Milk_Bread

And his father knowingly convicted her innocent father of a crime because he doesn’t like looking for the truth and sought easy wins to level up in his career.😩 If that wouldn’t have been a toxic romance, I don’t know what is.

I can’t get over the morse code in the song.🤣 Woo Seong was really out here like he a spy. However, kpop fans are elite at decoding hidden meanings and finding obscure evidence, so on the other hand, it’s not that far-fetched to me when I think about it. Fans come from all kinds of professional backgrounds.

I see this drama as a romance drama with a crime-mystery angle, so I’m not expecting anything deep. Now if a crime drama unfolded like episode 11, I’d be disappointed. It’s all to convenient.

Ra Ik understandably stressed some people out early on with his shenanigans and also Se Na’s fandom life may come off a bit strange or cringey to folks. After episode 3, the series dropped from a 10 to 7.5 for me (personally) because Ra Ik was crashing out too much and going against the only legal counsel willing to represent him. After taking a week off and processing how Ra Ik’s mental health issues and trauma inform his behavior, I continued the series and have loved it. Hopefully the rating will rebound!

Prosecutor’s dad has spent decades sucking up taxpayer money while climbing ladders and convicting innocent people out of pure laziness disguised as excellence!🤡I hope the writers have a side note that all his cases were reviewed and the convictions overturned and HE goes to prison and is disbarred. The father/son side plot would’ve made an awesome legal drama. They could call it, “My Father’s Shadow.”

Three Kdrama Lessons: 1. You have to watch out for bitter trainees who never debut! 2. Black baseball caps are historically synonymous with murder. 3. Never meet an obsessive person at night in a secluded place or accept anything they give you.

Hye Joo-yah!!! I suspected you first from the very beginning when you stalked my man Ra Ik at his fan signing event, giving him death glares from afar. Who does that? Then you tried to worm your way back into his heart by FORCING your help on him after severely humiliating him and breaking his heart so badly years ago that he went mute during his promotional activities. You kept popping up like the ghost of a jilted bride, trying to isolate Ra Ik and make him fully reliant on you. You falsely accused Jae Hee! Then lured him out to drug him and stage his death as a suicide??? Unsatisfied, you framed him with a confessional suicide note. Narcissism 404!

The wildest part is as a chaebol side baby, you didn’t have the funds to hire somebody to do your bidding. 🥀 You got your own hands dirty and did some sloppy work. Your arrogance, wearing that couple earring and “dropping tea” about Jae Hee’s whereabouts backfired! You tried killing half of a kpop group for a man who doesn’t want you.😩 You could’ve enjoyed your life being beautiful with a cute nepo baby job and married a rich, handsome man. Hindsight is 20/20. Justice for Gold Boys!😭

Junichi loved Keisuke’s father as his own and even referred to him endearingly as “otouchan” (daddy), so if he did shoot, I imagine it was in response to the father being killed in the line of duty. However, what’s bothering me is, if he did the shooting, he likely wouldn’t get the gang together to incriminate himself. I also noticed Keisuke’s irritated expression and agreement when Makiko said Junichi never changed, which suggests Junichi always had some kind of impulsiveness.

Part of me wonders if Junichi’s girlfriend is an inconsequential background character to “round out” his life. Tbh, I suspect he still has a crush on Makiko. He was a bit slow about mentioning his girlfriend to her.

Another great episode! So far, Keisuke has the strongest motive. He’s secretive by nature as well. Why does he get so frustrated franticly taking that that keychain on and off? It also seems like his pregnant partner is a secret despite being divorced. Did their timeline overlap with his previous marriage? He lies to her about visiting with his ex-wife, saying it’s work and does the same to his ex-wife. There’s something off about him. Naoto obviously found his half-brother detestable, but doesn’t seem to have the nerve to pull something like that off and has the means to hire someone else to do it cleanly.

