Sky Merc

The show has done a really good job of keeping the two timelines almost separate but connected, if that makes sense. While there is a curiosity about the present, it doesn’t strip away the laughter and tears connected to the past story. I’m ready with tissues on one hand and confetti on the other for whatever happens.

I know what you mean. I was on your theory #2 initially. But while I’m all for the friends to lovers part, I wasn’t so keen about them turning to strangers part. Having them reunite as lovers in the present seem out of place after all this time. Not when we don’t know the state of Hee Do’s current marriage. As an out of towner dad, he doesn’t seem to be all bad when he still sent that ballet costume. Min Chae doesn’t seem to be actively looking for a dad replacement either as she just seems curious about her mom’s past.

Maybe the show is meant to be an inspiration to hold on and stand back up during bad times? I’m so curious how this will end.

This drama is so well-written so far I hope it doesn’t drop the ball by force fitting the end of having Yi Jin as the father when there are many clues pointing otherwise. Min Chae has a different surname and she does not recognize Yi Jin from the photo and the video clip. I would understand that people may look differently some decades later but still, there would be some resemblance that can still be discerned. The video clip would also add to placing a “voice” for that person. Even if a face is unrecognizable, the voice would be hard to change and Min Chae should recognize the voice of her father.

Yi Jin and Hee Do has such a special relationship that I am fine even if they don’t end up together. The way they show how they supported each other and what they did for each other that helped shaped them in the past is so beautiful I am content if that meant that was the kind of inspiration they had on each other. I think by not showing a “face” to Hee Do’s current husband is a way to give impact to Hee Do and Yi Jin's story. They still haven’t gotten to the romance part. Maybe the show thinks it would be a little awkward to be showing that romance in their past while also showing a present day husband too.

I’d love to be proven wrong, though I hope that the show does it in a believable way. I’d hate for it to be ruined by an ending that doesn’t make sense.

I found it strange too when Hee Do’s mom mentioned about seeing him and there was no reaction from Hee Do. If they were separated for a long time or had lost touch, that should at least prompt some curious questions. The mom gave no other information either from their meeting. Surely she was aware of her daughter’s friendship with Yi Jin. She could have said more about how Yi Jin was doing but she didn’t . So that seemed strange to me.

I also found it interesting that in Hee Do’s woodshop, the signage would say “2521”. As what we know, those numbers would be their ages when they fell in love. Its significance for Hee Do and having it carved onto the wood like a plaque seemed to say that she wanted it as a remembrance of how much Yi Jin means to her. It points to something one would do to commemorate someone who has passed on.

This light viewing is a refreshing change. I like that there doesn’t seem to be any love triangle angst among the leads. I hope that chef isn’t going to be a serious threat. I’ve had to drop 39 because of its heavier theme and FLAW because the second leads characters weren’t to my liking.

Even though the ML acts standoffish, he doesn’t come across as annoying. I like that the FL has some good business sense that the ML is attracted to. I do feel bad for the FL to be put in that predicament where she has to act and look out of her character during the blind date and keep on lying about her identity to protect her friend and keep her job. But this is a drama, so that makes that part of the fun.

It’s also good to see Kim Min Gue here. He still reminds me of Comrade Joo but I’m expecting it to change once he and the SFL have more scenes. Seol In Ah is a delight as always. Looking forward to a fun-filled watch with the two couples.

I believe it was implied Kang Moo and Ha Na were going to commemorate his death one year later. Kang Moo was shown holding a flower. But the bonus scene of them at the cafe with Young Ro smiling will be the one to hold onto to ease some of the pain.

I somewhat agree. I thought both dramas had the same emotional impact with how the characters were written. Both leads had the same deep feelings and sense of protection for their partners. Both of their deaths were painful. However, I prefer Soo Ho and Young Ro as being more realistic characters. And frankly, HaeSoo’s chemistry is so much better. I love Ae Shin as a female revolutionary fighter. However, her status as a “yangban” (elite) in society was an exception during her time when societal classes had defined levels of expected actions.

I think so too. There are many scenes that could’ve gone unnoticed in the earlier episodes. One such scene would be with Soo Ho at the cemetery. At first take, that scene didn’t hold as much meaning as rewatching it with an understanding of Soo Ho’s character and how much he cares for his comrades that ties in with how he protected them during the course of their training and throughout the hostage situation.

Soo Ho’s name in German beschütze deine geliebten means protect your loved ones. It has the same meaning as his Korean name. That should’ve been a hint of what would happen to him. Still, I persisted in hoping that it would not end in tragedy. Soo Ho was a man with principles and integrity. His indoctrination did not deter him from following his conscience. He may have followed orders when he thought it was for the good of his country. Yet when it came to the lives of innocent people or those of his comrades, he didn’t hesitate to abandon those orders for their sake. Meeting Young Ro was something that made him start seeing things more clearly. She gave him hope and direction that he had become lost in. Her kindness and compassion was a comfort and balm to his wounded and hardened soul. I liked that in the message he had for her, he told her about not regretting meeting her. Because that would’ve been one of the thoughts going through her mind when he left. I was also glad he had the chance to give her the recording so that she knew how he really felt about her. Not that she didn’t already know with how he showed many times with his actions. Still, it was a thoughtful gesture.

Death and dying is a painful experience for everyone who has seen dear ones go through it. It may not be that different from that of seeing a loved one being ravaged by an illness such as cancer when the body is slowly eaten away and an immense pain engulfs it. Having gone through that experience, one does not wish to relive it. Soo Ho didn’t deserve what happened to him. His death was one of the most brutal I have seen. It was atrocious. To experience seeing that as Young Ro did was just as horrible. It would take some amount of time to heal from that hurt and pain. A time given to mourn and grieve such loss and a time to heal is understandable. And then comes a time when a celebration of life of that person whose life has touched not just one but many.

