Mcmr

Many thanks !!

Hey ! Where can I watch it with eng subs ?
I miss the characters' antics as well 😂

Just FYI- You wrote Chairman Baek instead of Chairman Shin ;)

You’re most welcome !
I am happy to read your views as well as I am really curious about how the story might pan out!
You're probably right about the therapist. That would mean Gu has decided to take care of his issues to better himself

This is my take (might surely be incorrect haha):
At end of ep 14, Gu and MJ met on the bridge. In the previews, they are wearing those same clothes while dining and when they stumble into his place (Gu has no scar).

Afterwards, we see Gu with the same clothes at his club and we can assume that's when he will sustain the wound on his cheek. Then, once again wearing the same clothes, we see him and MJ lying on his(?) bed - the scar is apparent here.
At some point, there's a voiceover where MJ tells him to go and that she'll wait for him. I think that scene happens on the day he'll get hurt (he will probably be called to the club and MJ will stay behind and wait for him at his place).

The scene where they're both eating fish cakes will surely occur after the above mentioned events (I don’t remember whether he has a scar at this point).

My belief is also that MJ is the doctor Gu is referring to when he says that he's seeing a doctor.

As for the timeline, I think the drama is keeping us in the dark on purpose. Do Gu and MJ end of 2021 or after New Year 2022 ? If the latter, well, these glimpses shown at the climax of ep.10 would just be a glimpse into the lives of the new Gu and MJ. If the former... would it mean that Gu will distance himself from MJ until he completely severs his links to the underworld?

The scene where both of them were running could be a dream sequence. But then, that could mean that the 2022 NY scene was one as well. Each sequence would aim at displaying the two life options available to Gu.

Cant wait to know more! Unfortunately, I will be travelling when both episodes will air

Really thoughtful... as usual :)

I think you're right about that one !
As for the Christian themes, they are represented in many ways : Gu's cross pendant, the many mentions to church, the "worshipping", the color themes, the billboard MJ sees everyday from the train (displayed by the Liberation church), the liberation/salvation of the characters, etc.

I agree with you! The scene with the mall lady being the best (and most terrifying) example of Bad Gu😂

It definitely is an expression of power. Whatever Gu calls this guy, he has no choice but to come and obey. Let's not forget this guy has shifted his loyalty from Gu to Baek then back to Gu, so Gu may not have tons of respect for him and thus has no qualms to toy with him.
But I guess this name change also fits into the broader themes evoked in the drama : Christianity, and a social commentary on the vicissitudes of living in a metropolis

You're right. I am pretty sure I'd end up doing the same 😂 MLN is already among my all time favorite dramas and I fear I might be too harsh on my next watch 😋

I am thinking about starting watching 2521 or Our Blues to fill in the void

I do believe the writer inserted that name change with a specific purpose.

1st, as you pointed out, the topic of "names" is a recurrent theme in this drama and I do believe it ties to Christian motifs as naming denotes divine authority (Gu asks MJ to give him a name and thus grants her ownership over him). Gu's underling "belongs" to him so Gu is free to name him however he pleases.

2nd, I guess it's also a social commentary. Sam Sik (the guy's previous name) is considered an old-fashioned name. Guess he desperately wanted to be one of those "ordinary" (using Gu's words) and "refined" (read Bin means refined) Seoulites. Our names are part of our identity, and yet this guy was so quick to discard it in order to fit in - as if living in Seoul meant killing part of one's individuality and core essence (Gu does seem to think so as he wants MJ to go live in Seoul to learn to tame her instincts).

3rd, I guess it can also be considered as comic relief as one cannot help but think of Won Bin or Hyun Bin when the name "Bin" is mentioned

What we know for sure so far is that the mom was born in 1957, Chang Hee & Hyeon-a in 1985, and Mi Jeong in 1991.
Considering how they kept stressing on the fact that MJ was significantly younger than her siblings, I think KJ is max 3 years older than her brother which would make her about a decade older than her sister
As for the kid, I'd say between 10 and 12

What we know for sure so far is that the mom was born in 1957, Chang Hee & Hyeon-a in 1985, and Mi Jeong in 1991.
Considering how they kept stressing on the fact that MJ was significantly younger than her siblings, I think KJ is max 3 years older than her brother which would make her about a decade older than her sister

If looks could kill 😂
Also loved the "handbag" scene!
Fierce Mi Jeong really is something else !

Totally agree ! People seem to forget how unconventional their relationship has always been. It never ascribed to conventional dating rules!
MJ gave her whole to their relationship and vowed to never "give up" on her partner and to only wish for the best for him.
I feel their reunion perfectly fits in this narrative/dynamics

Thank YOU for enlightening me on some of the subtleties I had missed while watching the show!

Thank YOU for enlightening me on some of the subtleties I had missed while watching the show!

Lovely write up and also very insightful! Thanks for the share - you really have a way with words

Second this - I actually love their relationship :) Other than Gu, I think Mi Jeong is the most comfortable and open with Hyeon-a, and they also have really interesting discussions whenever they meet up (e.g. at the bar during Hyeon-a's birthday in episode 2)