One strange observation : both the FL and the second couple’s FL repeatedly smack their love interests, and the show treats it as playful or harmless. Reverse the genders and imagine a man repeatedly smacking a woman “playfully”—we would immediately recognize it as unacceptable. Why should the standard change simply because the person being hit is male? Unwanted physical touch & aggression does not become harmless, funny or empowering based on gender. If we expect men to respect women’s physical boundaries, women should be held to exactly the same standard.
the break up was sooo unnecessary and it threw me of the course. And also the relationship with her mother. She…
Agreed trauma isn't just physical, this here is the perfect example of mental abuse & trauma caused by the mother. Why was she forgiven? The FL said to her mother "while missing you, the more I hate you, the more I became stronger" She has serious issues from abandonment. Mother really was a selfish person that was sadly glorified in this drama.
What an incredible show, and what an exceptionally green-flag ML. It does a beautiful job of portraying women’s strength and advocating for equality—but I wish it had been equally clear about what that strength should stand for: loyalty, kindness, responsibility and mutual sacrifice, not selfishness disguised as empowerment.
The FL’s words to her mother in Episode 24 say it all: “Since the day you left, I’ve missed you more every day. The more I missed you, the weaker I got. The more I hated you, the tougher I got.” She is portrayed as the toughest kid on the block, yet no child should have to build that kind of strength from abandonment, resentment and pain.
Walking away from a little girl and a husband to pursue a career should never be romanticized, normalized or celebrated—whether the parent is a mother or a father. A career built on the broken pieces of your child’s happiness is not success. If the parent in this story were a man, would we be so quick to defend, forgive and celebrate him? I doubt it.
And this is where dramas need to be more responsible. Mental trauma and emotional abandonment are not somehow harmless simply because there are no visible bruises. Nor should children always be the ones expected to understand, forgive and carry the emotional burden of the adults who hurt them.
The same applies to our portrayal of men. Why must the ideal man be the brilliant achiever, future CEO, breakfast-maker, dinner-cook, perpetual pursuer, constant sacrificer—and always the first to apologize?
Let’s advocate for something better: a society where women can be ambitious without glorifying selfishness, men can be caring without being exploited, and both partners are expected to show up, compromise, sacrifice and work hard—for each other, their families, their friends and society at large.
Empowerment should elevate humanity, not excuse the absence of it.
This is just my personal view, and I completely understand if others see it differently—no offence intended.Overall,…
Ditto! With her behavior they could have shown some redemption at the end. But the show was for female audience at large and remained the same till the end.
With a predominantly female audience, why would anyone want to see the FL apologize? Her unwavering , unapologetic victory is their triumph; reflection and accountability, apparently, are for the losers.
A girl never needs to apologize or reflect. Redemption is a man’s job. Even something as simple as calling a dog by his name is apparently not something she needs to reconsider—or even recognize as problematic. The man, naturally, is the one expected to reflect, change, and redeem himself.
Haven't watched the last episode yet, but she too should've said sorry to Luke for dismissing his love and care…
But what I’ve learned from this drama is that, if you’re a woman, you should never apologize or change your ways. The man will be in the palm of your hand. Redemption is the man’s responsibility alone, while the ratings and audience remain afloat.
I want to understand that Flora was going through a lot at that point but a part of me can't help but feel like…
Since these dramas are aimed primarily at female audiences, we already know how they’ll make the redemption arc only for the man— even more painful to watch
K-Drama 
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The FL’s words to her mother in Episode 24 say it all: “Since the day you left, I’ve missed you more every day. The more I missed you, the weaker I got. The more I hated you, the tougher I got.” She is portrayed as the toughest kid on the block, yet no child should have to build that kind of strength from abandonment, resentment and pain.
Walking away from a little girl and a husband to pursue a career should never be romanticized, normalized or celebrated—whether the parent is a mother or a father. A career built on the broken pieces of your child’s happiness is not success. If the parent in this story were a man, would we be so quick to defend, forgive and celebrate him? I doubt it.
And this is where dramas need to be more responsible. Mental trauma and emotional abandonment are not somehow harmless simply because there are no visible bruises. Nor should children always be the ones expected to understand, forgive and carry the emotional burden of the adults who hurt them.
The same applies to our portrayal of men. Why must the ideal man be the brilliant achiever, future CEO, breakfast-maker, dinner-cook, perpetual pursuer, constant sacrificer—and always the first to apologize?
Let’s advocate for something better: a society where women can be ambitious without glorifying selfishness, men can be caring without being exploited, and both partners are expected to show up, compromise, sacrifice and work hard—for each other, their families, their friends and society at large.
Empowerment should elevate humanity, not excuse the absence of it.