I’m keeping an eye out for those as well. And I’m adding Grid too with Seo Kang Joon and Kim Ah Jung. From Stranger (Forest of Secrets) writer.

I agree. It’s sad but that’s their choice. I’ve seen this happen many times that I just make it a point not to get into any discussion with them that only leads to arguments.

The funny thing is, I’ve followed some people and I’ve seen the way they criticized heavily on shows or characters that I loved and then praise another show or character in another which I found mediocre and I wonder why or what they see so great about it. In some ways, that allows me to laugh this off and not take it too personally.

I do agree with you that the lack of courtesy and respect is disheartening.

That’s an interesting way to view it as I do sometimes see some people wanting to put every negative comment on this drama at every opportunity. To be fair, not everyone has an intention of belittling other people though I can see some who do that or come across as doing that.

From how I see it, certain things are perceived by people in different ways and therefore react to the story in various ways. Personally, I have no problem with connecting to both the main leads’ stories as I can see how the writer intended it to be. And so, while others may find it lacking in terms of execution, for example, I’ve found that I can understand what the writer was trying to convey so I don’t really feel that way.

I don’t mind criticism when it’s fairly done. And I respect those who do that. It’s not like I’m not aware of the flaws. But it’s easy to see those that are done with an intent to spite. In the past two years, more comments have become nastier than before too that sometimes I just avoid sites like this just so I can watch dramas in peace. I think this is tamer than the usual just because it is clear we have only one male lead for the female lead. Having a secondary male lead usually just leads to ship wars and I’ve seen it get really ugly for some people. As for this drama, to be frank, I didn’t follow it as avidly, though I’ve heard of news and seen some of the cast. Normally, I try not to put too much expectations as I have been let down by other dramas before. So I’m glad I have been entertained. It has the right mix of action, suspense, comedy, melodrama and romance for me.

I agree. He is really great here. Possibly top 3 favorite from all his performances and all the different characters that I’ve seen him in

Great minds think alike! ;)

I don’t either. I’m rewatching some of the earlier episodes and some of the dialogue with the politicians and wives are actually funnier now that we know how things have unraveled. Esp the wives’ part with the fortune teller. I loved how we were shown the backstory of that with Chung Ya.

I come here after watching each episode and I’m amazed at the amount of criticism it gets. With some comments bordering on hate and shaming, though indirectly done. Maybe I enjoy it too much to nitpick every flaw so I don’t mind them anymore. Like most everyone, life is too short to watch something that you don’t find pleasure in.

I have the same answers. I will add Soo Ho as well to add to the first question. I wanted to know more about his journey from his past that led him to become the person that he is in the present. If I may add, one of the scenes that struck me was in the earlier episodes when one of his comrades died and he went to the cemetery. It had me thinking that he must have been grieving a lot for that loss.

The way I view it, Boon Ok’s situation can’t be solely blamed on her situation alone. We know she’s had a hard life and most likely became harder after the death of her sister. And that is sad and we can empathize with her. And I believe the audience sees that as well. However, we can’t overlook the fact that other people have also gone thru harsh conditions. The most glaring comparison being Soo Ho. Being adopted at a young age by the NK leader didn’t mean he had a good life. Esp when we see his true intentions of using Soo Ho as pawn for his ambitions. It might not even be far fetched to think that Soo Ho might have been physically, mentally and emotionally abused during the course of his indoctrination. But still, we see Soo Ho standing up for his comrades, doing the best he can to save them. He has been taught to kill but he recognizes the difference between killing the enemy and innocent civilians. We can see Soo Ho’s journey taking him to a realization of the truth. And he acts accordingly.

Coming from harsh conditions doesn’t excuse anyone from doing the right thing. It looks to me as a lack of accountability and moral judgment that can explain Boon Ok’s behavior and actions rather than her harsh circumstance. There is always a choice. She just keeps on making the wrong ones. And her insecurities, vindictiveness etc are traits that are adding to her behaving in the way she does.

I agree. Even though some characters’ behavior frustrates me. Boon Ok being the one who disappoints me the most just because she refuses to change her thinking and behavior and worse, puts other people in harm’s way. What makes her frustrating is because she is supposed to be on the hostages’ side. She blames other people for her situation and thinks people look down on her when that is not true for all . Just think at how shocked Soo Ho was when she told him why he did not choose to go with her on their blind date . She is the one making all the wrong choices and thus making people react to her in a certain way. And then she blames people for it. She’s asking people to understand her situation and most people probably did until she made it hard for them to just give her more excuses. If she changed her mindset and started to think and understand about other people first maybe she wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place. The worst part was she actually wanted to kill Ms. Pi and even worse, thinks she is not doing anything wrong. If she can do that to someone who helped her and gave her a job, I can’t imagine how much farther she is willing to go for someone who she thinks has wronged her. What would it take for her to see and think differently? For argument’s sake, what if she finds out that she is actually the one who caused her sister’s death and Ms. Pi has been taking the blame for her and protecting her all this time. Would she think differently then? Would she then start to take responsibility for her actions and see that some of what has happened to her is partly her fault too? Why wait until then? Why not start now before it’s too late? She can’t keeppointing a finger on others without having three fingers pointed back at her. I guess this show being a drama, they will keep making her frustrating until the end. Though I’m not sure there will be enough sympathy left for her by then. I suppose her realization at the end will hurt her most of all when she regrets the things she has done but it is too late.