It wasn't an easy watch. It's dark. The “friends” “connection” is also disturbing in a way that you do not know who your friends are and thus who you can actually trust. As human beings, connections are important, and the deeper it is, the harder it becomes to see them break one-by-one. The betrayal can become too much.
However, they did well in the finale episode. They beautifully weaved that “friends” “connection” back to the light where it should be. They showed that friendships are real, and it breaks when money and greed gets the best of us. But, if we can get over it, a friendship that was broken can be restored and it's deeper than it originally was because of what you all have to go through.
Building long-lasting relationships really is complex and complicated. The only way to truly permanently glue that friendship and relationship is when it breaks and you fight. This is where most relationships, even between partners/spouses fail, how can you all get back up?
Yet, as this show demonstrated what it actually is in real life, once you get back up and reconcile your differences, that is when true friendship, true relationship, a true family-ness, begins, and it can never be broken again (well… maybe if one chose to break it there's nothing that can be done about it).
A good example are the soldiers who've faced wars. They are so tight-knit, you can never break them. The reason is the same, they went through the most grueling things a human being can ever face… death, killing, justice, mental/psychological/philosophical challenges, and many more. They understand each other in ways most people will never understand. It “connects” them.
Morals of the story: 1. Choose wisely who you surround yourself with; most especially who you call “friends”. 2. When everything comes crashing down with your relationships, aim to reconcile. It will truly “connect” you in ways no one can imagine (unless they went through something similar).
S01 was good. S02 was nowhere close to S01 story quality.
If they're going to do S03: * I also prefer Stella, no offense Sally. * Bring back Lt. Cha. * Don't repeat the S02 mistakes: a. No conclusion to the S02 arc. b. The individual cases weren't that good, and consumed 2-3 episodes. Some of those should've consumed 1 to 2 episodes at most. c. Seriously? Trying to string a romance with Dr. Baek? He still hasn't resolved his emotional pain, and other ghosts from his past, and you tried to create a romance with the character? d. What happened to character development? The story Dr. Baek is not yet over. S02 should've shown how he's trying to resolve the other ghosts from his past. But… nope… nothing. He got stuck as a paper or machine. e. The list goes on.
Again… S01 was good, and then S02 was meh.
If you want to do multiple Seasons: 1. always conclude the Season Arc. 2. never forget to continue character development. 3. build the relationship between the characters… not by inserting romance where it isn't needed. Relationship is not just about romance. 4. Multi-episode arcs should at most only have 2 episodes. If you want to do a 3-episode arc, it should be your best plot, not same old dull moments. 5. It doesn't have to be linear. You can insert a case or two that has nothing to do with the Season Arc, and only makes sense in the season finale as part of the cliffhanger. A way to prepare for S03.
Argh. I rarely do this type of feedback because I believe that writers have a story in their mind already that just doesn't fit in one season. But there are rare times when things have to be said, especially when they did well in the first season.
The way the second season was executed, it was as if the network demanded a S02 but it was never in the plan of the writer(s). Something like, “They want us to make S02! Get everyone here and let's come up with something, anything!”
Anyway… they need to repeat the formula for S01, not S02, when they start to work for S03. They don't need to surpass S01. A good story and execution doesn't mean you have to do better than your most successful Season.
Gawd. Bio mom sure doesn't know when to stop. She's only making things worse. I know what it is like because I'm living with one! They may not have the same story but they are both are estranged, and I'm tired with the complaints when the person doesn't even want to listen.
How hard is it to understand to give someone space and time? Why keep pushing yourself into a person's life? Also, as an adult, you should know better than to do that. You have more experience, and you should have more patience and understanding.
But, nooooooo, she's doing everything she can to make it everything worse. Yes, yes, you want to do things for your long lost daughter… but come on: 1. Stop patronizing her. 2. Stop acting like a victim. 3. Stop forcing yourself into her life.
She's having a mix of emotions and conflicting thoughts. She lived 27 years of her life with false information. She needs time to get at peace with that. She needs time to sort out her feelings.
She already know everything, so give her space and time However, the more you push yourself into that person's life, the more they'll stay far. Is it so hard to understand?
