Slow start. For a while, I only watched it to see the downfall of the assistant. Then the show started to feel…
It was an opportunity to send a message that friendship shouldn't be sacrificed because you both liked/loved the same person. People forget that “All is fair in love and war” and when it happens to friends, it's “May the best man win”.
Today, it's all about some foolish rule like “bro code” or “s/he shouldn't have done that” as if there is a law that we all agreed upon when we started to fall in love. It was a good opportunity to remind people.
Remember, the show is about true-to-life stories and real-life situations. Like Yong-Pil's father, for being how the way he was, that is true and is still happening to this day. The poor guy didn't commit a crime, he's in deep pain, and shielding himself up. And even though it is clear he doesn't want anyone else to die, he immediately goes back to his safe zone. He obviously wanted to get out of that safe zone, but he can't do it.
Yet, there are people who said Yong-Pil should've left his father because his father was an arse, and this and that. People, who mostly haven't experienced or were lucky enough to have not experienced it, think that have the right to judge such a person.
The assistant. She was placed there to be a contrast to Yong-Pil's father. The writer expected people will hate the father, so they created the assistant. What's the contrast? It is to show that the assistant committed a crime (multiple crimes at that) and were all intentional too.
Between the assistant and the father, which as expected many audiences hated, it was clear that the father is suffering while the assistant is greedy. Do we have the father for being in deep pain and put his shields up to protect himself from further pain? Or, do we direct that hate to someone who is greedy and even committed fraud and other crimes?
Many still refused and still hates the father, which only brings us to the point why the writer included these twists and characters, including the love triangle.
It's not a “romantic story” to make people feel good and lovey dopey and all that. It's a take on waking people up that “hey, this is the real world you are taking for granted”.
Proof? How in E15 and E16 they obviously showed, yet so many people still missed, people are quick to judge based on what little information they have, and refuse to listen to the other side of the story.
Those “friends” and “business partners” of Samdal who once believed she was guilty, and then later saying “I knew you didn't do it”, are the same people who judged the Yong-Pil's father; or judged the friends of Yong-Pil who pushed the 2ML to tell his feelings to Samdal; or judged the 2ML for being in love.
That's the message and lesson the writer wants to convey. “Wake up people, these things actually happen in real life.”
E16: That 2-in-1 laptop, wow, what brand was it? For that to be there, there is a new model.
Those type of laptops are generally not good, they break easily the most you use it as a tablet. I guess a brand in Korea found a way to make these better.
Yet another lesson from this show, this time from E16:
People who once told her she's guilty, and then left her alone, are now telling her that they knew she's innocent. They did not even apologise, instead, they made themselves a saint.
Those are the kind of people we should cut from our lives. They are not worth it to be an acquaintance or even a temporary business partner. People, and businesses, like that, are the scum of humanity and society.
E15. When the 3 power rangers were talking about how the government office suddenly dropped her to “just save themselves” without hearing Samdal's side, and how it was the same the first it happened.
I don't know about you guys and girls, but it's ironically referring to what Shin Hye Sun experienced in Mr. Queen when she got hit because of a dialogue. The companies who paid her to promote their products dropped her and demanded that she pay them back + damages for breach of contract. No one listened to her side of the story, they all just:
“left her to save themselves”.
I hope that subtle reference wasn't missed in Korea, where this type of “we enjoy destroying people more than the facts” “[toxic] culture” is very strong.
After 12.4% rating Welcome to SamDalri became24th Tv cable Drama in history with highest rating8th highest JTBC…
Exactly.
People were complaining how Netflix and others failed to promote it. But, as I've explained, they knew they don't need to do promotions because they knew the story and the cast can bring in the ratings.
As someone who works for the marketing department myself, you have to know and understand which products need promotions and which can survive on its own. This way, you can spend that budget where most required.
That's what they all saw after reviewing the plot and the cast. They knew it can stand on its own.
I know the feeling of being best friends and both of you like the same girl.
That scene in E15 reminded me of that day when I found out my best friend also like the girl I like. We talked and we both agreed, “May the best man win”.
A year later, when the girl started dating me, my best friend and I had another talk, like that scene in E15. Like them, we handled it perfectly well for high schoolers. Friendship does not have to end just because. Matured people know that “All is fair in love and war”.
i'm sorry but a lot of people here in the comments are acting like freaking saints. you can be angry at moeun…
EXACTLY!
And they call it "not credible", "unrealistic", "dumb writing". LMAO.
I guess they are experts, and the rest of us who've been through it, and those of who've seen or experienced getting back together and learning to forgive, are all fakes and liars.
LMAO.
I hope they can tell me how to migrate to their paradise because they seem to be living in one.
