Anofferhecantrefuse

Wtf!

Okay I changed it.
My gender box was actually blank so I don't know why it was shown "female".

Lmao, I haven't and the name is a quote from a movie.

Well I don't intend to continue watching the drama (I dropped at episode 4) but your editing is top notch. It emphasises their journey in the story well enough.

Well yeah, my biggest problem with this wasn't that she broke up with for whatever reason but him being too dependent and lazy to try to move on with life. It's like he needed her to survive and live a life.
Well if you want to watch well written male characters, who actually can survive without the FL and aren't unnecessarily jerks for the romance sake, then watch works from writers like Lee Soo Yeon, Park Jae Bum, Lee Woo Jung, Noh Hee Kyung, Kim Eun Hee and Jim Soo Wan. These writers know how write fleshed out and nuanced characters (not only male but in general) that has their own agency as individuals.

Well I watched the the first 4 episodes and let me guess, they end up together.
I have watched the same plot tens of time except this time the cinematography is really beautiful with good acting from the main cast. I just cannot seem to connect or relate to any of them. The FL was far too involved with herself to be in a relationship which eventually brought an end to it and the ML is unhealthily dependent. Them not even trying to move on after 5 years and still having the same intensity of feelings (especially the ML) is laughable IMO. There's no realism, for me, in having two people of their age be stuck on their FIRST relationship to the point where they refuse to actually experience what life has to offer. I get the FL to some extent(she was wrong but still had very realistic struggles to maintain the relationship) but am struggling with understanding the ML (maybe because he's far too immature, stuck and unstable as a grownup that I can't relate to him at all despite being the same gender and around the same age; 19). He's far too disconnected with the my reality for me to actually care for him as a character.
Anyway, I watched this because someone told me that it's unique like the "before" triology but it was the farthest thing from that and definitely isn't for me. Glad that people are enjoyed it though.

It honestly isn't a 10/10, not even close, frankly but it is still a very good drama.

The OP never said that the drama doesn't have a talented cast but only said that the main attraction among the actors was KSH for them personally.
Frankly, I think famous actors do play a very important role in keeping the drama watchable. I can certainly name dramas which were very mediocre but still were very successful because of the famous cast. I think the argument that since a drama is famous so has very good content plot and character wise, is inherently flawed one.

That being said, the drama is far more than what the OP is giving it credit for but that's okay. I can see why that would be the case for them.

Well I can certainly understand why the main attraction of this drama is KSH and his character for you but the drama has so much more to offer honestly. The side characters are nuanced and so well written.
The plot is too normal about very common people but the normality of it speaks volumes to me.
About the main couple: I understand why you would feel that their relationship was too superficial and not meaningful. I felt that too but it would all make sense if you understand the characterization of the characters very clearly. Her acting childish and him being not having his own agency in the relationship was all explained too profoundly.
The journey of them from strangers to friends and then romantic partners was something I liked very much.

I still get your POV and I felt some of it myself but I think the plot and characters are far too intresting to get stuck on the drama's few flaws.

Well that would make the emphasis and focus of the script, on his struggle and trauma, too exaggerated and honestly that would be a waste of potentially a great character arc which the writer has been building from the very beginning. I need to know what made DS live the life he's living (a change so drastic and effective) and just providing a mild reason (which isn't even his fault) for all that would be very disappointing and certainly very unrealistic.

This is what I meant when I said that Kdramas are bad at ending storylines of characters. They rush things in the end when they could easily fit a very convincing and elaborate story into a 16+ hours duration. I'm still enjoying this drama and I certainly am very interested in the characters but this episode felt too rushed because it suddenly tries to do what the drama should've done 3 or 4 episodes ago. I'm someone who immensely cares about the ending of something because endings are immense part of the journey for me. The drama still hasn't ended and I hope to god that the last 2 episodes tries to be as elaborate and explanatory as the ending of a journey should be. I would very much appreciate if they story let me feel DS's trauma and suffering and not just skim over it.

Common now. No one is at fault here really. One has trauma and can't be blamed to suddenly over that and the other seems to see through his facade and is going with healthiest way possible. She is letting him know that she notices the trauma he carries, which is affecting their relationship, but isn't forcing him to do anything and letting him think through all this. DS, on the other hand, is deeply traumatised and you can't just expect him to act normal or just tell her everything about his past. Trauma (he may have other conditions that we aren't aware of) is very hard to overcome especially something so deep that literally made him change his whole life.

