Who is Heesu beyond his romantic interest?
I love the manhwa, but I also understand adaptations aren't obligated to follow the source material. With that in mind, I don't think this is the worst drama I have seen. But, it still falls short.
What I found so interesting about Heesu, but also so incredibly sad is that when we first meet him he isn’t introduced as his own person and he isn't aware of how much his identity is tied to someone else. I don't think the drama explores the complexity of that to the extent that it should.
Heesu is well known in school for giving dating advice, but none of those student even remember his name. He is often referred to as Chan Yeong’s shadow. And while he might not know himself, he knows one thing for sure. He likes Chan Yeong and likes being by his side.
Heesu is trying so hard to be in orbit to Chan Yeong’s universe. But, Pluto gets expelled from the solar system for being so similar to hundreds of other stars and goes from being special to ordinary and Heesu just wants to be special.
His whole identity is wrapped around someone else. He doesn’t know what food he likes because he’ll just eat whatever Chan Yeong wants to eat. He tries to join the video production club because Chan Yeong signed up for it. But, the club is full and for the first time we see a character, Seung Won, who notices something about Heesu that isn’t in relation to Chan Yeong.
He tells Heesu that he is great at listening to others and helping students. He suggests signing up for the counseling club. For the first time, Heesu is being noticed for the significant impact he makes on others. He's recognized as that guy who very specifically likes carrot juice. It’s a thing that he likes that isn't borrowed from someone else.
The moments that stands out the most to me is when we learn more about Heesu as someone more than his unrequited love. It's when we get to see him as an an individual. But it doesnt happen often. We get to see some of that through Seung Won’s perspective as he carefully observes him.
Alone in his own house, Seung Won could hear Heesu and his sister’s arguing next door and you see him smile at all the noise against the silence of his own home. It’s these moments where we get to see into their lives and who these characters are. Seung Won who is lonely and who likes hearing the noise of family being together. Heesu at home who clearly complains and expresses what he likes and doesn't like and doesnt dismiss it like he typically does outside of the home where he'll just eat whatever popcorn or food his friends like.
I wish we got more moments like that, but not enough time was given to learn more about Heesu and Seung Won as individuals. In fact, not enough time was even given on their emerging relationship.
While it’s great that Heesu finally figures out that he likes Seung Won, I wish we got more time with Heesu figuring out who he is as a person that isn't in relation to others. Who is Heesu beyond his romantic interests? The drama spends so much time focusing on everyone else. His sisters, Chan Yeong, and Ji Yu who are all chasing after what they like and their passion. It's fine to include, but not at the expense of sacrificing space to explore Heesu’s self-discovery of becoming the protagonist of his own narrative.
It had the ingredients to be something special but didn't quite meet its potential.
What I found so interesting about Heesu, but also so incredibly sad is that when we first meet him he isn’t introduced as his own person and he isn't aware of how much his identity is tied to someone else. I don't think the drama explores the complexity of that to the extent that it should.
Heesu is well known in school for giving dating advice, but none of those student even remember his name. He is often referred to as Chan Yeong’s shadow. And while he might not know himself, he knows one thing for sure. He likes Chan Yeong and likes being by his side.
Heesu is trying so hard to be in orbit to Chan Yeong’s universe. But, Pluto gets expelled from the solar system for being so similar to hundreds of other stars and goes from being special to ordinary and Heesu just wants to be special.
His whole identity is wrapped around someone else. He doesn’t know what food he likes because he’ll just eat whatever Chan Yeong wants to eat. He tries to join the video production club because Chan Yeong signed up for it. But, the club is full and for the first time we see a character, Seung Won, who notices something about Heesu that isn’t in relation to Chan Yeong.
He tells Heesu that he is great at listening to others and helping students. He suggests signing up for the counseling club. For the first time, Heesu is being noticed for the significant impact he makes on others. He's recognized as that guy who very specifically likes carrot juice. It’s a thing that he likes that isn't borrowed from someone else.
The moments that stands out the most to me is when we learn more about Heesu as someone more than his unrequited love. It's when we get to see him as an an individual. But it doesnt happen often. We get to see some of that through Seung Won’s perspective as he carefully observes him.
Alone in his own house, Seung Won could hear Heesu and his sister’s arguing next door and you see him smile at all the noise against the silence of his own home. It’s these moments where we get to see into their lives and who these characters are. Seung Won who is lonely and who likes hearing the noise of family being together. Heesu at home who clearly complains and expresses what he likes and doesn't like and doesnt dismiss it like he typically does outside of the home where he'll just eat whatever popcorn or food his friends like.
I wish we got more moments like that, but not enough time was given to learn more about Heesu and Seung Won as individuals. In fact, not enough time was even given on their emerging relationship.
While it’s great that Heesu finally figures out that he likes Seung Won, I wish we got more time with Heesu figuring out who he is as a person that isn't in relation to others. Who is Heesu beyond his romantic interests? The drama spends so much time focusing on everyone else. His sisters, Chan Yeong, and Ji Yu who are all chasing after what they like and their passion. It's fine to include, but not at the expense of sacrificing space to explore Heesu’s self-discovery of becoming the protagonist of his own narrative.
It had the ingredients to be something special but didn't quite meet its potential.
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