Rikako is like a dog with a bone! She’s very perceptive and several steps ahead of the friend group. I can’t read Junichi yet. At first, it seemed like he was trying to protect his old friends and their secret, but now he’s pressuring them to dig the capsule up and rightfully assumes one of them dug it up to shoot Naoto’s half brother. I’m curious about the civilian hit by the stray bullet and if childhood Keisuke fired the gun in rage, hitting them from afar inadvertently or if he shot the dying or already dead banker. Did Junichi shoot the banker in response to “otouchan” being killed before his friends arrived? I don’t think it was a coincidence how they hilighted how much he adored Keisuke’s dad as a surrogate father and followed in his footsteps. Clearly something happened for them to agree to bury the gun. It doesn’t make sense to bury it if his father used it in what appears to be self-defense against a criminal in pursuit.

I’m also sensing some lingering feelings from Junichi for Makiko. He was a bit tongue tied when stating he a girlfriend and a little worked up about Makiko bringing up their kiss as kids. Junichi looked like he wanted to spin the block! I don’t know if the writers will take that angle, but I can’t deny the hinting. Honestly, I’m here for the mess.😅

“Boyfriend Mode” Ra Ik is a national treasure! From his bold confession to his cozy outfits and loving protection of Se Na, I felt touched by his sincerity.🥰 I forgot all about his days of neurosis and throwing hands. What a king. The overnight getaway at the cabin and that kiss were the cherry on top! I loved Ra Ik and Se Na investigating together in her office and telling her how he followed her because he missed her! He has a puppy-like personality- has tantrums, tearing up stuff and peeing on the floor but then being loyal and affectionate. That’s our Ra Ik-ah! Somebody check on Chung Jae. He’s punching the air somewhere!

There are no true friends in Se Na’s workplace. Anybody who says only women gossip hasn’t spent time with men. The biggest gossips and haters in that office were the men, but nobody had the guts to say it to her face except that jerk who’s always yelling. Jealousy is a drug! Se Na’s fellow fan and the boss are her only allies.

Now onto the murder case! That prosecutor will never know happiness as he continues to sow wickedness. I hope they don't sanitize him at the end. May his career end in disappointment! I’m back to suspecting Hye Joo!!!! Who else would Ra Ik have a couple earring with? That girl tried to pin it all on Jae Hee. She also has Inhwa Group shielding her from suspicion.

The character development of the leads is top tier. It’s been consistent growth from the start. Do Ra Ik is a character study. He really wears his heart on his sleeve, but now he’s channeling his energy in more helpful, less destructive ways. He’s come a long way!

Does Chung Jae get paid in chicken dinners and caramel? I know my man’s got to have a job outside of running judicial errands.🥀 I wish he got more development. He’s actually quite interesting on his own.

South Korea is a collectivist society rather than an individualist society we typically see in the West. The mistake of one person brings shame on those connected to them too, i.e., family, friends, and associates. Whatever a person does, good or bad, reflects the collective. It’s a lot of pressure.

FL is so freaking cute! Her Japanese is adorable.🥰 I like how she’s open and engaging. A lot of times the FL in these dramas are passive and shy. This FL takes initiative. I hope ML finds his confidence and self-worth. Looks like some unforeseen circumstances set him back and he lost hope. However, he seems to enjoy cooking, so rather than failure perhaps this is redirection!

I was nervous this would be one of those lazy crossover dramas where the characters speak their native languages and use common phrases and hand gestures to communicate, but that’s not the case at all. This drama is wholesome and cozy!

The way Ra Ik checked Chung Jae at that table, reminding him who he is and that a pending murder case doesn’t diminish his rizz, had me in tears!🤣 Chung Jae really thought he was saying something.

Chung Jae: 😒 She doesn’t like you like that, bro. She takes in all strays.

Ra Ik: 😏 Yeah, and I’m still taking her from you.

Keep running those errands in the Brother Zone, Chung Jae. Fighting!

Case closed!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Now I’m thinking about his mom. Maybe she needed more money! Woo Seong bungled the deal with that shady agent.

Exactly! Did he even learn anything from law school to apply to the case? He has zero critical thinking skills. If he thought for himself and used his education from the beginning, he wouldn’t be in this mess. His dad gloats like he handled Se Na’s father’s case so expertly when it was a disaster that cost an innocent man his life. Blatant narcissism.

