KDramaFanatica

The more I think about it the more it makes sense that of all the couple, PJW and LEO would end up together and it would have been earned. During the interview after the kiss at beginning of ep 15 they were bickering like an old married couple. What many viewers are perceiving as a goodbye to the relationship is actually an evolution and of PJW and LEO from summer fling (according to LEO)/fairytale romance (according to PJW and his cheesy Prince Charming self) to a more grounded and realistic relationship where, as LEO mentioned “they’ve seen each other at their worst.” Because she still sees her fiancée through the lens of his cheating on her because of some perceived fault in her because of fiancée having seen her “worst qualities” she expects (and said as much) that this means the relationship has to be over. In the real world, partners seeing each other at their worst and still CHOOSING and putting in the work to be together is what solidifies, transforms and makes a relationship solid. That’s why PJW has fought so desperately to get LEO to take a chance but I still think she still needs open up more and be more specific about why and how she was so wounded by her fiancée. I’m hoping that conversation can take place between them, ideally in a scene where they’re working on the project that 03 is completing and I imagine that scene might take place at LEO or PJW place.

After further reflection on all of the LITC episodes leading up to this one, there is only one logical ending to this season’s drama: LEO MUST be the one to go after PJW and put her heart and self on the line. The summer fling was fun but also SAFE for LEO in that she really didn’t have to risk herself (or risk being rejected by PJW) in the relationship since she could say she was “just playing some other version of herself.” She mentioned to her friends in ep 15 that she “hid behind [their] kindness” but she essentially did the same thing with PJW by hiding behind his strong and consuming feelings of love and, in essence she opted to use him to keep from being authentic and risk getting hurt. PJW did all he could and was persistent in his pursuit (risking being ridiculed by the other documentary participants and the viewing audience and risking rejection and getting it by LEO time and time again). Now it is LEO’s turn. She doesn’t really have to “find herself” as much as she has to finally experience a profound realization that she’s known who she is all along but didn’t love/accept/find joy and beauty in who she is or have confidence in being herself. But her friends and PJW have seen it all along. And really, that’s what this is entire drama has been about all along: “being lovestruck by others and love itself but not by oneself.” So, although I know many beg to differ, there’s hope for PJW and LEO at least to begin again without all of the baggage. There’s symbolism in the fact that PJW returned empty luggage (without “baggage” so to speak) that was only filled with a symbol of his love and acceptance for LEO in the form of the necklace. Now, it is all up to LEO to be proactive and I, for one, like it. It’ll be a full circle ending if LEO, having realized that she is worthy and valuable and that the LEO that she was in the summer fling was a product of the love she received from the right man, goes to PJW, who is always ready and willing to receive her. Now, because it is a KDrama, I would expect SHE would be the one to ask PJW to meet her at the place they were originally supposed to meet in Cheonggyecheon so that there can be a shift in the power dynamic and where she now risks his not showing up. I think from what we’ve seen the writers are romantics and the purpose of the drama wasn’t about how relationships need to be broken but that they are no beyond repair as long as people are willing to be honest about their issues and change, take healthy risks by being vulnerable and give as much as they take. So there is definitely hope for all of our couples, although I do think the long-term couple may actually be the one to split, upsetting expectations that they would be the ones to make it, setting up the plot point for Season 2. I know the creator’s intentions had been to have a new cast each season but I’m not sure they were expecting how popular this cast would be and wouldn’t be surprised if they change plans and have the focus remain on them with more time focused on the other two couples next season.

Am one of the viewers who adores this show but it definitely suffered from the episodes being so short. Like, I know writers and director were going more fresh and set on each one being short and digestible but there was SOO much story to tell and the character could have had more room for growth and complexity. Makes me thankful for the longer running time of an hour in my favorite KDramas. The problem here was they were trying to pace it as if it were a traditional 16 hour long eps drama when it was only about 8 total eps.

I know but I’m not really counting the final one since it’s been reported that it’s going to focus on police officers Minho in order to set up Season 2 pf LITC.