Japanese original drama has the cult status for many reasons.This remake will not, mainly because of one.The viewers…
Wow, what a bold statement that "going back" is "not credible". I guess you've never experienced it, and have no one around you did.
I can't even count how many happy couples I know who, to quote you, went "back to deeply destructive relationship" and now have a "happy ending".
I am sorry that you have such a negative view in people and in life. Maybe someone deeply hurt you and now you assume every single person and relationship can never change or be saved. It's fine if that's how you see it, but please don't assume "going back" is "not credible". You practically just said all of those couples who did are fakes and how everyone assumes the way you do.
Yes, I was offended, in case you're wondering why I'm reacting this way.
Waste of effort anyway. No one cares about ratings on MDL. The de facto sites are IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, trakt.…
I'm one of the comment-active Filipinos here. ^_^
You'll usually see me leaving comments in shows: 1. That were based on true-to-life stories. 2. Time travel.
And you'll probably see me get embroiled in some debate when it comes to stories based on true-to-life situations and characters. While explaining time travel for time travel related shows.
Also, my age is fixed at 28, so, you get the idea. I have a different perspective on things when it comes to shows with situations and characters based on true-to-life or real-life stories. For example, when I see someone say “unrealistic”, I'll have a lot of words about why it is actually “realistic”. Hahahaha. I mean, either I've experienced it or I've seen it. (And it's kinda offensive to say it was “unrealistic” because it practically means what we've experienced were lies.)
The other reason why shows bashed and hated here on MDL are popular elsewhere, like here in the Philippines, is because of culture as well.
For example, we Filipinos will smile and laugh in the midst of extreme hardships. We Filipinos will still find hope and hold on to it, even if that hope is as small as a grain of sand. And we enter into a relationship as young as 14 years of age, so experience in relationships is pretty much a thing. Not to mention, local dramas are almost always about relationships, love stories, break-ups, and revenge.
Putting it all together, our way of thinking is highly influenced by our real-life experiences and what we see from our friends and from the TV. What is “unrealistic” for many of the MDL users, are very real for us.
You wouldn't even see the word “unrealistic” in Filipino K-drama groups. No one ever uses that word.
Another thing. We Filipinos can differentiate between fiction and non-fiction. No matter how emotional and engaging a show is, there is a line that we draw. We don't say, “the writer is bad” or “the writer doesn't know what they're doing”. It's fiction, period. It is the story by the writer, period. Our comeback to such comments is almost always, “if you think you can do better, then do it yourself”. (We're not talking about obvious errors.)
I'm not saying there are no overtly sensitive Filipinos. There are, of course. (And usually politicians at that. LOL.)
I can't speak for Indonesians, but at least for those I'm exposed to, they generally share a similar view on things. The Philippines and Indonesia are, culturally and socially, in a bitter-sweet relationship. We agree on a lot of things, and stand together, but once it's just the two of us, we bash each other. ROFL.
oh my god... how can a show have a worse debut lineup than runext.... only gehlee and hyeonju from my picks will…
If you're worried about Elisia because she's 14, you don't have to worry about her.
* She's a child actress. * She's been singing since she was 6 years old. * She's a model.
Underage (below 18) individuals who are working, especially in the entertainment industry, are protected in the Philippines. To mention a few requirements: 1. They need to maintain passing grades in all of their subjects. 2. They need to attend a minimum number of school days. 3. Their parents have the final say; not the kid.
Since Elisia, and Gehlee for that matter, are still underage and are still Philippine citizens, they are still under Philippine laws. They wouldn't be able to make a decision for themselves until they turn 18, by which time, they are either about to graduate or have graduated from High School. The Philippine Department of Education keep tabs on them all.
In addition to that, our labour code also applies to them, especially the provisions for underage individuals working for the entertainment industry. So, the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment will also keep tabs on them.
Child actors, singers, models, are nothing new in the Philippines. Fourteen (14) is no longer young for us as far as working in the entertainment industry is concerned. They know what they are doing. This was already their life. They've been working before they joined the Universe Ticket.
In fact, as I posted here before, F&F Entertainment cancelled the UNIS's 1st concert in February citing E-6 visa and academics. This was after Elisia secured her spot, and Gehlee almost made it.
Considering the timing, it is safe to assume that the cancellation was related to at least both of them. (I'm not sure what the laws are in Japan, so no idea.)
At least for Elisia and Gehlee, they'll be fine. They will graduate from High School as scheduled, as if they never debuted at all. They're not even allowed to stop their school unless there's a very valid reason, and related government agencies, together with their parents, approved it.