Well I have been waiting for ML's character to be completely exposed to us especially his past and how he's going to deal with it. The script has been building the suspense and interest up the curve from the beginning and I just hope that it pays its due. Kdramas are generally bad at ending storylines and character arcs but I have high hopes for writer here who has done a brilliant job so far. Fingers crossed!

Tell me what's the purpose of a characters like prince YM in a script of any kind? He's just there for the nonsensical necessity of Kdramas to have a boring love triangle. His character means nothing to the actual storyline and I'm tired of characters like him.

I love this drama and I have a lot to say about the characters and plot but why are a few opposing comments bothering people so much? It's okay if people don't like the drama and it's absolutely fine for them to express so. I have seen people disliking the likes of "the godfather" and "breaking bad" (which are the pinnacle of anything I have ever seen from any cinema), it's not that big of a deal. Different people like different things and that's okay. I'm confused as to how the right to express an opinion has become something negative or burdening (even if the expression is opposing the popular opinion). Calm down and let people say whatever they want to say (in the confines of proper and non abusive language). It's not like it'll lower the quality or our opinion of the drama.
I myself am very much interested in reading opinions opposing mine. It gives a prespective on things and gives a higher resolution for a reality check on personal biases and more.

I understand the complaint of the main couple being too cringey (and yes it was by all means) and too childish (which made it superficial and not too deep).
But here's the thing; I completely understand why some like HJ would be like that. Their relationship, till now, is just about HJ and DS trying to make her happy. The relationship hasn't come to the stage where they can both have their input and do things both of them actually want in a relationship. DS is still confined by his trauma to completely let go and be himself (I think) with HJ. He's and will be willing to do anything for her because he's afraid to be left alone (something we established about his character from the beginning). HJ, being single and solely focused on her career for most her life, is living her fantasies in her relationship with DS. I can see why her acting like a child may seem childish and her relationship not so intresting but consider this; the story is dealing with someone who has too much fear to be what he is and someone (HJ) who finally gets to live a fantasy she always dreamed about. It's just the beginning and I think the story deserves some time to actually have a firm grip around its newly established plotline (their relationship). The story is still completely consistent with its characters even if it lead to something cringey and immature and I like that (it's not perfect just for the sake of perfection but is what it is in the confines of properly established and explained characterization of characters). It's just the beginning of their relationship and their relationship is just a combination of mutual feelings, a fantasy and a continuous effort to give and provide due a trauma, till now. I think we all know what's coming (something not light and happy) and I just hope the plot pays off what it has been building about DS's character from the beginning.
That being said, I am a fan of mature and deep romantic relationship between leads. Something like the relationship in "it's okay, that's love" is the pinnacle of what could be achieved by playing it realistic, philosophical and definitive. I would like to see something like that in this drama. I hope it eventually leads to something like that.

What the hell is wrong with the ratings?
I mean I get the flaws this drama has but it's in no way deserving an 8.0. Like common! Its was an 8.3 yesterday but it is 8.0 today. What's wrong with rating system? Or maybe something is wrong with the people rating it so low when it has only 4 episodes out and despite that is a grappling and intresting story having multi-dimensional characters so far.

And why is this not in the top airing shows on the home page of MDL when it has about 8000 viewers (which more than viewers of "the veil")?

