Kimsamsoom

Those boast, those cocksure moments, are a defense mechanism.

It is either triggered by guilt, or when he has to face his growing love for SDM.

Want to see when HJP has his defenses down? Check out when SDM first ask him why he lied for NDS sake? He was completely defenseless and was going to tell the truth at the moment.

When SDM ask him about the non combustible bag, that was full on battle ready, shields up HJP.

When there is a love triangle, fans will often favor one side. So they attempt to justify why their side will be better.

It's normal. Its only when the fans devolve into mudslinging other fans that it falls out of hand. Criticizing the other side does not equate into toxicity but rather opening the forum to debate.

There is a difference between debate between two sides of the coin, and personal attacks against, aggression towards another side of the fandom.

In the show? there are indications all over the place, that SDM is at least curious about HJP, and HJP, even though he doesn't have any "history" with SDM has become an important man in her life.

But due to writer's bias, promotional material bias, and star power, it won't be happening.

You see, HJP never stood a chance.

So in the new kdrama landscape to cater to both fans, they would need to show the ML as a poor, but kind, warm hearted, heart on his sleeve kind of guy,

The SL then would need to be rich, cold, cares more about money, but supports the FL with money.

Start Up's biggest problem is when you combine the old guard ML into the SL, BUT also give him too many close up shots, a veteran actor like KSH will nail it out of the park.

All those close up shots does is shows you the gamut of emotion that a veteran actor like KSH can imbue into the scene. And since the old school kdrama has always been about micro emotions, we pick up on those subtle facial emotions from KSH, which make us ship him. From a furrowed eyebrow, to a small smirk. These are the micro emotions which defined old school Kdrama. The hidden emotion that slowly seeps through the cracks.

As fans, we enjoy the mystery of figuring out what the ML is thinking, has he fallen in love yet? There is some intrigue.

With NDS, there is nothing to figure out, he flat out says what he is feeling. He professes his love too easily, there is no fun for us fans.

And I believe that is where this show ran into trouble. If they had gotten another actor, who is not so great at micro facial emotions, then it may not have been as bad of a SLS.

If it happens in the last episode, then it could mean that NDS and SDM get together, then NDS starts exchanging letters with SDM for maximum cheesiness... ugh :(

Yeah, the new crop of ML fits the current upcoming demographic of the younger generation who prefer the men to be sensitive, and clear with their emotions.

Older viewers, due to remembering the traditional ways of society are more used to the rough old guard ML's.

Dodal doesn't need to. There is enough evidence on the show that Dodal is end game. But we HJP shippers are hopeful bunch :)

NDS represents the new wave of Kdrama ML's. The angsty, sensitive, immature ML, who is very open about their emotions, wears their hearts on their sleeve.

HJP represents the old guard of Kdrama ML's. The complex, cold, keeps their feelings to themselves, usually rich, mature ML.

In our history of Kdrama, we're always taught to like the cold, unapproachable, sometimes mean ML, and ignore the like a brother, friend zoned, immature childhood friend.

But, writing styles are changing, and a new wave of korean ML's are springing up.

I suspect most people who like HJP are older, maybe late 20's or early 30's.

Sure, why not.

Yes, I also don't understand why doesn't HJP just tell the truth.

I'm also not a big SDM fan. But she's the only feasible girl left for a happy ending to either NDS and HJP.

One of the guys is going to hurt a lot, but one has more support in NDS, while HJP doesn't have any shoulder to cry on except Grandma.

I found this little piece in episode 1, it feels so powerful.

SDM writes:

Without your letters, what would that spring have meant to me?
I would have grieved over fallen flowers
rather than enjoying flowers in bloom
The only thing that I remember from that spring would have been losing the person I love more than anyone, without even getting to say goodbye.

I think this is what is written in the blue letter.

What is so poetic, but she is talking about her father here, but could have easily also been talking about HJP, since he just left without saying goodbye.

whether you feel HJP help to SDM doesn't benefit NDS or not is subjective.

HJP just didn't want to sugar coat the truth with NDS. Was it harsh, yes, as harsh as NDS dad. But for some people they feel this harshness is you get results.

But HJP didn't factor in that NDS kind of has a weak mentality, so this type of reinforcement is not effective.

Plus to be frank, NDS is just not ambitious enough. If you are ambitious enough, you will put up with A LOT of stuff to achieve your goals, something NDS wasn't willing to do, and HJP maybe sensed it?

I don't think my heart can take the content of that letter. Is that letter the final key to open HJP's heart?

I agree, there is no believable happy ending for him. They are probably going to cheapen it during the time skip.

If grandma ends up with HJP, I want SDM and NDS to move far away to San Francisco so not to torture HJP further.

I hate that the writers are playing with Grandma's heart. They need to keep NDS away from her. Grandma is for HJP only. If SDM is the only thing NDS has, well grandma is the only thing HJP has.

Just want to remind everyone, SDM places a blue letter in the birdhouse box that she and HJP used to exchange letters. I am curious if this ever comes into play in later episodes, or will just be forgotten.

Grandma's speech of how she regrets not meeting HJP earlier had me in tears.

Nice long read!

It hasn't been very clear why NDS continues to lie, he had all the chance to tell the truth.

But was is equally unclear is why doesn't HJP just go behind NDS back and tell SDM the truth?

HJP doesn't owe NDS anything, and Grandma is ok with telling the truth, why doesn't HJP just tell the truth earlier.

If HJP had just told the truth earlier, we may have seen him start a relationship with SDM. Right now, it looks very bleak that he will have a chance.

I agree, she is kind of leading HJP a bit. I mean she is kind of cheating on NDS a little bit here, the fact that she is being nosy in HJP business, doing non work related stuff for him. Surely she knows this would make NDS jealous?

The writers have given NDS lots of opportunity to be the hero and score points with SDM, but HJP hasn't been given any opportunity, it's prety much torture at this point.

It is kdrama after all, so I wouldn't be surprised, if that is where the writer is headed.

She said, she prefers the one in the letters. But the one in the present surprises her.

I agree, I mention this in another post, a long term relationship doesn't stand a chance against a relationship that has proximity and physical actions.

Actually, for me, I see HJP's fault also of course. But HJP isn't the one that is with SDM right now, it's NDS. And NDS is the one extending the lie. So i'm going to criticize more NDS.

If HJP was with SDM right now, i'd be criticizing him. Hard to criticize the person who is helpless to do anything in HJP, versus the person who has all the power to end the lie early,