meaghen

I really hope Ae Rin doesn't push our Kim Bon too far away after what happened today... I really hope he can convey to her that he's 'Terius' by next week's episodes. I swear imma flip tables if we go through an angsty phase where she avoids him, misses his presence, and then wants to see him again (and does because he saves her life, because he's always been looking out for her). Pleaseeee writer-nim, let's be different and non-cliche... and DAMN it's hard to hate Yong Tae. He adds a weirdly amazing comic relief, granted his character started off to be quite dark (and still is, but his focus has been more about moving the plot forward of late and I hope we see more of his antics next week)... I really hope we see more sides to him. Especially if he's really the 'bad' guy we think he is...

OMGGG these cliffhangers...

I don't know why people find Ae Rin annoying? She's a hardworking and cheerful mother who lost her husband and is trying to keep it together while raising twins by herself. If dramaland didn't give her the circumstances she's in, granted how dangerous it is (her job), and her spy of a sitter. She would be dealing with a lot of stress on top of losing her husband.

Plus, as frequent drama watchers, we see her 'poking' into her boss's business, and her naivety as something stupid, but to be honest, how COULD we possibly know the danger? If she thought it quite literally was a fraudulent bag business, why would she stop herself from investigating? Since it's her life, and if she was a participant to a fake business, I'd have questions too. She has a sense of justice, and I don't think that puts her at fault for what she did. It doesn't help that her boss has been a tightwad around her.

I actually find her personality quite nice, and to be honest, her focus on her kids and her career (especially since this show has brought light on what it's like to live like a mother, who does a lot of unpaid labour), after being a sole provider is pretty great. And if you think that bringing her kids back to her workplace AFTER trying to see if Terius could help, and GOING to the bathroom was the tip of the iceberg... welcome to dramaland. It's meant to move the plot forward. If the bag didn't get 'ruined,' how else would the story get to where it needs to go?

To everyone saying that the plot is all over the page, I'm not sure I understand?

Terius' life of espionage had been relatively under wraps until the fourth episode (or episodes 7-8). We get pieces of his background info as the story progresses, which we are starting to learn is much more connected: J International (Ae Rin's boss' place) and the Assassin (The Magician) are doing very corrupt things to elevate politicians for money. In the meantime, the NIS is searching for Terius, the one they think was a mole. And Terius, trying to find the Magician and figure out how Candy's death came to be, is all coming into the present because The Magician works for Ae Rin's boss. How is this this scattered and hard to comprehend? As the plot moves forward, we have Ae Rin's kids being babysat by Terius, while comically showing how he adapts to a 'civilian' life as a babysitter. We re are slowly unravelling where the corruption is.

I actually applaud this show for balancing the action with the comedy and mystery with the subtleties of human bonds and connections. Besides, we literally have 12 more episodes to see how the writer-nim will unravel and interconnect the mysteries. And I know I won't be disappointed because her writing in Shopping King Louis was spot on, and
it never got boring or felt like it was being drawn out.

Not sorry for the rant. I find the story refreshing and intriguing to watch. I can't wait to see what else unfolds. Given the cliffhanger at the end of episode 4 (or 8), it'll be interesting to see if the writer-nim decides to go into the direction where Terius open up to Ae Rin about who he is...

I didn't expect anything less with the same writer-nim from Shopping King Louis!! Such a SOLID first 2 (or 4, if you break them into 30 mins) episodes!!! I can't wait to see how EVERYTHING develops!!!!

안녕하세요, 감독님! 감사합니다!

Thank you
for your considerate reply! I was curious, but I liked the mystery. I hope I can see more of your beautiful projects, 기대할게!!

The storytelling was amazing! High-quality filming and incredible acting and writing! I wonder when Gi Tae's 'mission' started because I was given the impression that he was quite shocked AFTER he realized he was Black Rose... any thoughts on this? Or did he know 'Flying Dagger' was also 'Black Rose' the writer... I just wondered how far back he was told to 'off' our Chi Soo...