People are too focused on the likeability of characters that they forget that every great piece of fiction doesn't focus on that but the characterization of the characters and their consistency. The ML is supposed to be what he's; a crude money obsessed idiot who knows how to make money. You're not supposed to like him at this point, the writer is just showing you what he is as a character. He's someone you're most likely to meet in reality than most unrealistic MLs out there. He's not rude without a reason and he knows when to prioritise. He's not your usual prince charmingly who is written to charm the FL and the audience. He's a character written realistically with flaws as well as qualities. Everyone is so focused on his flaws that they completely forget or neglect his apparent qualities. He knows when to prioritise people over money (He gave her an option beneficial to the both of them instead of just an easy and effective option benefitting only him), he cares about his stepbrother (him investing money in a project he didn't believe in just because the brother emotionally blackmailed him, that's someone who cares), he knows when to be realistic even at the expense of hurting someone he supposedly likes (that shows his individuality, he knows when to be a businessman; someone he always was), he can make money and is considered the best at it (a man who can financially exceed) and above all is a person who can prioritise someone (FL) over his apparent obsession (money). He is constantly compromising and taking a step towards her at the expense of his obsession. That's empathetic and humanly.
My point being; the ML is inherently flawed (all of us are) but his flaws make sense considering his characterization and storyline. He isn't what he is for unexplainable reason (like many other MLs). He is evolving slightly along the way but the FL is only serving as a stimulus rather than the factor which his personality is based on. He has what it takes to change but is too focused on the single thing he is brought up to always prioritise; money but now his attention is divided between the stimulus and his obsession. That's a deeply personal and internal character conflict for the ML. Give him time and he'll develop as a character and I don't think his obsession over money is that unlikeable like people are pushing it to be. The FL owes him 2 million dollars and he has his father ready to devour him if he fails to bring in the money and profit. It's highly unlikely for a person of his character to just not try to get the money back even if the debtor is someone he likes. I mean that's realistic and intresting approach to the character rather than a magical and unrealistic one where the ML suddenly changes just because of the FL.

Exactly. This is one of the reasons I love this drama. It's trying to show what being strong actually means and should translate to; being compassionate, understanding, empathetic, independent, self sufficient and above all being a human being (who sometimes can depend on others without being shamed for it). The usual tropes of the concept of 'strong and independent' in kdramas now somehow correlate being strong with forceful, selfish, loud, evil and corrupt (I don't think I need to mention the specific kdramas). That's not what we should aspire to be at all and that's what the FL actually is; a strong and independent human being (not a jerk who is idolised by teenagers for being evil and corrupt) without succumbing to the false and dangerous idea (defined by people who thinks needing help is not something being a woman encapsulates) of 'being strong'. We are addicted to action and don't care about it's literal and psychological consequences that translates into society as whole.

If you think being 'strong' is taking on a man with a knife without trying to get away or run for help, you're either clearly underestimating the danger of someone with knife (someone who's biologically stronger) or you're simply looking to create a false and dangerous narrative around the scenario for the purpose of biased and untrue meaning of 'being strong and independent'. My grandpa is veteran who served in special forces for one and half decade. He can kick my ass (I'm a 20 years old, 6 ft and grown ass man) even today. He tells me to never ever engage someone with a clear advantage of a weapon with your fists. I need precision, accuracy and brute force to take him down while defending myself while he just needs to land one hit with the weapon. That's a clear disadvantage. This narrative is with accordance to me not the FL (who's most likely weaker physically).
My point being; don't hesitate to run, ask for help and accept help. The man/woman you're facing is ready for the worst case scenario but you're not. Your only objective should be to remain unharmed throughout, at whatever cost. Don't accept the expectant and the biased narrative of someone who thinks being strong is to never need help or it is being a damsel in distress to be saved by someone. Assume the as*hole you're confronting is superior physically even if he/she isn't. There's no cowardice or weaknesses in that.

Well it doesn't make sense considering their character traits and the storytelling. She was supposedly in love with HR an episode ago. Their feelings didn't seem normal and were established by this unseen special magic; a special connection (a soul mate). The prince seems more like a character that's so unidirectional and only seems to be a plot point for the main leads to get together. Now the FL's whole character (her eyes, her father and her whole plot relevance; to draw the painting to entrap MW) revolves around the existence of the ML (his eyes, MW in his body and much more) and vice versa. If two character arcs are so overlapped and seems to be hinting at something much more special than romance only, it's normal to feel discontented with the recent development and storytelling because (1) it's out of nowhere, (2) the SML is annoying and one dimensional that it just seems like he's a set up in plot for the main leads to end up together and (3) the pre-established plot points and character traits (romantic or else) all revolves around HR and HCK which lays little to no ground for the SML's relationship. The plot is making the characters seem confusing and not properly explained while pushing a unidirectional approach to characters. SML has no clear objective and no crucial plot relevance (except being a propp in the nonsensical love triangle) especially when we look at other characters like HR, HCK and prince JH. That makes him boring and irrelevant.