Also, that f***** grandma who has nothing to do with them… she should shut the hell up. She doesn't have any right to open her mouth.
Oh em gee. Really? Bio mom? What happened to her being patient? Now she wants to push Suji to understand her and accept her.
Well, then, I guess mothers are like that.
Uri already planted seeds of doubt, and she just messed it all. Gawd. Now Suji is very angry, which is a normal reaction at this point.
The problem with it is that Suji is hurting everyone around her, and most especially herself. She will either regret it later, or forget everything and continue down the path of hatred, which will turn into bitterness, and total cut-off from everyone.
Why are there people who don't know when to talk and when to be patient? Mind you, there are people like that, and I'm living with one, which turned out exactly similarly… they eventually became so estranged because one party doesn't understand when to speak and when to shut the hell up.
If someone doesn't want to listen, you just go straight to the truth, and let them process that once they run away. It is the only way to get across them, especially in a case where they received incorrect information.
No one. Absolutely no one can argue when you tell them “I got into an accident and was hospitalized for two years”. But, noooo, she kept focusing on “I did not abandon you”. Telling the truth is proof that you never abandoned her. However, saying, “I did not abandon you” doesn't prove anything and will indeed only make it worse.
She got into an accident, almost died, two years in the hospital, that was the most perfect and truthful “excuse” one can give. You can ask for forgiveness and clarify everything else later.
You need the break that incorrect information the other person believed their entire life. That accident was the perfect one to plant the seed of doubt in Sujin's mind. But she missed that opportunity.
You know… just freaking say it because the other person will never want to hear any of it. Just freaking say it.
She was even in a coma for two months. No one can fault someone and continue to accuse you of “abandoning” them. Like, the F*, you should run to another planet if a comatosed person is walking by themselves just to look for their child. LMAO.
Basically, it's Matrix + Jedi vs Sith + AI + Aeon + Contact + Jung_E + Akira + Terminator + … you know what, forget it. It's a mashed-up of multiple Western, Korean, and Japanese science fiction films and anime. Was it intentional? Probably not, but it was definitely inspired by a lot of other great films. The CGI and scenes firmly established where the inspirations came from.
It's good enough. The story is there, if we are not careful, AI can take over. Think of it as a 2024 retelling of an AI gone mankind's doom.
My favourite character here is Lee Myung Ho, since he was introduced. Theater actors truly are masters of the art of acting. Throw them whatever role, they'll make their character alive and natural, as if they're actually that character, and no, they are not doing “method acting” (which, mind you, many actors and directors are against it).
Can you name other K-drama actors who originally came from and had an extensive experience as a theater actor? There are lot in the Korean industry than anywhere in the world!
OMG, ROFLMAO. This is soooo funny. Great cast too!
It's also so unusual to see Choi Jin Hyuk in a very comedic show. His face and acting is too serious. But you know, it is always funnier when serious faces are doing comedy, especially if they have low voice!
Eunji in this role would've been weird if not for her Drink Now, Work Later role. Haha. I see her as a serious type as well because of Blind. I barely remember her role in Reply 1997 lols.
Uhm.....What is the point of the last minute pregnancy subplot again--2nd revolt, and death of baddies?
It wasn't a subplot, it was a literary device to give the new king a chance to show his good side. They need this to balance out his immediate fierce actions and decisions the moment he was crowned king. As well as, to put a more hopeful end to what have been a tragic discovery of the secret affair. It's called, “has come full circle”.
It is a a tragic love story between two adults. It's not a story about the Missing Crown Prince, in the first place he was only missing for like 6 episodes.
The focus of the story, and entire emotional impact, is about the Queen Mother and her ex-betrothed turned affair. And they executed it well and touched the emotions of most, if not all, of its audience. They are the real “main” characters, not the Crown Prince and his lover.
B. Once the truth about Nayoung comes out, there is a big question of Hyunsung can handleit. He'll probably go crazy and end up in a mental institution.
C. There's also the issue between Hyunsung's parents. Will his mother tell everyone that his father is having an “emotional” affair with Suji's bio mom?
