Kathryn_51

I love the parent storylines. Their histories have only been touched on, but the tvN site has lengthy descriptions of their past - growing up poor (or not), their hopes and dreams, and regrets. I think Korean viewers understand this vicariously - they don't need to read the character descriptions to understand their life - they are all 60ish and I'm pretty sure that at least one of them is going to be in medical peril at some point.

I've mentioned this before, but hubby and I will be in Korea next week and I'm hoping to have the chance to meet with a Korean or two (that speaks English!) that can give their perspective on this particular drama since it's airing right now. Do their fellow Koreans complain loudly about the parent screen time - or do they see it as a holistic family life drama with romance and comedy thrown in?

I'll report back if folks are interested. 😎

The tvN site has character descriptions for all of the main characters. It's very helpful to understand the history/background of the characters - especially the parents - how they grew up, choices they made and regret, etc. There's much more about SH's father - I just provided the part about "divorce". The translations is always a bit of a problem because Korean's do not use pronouns.

Here's the link for Seung-hyo's family:

https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/lovenextdoor/character/?17889=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3401

My computer automatically translates the tvN page - but perhaps it's because I visit it so often.

Perhaps I should cut and paste and post it in the "forum" so that it's always available for those who are interested. So many commenters here seem to be upset with the time spent with the parents - as if SH and SR simply arrived at age 33 w/no emotional baggage from their childhood. 🤣🤣

I think the small wind-chime or decorative piece was a "lily of the valley" that SR's father located. I don't know if SH's father was too drunk to remember that he brought it home or not, but eventually the dots will be connected.

My impression is that they dated a long time and he was very supportive. I guess the question might be when did they get engaged? I thought it was rather recent which is why the wedding date was a month away when she found him cheating on her.

When he visited two years ago, was it as her American boyfriend or as her fiancée?

Oh. . . .awful, if true. I fully expect Seok-ryu's ex to be gone by the end of Episode 10,. But if we are served up a scene as stupid, unimaginative, banal like Seung-hyo racing to the airport and the plane leaves and she suddenly appears because she changed her mind. . . .

Awful, awful - there's no magic or charm in a scene that has played out in Hollywood (and kdrama) from time immemorial. I will down-grade my ⭐ rating if this happens because it is the laziest of all tropes.

On the other hand, if she's there just to see him off back to the USA?. . . . . .

I think the scene in the bedroom is after the playground scene?

Well, Seung-hyo's ex and Seok-ryu's ex are both "special appearance".

she was there for four (4) episodes (5-8).

I'm guessing same for Seok-ryu's ex - he arrived in episode 7, so he will leave in episode 10.😊🥰

Re: Seung-hyo's father history from tvN:

"So when Hye-sook was sent to Africa, he reacted violently. When asked if it made sense to leave her children and husband and go abroad to a dangerous place, she asked if people were so selfish, and pushed Hye-sook to the edge of a cliff. In fact, I couldn't tell her that I was worried about you, that I wanted Hye-sook and Seunghyo to be by [his] side, and that I was afraid of being left alone again. He couldn't be honest with the excuse that he didn't want to show his weakness. The marital relationship that began to fall apart has continued to this day. But the reason why he didn't get a divorce might be because of the regret that lingered in the back of his mind."

I think the brief scene of her hugging someone is a flashback to their original engagement. There's a ring on her finger and her hair style is different.

But you're right - this proposal is new. Good thing her ex is only a "special appearance". 😊

No way - the negative down votes on Netflix would doom future watches.

I've been afraid for one of the parents. - all four ae aged 60ish.

Pre-release for Episode 8. Mostly Seung-hyo questioning everything he said. "Sayiing I'm going crazy because of you. . . . I AM going crazy." "It wasn't a burden. Ahh. . it was a burden. " "I AM going crazy". . . .etc. etc.

