It keeps hitting me how much this writer dropped the ball. We could’ve all been talking about the beautiful…
It’s pretty much a plot device to fling YJ overseas & to point out 2001 timeline.
The thing is NY wasn’t his only viable option. He didn’t want to work in NY because of money. His mental health didn’t need to suffer because - martyr complex (which is annoying trope). This could’ve been an important-pivotal point in YJ character development where he realize he doesn’t need to drown in distress for the sake of a job & acknowledge his limitations when times get tough it’s okay to reach out. Let ML be vulnerable & not ‘I’m going to keep all my misery to myself’ which is an annoying conflict in itself.
It’s like the writer wanted to address mental health but it barely scratch the surface because we never really to see it explored in depth. Then boom - time skips to 2009 yet we don’t really know what happens to YJ in 2021. Instead we’re left with a cryptic flashback in 20somethin’15 with a security question of YJ at UBS 😒
It would been nice to see the romantic relationship explored where it elevated the characters & not serve as a plot device solely for a break up to happen. Because if HD & YJ never entered a romantic relationship the way it was presented, they would still been friends in the long run.
Best Drama - DP✨ Best Director - Han Jin Hee✨ Best Actor - Jung Hae In✨ Best Supporting Actor - Jo Hyun Chul✨ Best New Actor - Koo Kyo Hwan & Shin Seung Ho✨
Congrats D.P team. ✨ One of the best watch of 2021!
It took me 2-3 episodes to really get into My Mister, so it might be the same case for MLN since it has the same tone, pacing, directing style. It’s like seeing real people through lenses rather than watching a drama play out.
MJ is a very relatable character. Her thoughts & expression and mannerism especially when she’s in a crowd of people constantly checking her phone & not in the moment.
Mr Goo barely said anything but piqued my interest.
Another note, the dialogue is - okay. Nothing stands out much. I hope it’s more cleaner-tight in the next episode.
KTR said she knew the ending before the beginning. She also said she enjoyed how people were so invested in the characters, specifically the relationship between HD & YJ. So she empathize with the viewers. So it’s easy to root for characters like them.
this drama has made me respect even more writers who stick to their visions instead of pandering to audience wishes…
It’s fun to critique things, the good and bad. And it’s interesting to read different opinions. So kudos for her to sticking to her guns. She got people talking - a lot lol. I have my gripes about the last ep for various reasons but I still enjoyed the show nonetheless.
You know what I'm getting depressed again, but I wholeheartedly agree with you on this, "They get shoehorned into…
A break up happens, I understand that. Buts it’s the overall presentation of things that happens that didn’t work from a narrative standpoint to me. Like HD & YJ were just crying for each other so much in this episode. HD physically gets hurt/hospitalize then proceeds to write in her journal about him and cries to sleep & YJ breaks into sweats dreaming in tears about HD and I’m like are these two okay lol 😅 Like the writer is trying to make them out to be some tragic lovers in a forbidden romance lol.
Really upped the melodramatics in this episode for no reason lol. Then they dramatically run to each other’s house & find each other-cry-hugging in their final goodbye. I’m like are you SURE these two want to let each other go lol. Then we got the whole diary fiasco when YJ could have just gave it back to HD at the bus stop 😒 or at least give her heads up that he left it at the bookstore lol. I have to watch these two break up 3 times. 🙃 One in present HD’s imagination - the melodramatics ensues. It’s suppose to be poetic but I’m just annoyed lol.
Also we never saw how Taeyang Squad fell out from each other in 2002. We get zoomed through the timeline into 2009 in a speed of light lol. Then we got HD in 2021 driving to the tunnel to muster up a breakup scenario in her head with YJ because? After 20 years? Just let bygones be bygones at this point.
The imminent breakup was obvious. But HD & YJ character development & relationship progression digress in the process. They get shoehorned into situation that creates conflict just for the breakup to happen, when it could have been used as a catalyst to elevate their characters to newer heights & give them more depth.