The manga is really good! YAY!

Also, I know some people spoke about this. But unfortunately, Domyouji's mother is an integral 'antagonist' in the manga. Her appearances in the live action's have been pretty consistent, so I do expect her to cause Shencai to leave and to cause tension the very least (it'll be interesting to see how they spin it, and how often she will appear, but I guarantee there will be an arc where we hate her A LOT, if ya'll have read the manga or watched any of the other remakes). There's a scene in the ending credits when she's on the bus, and I have a feeling that will be when his mother threatens to disrupt her friends and her family's lives (also, when they're in the pouring rain, that's a crucial scene where Tsukushi 'breaks up to him' when she didn't want to). The woman who plays his 'fiance,' albeit yes, it's annoying to see less of our two leads together, is not a terrible character or person. She never wanted to be engaged, and she had a similar spirit to Tsukushi (forgive me, I forget his 'fiance's name). Although I also detested how his mother treated her, after watching countless versions, I understood where she was coming from (because of her deluded sense of respectability). She eventually comes around, but her 'parenting style' (ie controlling her son because she wants what's 'best' for him), is her own learning experience. I think I'm a bit numb to her just because I've seen her portrayed so much. Love the leads chemistry, so regardless, I'm here for their story.

OHMYHEART... Daoming Si is literally my favourite 'Domyouji' in these countless remakes (I've seen the Korean and Japanese version, I've also read that monster volume size of a manga), and I love his portrayal. My rating went down in the Korean remake because Jun Pyo was just unbearable. Sorry for all the Boys Before Flowers lovers out there, but the violence and makjang vibe really turned me off. The Japanese version was my favourite until I started watching this one.

I like how Daoming (albeit he has his one moment, which was a little watered down from the manga), where he goes overboard with his emotions, but so far I love this steady and non-dramatical version. You can see how steadfast Daoming is, without being too harsh. Yes, there's tension and drama, but there's a plot driving everything forward. It's actually so refreshing to see this bloom into a really beautiful love story. I definitely think we're going to continue to see unique developments, which keeping the original heart of Hana Yori Dango. I like the nuances and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I REALLY had to turn off my presentist view of gender equity in the 21st century (albeit we still have lots of work to do!) during this drama. I do think it was spot on accurate about gender expectations and roles, so I just let myself be pulled along the current, and enjoy the drama for the good chemistry, ACTUAL plotline (that doesn't stagnant, but advances), and of course the action. I think my favourite character was Bu. She had a lot of emotional intelligence, and wanted to study abroad (to go against traditions of immediately marrying, and/or not pursuing a career because of sexist double standards). And was always so headstrong, which I loved. Overall, I did like Rin, but sometimes the contrasting between her 'goodness,' and Duang's 'wildness,' made me cringe a little. Don't get me wrong. Duang was quite absurd, and quite heartless sometimes. But the kind of 'power,' she wanted was portrayed in a misogynistic way ('good wife' vs 'bad woman'). In any case, there isn't a 'slap and kiss,' the two leads do eventually have serious conversations, which I appreciated. And overall, although Saran had a little too much involvement in his ex's life, I did enjoy some of the humor and historical settings.

@Willow, also hoping for no fillers, and just solid story telling from tVN!!

@Lovely, that's what I was thinking! I was a little taken aback by just how cinematically it suited the tone of this drama so much. Instead of giving us tons of cliches, the writer and director are offering us a bit more of an interesting take on moments of silence and camera direction. I agree! The scene was already sp poignant without words. I hope to see more of this from the production team!!

Such an important point! I sense some heartache along the way, but I think if anything, this show (and our writer-nim), has proven that they will stick together and trust one another even in tough times. Bless the fact that if there's any miscommunication, that they'll probably ask each other to be more transparent. That's how I see them as 'grown up' as well. Now that we can see them this invested in one another in the beginning, I'm hoping for lots more interesting adventures ahead too!!

