hong_ringo

That's not my point. I'm just saying that, since someone made that comparison in TikTok, I keep getting reminded of it every time I see her. Like Rowoon and Kris Jenner. Like I genuinely can't unsee it. The reminder disturbs my watching experience too, especially when she makes her shocked face.

Someone once mentioned that Mun Kayoung looks like the Yellow Larva and now I can't unsee it no matter what.

THIS.

You need all of them: a good story, strong writing, solid direction, and a popular, talented cast.

I never understood why people keep debating which one matters more when it comes to enjoying a drama. It’s not one over the other — it’s the combination that makes it great.

And let’s be real: when a main lead asks for a higher salary, it’s usually the supporting cast, crew, and writers who get their budgets cut first. But when the lead agrees to take less, does that money ever trickle down to the rest of the team? I highly doubt it. Look around—while productions going over budget is common, you almost never hear about anything coming in under budget.

Just to give an example—say a drama has a 20 billion won budget, but with the new lead actor fee cap, they only spend 18 billion. What happens to that leftover 2 billion? Will it go toward paying supporting actors, extras, writers, or crew better? Or does it just end up lining up producers' wallet as a bonus—maybe even disguised through “creative accounting” as phantom costs like studio overhead or distribution fees (which is a common practice in movie industry)?

Honestly, I just wish they’d invest more in good scripts and a better working environment. You can have everything—top stars, flashy sets, huge budgets—but if the story is trash, it ruins the whole thing anyway.

*cough*When*cough*Stars*cough*Gossip*cough*

That’s great and all, but what happens next?

If actor fees are capped, will the leftover budget actually go toward better pay for background staff, writers, or supporting actors? Or will it just be absorbed into production company profits?

Then there’s the issue of guarantees and residuals. What actually happens when a drama becomes a hit? From what I’ve heard, OTT platforms usually pay a one-time licensing fee ONLY to the production company—so there are no long-term residuals for actors, writers, or crew. They are not even obligated to pay anything beyond the licensing fee because OTT platforms are, technically, a third party. At least with traditional broadcasters, there were rerun fees, and sometimes even performance bonuses like free vacation trips. But with OTT, not only are residuals from viewing hours off the table, they also sign exclusive deals that block international TV channel sales, which means yet another potential residuals stream cut off.

Also, let’s talk about lead actors who aren’t just “hired talent” anymore. Some of them bring in their own investments—through brand sponsorships, PPL deals, or even co-producing through their agencies. So do they still fall under the 'fee cap'? Or are they negotiating hybrid deals that mix flat fees with backend profits? And what if this become a new loophole to bypass this cap?

Shoutout to that one comment who got it right that it was KJ all along AND that JW took the fall for the sake of SY's heart surgery.

Yes, it's still a no no. But when you are presented with the ONLY opportunity to save your loved ones in exchange of a stranger's life, not many can resist such temptation. The drama is so realistic in that way. I blame KJ for creating such situations in which both JW and the truck driver have to choose. I'm not justifying their choice, only trying to find the why because black and white characters are no fun. But yeah, both of them are definitely super dark grey characters it's almost black.

The answer to "Would you sacrifice someone you love to save people's lives?" is not important nor the why because there is no wrong or right answer. Taking responsibilities for your choice is more important. Both JW, truck driver, and KJ have to pay for the blood on their hands.

I don't think SY's dad is in the car. It sounds like KJ asked him for help and he agreed to take the fall for KJ in return for SY's surgery (despite knowing that the kid would die), over the phone. So yeah, not murder but ABETTING murder. He is definitely not remorseful so still...SCREW, nail, and bolts him. KJ even ran over the kid TWICE!! Poor GW.

Sad that SY took revenge on FL over someone like his dad without knowing the truth, but he's still his dad after all, so I hope FL has it in her to forgive him.

Again this drama has no acting hole. Every single one of the casts carried their scenes with such amazing performances. My favorite scene for ep 12 is probably the one where she was on the call with SH, sounding so much in distress while looking for the tablet ➞ music cut ➞ SY's voiceover ➞ her realization on the tablet's whereabout ➞ music starts again. CHILLS. LITERAL CHILLS.

