Kathryn_51

We should just call Episode 15 "Episode Shi-yeol". Pre-release:

https://twitter.com/miselbyun/status/1655399754707406850

As far as I'm concerned, Shi-yeol is THE Main protagonist in this drama. His character is complex, multi-layered, full of tragedy, racked by guilt and above all - heroic. Other characters are just window-dressing. 😁

iirc, Ep. 6 - early in episode - is her rock bottom.

I don't know anything about Baek Jin Hee (Yeon Doo) or Cha Joo Young (Jang Se Jin), but in the Ep. 13 scene where both are talking in the annex, i was stuck by how remarkable Joo young was (tone,, cadence, facial expression) versus Jin Hee - who was stoic/stone-faced and unemotional.

Not a critique or criticism of Jin Hee because I like the character she is playing, but this drama allows Joo Young far more range - opportunity - variety than the stoic (but clever) Yeon Doo character.

In other words, because of Joo Young's portrayal, Se Jin is one of those characters one "loves to hate". And I do hate her - with pleasure.

Altho I was hesitant (Asian "fantasy" is not my usual genre) . I started to watch AoS because of Jung So Min (she is good friend of Park So jin). I was enthralled with the concept of completely new "world/.universe" A bit comparable to the fantasy "world" of Harry Potter where some humans have magical abilities/powers, good v. evil, romance, fascinating characters.

If that has zero appeal to you, i suggest you don't watch because altho I loved Part 1, I hated Part 2. OTOH, if "romance" is your preference, simply watch Part 2 because that was 80% of the focus - every scene, every conversation, every problem or issue involved the Main Couple.

BTW, since Yoo In na was not a favorite of mine (before this drama), I tuned in primarily because of (1) Park So Jin and (2)Joo Sang Wook who also played a pivotal (although not Main) role in AoS.

We have an old flat-screen (almost 20 yrs old) and my son - who is a gamer - tells me that trying to do what you suggest will result in a poor picture quality. Plus, for Disney+ Asia, I would need to use VPN via my laptop and thus far major issues when we have attempted - on a different TV w/the HDMI hookup. . For now, I have access to plenty of k-drama on Netflix, Viki, and Disney+ w/VPN. I think w/in the next year - especially if TVing comes to the USA, I will need to revisit but the $$$$ sure add up.

Also, I avoid the unofficial sites if I can - I am so new to K-drama (1.5 years or so) that there is plenty of backlog on Viki and Netflix to enjoy.

I appreciate that you offered advice Aramintai! 😊

'HongSi' Couple Farewell - Episode 15 Still cuts and article (Hong Joo and Shi-yeol)

https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0004004163

Also, Ep. 15 preview from SBS:

https://twitter.com/Shindaejang/status/1654120236285853696

I still believe Shi-yeol and Hong Joo will have a happy ending. Plus the other scene I am looking forward to (presumably in Ep. 18) is when Shi-yeol kills Administrator Tae-hwa and even though I usually FF thru violent or gory scenes, I will watch that one in slow motion if I can. I really have no idea how Tae-hwa meets his end, but really - can it be anyone other than Shi-yeol?

I enjoy your summaries - especially those describing the looks/tone of Main Lead interexchange, whether verbal or visual.

Yesterday's show was even slower to arrive on Viki than prior weeks - I tried to watch, but fell asleep several times and gave up.

I have a theory on why this drama takes so long to appear on Viki (about 4-5 hours later than other subtitled dramas). Perhaps it is because it is ALL dialogue. As in ALL dialogue. For 120 minutes per episode. There are no scenes of people simply walking in a park or running away from something or . . . really, there is no "action" in this drama since most of it is filmed in studio. That means there is far more translation required than those that are action-packed or tension-filled moody scenes w/no dialogue. just a theory.

One year later and this is still the only drama that i have given 10⭐ on MDL. It's crazy as hell, but Kim jae Wook is absolutely perfect in his role as the perfectionist CEO tyrant that is deeply affected by the betrayals - whether real or perceived - that surround him. I had a few quibbles about how the mystery was resolved - most of the puzzle pieces fit, but a few were simply left on the table unexplained. Nevertheless, I hope it comes to the US on Hulu eventually so I can re-watch it on my TV screen instead of laptop.

She has worked non-stop this past year: Sh**ting Stars, Alchemy of Souls, May it Please the Court, Bora! and next month: Delightfully Deceitful. Talent trumps cookie-cutter looks.

This was recommended to me by viewers on the Bora! Deborah MDL page because both star Yoon Hyun Min. I had hesitated in the past because I thought it would be like I Am Robot (which I finally gave up on). This has some of the same illogical vibes but YHM is a great ML that actually plays two separate roles and the scenes where the live character talks to his holo version were well done.