Hye Joo, girl, just go! For the billionth time, the answer is no.😩 Ra Ik doesn’t want any. He’s full eating at Se Na’s house. He’s in his loverboy era. Hye Joo’s father did a number on her. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to possession and controlling others. You can’t burn a man’s world down and say, “Oops, I was young, let me take care of you.” You failed the test. Bye!!! She and the prosecutor are two of the most infuriating characters in drama history. May episode 9 be her last plot line.🤦‍♀️ We’re tired, girl.😅

At most they make it too obvious and you figure it out early or they make it look one way only to shock you. In this case, it’s all still speculation. There may be someone who hasn’t even been introduced yet.

If its Chung Jae, I’m taking a kdrama hiatus just to process it because it would be so left field and overshadow the romantic ending.😅 He came on strong with his love confession and watched this girl stream Ra Ik content for years with little attention.🥀

Yes, there were definitely more irritating shenanigans ahead lol. I try to remember that Ra Ik is not necessarily a mentally stable character. He has trauma and anxiety disorders, so he tends to “catastrophize” events and overreact. Ra Ik’s best friend and only support system was murdered in his home and he was accused of it, which only adds to his distress. Naturally, he would feel his safety under threat, so he finds ways to gain control and protect himself, only to exacerbate the issue. His fight or flight system is overactive.

What makes this drama so compelling AND frustrating is that they didn’t whitewash Ra Ik as this charming, princely character who overcomes every obstacle with grace and wit. Despite his beauty, fame, and success, Ra Ik is incredibly human and flawed. He’s not the shining star you see on stage. That person is a character he portrays, an illusion. His greatest pain has been trying to live up to that lofty image to appease the agency and his fans. He’s a complex character.

I’m on episode 8. It’s strongly pointing towards Goldie Entertainment, i.e. the CEO, and I think the manager is an accomplice or accessory to the murder. Jae Hee tried to blow the whistle on them but had a car accident disguised as an attempt to terminate himself and a note “confessing “ to the murder. Basically, Woo Seong was trying to get the group signed elsewhere as their contract renewal was coming up, so that would be their motive.

Hye Joo is very suffocating and controlling, but now I see why and feel sad for her. Her father is terrible. Side note: I love her clothes and hair. I’m shipping Hye Joo and Chung Jae. She needs someone like him: tough and no nonsense but thoughtful and loyal. I too saw Chung Jae as family to Se Na. He’s firmly implanted in the little brother zone, and there’s no way out of that. It would be too weird for them to be together. Their backstory is too “familial.”

Jae Hee’s tantrums and pettiness got on my nerves. However, I can see how a tactless Ra Ik and anti-fans within the fandom could push a person over the edge. He was too obvious to be the killer, but his attitude made me want to suspect him anyway. However, if he was going to harm anyone, it would’ve been Ra Ik.😅

The CEO and manager have been moving strangely from the beginning. It didn’t make sense for a member to kill Woo Seong because he was the peacemaker and glue of the group and got along with the other three. However, the CEO was always about money and treated Gold Boys as nothing more than a cash cow. Clearly, Woo Seong knew it wasn’t good to stay and tried to sign the group elsewhere, which the CEO didn’t like. The manager has been unstable and emotional this whole time and fishing for info from Se Na, while the CEO plays it cool. He’ll crack first. I guess the agency is banking on post-humous sales by killing all the Gold Boy members!😩 What happened to suing for breach of contract?

The slow burn romantic development, tension, and conflict between Se Na and Ra Ik are red hot! It leaves you wanting more. The fangirl revelation happened at the right time, and Ra Ik’s feeling of betrayal worked as someone with fandom trauma and being idolized. Ra Ik wants to be seen, loved, and believed as his core self, not the famous idol. It wasn’t the lying by omission but feeling as though Se Na had blind faith in him as an obsessed fan rather than trusting him as a person. His own mother didn’t value him as a person. However, he had already fallen for our girl. He couldn’t stay away despite his tantrum and had the nerve to be surprised she threw away his merch after all of that!🤣 The scene of him following Se Na was cute and then her finding him outside her house in the fetal position with the rain drenching him like an abandoned puppy hit the heart!

The prosecutor’s father is corrupt, and he needs to stop listening to him. It’s shocking how deep the prosecutor’s history with Se Na is. His father’s corrupt investigation landed her innocent father a murder conviction. Se Na will set things right indeed!