Gracie

I always thought the show was catering to a particular set of audience and reality being the genre, drama and rivalry was an aspect of it. But, even in a commercial setting, tell me how are you going to overlook the battle nature of a certain round and argue that the performance of the other person was slightly better. What performance, you mean the exaggerated head wobbling and acting possessed or maybe it's creating a hype moment second in the performance. I am not sure I have seen this criteria in any legit dance battles. It takes years for a dancer to perfect their style and this show is going to get a lot of heat for this. These people are mad respected in the scene. As a person who loves dancing, it's disappointing that mainstream tv has relegated dancing to sound meters, scene stealers and exaggerated hoo-ha.

I second the psychiatrist theory.

The soundtrack is so good. My dear is on repeat. Rooting for these people. I actually cried watching something after a long time. It feels good. Maybe I have been too overstimulated. Anyway, sending all the love to this one.

Oh, I need to catch up soon then. I am falling behind a dew episodes. Thanks for sharing this.

The moment I think the story has mellowed out and I should wait before catching up on rest eps, it becomes engaging soon enough. Excellent pacing so far.

I think a lot of us have been too quick to judge this. Personally, I couldn't get myself to watch further than ep 4, the second hand embarrassment I would experience while seeing the lead characters on screen. But I would just like to say this, the direction could have been better and the acting falls behind sometimes but the message conveys. I am also withdrawn from the slow motions and zoom-ins but the treatment of the war subject with the seriousness and sincerity they have comes through. Also, having Benjamin really helps. I also think the actors' acting is not the issue, especially here. These are work of fiction, maybe they are written like that in the source material. Though I would have loved it more if they were humanized better.

She needs to have better sense that that, I agree but Yun-seo does lead her on especially asking her, do you want to go to paradise? I feel like she's being used without even realizing it. I get it, you want to be honest but don't use honesty to get it both ways. There's no way he had any interest in her. What BS, him being confused and her being on his mind just doesn't make sense and why say it to your date especially unless you want to get a reaction or something. He's never called out for it. Min Seol can only pretend confront him with her friends. I am not prejudiced against him or anything, but I don't see how he can be attractive to ladies.

I appreciate that. Certainly, I agree with you. Often, empowerment is thought of this superpower which it is not. In fact, the word in itself suggests a primeval lack of power and a source/ stimulus for securing it. Self dependency is really important for esteem, which seems to be the conundrum behind Liu Chang's state. He hates control but with step he takes, his uncertainty, confusion increases and he never really feels like he's made the right choice. He had principles, I believe but there is that option luck especially after he's reunited with princess that makes him unable to accept his circumstance. He can only try to change it after he comes to terms with it which he never does. His prejudice and haste judgement of everything prevents him from looking at the macro level of things. Meanwhile, while JCY puts on a facade, he is rooted in reality. Surely not without issues, he is sincere in his dealings that makes all the difference. I think the most significant difference comes out when King of Ning presents him with a women to take in as a concubine. He resists but eventually gives in, not able to find any other way out of the situation. His treatment of the new lady is another thing which we may see change in the new season because of Mudan's influence. At least, that's what I am hoping. But we are yet unsure of her character arc, so it is hard to say anything for sure.

That's an interesting take. Sorry for intruding and I don't do this often but I like to think of it as a dependency formula. Now for JCY, his friendship with the emperor is often potrayed more in terms of equal but as per the rules, he is a subject. The lines are blurred here. The role here is more of give and take, an exchange and most importantly that of friendship. It is easier to believe that they are friends and look out for each other. I sincerely believe that Mudan and JCY got involved with the intentions of being an entrepreneur and investor respectively before feelings came in and most importantly trust was formed. Upto this season, I felt the friendship most than anything in their interactions. I think acknowledgement and assistance works both ways. If Mudan got protection out of this friendship, he also got back a lot. After all, it is impossible to make it on one's own. You seek help whether monetary, emotional, social, all kinds as you should. The best thing about her character she would know when to ask for help and let other help her. I hope I am not coming across as rude. That's not my intention, just wanted to share my piece.

No, stop! 😂🤣

Loser mail leads! 😂 Love you for this.

Was getting too heavy for me. It's lovely, the kind I go crazy for but maybe I am not in the headspace to proceed. Will get back to this soon.

I get why the writing might suck for some people. I totally do, but to be honest the characters and acting make up for it and sometimes overcompensate. I have never been more hooked and looked forward to a melo, romance themed K-drama since CLOY. Come on, this is a decent script. The reason why the drama resonates with old audience like me is because of the so-called cliches. These are supposed to be dramatic, over the top, larger than life characters which I am sure nobody's going to forget any soon. Though, there could be better avenues writing might have taken us but I think the story in itself is more engaged in exploring dynamics between people and having seen a lot of her work in the past, the writer has such a writing style. Take it easy, guys. I understand the anguish but there is fun as well which is why we have a lot to say.

Aunt's confession gets broadcasted publicly over speakers. It has to be. This is not a coincidence( my delulu brain at 2 am)🫠.

I was dreading today's episode, and I was right. Should have waited for episode 16 to come out before proceeding. What's with the comments, though? There seems to some discussion going on over here. Anyways, I love it and I am sure it's going to be fine tomorrow. Don't ask me why. Also, did anybody catch the DOTS reference in today's episode?

1.18.11, the umbrella scene. I am not sure if it was a reference but I love it even if it wasn't.

What's with the legend of blue sea reference in ep 11. It was there, right? My heart is melting.

I just finished watching episode 6. There's going to be so much angst in the coming week. Might as well wait for this week and next to pick it up again.

Crush OST is everything this drama needs. It's so good. Okay, the k-dramas were not doing it for me, especially the 16 episodes-run ones for the past two years or so. At some point, I would lose interest or get annoyed by the plot. But I like this so far, it's really refreshing for me as if the old k-drama world has descended. The aesthetics are very clean and the terminal illness thing for the first time doesn't bug me as the plot overcomes and goes beyond it.

Thinking of starting this one. How is it, everyone?