Are you crying? Cuz I am ! I can’t believe it ended. I loved their conversation when they were in the car!!…
The Dad I think went into psychosis. Very typical of someone who has built such huge walls that were unexpectedly brought down by someone or something he cannot control.
I'm having mixed feelings about the last episode. I found myself frustrated about the writers choosing to use…
I’m not trying to convince you but I would still love to put my two cents here. Hehe.
Actually, even without the gun shot, there’s still a huge chance that Hyun So could develop selective amnesia. Everything that had happened to him was too traumatic and mentally and emotionally taxing that the mind could just choose to protect him at all cost. The thing about our brains is that it’s very protective to the point that it could repress memories regarding trauma—- selectively or all at once.
When Hyun Soo lost it after finding out that Ji Won “died”, the brain could use it as a trigger to shelve him further. In some cases, patient would faint and wake up to a state of selective amnesia, like what happened in the drama. While some others would still appear okay on the outside but could brew personality disorders on the inside that will usually not manifest until later.
Hence, in the drama, although Hyun Soo’s gun shot wound was not fatal, his brain chose to close his emotions and introduce him into a state of repair. Precisely why he was in coma for a month. His brain, unsurprisingly, also repressed his recent memories related to the trauma, but sadly including those with Ji Won in it. The physical trigger that was him being shot, was merely used by the brain as a sort of an excuse to finally recalibrate Hyun Soo.
I know I’m basically having very vague points here but it’s nothing new, it has happened before in several cases. I was even amazed at how the writer took this psychological trope despite the potential backlash in relation to amnesia. But hey, at least it’s geared with scientific bases.
The whole production was amazing- cinematography, ost, scoring, production design, etc. BUT the love line really did not make sense to me. It felt too pushed for fans’ sake. The writing on the second lead’s ending was too lackluster, it’s like the writer gave up on the character to save Yeo Jin Goo some face, as obviously he got overshadowed by Lee Do Hyeon as a character and as an actor (c’mon, let’s all agree on that).
Plus this drama’s ghost stories as fillers were too obvious as fillers. It’s like watching a variety show with an MC introducing the fillers one by one because it’s THAT obvious. It took a lot of screentime too that you’d eventually realize that the main plot was just this short and so-so if you take out all the ghost stories.
If you came for the hype, then by all means watch it. The cinematography was definitely astounding. Its novelty was also commendable, I truly learned a lot about Korean folklore, thanks to the characters. BUT don’t expect it to watch a Best Drama contender for Baeksang because that’s definitely not what you’ll get, unlike what the rating promises. Acting was so-so too, a bit disappointing actually since you have Yeo Jin Goo and IU as the main leads. Lee Do Hyeon stole the show.
There are some really self-destructive habits and actions showed in the drama like how he overdosed, had suicidal…
Thank you for your insight. It made me realize that the reckless love of Han Se Ju towards Jeon Seol was similar with the love that Su Hwi Young showed for Joseon. He gave up everything to liberate it from Japan, he left his affluent family, prestigious school, and even the girl that he cherished. I guess this is kinda the point of the writer (I hope)? A mirror of the past and the present, by using a different lens.
Will forever remember this drama as that show that wrecked me over and over again, especially on the last 5-6 episodes. I didn’t even bother predicting how it will end, I just let the beautiful story unfold.
Thank you so much, creators and cast, for the wonderful experience that this drama has given me.
When you have a very brilliant director and a superbly skilled writer as a combo, then you get a masterpiece. The stellar acting of the cast and amazing scoring are just a bonus!
My favorite director! Thank you for bringing me Chicago Typewriter and Flower of Evil. Will definitely binge watch your works soon. You’re brilliant and amazing!!
Do you know some similar drama? I want to watch something like this? I watched Memorist
Hmmm not really similar genre-wise but in terms of plot twists, shock factor, and well-executed scenes, I highly suggest Chicago Typewriter. Both dramas have the same director so perhaps that’s why the quality are also UP there. Plus both dramas have stellar cast whose acting are also wayyyy UP there.
LJG went psycho the second half and it turned into a will-he or won't-he kill BHS. He would've definitely killed…
Definitely with you on this. Hyun So was honed to be a killer but tried his best to set that instinct aside when he met Cha Ji Won. Now that the reason for his being is gone, it’s completely understandable that he’d lose it, especially if he’s against someone who made the 20 years of his life a mental torture.
Actually, even without the gun shot, there’s still a huge chance that Hyun So could develop selective amnesia. Everything that had happened to him was too traumatic and mentally and emotionally taxing that the mind could just choose to protect him at all cost. The thing about our brains is that it’s very protective to the point that it could repress memories regarding trauma—- selectively or all at once.
When Hyun Soo lost it after finding out that Ji Won “died”, the brain could use it as a trigger to shelve him further. In some cases, patient would faint and wake up to a state of selective amnesia, like what happened in the drama. While some others would still appear okay on the outside but could brew personality disorders on the inside that will usually not manifest until later.
Hence, in the drama, although Hyun Soo’s gun shot wound was not fatal, his brain chose to close his emotions and introduce him into a state of repair. Precisely why he was in coma for a month. His brain, unsurprisingly, also repressed his recent memories related to the trauma, but sadly including those with Ji Won in it. The physical trigger that was him being shot, was merely used by the brain as a sort of an excuse to finally recalibrate Hyun Soo.
I know I’m basically having very vague points here but it’s nothing new, it has happened before in several cases. I was even amazed at how the writer took this psychological trope despite the potential backlash in relation to amnesia. But hey, at least it’s geared with scientific bases.
Plus this drama’s ghost stories as fillers were too obvious as fillers. It’s like watching a variety show with an MC introducing the fillers one by one because it’s THAT obvious. It took a lot of screentime too that you’d eventually realize that the main plot was just this short and so-so if you take out all the ghost stories.
If you came for the hype, then by all means watch it. The cinematography was definitely astounding. Its novelty was also commendable, I truly learned a lot about Korean folklore, thanks to the characters. BUT don’t expect it to watch a Best Drama contender for Baeksang because that’s definitely not what you’ll get, unlike what the rating promises. Acting was so-so too, a bit disappointing actually since you have Yeo Jin Goo and IU as the main leads. Lee Do Hyeon stole the show.
Thank you so much, creators and cast, for the wonderful experience that this drama has given me.