Between The Lines

As you touched on i don't think Su Min really likes him, she just doesn't want Ji Won to have him. I like how all the other characters have been written they make sense, Min Hwan is just a little one dimensional for me.

It is the basis of what a healthy relationship should look like. Its the opposite of Min Hwan and Ji Won - its almost like the the writers showed us the the difference on purpose!😁

I think my favourite element about this drama has been how open and honest Ji Won and Ji Hyuk have been with each other. Every time a possible misunderstanding that might occur is addressed really quickly. This is so refreshing....

Yes there is one secret that Ji Hyuk hasn't shared but for me it adds to his charm, this isn't about him, its how he can help Ji Won change her fate. Its making sure she survives.

If I have one slight issue its with how Min Hwan character has been written, after 8 episodes its impossible to find a single reason why any woman would ever find him remotely appealing. In the moments he is supposed to be charming he comes across as an ass! He essentially has been relegated to a caricature of a bad boyfriend with no qualities to speak of. It's not a major issue but a little subtlety to his character would give some creditability as to why anyone might find him likable as person or boyfriend.

Still loving the drama as whole its surprised me in ways i didn't expect.

Well said, Its charm is the ordinary everydayness of the people in the village.

Regardless of how this drama finishes, it deserves praise for attempting to be somewhat original and not full of tropes/cliches. As a drama fan I'm used to a certain number of cliches so its refreshing to watch something that feels a little different. Especially compared to some of my recent picks!

I'm hoping for a strong conclusion to this drama but I've enjoyed the journey regardless.

Imagine your very best friend suddenly disappears. Imagine this friend is also your first crush. Imagine that 20 years go by living with regret that you couldn't do more for that friend. Imagine that your friend reappears in your life and all those feelings come rushing back.
That is the basis of Baek Doo feelings and behaviour towards Du sik. Is it totally realistic? Probably not,
but this is a drama and not a documentary,

Its easy to be cynical about Baek Doo, but I choose to focus on the positives rather than his perceived negatives. Not every ml needs to be the smart, yet cold CEO type who secretly has a heart of gold!

I've enjoyed this drama in part because its not trying to be something its not, kind of like how Baek Doo doesn't pretend to be anything other than who he is.

Whilst Baek Doo might not be the smartest person in any room, but he isn't without some awareness. The entire village was quickly repeating past mistakes and allowing perception to become reality. Baek Doo was the only one to recognise and acknowledge how a rumour can have unintended consequences.
All the so called smart people were quickly convicting Baek Doo and Du sik.

IMO the reason Baek Doo is special is because of his innocence, its the reason why the village has always adored him and probably why Du sik likes him. Sometimes a good heart is better than being intelligent.

I liked Ji Hyuk in this episode more than anything else

His "talk" with Min Hwan about being a "man" - just on point

His "none" date with Ji Won - who knew Judo was the way to go??

I get that's her goal, its just so far we have seen little talk/planning towards this. Any movement towards this so far feels more like an accident than a design. That's why it feels less revenge driven so far. Obviously there's still time to change this and I'm expecting this to happen tbh.

Good v Bad, Smart v Stupid, Passionate v Jaded - this drama is not being particularly subtle in the contrast of its characters, however I do like that what they've done with the 3 male leads. They each offer something different.

Park Min Hwan is the beta version - looks ok of the surface but when you explore further he's flawed and keeps crashing on you.

Baek Eun Ho is the light version - the flaws have been fixed but by the time your done you realise something is missing. You need more than what's on offer

Yoo Ji Hyuk is the gold version - the flaw's are gone, it gives you the complete experience of what it has to offer. The Beta and the Light version pale in comparison.

I guess the question is, when will Kang Ji Won realise that Yoo Ji Hyuk and his one sided love is the one for her??

I think what was important about them is that they applied context towards Yoo Ji Hyuk feelings. They started so early. Although i do feel bad for him that his one sided love has been going on for so long!

Pacing of the story has been so far really good. The plot is advancing and some of the potential issues/misunderstandings are being handled surprisingly quickly.

This drama is feeling though less like a story driven by revenge, after 5 episodes there has been little in the way of a planned revenge plot, Ji Won seems more focused on living the life she wants. This may provide her a form of revenge, but that would feel more like gaining justice for herself.

Her motivation might change, which actually adds more possibilities to future episodes. Liking how this drama is shaping up.

Its kind of sad that this drama will not likely get the full attention it deserves, the characters are more quirky than perfect and the romance is more relatable than being swoonworthy. The leads are just trying figure it all out so they don't spend the entire episodes looking into each others eyes like lovesick puppies.
Quirky, funny, with a surprisingly relatable romance all based around a ssireum team Who knew it would be this enjoyable.

It was never about winning for Kim Baek Doo it was the joy of doing something he loves. It's such Kim Baek Doo type behaviour, innocent, a bit naïve but so joyful.

As adults Kim Baek Doo and Oh Yoo Kyung seem unable to understand their own feelings (yet) so their interactions have almost reverted to their back to their childhood. All Kim Baek Doo needs to do now is pull Oh Yoo Kyung hair and we will know he likes her!

Whilst I'm not massively invested in the murder/conspiracy element of this drama, it does help provide insight into both the leads character.

The ghosts from their past need to be addressed which maybe painful for them both but ultimately I hope this leads them towards a happier future.

Agreed - They may have similar theme's but I don't get the sense I'm watching the same drama with a different cast. Whilst I understand the comparisons, they are clearly different at least to me.

I know there will be some natural comparisons between this drama and Perfect Marriage Revenge, but beyond the some obvious similarities on storyline, there are some clear differences.

The FL leads strike me as being vastly different. Kang Ji Won seems more focused on living her best life, no longer accepting her previous fate. By doing this, if it allows her to achieve some payback then that seems like karma. I get more of a seeking her own version of happiness will provide her the justice she seeks vibe from her.

The FL in PMR was focused on revenge from the outset, she was prepared to blow up everyone's life on order to obtain it.

I also think the use of comedy in this drama is added bonus which was missing from PMR.

Similar themes, similar premise maybe, but so far at least to me the FL's approach to their second chances are different. I like both drama's but this drama has the potential to go in several different directions that could make the upcoming episodes really interesting.

Its tempting to ignore them, but I'm enjoying the moments of Karma that are starting come and bite them on the ass😁

With a boyfriend like Park Min Hwan and a best friend like Jung Soo Min who needs enemies??

Most people have at least one redeeming quality , kind of like - " He's a terrible person, but at least he loves animals"

Instead we have abusive boyfriend and a toxic best friend, neither of which have demonstrated a single likeable quality.

I can't decide who I dislike more right now!

I'm really liking the balance between the revenge storyline and the comedic moments. It doesn't diminish the serious moments but actually makes them more satisfying,

If the best the revenge is to live well, then I hope for a bright future for Kang Ji Won and that we get to see it all unfold.