KevinToronto

Ending the series at episode 10 would most definitely not be a popular opinion. There is more of the story to tell.

It is safe to say that there have been some differing views over this programme. However, overall there has been a positive response to it. In my view, this is a story of two people re-discovering themselves and each other after very, very low points in their respective lives. It takes it time and lets the discovery unfold in a slow and unhurried fashion, which is refreshing.

No certain if this is a rhetorical observation, but the issue of excessive drinking has been very extensively discussed here. [Possibly more than there is drinking in the show.😂]

Anyway, some believe that this is just the result of product placement by the beer and soju companies. I do not think that many would disagree that there is product placement taking place. However, others (me, included) believe that this a relatively accurate reflection of Korean societal norms. I have previously posted links to peer-reviewed medical papers that indicate the increasing alcohol consumption in Korea, as well reports regarding binge drinking.

With regard to the characters being doctors, and thus should know better, again you are correct. However, the reality is that doctors are human and do not always follow the rules. Earlier, I posted a note that in Canada, doctors have some of the highest rates of depression and alcoholism amongst the professions, and I posited that Korea is not going to be significantly different.

Bottom line, you will have to decide whether the drinking is merely a cynical business ploy to promote specific products or companies or if it is an attempt to reflect the reality in Korean society.

You are absolutely right that the absence of HS's father is the reason for the family's dysfunction, along with her mother's retreat from the reality of being an adult and parent. I really hope that it is not explained by amnesia or dementia because it would be totally implausible. How will they explain the frequent moves and his use of intermediaries when renting properties?

At the risk of being accused of flogging the proverbial "dead horse", I came across this in an article about the Korean national football (soccer) team.
"The organisation [KFA] has long been controlled by Hyundai, a company that, even in a country known for a punishing work culture, traditionally prided itself on long hours bookended by early-morning breakfasts and late-night drinking. Past foreign coaches had always been based in Seoul; it was a requirement of the job. Demands on Korean managers had been higher still and their wives had, in the past, been known to complain to the KFA that the constant drinking with officials, journalists and sponsors that was expected was detrimental to their husbands’ health."
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/28/jurgen-klinsmann-could-be-unwitting-agent-for-change-in-korean-football

I do not think that TS Fitness fits within the story line now, especially as Hyo-Shim no longer is employed there. Its purpose was to be location where she met Tae-ho.

However, I was really happy to see her own apartment, and the comment that she had to come home to tidy up.

While Hyo-Shim's father is a very minor character, I do get the impression that there is a plot thread/twist involving him to come. Unless, of course, the photo is a red herring.

Hang in there as the table death issue is explained, as are the cameras and the reason for them is not exactly as might be expected.

As for the brother, he does have his moments, but I surmise that the character is the counter-balance to Ha-Neul's: she is high-pressure, over-achiever and he is slovenly, lazy under-achiever.

I am sorry that you are having a hard time, and, yes, this might not be the programme for you. However, it does get progressively more optimistic and positive. There are comedy parts but there is a lot of character growth and understanding.

I am firmly in the "they have great chemistry" camp. We are dealing with two characters who have deep trauma (of differing causes), and this makes it difficult for them to open up (to themselves and others). My take on the first 10 episodes is that we have seen two people begin to trust themselves and then each other.

Yes, the development of this couple has been very different from the standard kdrama process, but that does not make it any less wonderful. Others might see it differently.

I agree that it does seem like a "storm" is about to hit. My take on the first 8 episodes or so is that they were intended to show a level of trust being built. Now, I think that the story behind the death of Yi Soo's mother will be front and centre, along with his family dynamics. Trust having been built, the team can help solve the case as a natural consequence of the trust in their new "team member".

I had to chuckle when I read this, especially as I had read this in The Guardian's review of Constellation last week, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/21/constellation-review-apple-science-fiction-series :
"(The prevalence of Apple products is almost funny: Jo uses an iPad to speak to Alice from space, and an Apple Watch to keep track of time during a particularly crucial activity. I’m surprised they didn’t call it the iSS.)"

The excessive drinking in the show continues to be a concern. Here is part of a post of mine from earlier in the week, as it is quite a long way down now. I am not trying to justify the programme's portrayal. I just want to provide a bit of background.

"Daily alcohol consumption increased from 8.37 g in 1998 to 14.98 g in 2016–2018 (p for trend < 0.001). The degree of the increasing trend was higher for women (2.09 g to 5.79 g) than men (14.78 g to 23.94 g) from 1998 to 2016–2018. Alcohol intake was highest in men aged 30–49 years and women aged 19–29 years. ... Lastly, the alcohol intake from soju and beer was dominant in alcohol consumption and escalated over time."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752144/#:~:text=Approximately%2050.8%25%20of%20men%20and,all%20alcohol%20consumption%20%5B2%5D.

"Approximately 50.8% of men and 26.9% of women reported binge drinking [consuming 7 or more standard drinks (7–8 g of pure alcohol) in 1 drinking session for men or 5 for women] in the past month [2]. In Korea, 20% of drinkers are binge or excessive drinkers, and are responsible for 66% of all alcohol consumption [2]."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752144/#:~:text=Approximately%2050.8%25%20of%20men%20and,all%20alcohol%20consumption%20%5B2%5D.

@Suzy Agreed. My point was that a doctor (and the information sheet with the contraindications) may say not to drink, but the patient will still do so regardless. Indeed, a doctor could say "you must not drink" and the patient ignores them.

Welcome to Samdal-ri has more crushed cans. :-)

Possibly to allow for a less rushed re-connection as Ha-Neul's issues are addressed. It is clear that her issues are more deeply seated and longer standing than just the pressures of being a doctor.

@Peral Harbor No worries at all. I was glad to have the opportunity to clarify my intent. It is always good to chat with people to discuss things because I always learn something that helps me better understand.

Fair and valid points. I sincerely hope that no one believes that it is a good idea the drink alcohol whilst taking antidepressants, because it is not. And I apologise to those who thought I was suggesting that it was okay.

The answer is yes to both. As is the case with many other Kdramas.

I am absolutely not saying that regular people can drink while on antidepressants. I have a background in pharmacology and am fully aware of the potential consequences of drug interactions.

Actually, I was trying to say that doctors are human and can experience the same issues as the average person. In earlier comments, there was criticism that doctors would know the dangers of mixing alcohol and antidepressants. I was pointing out that doctors have significant problems with alcoholism and depression, so it is not implausible for a doctor to ignore or disregard the medical advice they would give to their patients.

Thank you. I should clarify that my daughter's comment was in response to me talking about the programme. She is not suffering from depression or alcoholism. I mentioned her comment because she is in the profession and I thought people might be interested in "hearing" from someone in the profession.

I agree that the issue of mental health is an extremely sensitive subject, and must be treated with the utmost care. I am hoping that the second half of this series will examine the subject in greater detail and more sensitivity. I have speculated that the programme is deliberately divided into two parts, with the table death/legal issue dealt with first, and the mental health/depression issue dealt with second. In that scenario, Jeong-woo will now focus on helping Ha-Neul.

In all honesty, I am not certain that there will be a completely unbiased opinion. You might get people who offer a balance position. This is definitely not a programme for everyone. In part that is because of some of the subject matter. It does not shy away from the difficult subject of depression. Also, it seems to be taking the approach of focusing on the different issues facing the lead characters in two separate blocks (first ML and then FL), rather than the usual intermingling of the story lines over the whole series. Or, at least that is how I think it is going.

I do not think that you can separate the quality of the show from the lead actors. They make this a good programme, in my opinion.

My recommendation would be to start watching it (for more than 2 episodes) and decide if it is for you.