Schooling did not even stop in the Philippines during lockdown. Even the native Koreans who were studying here, and had to go back to Korea during the lockdown, had to continue their Philippine schooling through remote attendance.
If it is just because Elisia is 14, well, again, as I mentioned, she's a child actress and singing since she was 6 years old. This was her choice, this is her dream, they follow Philippine requirements, and her parents support her fully. (The same with Gehlee.)
1 
“UNIS” was the one that won the contest. The person who submitted it received a brand new iPhone. ^_^
Today, it's all about some foolish rule like “bro code” or “s/he shouldn't have done that” as if there is a law that we all agreed upon when we started to fall in love. It was a good opportunity to remind people.
Remember, the show is about true-to-life stories and real-life situations. Like Yong-Pil's father, for being how the way he was, that is true and is still happening to this day. The poor guy didn't commit a crime, he's in deep pain, and shielding himself up. And even though it is clear he doesn't want anyone else to die, he immediately goes back to his safe zone. He obviously wanted to get out of that safe zone, but he can't do it.
Yet, there are people who said Yong-Pil should've left his father because his father was an arse, and this and that. People, who mostly haven't experienced or were lucky enough to have not experienced it, think that have the right to judge such a person.
The assistant. She was placed there to be a contrast to Yong-Pil's father. The writer expected people will hate the father, so they created the assistant. What's the contrast? It is to show that the assistant committed a crime (multiple crimes at that) and were all intentional too.
Between the assistant and the father, which as expected many audiences hated, it was clear that the father is suffering while the assistant is greedy. Do we have the father for being in deep pain and put his shields up to protect himself from further pain? Or, do we direct that hate to someone who is greedy and even committed fraud and other crimes?
Many still refused and still hates the father, which only brings us to the point why the writer included these twists and characters, including the love triangle.
It's not a “romantic story” to make people feel good and lovey dopey and all that. It's a take on waking people up that “hey, this is the real world you are taking for granted”.
Proof? How in E15 and E16 they obviously showed, yet so many people still missed, people are quick to judge based on what little information they have, and refuse to listen to the other side of the story.
Those “friends” and “business partners” of Samdal who once believed she was guilty, and then later saying “I knew you didn't do it”, are the same people who judged the Yong-Pil's father; or judged the friends of Yong-Pil who pushed the 2ML to tell his feelings to Samdal; or judged the 2ML for being in love.
That's the message and lesson the writer wants to convey. “Wake up people, these things actually happen in real life.”
^_^
I guess it can be both.
Those type of laptops are generally not good, they break easily the most you use it as a tablet. I guess a brand in Korea found a way to make these better.
People who once told her she's guilty, and then left her alone, are now telling her that they knew she's innocent. They did not even apologise, instead, they made themselves a saint.
Those are the kind of people we should cut from our lives. They are not worth it to be an acquaintance or even a temporary business partner. People, and businesses, like that, are the scum of humanity and society.
I don't know about you guys and girls, but it's ironically referring to what Shin Hye Sun experienced in Mr. Queen when she got hit because of a dialogue. The companies who paid her to promote their products dropped her and demanded that she pay them back + damages for breach of contract. No one listened to her side of the story, they all just:
“left her to save themselves”.
I hope that subtle reference wasn't missed in Korea, where this type of “we enjoy destroying people more than the facts” “[toxic] culture” is very strong.
People were complaining how Netflix and others failed to promote it. But, as I've explained, they knew they don't need to do promotions because they knew the story and the cast can bring in the ratings.
As someone who works for the marketing department myself, you have to know and understand which products need promotions and which can survive on its own. This way, you can spend that budget where most required.
That's what they all saw after reviewing the plot and the cast. They knew it can stand on its own.
That scene in E15 reminded me of that day when I found out my best friend also like the girl I like. We talked and we both agreed, “May the best man win”.
A year later, when the girl started dating me, my best friend and I had another talk, like that scene in E15. Like them, we handled it perfectly well for high schoolers. Friendship does not have to end just because. Matured people know that “All is fair in love and war”.
Now I understand.
For sure those people are the type of "humans" who were wronged once or twice and now assumes everyone is out to wrong them.
Or, maybe they're living in some paradise where everything is perfect.
LOL. If I learn a person wants perfection in everything and won't budge like these commenters, I'll follow their advice in the comments: RUN!
ROFLOL.
And they call it "not credible", "unrealistic", "dumb writing". LMAO.
I guess they are experts, and the rest of us who've been through it, and those of who've seen or experienced getting back together and learning to forgive, are all fakes and liars.
LMAO.
I hope they can tell me how to migrate to their paradise because they seem to be living in one.
