Toot

'Host/Hostess' bars are a also a big thing in Korea. Though it doesn't look like this drama is going to be played as 'seedily' as they are generally depicted in K-dramaland

And a K-drama mother who sees her adult children as separate from herself and able to make their own life choices! It's like a revelation! 😆

I can't express how much I love characters like Baek Eo Jin. He reminds me a bit of Park Dong-Hoon of 'My Ahjussi' and Dong Shik of 'Misaeng'. They are characters who just embody a sense of justice for all, and see the good in even the worst people. I feel like those who fundamentally pursue a just and kind life, are a rarity in K-dramaland. (Perhaps Soo-Yeon of Extraordinary Attorney Woo as well)
I'm watching this drama, purely because this character exists.

So agree! It is gold!

If you scroll further down the comments, there's a link to SK's reaction to this episode...being TOO feminist and crossing the line. You might be asking too much of the writer, who is already receiving massive backlash for being a "short-haired feminist"😬

This is my first drama where I think the OST is absolutely terrible. I like the songs themselves, but they are, across the whole show, so jarring and mismatched to the plot. I do wonder if I'd have found the show all-around better, if the tone was better set and supported by the score.

Episode 8 is awesome! A complete shift of tone. I implore all of you who dropped after 7; COME BACK! A few minor resolutions and a slight shift in direction, I think makes it a bit more satisfying and less, pure frustration.

I agree! Hence my point about it not really being fluffy. So many sexist stereotypes in this. But I keep watching, in hope they all evolve 😬🙏 or there's a satisfying resolution (on ep 15 atm).

Well said!

I totally agree with you that he is unrealistic. To be blunt, I find her single father and her boss Myung Seok, to be unicorns too. But I like that! I like a bit of romantic fantasy in my romance. I hate seeing women end up in romantic relationships with awful men, and vice versa (see: narcissistic chaebol heir trope, ad-nauseum, in dramaland) I also think humans are pretty simple, and when we SEE something it becomes real. Here's hoping SEEing this makes it become more real.

I am really enjoying this drama. It's an easy watch despite the undertones being far less fluffy than the reviews would have you believe.
BUT : The Lin Yan Ran character is such an annoying stereotype that exists in so many C-dramas. I can honestly say I have never met a young woman IRL who persists so far, despite constant negative feedback, the way these characters do. Why is it such a THING in C-dramaland? Can anyone tell me?

I absolutely agree with you! Plus, Min Woo, to me, is very similar to the 'middle aged white male' stereotype - scared to death of losing their privilege, so go on the attack.

I agree! What an awesome watchlist!

My favourite comment on the list..."The writer herself has short hair..." (This definitely puts a different slant on Kang Tae Oh's recent interview comment that he liked women with short hair - Soompi Aug 5, 2022)
At first I found these comments laughable, but then I started to feel sick. I can't decide whether it's worse where I live, where people generally keep these widely held views to themselves, for fear of being called out; or in SK where being a vocal and overt misogynist is totally acceptable. Even worse, I'm not covinced all of those comments were written by men.

This definitely is coming across as a tribute to the Gothic Novel to me...remote estate, house of secrets, locked off rooms, creepy housekeeper, menacing woodsman/groundskeeper or in this case, chief of security, with unclear loyalties, faceless servants. And Woo Shin directly states he feels like he's entered a 19th century household. The characters can appear a bit cartoonish, but I think this is why.
Trying not to have too many expectations 😬

There are so many links in the comments too. DAYS worth of music to listen to. Thankyou MDLers!

OMG, I've been playing that song constantly since Reset aired and never made the connection...I have clearly been an ignorant fan for a long time (considering The Long Ballad and other OSTs 😳)

Oh. My. Gosh! Thankyou for this article. I had never heard of Zhou Shen, but have learned here that I've heard him in some of the OST's. I just listened to the 'Time to Say Goodbye' link, and had my first ever, full blown 'opera moment'....Goosebumps. Tears. Transfixed...I've gotten goosebumps before, and not necessarily from opera either, but NEVER spontaneous tears (Such a freaking weird experience. Why are my eyes leaking?!?). THANKYOU for the introduction. I am joining you in your fandom!

I think I'm enjoying this so much because I am soundly sitting very comfortably on my high horse in judgement 😆 and feel no need to be sympathetic. The older I get, the more convinced I am that people NEVER grow up. Either they always behave with kidness and care. Or they don't. (Wow I'm cynical 😬) I find this show VERY realistic. When I've seen people IRL behave like these characters (at many stages of life I might add), I'm compelled to do as you've said, and be sympathetic. Or compassionate. Here I can just judge away! It's cathartic!

IMO You're right, it made him feel special. Like he was chosen. I think of her biting habit in the same way you would a toddler's. It represents pure frustration, paired with an inability to actually express your strong emotions/passion. But it also expresses a need to have power and control over someone else, when you feel threatened. He is the only one of their friendship group who is actually important enough to her, for her to feel these feelings. She is a complete piece of work for sure! And HE, can't delineate the difference between passion and actual love (his wife IMO, is of a kind with the FL). I personally find all of the characters very realistic...I have seen these behaviours at every age. Just because you're 30/60/90, doesn't mean you're an adult 🤷‍♂️