Imagine two scenarios: 1. That false scandal spreads. It will affect Suji because she's living with them and have a relationship with Uri. If the truth about Suji and her mom comes out, it's disaster. I'm suspecting Nayoung will be the one to reveal that to the public, if not to Suji directly.
2. The false scandal spreads AFTER Suji learns about her bio mom. They are living happily ever after, and boom. Scandal. And as usual, the media and keyboard warriors are going to create false stories and drag Suji down again. And Nayoung was the one who spread the scandal after she heard it from Hyunsung's mother.
D. What's going to happen to half-brother and Duri once the hidden truths are revealed?
1. Yep, they're definitely going the route of bio mom knowing it first so she can fix things before Suji learns the truth; as expected.
It's a good decision and easier to write. Suji is still recovering, and knowing the truth she's her bio mom, will only trigger her resentment even more, and won't be able to absorb the truth.
Also, I doubt they'll reveal the entire truth because it can lead to further hatred, especially against Nayoung. No matter what, Suji loves Nayoung. It will be very cruel to accidentally lead her down the path of hatred of Nayoung because of their mother.
However, they need to make sure Suji will learn it from bio mom only. If she learns the truth from others, it's going to be another disaster.
She also need to make sure that their present relationship can outshine Suji's resentment towards her. And I'm glad to see she's fully aware of what she did to her in the present.
Speaking of that last part…
2. Surprisingly, someone did notice bio mom changed her attitude towards Suji.
My analysis, she changed her attitude after she became their tenant. My reasoning was she started to force Suji to do chores even though she knew well how she's going through a mental and psychological breakdown. There's a proper time for each method, and forcing one is never a good idea. Then again, she's not a psychologist like Uri and Suji, so she wouldn't know. At least Uri was there.
It was a good point in the show that she started to change for the worst when she learned that Uri and Suji are falling in love. One could say that her motherly instinct kicked in and she became overprotective over Uri. So overprotective, that she failed to see that Hyun Sung was forcing himself in the life of Suji; instead she blamed Suji for not taking into consideration Hyun Sung's feelings, and it is not over until they both agree on it.
Of course, in the 21st century, that's a very bad logic. Hyun Sung was obsessed, and obsessed people are dangerous and require psychological intervention. If we are to follow bio mom's logic, Suji can never end her relationship with Hyun Sung unless the latter stops bothering her.
3. As expected, once she learned the truth, she starts changing again; and everyone started to notice it as well.
The question is, will it be enough to build a new relationship with her daughter? A new relationship that can outshine her daughter's misplaced resentment?
Sure, she can tell Suji the entire truth. But again, it's going to create deep hatred towards her step mom, and Nayoung in the process. Not only that, that hatred can also be directed to her father, who himself was a victim (as far as the lie is concerned), and to her younger half-brother.
If anything, the only truth she can tell Suji is how she was in an accident for two whole years. And by the time she looked for her, she learned they moved to the US; and haven't learned they returned until recently, when she decided to once again renew her efforts to find her.
1 
Either way, the writers were probably inspired by Suits, or they love the Suits format. ^_^
* Harvey Specter is Sin Chail.
* Mike Ross is Ku Hansu.
Hahaha, sooooooo AWESOME! Suits was the best lawyer drama, so I have a very high expectation for The Auditors.
However, they did well in the finale episode. They beautifully weaved that “friends” “connection” back to the light where it should be. They showed that friendships are real, and it breaks when money and greed gets the best of us. But, if we can get over it, a friendship that was broken can be restored and it's deeper than it originally was because of what you all have to go through.
Building long-lasting relationships really is complex and complicated. The only way to truly permanently glue that friendship and relationship is when it breaks and you fight. This is where most relationships, even between partners/spouses fail, how can you all get back up?
Yet, as this show demonstrated what it actually is in real life, once you get back up and reconcile your differences, that is when true friendship, true relationship, a true family-ness, begins, and it can never be broken again (well… maybe if one chose to break it there's nothing that can be done about it).
A good example are the soldiers who've faced wars. They are so tight-knit, you can never break them. The reason is the same, they went through the most grueling things a human being can ever face… death, killing, justice, mental/psychological/philosophical challenges, and many more. They understand each other in ways most people will never understand. It “connects” them.
