Emara R

Once I saw an interview of Reese Witherspoon where she was saying that in most scripts she got, the women lead at some point would turn to the male lead and ask what shall we do now??!!! She was amazed by the lack of agency given to female characters. Then she started her own production company :)

We need properly fleshed out female leads who are not a side kick to the male leads. For example, I feel Judge Oh's character is way more meaningful than SH's. Even though judge Oh has limited screen presense she has been provided with a bit of a back story, with a thinking mind of her own, with a conviciton that she can fight for and given a pivotal role where she makes a difference. Where as the FL as a romantic interest has been written as one track character with zero agency. I like the show for sure and am invested in it but it would be so nice to see a bit more character in Female Romantic Leads.

Does anyone think Yo Han had something to do with SH's death?

Again, I do not know how to even react to this episode!!! EP 13!!!!!!!

I have not seen this drama yet but have already read quite a few discussions about the red flags in this relationship. TBH many dramas glorify toxic relationships or they do not go through the redemption part and jump straight to happy ending. This does not give the right kind of message to the viewers, I feel. I believe in redmeption but it has to be through proper process. A person who is non-commital and insensitive towards the other person can at one point become committal and sensitive. But it doesnot happen overnight and just by falling in love with another person. It requires much inner reflection and also a lot of hard work on one's self to get out of the toxic behaviour pattern. I know dramas cannot be a buzz kill and have to portray the dreamy side of romance but at least they can acknowledge the process and not skip it entirely. In my opinion redemption can be a happy ending too. The main lead couples do not necessarily have to be together at the end to have a happy ending. Someone getting out of toxic behaviour pattern is also a good happy ending for me. As for this drama, I am not sure if I will watch. Lets see if it follows the common trope or does something unique. Thanks for the article.

Just want to emphasise on the 'Civil exchange of (not so very) different opinions with mutual respect" part. I appreciate both of you for this exchange. Most of the time I am afraid to write about my opinion (specially if it is an unpopular one) in fear of harsh retribution. People can be very unkind and it effects me. But when I see something that is as civil as this then I must acknowledge it.

I appreciate your honesty here.

The discussion section is as fascinating as the article itself. Good food for thought! Women are always judged more harshly than men everywhere and in every aspect. The misogyny that runs in our society is so deep that even most progrssive of people are unaware of it's impact. This article is an attempt to shed light on this. Being aware always helps! I appreciate the hard work put forward by the author.

:) :) :)

I think it is important to find redemption through punishment.

Yes, " a real justice will prevail in the end" will not do justice to this drama :)

I sometimes find similarities with the cancel culture mind set with the live court. I don't know how you all feel about that. But the live court is somewhat present in our world now, in the form of cyber bullying and fake news which manipualte people's opinion and also their lives. And hence it can prevail at the end of the drama. Make sense. You know what I mean. I must say I am really enjoying the layers of this drama.

Many mentioned here the similarities with Batman and some also referred to Batman - Robin bonding with regards to Yo Han and Ga On relationship. I found some similaries with the Wei Wu Xian character from The Untamed. :) But yes Bat Manmakes sense.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I devoured it 😉

Hahahahahahahahahahaha ... i am rolling on the floor here.

Her character I think is mostly driven by Ga On's behaviour. Currently Ga On is with Yo Han and she perceives danger. It appears from the writing that this characters only purpose is to "protect" Ga On. Appatently from Yo Han.

Agreed!

My humble opinion to share, a work of art is realised in the eyes of the viewers. The creators might want to convey something but how it is perceived in real world is out of their control. I do not perceive the male main leads as heros or anti-heros in this drama. Ga On questions himself more as I think he is new to the game. Where as Yo Han has been planning this for a while and he has his own lived experience to be confident about. The angle from where he has seen the world is ugly, but he also could see the beauty that Ga On brings to his life. In short I am trying to say that I see hope in Yo Han too. Just my thoughts.

I hear you.

You are not alone.

Really! Dang!!! That says that Ga On really only cares about SH. Yo Han is not even in his peripheral vision. Where as Yo Han is crying his eyes out. 😞