I can't even count how many happy couples I know who, to quote you, went "back to deeply destructive relationship" and now have a "happy ending".
I am sorry that you have such a negative view in people and in life. Maybe someone deeply hurt you and now you assume every single person and relationship can never change or be saved. It's fine if that's how you see it, but please don't assume "going back" is "not credible". You practically just said all of those couples who did are fakes and how everyone assumes the way you do.
Yes, I was offended, in case you're wondering why I'm reacting this way.
I've been there. I myself broke my life-long principle in relationships. I did it.
Someone else also did it to me. Gave up because the person can no longer stand our differences, how I am autistic.
They did well in portraying real-life and true-to-life situations.
You'll usually see me leaving comments in shows:
1. That were based on true-to-life stories.
2. Time travel.
And you'll probably see me get embroiled in some debate when it comes to stories based on true-to-life situations and characters. While explaining time travel for time travel related shows.
Also, my age is fixed at 28, so, you get the idea. I have a different perspective on things when it comes to shows with situations and characters based on true-to-life or real-life stories. For example, when I see someone say “unrealistic”, I'll have a lot of words about why it is actually “realistic”. Hahahaha. I mean, either I've experienced it or I've seen it. (And it's kinda offensive to say it was “unrealistic” because it practically means what we've experienced were lies.)
The other reason why shows bashed and hated here on MDL are popular elsewhere, like here in the Philippines, is because of culture as well.
For example, we Filipinos will smile and laugh in the midst of extreme hardships. We Filipinos will still find hope and hold on to it, even if that hope is as small as a grain of sand. And we enter into a relationship as young as 14 years of age, so experience in relationships is pretty much a thing. Not to mention, local dramas are almost always about relationships, love stories, break-ups, and revenge.
Putting it all together, our way of thinking is highly influenced by our real-life experiences and what we see from our friends and from the TV. What is “unrealistic” for many of the MDL users, are very real for us.
You wouldn't even see the word “unrealistic” in Filipino K-drama groups. No one ever uses that word.
Another thing. We Filipinos can differentiate between fiction and non-fiction. No matter how emotional and engaging a show is, there is a line that we draw. We don't say, “the writer is bad” or “the writer doesn't know what they're doing”. It's fiction, period. It is the story by the writer, period. Our comeback to such comments is almost always, “if you think you can do better, then do it yourself”. (We're not talking about obvious errors.)
I'm not saying there are no overtly sensitive Filipinos. There are, of course. (And usually politicians at that. LOL.)
I can't speak for Indonesians, but at least for those I'm exposed to, they generally share a similar view on things. The Philippines and Indonesia are, culturally and socially, in a bitter-sweet relationship. We agree on a lot of things, and stand together, but once it's just the two of us, we bash each other. ROFL.
* She's a child actress.
* She's been singing since she was 6 years old.
* She's a model.
Underage (below 18) individuals who are working, especially in the entertainment industry, are protected in the Philippines. To mention a few requirements:
1. They need to maintain passing grades in all of their subjects.
2. They need to attend a minimum number of school days.
3. Their parents have the final say; not the kid.
Since Elisia, and Gehlee for that matter, are still underage and are still Philippine citizens, they are still under Philippine laws. They wouldn't be able to make a decision for themselves until they turn 18, by which time, they are either about to graduate or have graduated from High School. The Philippine Department of Education keep tabs on them all.
In addition to that, our labour code also applies to them, especially the provisions for underage individuals working for the entertainment industry. So, the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment will also keep tabs on them.
Child actors, singers, models, are nothing new in the Philippines. Fourteen (14) is no longer young for us as far as working in the entertainment industry is concerned. They know what they are doing. This was already their life. They've been working before they joined the Universe Ticket.
In fact, as I posted here before, F&F Entertainment cancelled the UNIS's 1st concert in February citing E-6 visa and academics. This was after Elisia secured her spot, and Gehlee almost made it.
Considering the timing, it is safe to assume that the cancellation was related to at least both of them. (I'm not sure what the laws are in Japan, so no idea.)
At least for Elisia and Gehlee, they'll be fine. They will graduate from High School as scheduled, as if they never debuted at all. They're not even allowed to stop their school unless there's a very valid reason, and related government agencies, together with their parents, approved it.
Schooling did not even stop in the Philippines during lockdown. Even the native Koreans who were studying here, and had to go back to Korea during the lockdown, had to continue their Philippine schooling through remote attendance.
If it is just because Elisia is 14, well, again, as I mentioned, she's a child actress and singing since she was 6 years old. This was her choice, this is her dream, they follow Philippine requirements, and her parents support her fully. (The same with Gehlee.)
^_^