Morals of the story:
1. Choose wisely who you surround yourself with; most especially who you call “friends”.
2. When everything comes crashing down with your relationships, aim to reconcile. It will truly “connect” you in ways no one can imagine (unless they went through something similar).
S02 was nowhere close to S01 story quality.
If they're going to do S03:
* I also prefer Stella, no offense Sally.
* Bring back Lt. Cha.
* Don't repeat the S02 mistakes:
a. No conclusion to the S02 arc.
b. The individual cases weren't that good, and consumed 2-3 episodes. Some of those should've consumed 1 to 2 episodes at most.
c. Seriously? Trying to string a romance with Dr. Baek? He still hasn't resolved his emotional pain, and other ghosts from his past, and you tried to create a romance with the character?
d. What happened to character development? The story Dr. Baek is not yet over. S02 should've shown how he's trying to resolve the other ghosts from his past. But… nope… nothing. He got stuck as a paper or machine.
e. The list goes on.
Again… S01 was good, and then S02 was meh.
If you want to do multiple Seasons:
1. always conclude the Season Arc.
2. never forget to continue character development.
3. build the relationship between the characters… not by inserting romance where it isn't needed. Relationship is not just about romance.
4. Multi-episode arcs should at most only have 2 episodes. If you want to do a 3-episode arc, it should be your best plot, not same old dull moments.
5. It doesn't have to be linear. You can insert a case or two that has nothing to do with the Season Arc, and only makes sense in the season finale as part of the cliffhanger. A way to prepare for S03.
Argh. I rarely do this type of feedback because I believe that writers have a story in their mind already that just doesn't fit in one season. But there are rare times when things have to be said, especially when they did well in the first season.
The way the second season was executed, it was as if the network demanded a S02 but it was never in the plan of the writer(s). Something like, “They want us to make S02! Get everyone here and let's come up with something, anything!”
Anyway… they need to repeat the formula for S01, not S02, when they start to work for S03. They don't need to surpass S01. A good story and execution doesn't mean you have to do better than your most successful Season.
How hard is it to understand to give someone space and time? Why keep pushing yourself into a person's life? Also, as an adult, you should know better than to do that. You have more experience, and you should have more patience and understanding.
But, nooooooo, she's doing everything she can to make it everything worse. Yes, yes, you want to do things for your long lost daughter… but come on:
1. Stop patronizing her.
2. Stop acting like a victim.
3. Stop forcing yourself into her life.
She's having a mix of emotions and conflicting thoughts. She lived 27 years of her life with false information. She needs time to get at peace with that. She needs time to sort out her feelings.
She already know everything, so give her space and time However, the more you push yourself into that person's life, the more they'll stay far. Is it so hard to understand?
Also, that f***** grandma who has nothing to do with them… she should shut the hell up. She doesn't have any right to open her mouth.
Well, then, I guess mothers are like that.
Uri already planted seeds of doubt, and she just messed it all. Gawd. Now Suji is very angry, which is a normal reaction at this point.
The problem with it is that Suji is hurting everyone around her, and most especially herself. She will either regret it later, or forget everything and continue down the path of hatred, which will turn into bitterness, and total cut-off from everyone.
Why are there people who don't know when to talk and when to be patient? Mind you, there are people like that, and I'm living with one, which turned out exactly similarly… they eventually became so estranged because one party doesn't understand when to speak and when to shut the hell up.
No one. Absolutely no one can argue when you tell them “I got into an accident and was hospitalized for two years”. But, noooo, she kept focusing on “I did not abandon you”. Telling the truth is proof that you never abandoned her. However, saying, “I did not abandon you” doesn't prove anything and will indeed only make it worse.
She got into an accident, almost died, two years in the hospital, that was the most perfect and truthful “excuse” one can give. You can ask for forgiveness and clarify everything else later.
You need the break that incorrect information the other person believed their entire life. That accident was the perfect one to plant the seed of doubt in Sujin's mind. But she missed that opportunity.
You know… just freaking say it because the other person will never want to hear any of it. Just freaking say it.
She was even in a coma for two months. No one can fault someone and continue to accuse you of “abandoning” them. Like, the F*, you should run to another planet if a comatosed person is walking by themselves just to look for their child. LMAO.
