This review may contain spoilers
Will Use When Convenient - A Gaslighting Story
The biggest issue with this drama is the complete lack of meaningful character growth from either the male lead (ML) or the female lead (FL). While the story tries to convey that being an undertaker is an honorable and respectable profession, it ultimately undermines its own message. The ML is portrayed as so insecure and ashamed of his profession that he accepts behavior in his relationships that no one with healthy self-respect should tolerate.
The drama begins with the ML staying in a seven-year relationship out of guilt rather than love. When his girlfriend cheats on him and leaves, he simply accepts it with little resistance, almost as though he believes he deserves it because of his profession.
Afterward, the FL enters his life and aggressively pursues him, but instead of building a mature relationship, she repeatedly puts him through emotionally damaging situations. Some of the most frustrating examples include:
1. Kissing him unexpectedly at a train station while already planning to leave town permanently, giving him false hope.
2. Initiating intimacy herself, then accusing him of sexual assault after becoming embarrassed about her prosthetic leg.
3. Getting engaged, then secretly planning to leave for over two years, only revealing her decision when she is already at the train station.
Any one of these incidents would be enough to end a relationship built on trust. These acts are usually the actions of the villainous 2nd leads. Instead, every conflict is resolved with a brief gaslighting conversation, and the ML immediately forgives everything without requiring accountability or meaningful change. Rather than growing stronger throughout the story, he becomes someone who acts as a doormat to preserve the relationship.
The drama appears to expect viewers to excuse much of the FL's behavior because of the emotional struggles associated with her disability. While her insecurities are understandable and deserving of empathy, they do not justify repeatedly hurting people and being a selfish human being. Unfortunately, the writing doesn't hold her accountable, making it difficult to see genuine personal growth.
By the end, neither lead has evolved satisfactorily, leaving you wondering about the state of their relationship. They are at the same position as promising to be together, but nothing the FL has done has shown that she won't repeat the same pattern. The ML never learns to value himself enough to establish healthy boundaries, and the FL never fully learns to communicate honestly or consider the emotional consequences of her actions. As a result, what could have been a thoughtful story about healing, acceptance, and love instead becomes a frustrating romance built on repeated forgiveness without meaningful change.
The drama begins with the ML staying in a seven-year relationship out of guilt rather than love. When his girlfriend cheats on him and leaves, he simply accepts it with little resistance, almost as though he believes he deserves it because of his profession.
Afterward, the FL enters his life and aggressively pursues him, but instead of building a mature relationship, she repeatedly puts him through emotionally damaging situations. Some of the most frustrating examples include:
1. Kissing him unexpectedly at a train station while already planning to leave town permanently, giving him false hope.
2. Initiating intimacy herself, then accusing him of sexual assault after becoming embarrassed about her prosthetic leg.
3. Getting engaged, then secretly planning to leave for over two years, only revealing her decision when she is already at the train station.
Any one of these incidents would be enough to end a relationship built on trust. These acts are usually the actions of the villainous 2nd leads. Instead, every conflict is resolved with a brief gaslighting conversation, and the ML immediately forgives everything without requiring accountability or meaningful change. Rather than growing stronger throughout the story, he becomes someone who acts as a doormat to preserve the relationship.
The drama appears to expect viewers to excuse much of the FL's behavior because of the emotional struggles associated with her disability. While her insecurities are understandable and deserving of empathy, they do not justify repeatedly hurting people and being a selfish human being. Unfortunately, the writing doesn't hold her accountable, making it difficult to see genuine personal growth.
By the end, neither lead has evolved satisfactorily, leaving you wondering about the state of their relationship. They are at the same position as promising to be together, but nothing the FL has done has shown that she won't repeat the same pattern. The ML never learns to value himself enough to establish healthy boundaries, and the FL never fully learns to communicate honestly or consider the emotional consequences of her actions. As a result, what could have been a thoughtful story about healing, acceptance, and love instead becomes a frustrating romance built on repeated forgiveness without meaningful change.
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