I remember how confused I was when I found what their "connection" from the past was lol
The series did a terrible job of explaining it. The novel perfectly elucidated their connection. Shen Wei was essentially with Yun Lan for hundreds of years, following him around like a loyal companion and loving him unconditionally (or perhaps obsessively?). This is why he was willing to sacrifice his life for Yun Lan (although he ultimately didn't).
What was missing was character development - what DROVE the characters to do what they did? Why was Jiang Yang…
I know this is quite late, but I'll try my best to explain. At first, Jiang wasn’t sure if he wanted to take the case, but after speaking with Hou’s uncle, he agreed. That’s when he learned just how much Hou’s family had suffered.
Hou was falsely accused of being a rapist, and the weight of that accusation pushed him to his death. But the truth was, he didn’t commit the crime—and he didn’t take his own life either. He was murdered. Once respected in his village, Hou’s name was now ruined. The shame was so heavy that one of his parents (I’m not sure if it was his mother or father) reportedly had a mental breakdown.
Hou’s uncle begged Jiang to uncover the truth, insisting that Hou would never have done such a thing. Jiang, who had been Hou’s classmate, couldn’t ignore his plea. He had always been someone who cared deeply, and this case struck a chord with him.
For some people, turning a blind eye to corruption is simply impossible. Their morals, personal experiences, or strong sense of justice won’t let them. They refuse to betray their values, no matter the risk. Jiang was one of those people.
Even though he may not have spoken much about integrity, you could feel it in everything he did. It was like a tight knot in his throat—an unbearable weight from all the corruption around him. For people like Jiang, standing by isn’t an option. There’s a fire inside them that won’t let them ignore injustice. It pushes them to act, no matter the cost.
I don't know why, but I always feel compelled to defend this drama. Even after watching it three years ago, I still find myself coming back to recommend it to people and defend it against criticism.
Very good drama ( though I haven't finish it yet) but this back and forth in the story plot between the different…
I know it's very late to bring up, but don't you think it's quite evident from the colors and the prominence of certain individuals indicated? The timeline of the 2000s was primarily focused on HGP, followed by Jiang Yang being prominently featured in the 2003-2005 period, and Yan Liang in the 2010s. In the 2000s, the color palette was bright. In the 2003-2005 period, it became duller but still retained some colorfulness. However, in the 2010s, it's almost greyish. This portrayal aligns well with the story and the experiences the characters undergo. I found it quite straightforward to deduce.
okay so many adaptations are happening and there's going to be a korean one too.. if i decide i wanna watch this…
Well, you could start with 'Burning Ice,' its prequel, but it's not necessary. They share the same character (one of the main leads), but it's portrayed by a different actor. In my opinion, you can jump right into this one."
I agree that Jin Man isn't a model parent, although I understand why his parenting style is necessary given their…
Even if he presented Ji Ahn with the option to escape, it doesn't negate the fact that she's been thrust into a perilous situation due to his choices. The scenario raises questions about what might have happened if Ji Ahn had died before even entering the shopping mall. My primary concern lies in the fact that the narrative would have been more coherent if Jin Man had remained deceased. His resurrection introduces unnecessary complexities and decisions, detracting from the story's cohesion and logic.
At first I thought they were all coming for the shop but after seeing the backstory it was all Bale. But now that…
Same here. I mean, I wasn't exactly a fan of Sungjo, but the way he handled things... let's just say it brought me immense joy. I was practically cheering and applauding. And when he said it wasn't even worth wasting a bullet... now that's what I call pure disrespect.
Oh, the big reveal that Jeong Jin Man is still kicking is just... what? Shockingly predictable, yet somehow utterly disappointing. Like, come on, did we really expect anything else? But oh no, let's make it even more lackluster by executing it poorly. Classic.
And don't even get me started on the ridiculous inconsistencies if he's supposed to be alive. Like, seriously, where was he when all the chaos went down? Not warning Jiah enough about Jeonmin? Nearly getting Pasin and Jian killed? And let's not forget poor Minhye, who may or may not be six feet under. The whole thing just screams irresponsibility.
Oh, but it was all just a clever ploy to fool Bale and Babylon into thinking Jin Man was dead. Yeah, sure, let's put Jiahn's life on the line for that gamble. Because that makes total sense, right? Ugh, the whole situation just begs the question: why did Jiahn have to suffer through all of this mess? Talk about being dealt a lousy hand by someone who's supposed to have her back. And let's not even mention how Jin Man's actions led to the deaths of her parents and grandmother. Real top-notch parenting there, buddy.
I rewatched the drama, yes I did (why not?), and here's my take on it. Firstly, "Hometown" gives off vibes reminiscent of the anime "Monster." However, it's disappointing that they couldn't create something comparable to the absolute masterpiece that is "Monster." The reason I thought it was similar was that I noticed parallels between Jo Kyung Ho and Johan—both proficient in manipulation with a shared indifference towards others, except for their sisters. Additionally, both experienced being orphans and endured mistreatment, etc.