YJ transferring to the news department if it was what HE wanted to pursue for himself would show his ambitious streak & growth and not because he didn’t want to be a disappointment to HD. YJ doesn’t like to avoid HD & even worry about the little bruises on her toes. No way would YJ flings himself into a position in NY without telling his family, let alone someone he built a 4 year relationship with. HD has always been persistent & freely express herself. 2 years into the relationship, it didn’t come up as a issue for her to discuss with YJ about him as a reporter? Romantic relationship was something she wanted to pursue, not YJ. Show these two express their wants & needs- explore their relationship (good & bad) and try once more before the breakup. It didn’t work out but at least they tried. These two wouldn’t have given up (even with 6 months of separation) due to their personality & the development they underwent(a strong bond & experiences they created together for 4 years) which was evident in the past episodes.
The proper closure for both YJ & HD should’ve happen at the bus stop. After hugging & crying, they could’ve recollected their thoughts-recomposed themselves & say what they wanted to say from the diary parting without regrets. The breakup would’ve been more meaningful & impactful because for one thing, the bus didn’t come yet & two, it was only two of them at the scene. This would be an opportunity for YJ to return HD’s diary. If closure didn’t happen there, it should’ve happen in 2009, instead having a diary in limbo & miraculously showing up 20 years later conveniently because - kdrama magic & dose of deuce ex machina.
Why return to a place & conjure up an imaginary breakup after 20 years? It’s revealed only at the end HD has lingering regrets & trauma because of the breakup. But if that’s the case, why did she name her shop 2521, drives a red car, & have rainbow chairs? Is it a copping mechanism to remember the good times of YJ? Make it make sense. The end would’ve been more befitting if HD actually had a conversation with MC (give their mother-daughter bond more depth) at her shop, speaking about the people that shaped her young adult life - Yurim, Coach YM & specifically YJ. The naming of 2521 shop would actually fit & have meaning. But everything is a ghost memory-an illusion because MC doesn’t know who these people are. If you’re going to tie in the overall past with the present, at least make it mean something at the end.
Also what’s the purpose of the epilogue other than to show HD is YJ’s first love. Show something more concrete like YJ 2021 finally pursuing his dream as an engineer at NASA now that he’s financially stable & content. But nope, let’s revert back to 2017 at UBS. The timeline is - a mess. The writing is juggling through various things just for it to be disjointed.
The thing is NY wasn’t his only viable option. He didn’t want to work in NY because of money. His mental health didn’t need to suffer because - martyr complex (which is annoying trope). This could’ve been an important-pivotal point in YJ character development where he realize he doesn’t need to drown in distress for the sake of a job & acknowledge his limitations when times get tough it’s okay to reach out. Let ML be vulnerable & not ‘I’m going to keep all my misery to myself’ which is an annoying conflict in itself.
It’s like the writer wanted to address mental health but it barely scratch the surface because we never really to see it explored in depth. Then boom - time skips to 2009 yet we don’t really know what happens to YJ in 2021. Instead we’re left with a cryptic flashback in 20somethin’15 with a security question of YJ at UBS 😒
It would been nice to see the romantic relationship explored where it elevated the characters & not serve as a plot device solely for a break up to happen. Because if HD & YJ never entered a romantic relationship the way it was presented, they would still been friends in the long run.
Best Drama - DP✨
Best Director - Han Jin Hee✨
Best Actor - Jung Hae In✨
Best Supporting Actor - Jo Hyun Chul✨
Best New Actor - Koo Kyo Hwan & Shin Seung Ho✨
Congrats D.P team. ✨
One of the best watch of 2021!
This is KTR 4th nomination. I really hope she wins this year! She really deserved a win for Mr Sunshine & The Handmaiden.
Congrats! Well deserve!✨😌🎉
Best Picture - 2521 ✨
Best Actress - KimTaeRi ✨
Best New Actor - ChoiHyunWook ✨
Honestly I’m surprised since the show aired very late into the awards season. KTR was one of the reason why I watched 2521.
This is KTR 2nd nomination for a BaekSang for Best Actress (Drama) & 4th overall so I’m stoked! Congrats to all nominees this year!