I really enjoyed the romance between the live/real people but couldn't get into the holo because he was too "perfect". All in all, I enjoyed it very much and it's a solid 8⭐.

I cannot find the article, but at the time the music director said the lyrics were more about a relationship based upon working as a team in difficult situations (that leave scars). I loved the way the lyrics matched the scene where Jang Uk and Mu-deok leave Songrim together after he was beaten and cast out. It is my favorite OST.

That's why I tried this show - Sang Wook and Park Jin. Glad I did because thus far it's one of my all time favorites.

Depending on time zone. But yes, late Saturday and Sunday night in the Americas. And early the next morning if in Europe. I wonder why this one takes longer.

I agree with your analysis of his character. My slight difference with you is that he still doesn't volunteer information - it is pretty much only when Deborah asks him. But he feels comfortable talking with her - he might have with Yu-ri as well - if she had asked.

Is he "in love" with her? You see it, I don't. To him, she is "weird but fun"; he enjoys their conversations, enjoys spending non-work time with her. Is shocked that he is starting to see her as more than a friend (because she hasn't made that leap). I think perhaps when he kissed her, it was one of the most impulsive, uncalculated actions he has taken in a very long time.

He has led a stable, uneventful and rather introverted life. Deborah shook that all up. Meanwhile, Deborah has led a very public, extroverted, chaotic life and he has become the most stable force in her life. I love that dynamic. Right now, this is a 10⭐ for me but they have to stick the landing - which primarily means Soo Hyuk does not magically turn into the extroverted romantic man of HER (heretofore) dreams. I will puke if he agrees to purchase matching clothing!

Agree with the dislike to besties was well done and believable. It's my favorite type of romance (just like The Real Has Come dynamic).

I'm going to disagree with you a bit. I think Soo Hyuk is still the silent, non-verbal type. Most of his verbal communication with Bora has been to answer her questions. She volunteers everything - and he's also reading what she is drafting for the book. So, he knows her for all of her charm and warts. Of course, as far as I'm concerned, I don't think he has many warts. 😊

He still hasn't told her that she was the catalyst for his break-up (inevitable as it may have been). He knows how much she has cried and suffered - she still doesn't know the turmoil that he was experiencing. When he told her that his life had been chaotic since he met her, it was one of the few times (I can't recall any other actually) he had volunteered anything (other than the initial info on his break-up which was calculated and told her very little.

i'm still looking forward to the episode where Bora realizes/discovers that she was the catalyst for his break-up and that the Dr. Jeykl/Mr.Hyde judgement she made about Yu-ri's boyfriend was indeed the caring, silent man-of-few-words she has been falling for. Also, his side of his break-up may have been graceful, but I think Yu-ri (who sees herself as the victim - just like Ju Whan) is going to return for more wallowing in victimhood - I hope he's able to give her a big smack-down.

He's my favorite of all k-drama actors but I think he's destined for roles that require controlled macro expressions (not micro - although he can easily do those as well). He no longer auditions - directors keep asking him to work for them and has been working non-stop for the last several months. In fact, AoS arranged his filming schedule so that he could start on Good Bad Mother and then return to Aos for remaining scenes. After GoodBadMother, he jumped into "Morning in Psychiatric Ward" (guest role, I think) and then juggled between Uncanny Counter 2 and a movie ("You Did Great").

You are one of the few to understand my point - it's just too predictable. And for months this drama has been promoted (your word - "hyped" - 😊) as something truly different. But instead of a healing drama we are dumped in the middle of government/corporate corruption, an apparent revenge plot that involved treating Mi-ju horribly and turning his back on Bak-sim (based on the heavily promoted trailer). It was on my watchlist because of Yoo In Soo but except for him and the eccentric villagers, there's nothing here that's unique.

I would agree w/you if this was actually a spoiler. I am very careful about actual spoiler/events in recent episodes. But although I am following comments on MDL, I have not yet watched Episode 4. And as far as I understand, there was nothing specific or even implied in Episode 4 about the parentage of the twins. But many are hoping for that resolution.

My comment is questioning the conclusions/speculation/guesses/theories of many commenters earlier than mine. So, I know the Spoiler button - but I'm not going to use it on my original comment. Feel free to report me if you deem it important.

Possible? Probable? Okay - yes. But in Ep. 4 of 14 episodes? Really - they are going to be THAT predictable?

It would be far more meaningful if he is NOT the biological father but he still bonds with the twins and, perhaps, builds a family with mi-joo . THAT would be a heartwarming resolution.

So long as they are no Bam-sik's children. That would be awful.

I guess if they don't kill the character, I'm okay but still very sad - I really enjoyed the chemistry between Stepdad/Mom/son. I hope there is a good reason for the change.