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The lyrics are wonderful, don't forget to turn on the caption. Captures the beautiful dynamic between Gorya x Ren. A love that could never be. And what it means to be a friend to someone, where there was this possibility of love.

THIS. 💀👀

Those asking if Ren comes back.... 2:57, Dew's new music video (Ren's theme song) was released today with this scene from the future episodes. You'll find your answer here! :P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF7va9vscNY

You're welcome. Ps. Dew is a wonderful singer! 💖

Instantly flashbacks to lemon-ho saying something similar :/

Uhh, so just because he's an indoctrinated spy from the NK, he's not supposed to look-out for himself and actively make an escape-plan? I thought he would have a sharper survival-instinct than that. But then again, we can't compare them to spies from other countries. If he does end up hatching an escape-plan, he'd have 'gone rogue', and I reckon that's really against what they're taught.
Even with his NK jingoistic background, I'm having some trouble buying the logic. But yeah... I really wished to see him being a good strategist, which he clearly isn't. he sucks at it, lmao! :P

Uhh, okay. I think Soo-Ho's character might be great during espionage things. But he's a terrible strategist. It's already been 72 hours since he took the dorm hostage. However, he's yet to take actual CHARGE of the situation. Even in the scenes, where it SEEMS like he's the ult boss, giving orders, demanding cup-ramen, etc.... He's always a step behind. He's doing just barely enough to not be outsmarted by the SKs anymore. However, he's too reactive for a situation that not only calls for him to do the bare minimum to survive, but also make an ACTIVE escape-plan, instead of biding the remaining time till the 10th-day deadline.

Is he stupid? Or is he slow? Why does he not realize that DESPITE Daddy-Sooho in Mao-coat being in charge, calling shots, and asking the SKs to send the spies back alive, there is NO guarantee that the South is actually going to follow through? Is Dr. Kang dumb too? Her 'believe in the Party at all costs' motto is going to get everybody betrayed and killed at the 11th hour. Because the North is no longer calling the shots. Even SHE has to know this?!! The spies are stuck on Southern soil. The money is stuck in the South. The North literally has ZERO leverage at this point to ensure a safe return of either spies or money, except going nuclear. And even South isn't dumb enough to buy that the Supreme Leader is going to go on a war, just to avenge a few dead spies, given that they're economically weak enough to make a deal for some measly 300mil usd.

I know, Dr. Kang has insisted to wait, the North has insisted to wait, the South has asked them to 'co-operate' till D-day. But honestly, does Soo-Ho have an iota of doubt that they will ALL turn out to be casualties, without needing Hanna to bring in proof, or in fact, have Kang-Moo drill the fact into his head? I keep thinking he'll see the bigger picture in his more solitary, introspective moments. But, NOPE.

Yeah, KCY is badass. But all I see is SK have Plan B, and C and .... Plan Z? Whereas Dr. Kang has come up with nothing apart from self-annihilation? Where's the escape-plan, woman?
This show leaves me so frustrated.

Yeah, the meta-commentary on them being good-looking, was hilarious! xD

Plot/ Character Rant Ahead:

He's back rocking glasses and a suit, in his next Ahn Hye-Seop drama, as the Second ML... :)

Yeah.... I WISH they wouldn't skip that. T_T The 'date' is an extra addition, and cute as well. Though, I know I'd like them to be stuck, post that. It would be a massive fake-out, if they aren't. Because Gorya's phone, at the end of ep 3, is already dead and she hasn't had the chance to get it fixed!

Even I thought it was Gorya's monologue that gets her to check at the clock-tower, during my first watch! I was too busy drowning in the feels, you see! :P But nope. It's a voice-over from Thyme's interview (that she doesn't even fully see the 'meat' of before Kanning pulls her away) that builds the crescendo to the scene. It's nicely done, although I'm still a little iffy on what pushes her to go visit the clock-tower. :P

Sure, I thought so too. I thought this would be his 1st/ 2nd project post-Military, like SJK's DoTS and HB's CLOY. But NOPE. Hae-In did his more than 10 years back.
Shocking, I know! :P

YESSSSS, I love this. We are caught as unaware as Tsukushi is, by that sight of him waiting in the rain. The shock value of it, was amazing. We instantly knew he was this tiny, wet-little kitten, only pretending to roar loudly like a lion. Hah. You're absolutely right! We half-expected it here. It's not as climactic, as the j-version as a result.
Uhh, maybe it was because it was so fresh then, and by this time, i have already seen 4 versions of it before. Hence, the truckload of feels hits slightly lesser. Hehe.
But honestly, one of the key elements of HYD as a story is the fact that Tsukushi is a self-insert character. Like those 1st person video-games. You are supposed to fall in love with Rui along with her. You're supposed to feel her rage at Tsukasa, WITH her. And then, you're supposed to soften up for him, right alongside her. The moment there is a gap between where viewers and Tsukushi stand... is where the story loses it's magic. (happened in MG-2018 a LOT for me, because I was suppose to hate the ML, but he was this utterly sweet little petulant boy!) <3

'Rudderless and floating to its end'.... yeah! I don't think I could have put it better words. The writers seem to have written themselves into a bigger pickle by getting the hostage-situation back to square 1. -_-
I just wish to know WHAT the end is, and HOW we get there. At this point, I'm already too invested (9eps in). However, I have very little hope any of it will make much sense at the end of the 16th episode.

Hence, the sequence that made for a more impactful story-telling. Hah, is my bias showing blatantly?

A protein-based calorie surplus, lifting heavy, getting a tan, and chopping-off your hair can do wonders. His side-profile should be illegal at this point. Those pecs, and THAT ass! 😎🔥 Can't believe it exists on internet for FREE xD

Can we talk about how Hae-In looks THICC in this? :P

Hi.....
I would KILL to have the headstand-scene from Ren. Is it too late to get Dew to do it? It was one of my MOST favorite scenes of Lei in the T/C versions. Super sweet gesture :')

Lol, I think she went from a point of disbelief. As if to prove herself wrong. She expected NOT to find him there. He just happened to be there cuz he's crazy.
Nobody in their sane mind would be going TO Domyouji.

Absolutely agreeing with the third para here. I also like this direction. Other version have the FL freaking out and reeling back. As if they are mortified to have skin-contact with another person. The direction is cute here. Gorya never freaks out in front of Ren. She isn't a bumbling mess, and keeps cool & collected. Her turmoil is often internalized. I think it was perfect how she FROZE in spot, and instead let her eyes convey just HOW much she was freaking out, lol! <3

The forehead kiss is very essential to the story. In all versions.
It gelled well with the older versions imo, but not as well here, because he literally shoved Gorya TWICE 2 scenes before it. But yeah, I agree... the kiss itself, without context in Thai-version, is sweet. In all versions, he's already got physical with her once, in front of Mira/ Shizuka's poster with the almost-kiss/ wiping-off-her-face. Thus, it never felt odd, before.