Still processing episode 15. When I saw spoilers showing that LEO and PJW were headed for a break (not a break-up because PJW seemed pensive and calm and at peace at the end and LEO reassured it wasn’t an actual goodbye since they’d still see each other at work on that project that’s still pending) I couldn’t help but feel some disappointment and frustration. There’s only one episode left to explore this and the other relationships so not much time for much else. But that changed when on re-watch I saw none of the couple convos were a true goodbye to the relationships. They seemed more a goodbye to LEO using romance and PJW’s love for her as an escape to avoid her issues. And for SY to stop her reliance and co-dependence with what could have been with KG or hoping that he would prove she was loveable. So I guess it WAS was a goodbye to that idealized relationship, and the blossoming of hope that LEO can figure out what PJW already knows: that yes, LEO created a persona but how can any human do that without having parts of themselves shine theough? I’ve seen people’s frustration on other boards that the writer seemed to treat the interview and phone call, both serious conversations, between LEO and PJW as comedic but I as a viewer thought the comedy was reassuring. There’s an underlying comfort in laughing at the ridiculous behaviors the character have fallen into (PJW as a pushover and LEO as sardonic persona to keep herself from getting hurt) and it seems that the characters are finally recognizing they’re unhealthy and yes lovestruck and not really able to give each other what they need/deserve or, at least the current versions of themselves. And they can take it not so seriously but actually CHOOSE change. I believe they’re all headed towards growth on the final episode (not counting ep 17 that will focus on policeman Minho), I’m guessing. On a side note, how lovely that friend scene was with LEO, KG and RY?

Interesting. I think people might say the same about this drama. ;)

LOL. That one I understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I am all about slow developing dramas that take a while to build but understand that it’s not for everyone. But the writing, acting and cinematography were superb in that one and made up for a lot, imo.

My gosh, I LOVE what they’ve done with this drama. Disclaimer: I am a professional counselor and in a real world setting , the relationship between LEO and PJW is SOO full of red flags and emotional codependency and unhealthy need for validation and self-esteem issues that I would (in real life) recommend that they take a break and each go to counseling and work on themselves first and then see if there’s anything there to work with. But as a drama? SUPERB. What was supposed to be a rebound, fun relationship for LEO as she shed everything she thought had made her cheating fiancée reject her and present only the ideal parts of herself turned into a potential for real romance. Except it couldn’t evolve past fantasy and an idealized relationship because LEO was only presenting the best and most superficial, carefree parts of herself while PJW was leaning into HIS carefree, dedicated and prince-charming persona (but as we find out later, he’s more sarcastic, caustic and neurotic than he led on). THAT PJW was PERFECT for THAT LEO in that summer romance. But the summer romance didn’t have depth, which I thinks is where people don’t give LEO enough credit. She saw how superficial that summer relationship was (although the feelings between them were very real) and was more pragmatic about superficial not being enough to stay long-term so she cut her losses and ran. Further, after her having been in a relationship that she assumed had depth in the past (with cheating fiancée) and where she presented the entirety of herself only to up being deeply wounded and rejected she’s not eager to go down that path again. Based on KJW’s acting choices you can just see how terrified she is as she is essentially being begged by PJW to reveal her true self (as he is starting to reveal the entirety I of who HE is with his banter, teasing and frustrating her) and feelings and thereby (in her mind) he is asking her to set herself up to be rejected by this intense guy she cares deeply for. But her defenses remain and it’s going to be quite an uphill battle, I suspect, for PJW to get LEO to agree to that risk her heart again. I think this is one of those dramas whose pacing suffered from the scheduling. I hope people give it another try and re-watch it from start to finish.

I love this show too! I’m sorry that I held off watching it for so long because of all the negative reviews, comments and feedback I saw on various message boards (including this one) but the directing, writing and ACTING for this drama had been top notch and I can say that this, along with CLOY and When The Camellia Bloom has become one of my favorite K Dramas of all time!! Tomorrow cannot come soon enough!

Good take! But I wonder if she pushes him away or tells him they have to start all over because he doesn’t know the real her yet? I think it’s the latter since then it would make sense why he’s so frustrated in a goofy way vs. the melodramatic, sad way we’ve seen him act. Looks more like he’s throwing a tantrum vs. him being in despair. It would make sense that LEO would want to take things slow given how badly she was hurt when she presented her true self to the fiancée that on her. Only problem is there’s only 2 eps left after tomorrow’s which doesn’t leave much room for taking it slow.