to know what she's doing, because i know what i’m doing towards her.
i believe that both of these endings exist at the same time; they are equally implied within the first part of the line, and are equally important for the negotiation of meaning behind it.

what comes across to me in both of these versions is a statement of trust and a vow of reliability.

in the first instance, i hear the meaning of even if hee do doesn’t understand the full meaning of her actions, i trust her to do things the right way. even if she doesn’t realize what her actions towards me imply, i see her feelings and accept them. even if it takes her a long time to translate her feelings and actions into words, i know her well enough to understand her without her needing to explain herself. i know what she’s doing about our relationship and i’m going to stay by her side until she sees it through. i know her well enough to see her heart.
in the second instance, what comes to focus is the difference between yi jin and the “cutie pie character” (never letting him outlive this) in the way they approach a potential romantic relationship with hee do. while the “cutie pie character” doesn’t know what he’s doing, as he’s just as likely to be serious about his relationship with hee do as he is to get tired of her after abusing her feelings, yi jin knows what he’s doing. while the ex-boyfriend is careless about how he treats hee do, yi jin is careful to never hurt her feelings, to never overstep or take advantage of her. while the ex-boyfriend doesn’t know hee do well enough to harbor any real feelings towards her as a person and not just a pretty face or a successful fencer, yi jin knows every facet of her personality and knows that there is real feeling behind his actions towards her, and her actions towards him. while the “cutie pie character” will approach the relationship without responsibility towards hee do’s needs and feelings and prioritize his own, yi jin naturally puts hee do’s needs first and doesn’t even dare to cross the line between friendship-coded behavior and romance-coded behavior, because he values her emotional well-being more than his own. so hee do doesn’t have to know what she’s doing in terms of their relationship, or whether she’s doing things the right way, because she can count on yi jin to know what he’s doing. she can make mistakes for both of them, because he is careful not to make any.

with yi jin, hee do can be vulnerable enough to do things by instinct instead of by logic, by feeling instead of by thought, because yi jin trusts her instincts and feelings, and because yi jin is committed to always putting her first.
as this line is the culmination of yi jin’s speech, all of these meanings are encoded in the statements he makes before this one and supported by his previous behavior and words towards hee do. if yi jin’s reaction towards the ex-boyfriend seems out of proportion to the conversation, that’s because yi jin’s feelings are much bigger than the ex-boyfriend’s. it’s because he cares intensely while the ex-boyfriend is willing to toy with him and hee do that yi jin gets really angry, because who is this person to question their intentions towards each other when his own do not come from a place of genuine love? who is this person to accuse yi jin or hee do of not knowing what they’re doing, when he clearly doesn’t know the consequences of his own actions?

if anyone is being “paternalistic” in this situation, it’s the ex-boyfriend, who keeps infantilizing hee do by calling her by a pet name, and tries to verbally “win” the right to date her, as if the matter should be solved between him and yi jin, without taking hee do’s opinion as a factor at all. yi jin is clearly uncomfortable with this conversation from the start, and systematically counters the ex’s usage of the pet name by placing emphasis on hee do’s name in his sentences (it’s not always translated but listen and you’ll hear it), thus continuously asserting her autonomy as a person and not the idea of a girlfriend. when the ex questions hee do’s judgement, yi jin implies that even if hee do is unable to put a name to her actions and feelings, he trusts her to know what she’s doing, and she can rely on him to know what he's doing.
interpretations are subjective, and your feelings are valid -- but i hope my analysis helps you understand the line in the way that i do."

Full blog post link: https://kestrel-of-herran.tumblr.com/post/679600778177118208/were-others-as-uncomfortable-as-me-when-yijin-in

Here's a very good interpretation of Yijin's confrontation with Heedo's ex-sweetiepie from a tumblr user @/kestrel-of-herran. I only got the excerpt from her answer, I hope this help others as well! I'll be putting it in a spoiler.

I'll probably not be able to immediately watch episode 14 and 15, but here's just me commenting an appreciation shoutouts to my beloveds! 💖💖 I love you so much Baekdo! I love you Taeyang squads! Uri Heedo and Yijin, I love love love you both so much! Seungwanie, Yurimie, and Jiwoongie, fighting!

Yes, I agree that we need something concrete and I hope that the setup the the writer "sort of" created will be properly addressed as well or at least have a good resolution before the romance between them finally bloom.

"I think they've been walking this fine line between showing their different places in life right now but also showing how they can still relate it one another?" I think so too, but episode 12 like I said is where their romantic affections became much clearer. In my own interpretation, from episode 2-11 there's still a fuzzy line over it, but I loved that because it was still special. While that special bond is still there at episode 12, it's obvious they are heading to romance direction, so I agree with the opinion of others here that at least we should get some Yijin's point of view before the romance finally happen and I think episode 13 will be good for that.

I also do not take much of an issue with the age gap because as I said earlier they still meet an emotional level and for me that's the most important. It's not everyday that you meet someone you connect the way they did. And, also you are right that he didn't do any advances, which I commend him for that. Yijin also treats Heedo like his equal evident from their past interactions so it isn't really a problem to me. But, probably the choices of the production to let Heedo always wear a uniform and Yijin a suit, could also affect visual interpretation of others. It isn't also much helpful that the writer added "Adult should date adults" principle on Yijin's side. I hope it will be addressed as the conversation with Heedo's ex in episode 12 feels like it could be elaborated better so others will not be confused anymore. A kiss already happened even if it's Heedo who initiated, so atleast I am expecting Yijin's POV too. I have already read some insights regarding that issue and why people can still uncomfortable at it, though I don't fully agree with all of their points, I will hope that the writing will not ruin their special bond.

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!

I actually want to cry over this two! Lol. Hahahaha. I love angsts and I'm in the mood of crying so I hope they will give it to me. But, of course, I am rooting for their happy ending with Minchae so the writer better give us that. 😂

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^^