I was in Tokyo when this was airing (Dec 2010). I had the TV on in the evening and didn’t know what it was at the time, but I recognized Ueto Aya and watched it for a while (but without subs I was lost). It was so lovely to find this drama in full with subs a few months later and it remains one of my favorite Japanese dramas of all time! Something about dramas from back then just hit different.
I understand people’s feelings of betrayal if they didn’t expect romance in the show, but where I watched it (Viki) it was clearly marked as a romance from the beginning, which is actually why I clicked on it.
What I didn’t expect was to love this show and its cast of characters as much as I do! Since I was expecting romance from the leads I read their interactions differently, and I felt like the twist at the end would be that neither character was suffering from “transference” and it was indeed actual love (which ended up being true). So the romance never felt forced to me, and instead a natural progression. But the drama definitely didn’t do it in the usual kdrama way.
Their age gap is only 12 years. She is 25, so that would make him 37. And he is no longer her mental coach when he finally confesses to her. In fact they have spent some time apart. Overall it’s pretty mild. It was obvious to me that he adored her from the start but didn’t understand what he was really feeling until the end.
I legit don’t understand why the writers had the female lead kiss the male lead if it’s not going to go anywhere. I think because I almost exclusively watch romance dramas my brain is like, “this does not compute.” Lmao.
I think they should have explored the issue of transference with supporting characters instead of the main leads.
That hug at the end of episode 11 had me swooning though, mostly because Jung Woo is such an incredible actor. I’ve replayed it a million times. Regardless of how the drama turns out it’s a really sweet scene between the two.
I’m here for it too, I think it’s sweet. I feel the same about Dr. Park, but based off episode 15’s preview…
That’s true about Dr Park’s father. That would be a tough relationship!
I do at this point agree with you that gaeul’s love is real. And you’re right about her declaring she was still happy without him reciprocating but I think a part of her really believed he did deep down, maybe until this episode.’
Caught up with ep14. In regards to the possoble romance between Jegal and Ga Eul, I dont see it going anywhere…
I agree about her finally understanding he doesn’t see her as a woman. And I’m also expecting more development between Dr Park and Jegal, and I really don’t like it. Boo.
Poor Ga Eul wrote in her journal that she wanted to experience love and I really want that for her. Of course you don’t need romantic love to feel complete but since it’s something her heart desires I feel bad that she’ll most likely end up alone on the end. Maybe if they show her coming to an understanding that it was transference after all and accepting that I’ll feel better about it.
Editing to add: once the dust settles in the drama I expect a scene where they acknowledge her feelings one last time, probably her being at peace with her love not being reciprocated OR Jegal finally admitting it was something more on his end (much less likely) Or like I said her understanding it was indeed transference. There isn’t time left to develop it beyond that, imo, since there’s so much else going on the drama doesn’t focus much on romance anyway.
I’m here for it too, I think it’s sweet. I feel the same about Dr. Park, but based off episode 15’s preview…
Interesting! You’re right that it sounds like he won’t reciprocate Dr. Park’s feelings but making them such a highlight in the preview makes me wonder if it’s because ultimately they want us to root for her. But I just can’t. Lol.
And yes I think Ga Eul does really love him and that’s why I’ve been rooting her them to end up together. : )
I don't mind romance between Jegal and Gaeul, they are cute imo I'm here for it, I would absolutely hate one between…
I’m here for it too, I think it’s sweet. I feel the same about Dr. Park, but based off episode 15’s preview it seems like it will go that way. As long as Ga Eul is happy in the end (they have her realize it was transference and not real love or something) then I’d be fine with that.
What I didn’t expect was to love this show and its cast of characters as much as I do! Since I was expecting romance from the leads I read their interactions differently, and I felt like the twist at the end would be that neither character was suffering from “transference” and it was indeed actual love (which ended up being true). So the romance never felt forced to me, and instead a natural progression. But the drama definitely didn’t do it in the usual kdrama way.
Their age gap is only 12 years. She is 25, so that would make him 37. And he is no longer her mental coach when he finally confesses to her. In fact they have spent some time apart. Overall it’s pretty mild. It was obvious to me that he adored her from the start but didn’t understand what he was really feeling until the end.
It’s a 10/10 for me! : )
I think they should have explored the issue of transference with supporting characters instead of the main leads.
That hug at the end of episode 11 had me swooning though, mostly because Jung Woo is such an incredible actor. I’ve replayed it a million times. Regardless of how the drama turns out it’s a really sweet scene between the two.
I do at this point agree with you that gaeul’s love is real. And you’re right about her declaring she was still happy without him reciprocating but I think a part of her really believed he did deep down, maybe until this episode.’
Poor Ga Eul wrote in her journal that she wanted to experience love and I really want that for her. Of course you don’t need romantic love to feel complete but since it’s something her heart desires I feel bad that she’ll most likely end up alone on the end. Maybe if they show her coming to an understanding that it was transference after all and accepting that I’ll feel better about it.
Editing to add: once the dust settles in the drama I expect a scene where they acknowledge her feelings one last time, probably her being at peace with her love not being reciprocated OR Jegal finally admitting it was something more on his end (much less likely) Or like I said her understanding it was indeed transference. There isn’t time left to develop it beyond that, imo, since there’s so much else going on the drama doesn’t focus much on romance anyway.
And yes I think Ga Eul does really love him and that’s why I’ve been rooting her them to end up together. : )