The Butterfly

If this is a beloved drama for you please disregard my comments and scroll down for praiseworthy ones. My comments are for others who disliked this drama and to let them know there is an Auntie in their corner. I mega-loathed this drama. I thought the ML was repulsive, abusive and downright criminal. He coerced other students to gang rape the FL. There’s no coming back from that. And he was unrepentant for all his ill deeds. I don’t care if he stood out in the rain, lightning hit him in the cajones all while he was clutching a photo of Rosebud he was never going to be sympathetic in my book. In any other drama these vicious boys would be seen as the villains, not romantic leads. The FL did a good job of acting but I had no respect for her character for falling in with these guys. I am at a loss as to why this drama is so highly rated.

Great article! Thank you!
I’d have to add another life challenged character-Fu Yao ( Yang Mi-again)

Driving people to suicide is not heroic or attractive. I agree with you.

I am so thankful you and others posted this info because otherwise that was a brutal ending. Leaves room for hope.

The first few episodes were sizzling then it seemed like the middle bogged down into a weird office drama with FL dealing with her ex and ML dealing with his. Only redeeming quality was Jasper standing around looking fine in his suits. I agree they dropped the ball in not having the leads spend more time together after the previous relationships got resolved. The ending was unsatisfying to me because of this.

I agree. The 2FL’s scenes didn’t match the mood of the rest of the story which at times got pretty dark. Plus the character was annoying.

I think I’ve seen her in more dramas than any other actor. She must be a go-to for a stern supporting character that can also do comedy. Edit—I’ve now seen her in 12 roles and she makes every character different and every character her own. I have really come to love this amazing actress.

I wanted to comment on this drama but stylishgirl summed up perfectly what I was thinking. Difficult choices for the characters. I have to say I liked the ending. It made sense for these characters.

I feel like I’m in the minority. I really liked this drama. It wasn’t perfect but I found it entertaining. I would watch a second season of them taking on corruption and baddies.

Without all the goopy lip gloss and heavy eye makeup I thought LJG never looked better. As far as his weight, he’s getting older and doing all those stunts can be hard on the body. Even a little extra weight can put more stress on the joints as we get older or so sayeth my husband who is big into training and martial arts. Hopefully, that’s all it is.

I thought Seo Ye Ji more than held her own with him. It was good to see a strong, capable FL working with the ML to take down the villains.

The male villain was over the top, but tolerating him was a small price to pay for the entertainment I derived from this drama.

Naz- Don’t feel bad. I dropped and started this drama four times for the same reasons you stated about it being so popular. I had the same problem you did with the FL and never warmed up to her despite some character growth in the second and third acts. I finished watching the drama but it was painful to get through. I never could understand the unconditional love and devotion the character inspired in others. Some people are absolutely devoted to this story and characters and that’s okay. We all have stories and characters we like but it doesn’t mean we all have to like the same things- vive la difference!

So did he. He was
emotionally
distant and verbally unkind for most of the story and then all of the sudden he can’t live without her. Seemed like an unhealthy relationship for both characters.

I kept wanting to shout, “Run girl! Run!”

Beautifully acted, well made movie, but gut wrenching.

So happy this is going to be on Netflix! I usually binge shows but for this one I will be patient and watch episodes as they come out. Hoping it’s good.

This would not be a show I would normally watch but couldn’t sleep one night and tried it on Netflix. Orange is the New Black did nothing for me, gave up after a few episodes. I made it through one episode of OZ. Prison Playbook captured my attention. Is it wrong to say a prison show was heart warming? Completely unexpected. The relationships that developed and positive character growth of some of the characters made for an entertaining drama.

+1000 : )

Thank you for this insight as it helps explain many female characters in Asian films and dramas. As a female viewer it can be frustrating to watch at times.

In too many American films and tv shows women are still under-represented and poorly written. There are exceptions but often even when a film or show stars a woman or women they are written about women and not for women.

I guess we all still have a long way to go for equity and diversity.

Thanks again!

All I have to say is, “Don’t do it 8th brother!” (Scarlet Heart Ryeo)

Ugh. White savior movie. I watched it for Mark Chao and Ni Ni. I wish MC had more opportunities to star in English speaking movies. Unfortunately, opportunities are rare.

This is just my opinion and apologies to those who loved this romcom and/or it was part of their childhood memories.
I watched this on Netflix and for me I kept wishing for an editor’s or producer’s wand. I would have cut the 39 episodes in half. It started out promising but I found the acting and story lacking. The lighting, sound, and music were painful at times. Most troubling for me was when they were separated and he was supposed to be pining for the FL but still banging the ballerina and planning to marry her. And the FL wasn’t even allowed to kiss the hot and considerate Dylan. Ultimately, I decided the ML and FL were right for each other. He was as they kept saying a childish jerk and she wasn’t very bright. I’ve been watching this off and on for awhile but am relieved to have finally finished it and pleased that everyone got their HEA (well, except for Dylan, but he’s a rich, handsome dude so he won’t be on the market for long!).