@Willow, I agree! The characters are really open to emotional and intellectual development! It's been amazing to see how dynamic everyone's interactions are! I LOVE the female lead! I couldn't agree with you more! And their relationship feels like it was meant to be. It doesn't feel like they're getting close romantically or emotionally too quickly. They feel like two hearts that echo each other so well sfter spending time together. I may have read one of her novels! But yet! Surprisingly, I'm still at the edge of my seat each time I watch!

CAN WE JUST... appreciate how delicate and beautiful and sorrowful the first 5 minutes of episode 6 were? I've NEVER seen a writer not get a female protagonist (when she finds out the "truth" about what the male lead did, or what he was involved in), interact with each other the way they did here, especially without dialogue. There was just so much power in the silence, with the camera watching them. In Jae I brushing Sang Pil away, and him trying to reach out to her and yet give her space (while realizing that although this is not new to him, it's REALLY FRESH for her, and just watching him realize this... WOW. Their acting and chemistry.... so here for it!). There was just so MUCH GOING ON, BUT SO MUCH ATTENTION TO the little details there. There's always those lines like," why did you lie to me!" or "stay away from me!" or something, but it was executed SO WELL!! AHHH!!! I LOVE THIS DRAMA SO MUCH!!!

If that's the case, I think that was an ironic decision to make (but understandable since Zi Xuan is so focused on volleyball). If Yu Hao loses his focus because of Zi Xuan's reaction and hurts himself then... yeah that's upsetting :( I think Zi Xuan was right in reacting to his feelings, and you can tell that he regretted hurting Yu Hao. He wasn't angry with the kiss or his feelings, but rather the fact it happened before a huge game. It looks more like he's grappling and struggling with his feelings (Zi Xuan was tensed up at the end, you could tell in his body language this would be something he'd be brooding over because he obviously likes Yu Hao, he's just probably pushed it aside a bit). In the previews, we see Zi Xuan's sister possibly get rejected by Yu Hao, maybe after him telling her he likes her brother, and that may not go down well. That's the vibe I get. I really hope we get to see them happy together, and it's not a last-minute reconciliation. Because I'm enjoying the flow of this series more than Right or Wrong (although Right of Wrong is hella beautiful and heartwarming).

There needs to be a second season!!! I just finished and I'm having drama withdrawals!! Such strong women in this series! And I was surprised by Jun's acting. Really loved this one! I'll be re-watching for sure!!

I don't know how to describe how I feel about this drama so far... it has its moments where I think it's good (aka Jason), and where it offers less cliche and more psychological look into someone like Soo Ho, but it also has cliche elements to it that are repetitive or so sickly 'coincidental' (you know what I mean, ya'll?). For those who are watching this drama, perhaps you can relate, but I find some of it to be mediocre rather than unique. I like how passionate Geu Rim is (her back story/how she got into being a writer-nim is really pure-hearted), but other than that, I can see this falling into a ton of tropes. I know that we love a little cliche here and there (I know I do), but I was really hoping for something a little more different, because I see this turning into a 'let me show him how to open up and be vulnerable' and allow him to, therefore 'open up his heart' because I have touched his heart. I really hope we see a nuance in this trope. I also feel like a noble idiocy will be a part of this series, and of course... SECOND LEAD SYNDROME. Like badly... I'm going to keep going, but a part of me hopes I don't regret watching this because I have always admired Kim So Hyun's acting abilities.

I'm SOOO gonna watch this after this is aired... I will relinquish my temptation. But I just noticed... Seung Won, Seung Gi, and Hong Ki have all been in Hong Sister dramas lol!!! (this have been pointed out eons ago, but alas, I just realized it myself lol).

YASSSS!!!!! PLEEEEASSEEE DON'T MESS THIS ONE UP!!! (caps were on purpose, this is literally one of my favourite manga's). SO EXCITED!! <3 (and omg please be subbed!!!)