Eleison

Right? And she has favorites (at least as a viewer that's how it looks since many actors get recast over and over for her dramas), so it's probably hard to break in and snag a role. Somehow he managed it!

I've always thought of Ki Ho as smart and resourceful and careful but also stubborn and strong-willed; he has even more to lose now, is starting to panic and is feeling the pressure of protecting everyone and trying to carry the responsibility alone (I think part of his arc is that he will have to figure out he can't/shouldn't do this alone). I wouldn't say it's out-of-character, then. He has always been strong-willed and a go-getter, and I think he wants to take on the full force of his father's anger in hopes he will distract him from everyone else he can hurt. He feels responsible for bringing Mok Ha into their lives and increasing the risk of exposing his family, and is trying to hold both desires he now has in tension (and struggling to do so): help Mok Ha do what she loves AND protect his family. Woo Hak already figured out that those two things probably can't happen (I think the parents secretly know, too, but they aren't going to force Bo Geol to take away his joy by forcing him to let go of Mok Ha because they care about him (they're too sweet!), and I think they've always known they were on borrowed time. None of them are oblivious enough to believe their lie could go on forever). But Bo Geol is desperate and it's starting to show. Dad's creepy messages aren't helping placate Bo Geol's fears so now he's getting reckless with desperation. It's agony to watch him go down this path after having things in control and being capable and safe, but it makes sense to me. It doesn't just feel like a plot device to bring about a crisis. This sort of face-off was inevitable.

Yeah, I know, but for mostly under the radar dramas, or as a second male lead, or in poorly/lower rated dramas. I've never seen Nevertheless since I got scared off by how toxic everything sounded and isn't he the 2ML I that? But I get your point. 😏 Lee Jong Suk was very new to the scene when he did I Can Hear Your Voice and skyrocketed to fame from pretty much nothing (except School 2013 and that tiny cameo in Secret Garden).

I like that the two MLs are newer-ish to lead roles and feel like fresh faces. I know they've been leads before but getting to pair good acting with a good script is key for pulling out an actor's potential and getting them the attention they deserve, and I hope this launches them forward like Kim Hye Ryun's dramas did for Lee Jong Suk (another model-turned actor like Chae Jong Hyeop).

He definitely also acts with eyes/facial expressions more than some other actors I could name, but I think he'd be too small/short for the role? CJH's size/height has ended up being a bigger factor in his character's role than I anticipated, and I think D.O. would look too small and helpless when paired against his father. Great actor, though, I agree!

Yeah, if it's a romance genre in particular, the first male actor listed is the ML, and the second male actor listed is the 2ML; little cast list hack for you moving forward. 😏

But did you notice they brought the romance tag back? 😏

You might try rewatching some scenes from earlier episodes with Bo Geol; the first big hint for me was the shoes Bo Geol gifts Mok Ha with once they reach land (also, when he saves her at the end of 3 (4?)) and the way his eyes sadly and soufully linger on her (when she's not looking)for moments throughout the episodes--if you look for them on a rewatch, you'll see them!

For all the BGM nerds out there, there is a lovely melody/arrangement that plays when Mok Ha comes to Ki Ho's window and he prepares everything to take her from the island (and that's the first time we hear it in any of the episodes). Did anyone else notice that they had the same track playing again for the moment when Mok Ha and Ki Ho reunite in Episode 7? It's just a beautiful piece and I love that it frequently plays when our leads are together. 😍

@8524345 Oh! And the low-calorie sweetener! It was obvious but it made me laugh so I didn't care. 🤣

Haha 🤣 I appreciate the product placement more cleverly incorporated into the story. Sometimes they really don't try and it's so cringey.

Yes!!

I also love how mom and dad have already picked up on BOTH boys crushing over Mok Ha. Good parents; they know their sons and are not oblivious--how refreshing! And they didn't avoid the elephant in the room but tried to address it before things escalated (and the way they did it was so cute!).

I liked seeing Woo Hak think about others in this episode. Everyone in his family has always thought of him, and now he's stepping up. I really gained a deeper appreciation for his character this episode and loved his and Mok Ha's conversation in the McDonalds' drive thru. 😅

I think Mok Ha picked up on Woo Hak making an effort to keep his distance and hasn't put two and two together about why (I think Bo Geol also hasn't picked up on it, either... he's just so caught up with Mok Ha that he hasn't noticed his brother's feelings yet. Curious to see how he'll respond when he does!). I think Mok Ha has so much gratitude and love for all those who have welcomed her into their lives, and has grown attached to Woo Hak as a confidante and close friend, so she got a little hurt when he pulled back. I think she also doesn't know what to make of Bo Geol liking her yet, and is still in the flustered and confused stage. 😂 She clearly hasn't thought about it like he has so she'll need some time to come around since she's still feeling shy and embarrassed.

And this writer does all the tropes and cliches, guys. She just does them more artfully than others with characters who pull them off better than the typical Kdrama characters. If you wanted to avoid Kdrama tropes than you signed up for the wrong drama. 😂 (and this point is not to you, emmasdramas3, just in general to all people talking about all the cliches and tropes!)

Pretty sure we'll get one. :)

Oh, but she usually does have them exchange displays of affection! Eventually. :)

Aahhh, I see. From what I've seen, this screenwriter hasn't historically done clear "we're dating now" scenes. She tends to be more subtle and focus on how the romantic leads deepen in their relationship and do things couples do without really having them spell out what they are and where they're headed. I don't know how she manages it but you know that they're dating when it happens it's just not usually clearly stated or explicit.

I expected some negativity after the very strong Episode 7, and all the various opinions about what should happen and where things should go. Speculate and critique away! I'm still enjoying it immensely.

I love how this writer can create endearing characters who are also so flawed. That's what makes them interesting to me--how are they going to grow? Settling in with my popcorn...

Didn't he kind of already confess?

It's so adorable how all our beloved characters are busy trying to think about everyone else but themselves. What darling people! 🥰