MJ is a very relatable character. Her thoughts & expression and mannerism especially when she’s in a crowd of people constantly checking her phone & not in the moment.
Mr Goo barely said anything but piqued my interest.
Another note, the dialogue is - okay. Nothing stands out much. I hope it’s more cleaner-tight in the next episode.
KTR said she knew the ending before the beginning. She also said she enjoyed how people were so invested in the characters, specifically the relationship between HD & YJ. So she empathize with the viewers. So it’s easy to root for characters like them.
For kdramas I think are rated much higher.
Hospital playlist has a 9.5 & My Mister has a 9.4. Those two dramas are very well received from the Chinese audience.
Yes they have for kdramas too.
Really upped the melodramatics in this episode for no reason lol. Then they dramatically run to each other’s house & find each other-cry-hugging in their final goodbye. I’m like are you SURE these two want to let each other go lol. Then we got the whole diary fiasco when YJ could have just gave it back to HD at the bus stop 😒 or at least give her heads up that he left it at the bookstore lol. I have to watch these two break up 3 times. 🙃 One in present HD’s imagination - the melodramatics ensues. It’s suppose to be poetic but I’m just annoyed lol.
Also we never saw how Taeyang Squad fell out from each other in 2002. We get zoomed through the timeline into 2009 in a speed of light lol. Then we got HD in 2021 driving to the tunnel to muster up a breakup scenario in her head with YJ because? After 20 years? Just let bygones be bygones at this point.
Before Ep 16
MDL 9.1 , IMDb 9.1, Douban 9.1
After Ep 16
MDL 8.9, IMDb 9, Douban 8.2
The drastic drop on Douban though 😐.
YJ transferring to the news department if it was what HE wanted to pursue for himself would show his ambitious streak & growth and not because he didn’t want to be a disappointment to HD. YJ doesn’t like to avoid HD & even worry about the little bruises on her toes. No way would YJ flings himself into a position in NY without telling his family, let alone someone he built a 4 year relationship with. HD has always been persistent & freely express herself. 2 years into the relationship, it didn’t come up as a issue for her to discuss with YJ about him as a reporter? Romantic relationship was something she wanted to pursue, not YJ. Show these two express their wants & needs- explore their relationship (good & bad) and try once more before the breakup. It didn’t work out but at least they tried. These two wouldn’t have given up (even with 6 months of separation) due to their personality & the development they underwent(a strong bond & experiences they created together for 4 years) which was evident in the past episodes.
The proper closure for both YJ & HD should’ve happen at the bus stop. After hugging & crying, they could’ve recollected their thoughts-recomposed themselves & say what they wanted to say from the diary parting without regrets. The breakup would’ve been more meaningful & impactful because for one thing, the bus didn’t come yet & two, it was only two of them at the scene. This would be an opportunity for YJ to return HD’s diary. If closure didn’t happen there, it should’ve happen in 2009, instead having a diary in limbo & miraculously showing up 20 years later conveniently because - kdrama magic & dose of deuce ex machina.
Why return to a place & conjure up an imaginary breakup after 20 years? It’s revealed only at the end HD has lingering regrets & trauma because of the breakup. But if that’s the case, why did she name her shop 2521, drives a red car, & have rainbow chairs? Is it a copping mechanism to remember the good times of YJ? Make it make sense. The end would’ve been more befitting if HD actually had a conversation with MC (give their mother-daughter bond more depth) at her shop, speaking about the people that shaped her young adult life - Yurim, Coach YM & specifically YJ. The naming of 2521 shop would actually fit & have meaning. But everything is a ghost memory-an illusion because MC doesn’t know who these people are. If you’re going to tie in the overall past with the present, at least make it mean something at the end.
Also what’s the purpose of the epilogue other than to show HD is YJ’s first love. Show something more concrete like YJ 2021 finally pursuing his dream as an engineer at NASA now that he’s financially stable & content. But nope, let’s revert back to 2017 at UBS. The timeline is - a mess. The writing is juggling through various things just for it to be disjointed.
My liberation notes will be different departure but I know it will be just as enjoyable & poignant.