Meanwhile, Seok-ryu is simply cutting away at nothing with her sharp knife. Another sleepless night for both, lol.

https://x.com/CJnDrama/status/1832554441888944133

His name is: 한 춘 우

My translation was Han Jun Wu (I've at least learned the alphabet before my trip to Korea), but he is in MDL as Han Joon Woo. Interesting bio - he attended college in the United States. Link: https://kisskh.at/people/28327-han-joon-woo

He appears in the credits under "special appearance" (just like Seo Ji Hye - the actress that plays Seung-hyo's ex)

I'm not sure how much detail you want (if you want more I'll DM you), but to answer your specific questions:

1. FL tried to push the ex away, but he persevered and she finally went out for "one last meal" at a nice restaurant. The ex said he didn't plan to give up.
2. And, who should also be there but Seung-hyo and his ex, over-hearing their conversation.
3. But it seemed to be one of many "catalysts" that finally compelled Seung-hyo to confess to her that he "likes her" which is the cliffhanger.

I was frustrated with the writing because everything was "contrived", but there were many good moments - the bike ride, substantive argument instead of constant bickering.

So, actually, if you want to be REALLY spoiled, in the preview for Ep. 8, Seok-ryu finally has an inner thought for the audience and it's something like "should I tell him that I liked him first?" And the title of Ep. 8 is something like "Secrets"

I re-watched Episode 1 and 2 yesterday and was rather stunned to discover the number of times that writer-nim hinted at Seok-ryu's feelings - something that has never been communicated in flashbacks or her inner [unspoken] thoughts. Took some notes:

Over and over again, Seok-ryu flirted with Seung-hyo, such as "don't you think I could be a seductress?"
SR opens up her arms wide for a hug and SH walks right by her.
The pomegranate tree to "remind him of her."
"Of course I'm a woman. . .what am I then?" SH"You are. . . almost gender neutral."

So, hints galore but thus far, writer-nim hasn't blessed us with Seok-ryu's inner thoughts - so, hopefully - now that we are the half-way point of the drama, we start to get more of Seok-ryu's story.

Well, we didn't get our wish that Seung-hyo wouldn't confess first,, but writer-nim saved it with little preview about Seok-ryu's feelings.

I cheated this morning and read the tvN preview for Sunday's episode 8 so that I would be prepared for whatever happened. 😊

TvN played a trick - the pre-released that dropped on Wednesday (Korea time) was labeled for Episode 7. 😟😟😟

Yes I saw it. Also saw the newest one (just dropped) and they are arguing again.

The preview I posted above says that they quarrel w/out being honest with each others - which I interpret (but I Could Be Wrong lol) that he doesn't confess. That is, he is not honest with her.

Since the ex is about to show up, I'm with pinktulip on this one - get that baggage over and done with before any confession.

I've said several times that my interpretation of all this is that seung-hyo decides that although the timing is bad for a confession, he won't push her away any longer - he'll simply be there for the woman he loves and be supportive as she deals with the ex.

[Love Timing]
Pomegranate's ex-fiancé Hyun Joon enters South Korea.
Seunghyo's ex-girlfriend Tae-hee still looks remorseful.
In a complicated situation, Seunghyo and Pomegranate quarrel without being
honest with each other.
Meanwhile, Dan-ho and Yeon-du witness the scene of the accident, and a collection appears there.
During a sleepless night in Hyereung-dong, Seung-hyo and Pomegranate get closer to each other's true feelings...

It's pretty clear from the tvN preview (not the teaser) that he doesn't confess - at least no at the beginning. This was released a week ago, but I'll put it below in spoiler tag.

According to the tvN site, Seung-hyo FATHER "adores" Seok-ryu, but there's no mention of how the Mom feels about SR. Dad's the one who witnessed Seok-ryu's reaction after the traffic accident so he knows that she cares a great deal about his son.

Mom has been portrayed as a "snob" - but in reality, 35 years ago, a woman in the diplomatic corps was probably very unusual - she was a trail-blazer and she's proud of that.

thanks - they gave a reason, but I've always remembered how her mother said she "ran away" - as if it was a sudden decision, not one previously discussed with her family.

Okay, now I have to re-watch the first THREE episodes. I agree it's all conjecture - doesn't even merit to be called a "theory". 😊