Between The Lines

As much as Soo Min is truly a terrible individual in this drama, I think Song Ha Yoon performance in bringing the character to life has been pretty amazing.

She manages to convey the seductress, the manipulative best friend and the damaged woman all in a realistic way.

Love her performance in this drama.

It is impossible not to like Ji Won - watching her develop into person she has become should be inspiring to anyone who has been beaten down by others. From the timid mouse to a fearsome tiger - her growth has been great to watch.

Ji Hyuk in some respects his growth as a character isn't as obviously pronounced as Ji Won, but he has come a long way from those early episodes. From the rigid and cold individual he started as, to the guy who couldn't hide his jealousy, I've grown to like him more through each episode. Plus I love his way to share ice cream!

Together they are a pretty awesome partnership!

I've enjoyed this drama far more than i expected too, with the last 2 episodes having been pretty epic and a real highlight of the entire drama.

There seems to be almost a succubus element from Soo Min. She needs to almost feed off Ji Won.

This would make sense of how the toxic relationship began, which is kind of tragic i suppose. With a new timeline and Ji Woo new behaviour this seems to have fanned the flames of Soo Min behaviour.

I didn't love the initial direction that this ep took with Soo Min character, yes she is manipulative, she is vindictive and yes she is cold hearted bitch, but I've always viewed her as being to self absorbed to ever take the action she did in those opening moments of the episode.

However, as I was watching I began to think that Soo Min actually "loves" Ji Won and Min Hwan is actually a side character. It feels that Soo Min loves Ji Won in a toxic, possessive way that requires her to always control their relationship. She needs that validation that this control has provided in order to feel superior. With Ji Won breaking free of this control, Soo Min actions become more extreme and this actually makes Min Hwan the unwitting pawn rather of being any real importance. This is at least how I've come to view their relationship now.

There were lots of other highlights in this episode with a giant step forward taken in the overall story.

So in the end I find myself thinking this was might be my favourite episode so far because of the insights into Soo Min and the number of positive highlights the story made

Well said. I don't object to the idea of the drama using love as a motivating factor to seek the appropriate help, but i agree it should not be used as a magic bullet to cure this illness. Time will tell if the drama can handle this subject without reducing it to a love conquers all trope.

Exactly, i felt the same when i watched Mad for Each Other. Yes there can be romance/comedy/drama etc but it should never treat this kind of subject matter lightly.

Used correctly the comedy moments should be a bonus, in the first 2 episodes it wasn't a strength/bonus.
I just think that most of the comedy that was introduced wasn't particularly original.

Whatever this drama turns out to be, I hope it can highlight the challenges that people face in respect of mental health in a realistic way and not simply be a segue into a romantic plot.

The first 2 episodes had moments that seemed realistic - Nam Ha Neul conversion with her mum.

I guess I'm slightly nervous as burnout syndrome can be viewed very differently than depression
.

Mixed first impressions on the first two episodes. Somethings I liked, others that were a little disappointing.

The comedy was not the greatest, or perhaps I found it a little uninspired, i hope this gets better in the next few episodes. Found it more slapstick, where perhaps as a black comedy would feel more appropriate

Where the drama really did start to shine, was in the more dramatic moments/scenes. There was depth and pain on display and both leads shined in this scenes.

Early days, so will look forward to see where this goes.

I can't make up my mind what direction I want this to take. I'm really liking the light-hearted fun/action -comedy vibe. It will clearly get more serious in future episodes, but i hope they can retain the fun light hearted element too.

I'm also not sure that romance is necessary either I kind of think this more suited to a buddy drama after first 2 episodes. Early days though on this.

Liking it so far has potential to be really good.

Utterly ridiculous, more style over substance, but for a first episode that was a blast! TBH I was kind of prepared to dislike this from the beginning, rich spoilt rich kid etc,.... isn't exactly my favourite storyline, but they managed to do enough in the first episode to show Jin Yi Soo is more than the money.

"Kidnappers" dressed in leopard print onesie's - now that's a style choice! Made me full on laugh!

😂😂😂😂

I know the murder storyline is important to the overall storyline, but I still find my favourite moments are when the focus is on the daily interaction's of the entire village, the humour, the gossip and the foolishness.

Favourite line - "People are scarier than ghosts"

I also loved Baek Du - angst/guilt - It is such Baek Du type behaviour.

Exactly - Sometimes it feels that a somewhat original premise is enough and then drama's can rely on a pretty formulaic approach to the rest of the story. Sometimes it works ok but in others I've struggle with them

With this drama its added its own original take on the theme which I'm certainly enjoying. I agree, lets hope for more of the same in the remaining episodes.

Its lazy story telling in many instances. Misunderstandings can happen, done well they can add dramatic tension to the story but so often the execution is poor. It often leads me to shout at my screen in frustration 😊

Completely agree! I've struggled with him. For a drama that has provided a number of really well written characters Min Hwan feels kind of weak. At least when justice is delivered it will make it that much more satisfying though...

Recently, I've been struggling with a number of drama's because of the use of too many cliches/tropes . This obviously causes issues with the lack of originality. Admittedly as a drama fan its hard to escape all cliches but what has surprised me with this drama is that the storyline has felt fresh.

This is not a revenge drama - revenge at this point would feel more like a happy accident. I like the motivation of both leads because of this.

By not simply making it a straightforward revenge drama, its allowed its self to show more well rounded character's - with one exception!

Emotions on display from Ji Won are driven by the person she is and have not been twisted. This is despite what has happened to her.

So half way through this drama I find myself pleasantly surprised by the direction it has taken, it has some originality and has avoided (so far) the overuse of cliches. More of the same please!

Yes exactly! The two drama's are so different like apples and oranges. Its personally one of my pet hates when misunderstands are allowed to develop because of poor communication. Sometimes a simple honest conversation is all that it takes!

I would make him more of a wolf in sheep's clothing🐺🐺 - Perhaps give him at least some surface charm! He could be good at manipulation - more than just Ji Won (in the past) Instead the guy acts like a jerk in every scene! You could almost use Su Min as a reference, at face value she perceived by some people as innocent and sweet and yet she really is a viper. Su Min feels a better written character. She has more layers than Min Hwan. Except when she's trying to seduce Min Hwan of course 😁