/facepalm
It's good enough. The story is there, if we are not careful, AI can take over. Think of it as a 2024 retelling of an AI gone mankind's doom.
Can you name other K-drama actors who originally came from and had an extensive experience as a theater actor? There are lot in the Korean industry than anywhere in the world!
It's also so unusual to see Choi Jin Hyuk in a very comedic show. His face and acting is too serious. But you know, it is always funnier when serious faces are doing comedy, especially if they have low voice!
Eunji in this role would've been weird if not for her Drink Now, Work Later role. Haha. I see her as a serious type as well because of Blind. I barely remember her role in Reply 1997 lols.
^_^
The focus of the story, and entire emotional impact, is about the Queen Mother and her ex-betrothed turned affair. And they executed it well and touched the emotions of most, if not all, of its audience. They are the real “main” characters, not the Crown Prince and his lover.
A. We're headed back to the Nayoung case.
B. Once the truth about Nayoung comes out, there is a big question of Hyunsung can handleit. He'll probably go crazy and end up in a mental institution.
C. There's also the issue between Hyunsung's parents. Will his mother tell everyone that his father is having an “emotional” affair with Suji's bio mom?
Imagine two scenarios:
1. That false scandal spreads. It will affect Suji because she's living with them and have a relationship with Uri. If the truth about Suji and her mom comes out, it's disaster. I'm suspecting Nayoung will be the one to reveal that to the public, if not to Suji directly.
2. The false scandal spreads AFTER Suji learns about her bio mom. They are living happily ever after, and boom. Scandal. And as usual, the media and keyboard warriors are going to create false stories and drag Suji down again. And Nayoung was the one who spread the scandal after she heard it from Hyunsung's mother.
D. What's going to happen to half-brother and Duri once the hidden truths are revealed?
It's a good decision and easier to write. Suji is still recovering, and knowing the truth she's her bio mom, will only trigger her resentment even more, and won't be able to absorb the truth.
Also, I doubt they'll reveal the entire truth because it can lead to further hatred, especially against Nayoung. No matter what, Suji loves Nayoung. It will be very cruel to accidentally lead her down the path of hatred of Nayoung because of their mother.
However, they need to make sure Suji will learn it from bio mom only. If she learns the truth from others, it's going to be another disaster.
She also need to make sure that their present relationship can outshine Suji's resentment towards her. And I'm glad to see she's fully aware of what she did to her in the present.
Speaking of that last part…
2. Surprisingly, someone did notice bio mom changed her attitude towards Suji.
My analysis, she changed her attitude after she became their tenant. My reasoning was she started to force Suji to do chores even though she knew well how she's going through a mental and psychological breakdown. There's a proper time for each method, and forcing one is never a good idea. Then again, she's not a psychologist like Uri and Suji, so she wouldn't know. At least Uri was there.
It was a good point in the show that she started to change for the worst when she learned that Uri and Suji are falling in love. One could say that her motherly instinct kicked in and she became overprotective over Uri. So overprotective, that she failed to see that Hyun Sung was forcing himself in the life of Suji; instead she blamed Suji for not taking into consideration Hyun Sung's feelings, and it is not over until they both agree on it.
Of course, in the 21st century, that's a very bad logic. Hyun Sung was obsessed, and obsessed people are dangerous and require psychological intervention. If we are to follow bio mom's logic, Suji can never end her relationship with Hyun Sung unless the latter stops bothering her.
3. As expected, once she learned the truth, she starts changing again; and everyone started to notice it as well.
The question is, will it be enough to build a new relationship with her daughter? A new relationship that can outshine her daughter's misplaced resentment?
Sure, she can tell Suji the entire truth. But again, it's going to create deep hatred towards her step mom, and Nayoung in the process. Not only that, that hatred can also be directed to her father, who himself was a victim (as far as the lie is concerned), and to her younger half-brother.
If anything, the only truth she can tell Suji is how she was in an accident for two whole years. And by the time she looked for her, she learned they moved to the US; and haven't learned they returned until recently, when she decided to once again renew her efforts to find her.
She has to avoid the lies.