Now, onto the issues. The problem with the drama lies in its pacing and the insistence on maintaining suspense. This approach left viewers with little to anticipate, and some answers were abruptly presented at the end without a solid foundation. The excessive focus on the shady organization and Guru felt overdone, diverting attention from exploring other plot aspects. Furthermore, the multitude of unanswered questions weakens the overall storyline. Introducing elements without thoroughly explaining their purpose comes off as a misuse of screen time. Questions such as Im Se Yoon and Jo Kyung Ho's motives remain unclear—did she willingly give Jo Jae Young to him, or was she coerced? What were Jo Kyung Ho's intentions with Jae Young? Im In Gwan's true goal also remains elusive, leaving viewers in the dark. Additionally, the cult's objectives, seemingly orchestrated by Jo Kyung Ho, lack clarity, raising the question of what the cult gains from such actions. The accumulation of these unanswered questions feels like a missed opportunity to develop the narrative effectively.
The series could have greatly benefited from either a 20 or a 16-episode run, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of Jo Kyung Ho and Jo Jung Hyun's past. The focus should have extended to areas such as the orphanage, Kyung Ho's relationship with Im Se Yoon, and the challenges within Kyung Ho's adoptive family. Additionally, delving into Jung Hyun and her friends' involvement in the gas attack would have added complexity to the storyline. Furthermore, it remains unclear why the cult sent tapes to these individuals, especially considering Jo Kyung Ho's supposed erasure of their memories.
I heard about the scriptwriter controversy, but it felt like a lost chance. The potential was there for it to be one of the best, but alas. Perhaps, I wish for a remake with the same actors, who, despite a mediocre script, delivered a phenomenal performance. Hopefully, in the future.
3 
1 
Hou was falsely accused of being a rapist, and the weight of that accusation pushed him to his death. But the truth was, he didn’t commit the crime—and he didn’t take his own life either. He was murdered. Once respected in his village, Hou’s name was now ruined. The shame was so heavy that one of his parents (I’m not sure if it was his mother or father) reportedly had a mental breakdown.
Hou’s uncle begged Jiang to uncover the truth, insisting that Hou would never have done such a thing. Jiang, who had been Hou’s classmate, couldn’t ignore his plea. He had always been someone who cared deeply, and this case struck a chord with him.
For some people, turning a blind eye to corruption is simply impossible. Their morals, personal experiences, or strong sense of justice won’t let them. They refuse to betray their values, no matter the risk. Jiang was one of those people.
Even though he may not have spoken much about integrity, you could feel it in everything he did. It was like a tight knot in his throat—an unbearable weight from all the corruption around him. For people like Jiang, standing by isn’t an option. There’s a fire inside them that won’t let them ignore injustice. It pushes them to act, no matter the cost.
I found it quite straightforward to deduce.
My primary concern lies in the fact that the narrative would have been more coherent if Jin Man had remained deceased. His resurrection introduces unnecessary complexities and decisions, detracting from the story's cohesion and logic.
And don't even get me started on the ridiculous inconsistencies if he's supposed to be alive. Like, seriously, where was he when all the chaos went down? Not warning Jiah enough about Jeonmin? Nearly getting Pasin and Jian killed? And let's not forget poor Minhye, who may or may not be six feet under. The whole thing just screams irresponsibility.
Oh, but it was all just a clever ploy to fool Bale and Babylon into thinking Jin Man was dead. Yeah, sure, let's put Jiahn's life on the line for that gamble. Because that makes total sense, right? Ugh, the whole situation just begs the question: why did Jiahn have to suffer through all of this mess? Talk about being dealt a lousy hand by someone who's supposed to have her back. And let's not even mention how Jin Man's actions led to the deaths of her parents and grandmother. Real top-notch parenting there, buddy.
She said she lied too when Minato said he lied.
Now, onto the issues. The problem with the drama lies in its pacing and the insistence on maintaining suspense. This approach left viewers with little to anticipate, and some answers were abruptly presented at the end without a solid foundation. The excessive focus on the shady organization and Guru felt overdone, diverting attention from exploring other plot aspects. Furthermore, the multitude of unanswered questions weakens the overall storyline. Introducing elements without thoroughly explaining their purpose comes off as a misuse of screen time. Questions such as Im Se Yoon and Jo Kyung Ho's motives remain unclear—did she willingly give Jo Jae Young to him, or was she coerced? What were Jo Kyung Ho's intentions with Jae Young? Im In Gwan's true goal also remains elusive, leaving viewers in the dark. Additionally, the cult's objectives, seemingly orchestrated by Jo Kyung Ho, lack clarity, raising the question of what the cult gains from such actions. The accumulation of these unanswered questions feels like a missed opportunity to develop the narrative effectively.
The series could have greatly benefited from either a 20 or a 16-episode run, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of Jo Kyung Ho and Jo Jung Hyun's past. The focus should have extended to areas such as the orphanage, Kyung Ho's relationship with Im Se Yoon, and the challenges within Kyung Ho's adoptive family. Additionally, delving into Jung Hyun and her friends' involvement in the gas attack would have added complexity to the storyline. Furthermore, it remains unclear why the cult sent tapes to these individuals, especially considering Jo Kyung Ho's supposed erasure of their memories.
I heard about the scriptwriter controversy, but it felt like a lost chance. The potential was there for it to be one of the best, but alas. Perhaps, I wish for a remake with the same actors, who, despite a mediocre script, delivered a phenomenal performance. Hopefully, in the future.