Kim Namjoo is such a good actress, her acting in the last scenes is so good. If Cha Eunwoo is the ep 11 MVP, this episode is definitely her.

"Would you sacrifice someone you love to save people's lives?"

This question delves into the profound complexities of human morality and ethical dilemmas. If this question was presented before a stranger, it's easy for us to judge their decision when we are outside looking in. But as someone's someone, can we genuinely bring ourselves to prioritize saving strangers over our loved ones if faced with the same situation?

There is no universally right or wrong answer to this question yet we still need to take responsibility for the consequences of our decisions: to have your loved ones' blood on your hands or a thousand people's.

KJW abetting a murder for the sake of SY's surgery. FL killing KJW to avenge her son. YHG continuing with the money laundering to protect her son. The truck driver killing KEM for the sake of his daughter's surgery. The extent of criminal activities doesn't matter, they are all driven by similar concern for their loved ones. However, they must realize that their bloody hands will inadvertently touched and stained their loved ones in the same color.

I hope SY has it in him to forgive FL for what she did to his dad, and FL to forgive SY for taking a revenge on her. They are both pitiful victims of unfortunate circumstances.

Another thing,

SCREW, nail, and bolt Suho. SY didn't destroy your relationship with FL, you did it yourself. FL probably would have forgiven you if it weren't for the fact that you hide about the affair every steps of the way. She goes from, "Oh, my husband slept with someone when we were separated" to "Oh, my husband slept with the neighbor" to "Oh, my husband slept with MY OWN SISTER!!" Give her a break. You probably knew who opened the door.

We probably going to see how the box about Geonwoo played a part in the ep 12. His attempt to bring down KJ is so...half-baked. He has been collecting dirt on KJ for years yet when he wants to expose him, he only use the money laundering's proof while making YHG the face of the whole operation. By doing so, YHG has to take most of the fall when it went awry, protect her my 🍑, you also can do it with or without her. just like that detective guy said. Beside, such things will only make KJ stumble, not fall. What SY is planning is better, although I pitied what he did to YHG.

We are now at the penultimate week.

Amazing performance from all the casts, every single one of them.

Cha Eunwoo shines in this episode, I can't even see the actor, only as his character, Kwon Seonyul. The grief he portrayed was so deep I was completely immersed in it. Kim Namjoo's scenes with her mom is super good too, especially when she confessed that she can't forgive SY's dad, hated SY too for being the son of her son's killer, and her emotional conflict for still wanting to help him because she can't help but to pity him. As expected from a veteran.

Love the grey characters. It's understandable for FL to hate SY for just being the son, despite knowing his family was affected by her action too. It's also understandable for SY to still not be able to forgive her, despite feeling bad about what his dad said that day. Just like what FL's mom said, I hope they won't hate each other too much and just try to let it go. Won Mikyung's character is definitely the HEART of this drama.

The stories and characters are weaved so well together. My favorite scene for ep 11 is probably the one with the MIL and mom. MIL loves FL, but she was hard on her because she is also SH's mom. If she were FL's mother, she would ask her to divorce SH too, but as SH's mother, she can only hope they got back together for her son's sake. A recurring topic for this drama is definitely about the length a mom would go for their children, even YHG. Probably the most diverse and realistic portrayal of mothers in Kdrama (FL's mom, MIL, SY's mom, YHG, YR's mom). All the characters are so fleshed out, I was worried for nothing back when they seemed to portrayed Kil Haeyeon's character as typical evil MIL in earlier episodes.

The only complain I have for this drama is the pacing. I believe making it into a 12-episodes drama would have been perfect.

I love how this drama is not a simple revenge drama. It focuses more on the complex themes of personal revenge, the justice & morality surrounding it, and the repercussion. It examines the cycle of revenge and its impacts on victims & perpetrators.

Please watch this drama while it's still ongoing and join us in discussing it. It's so fun. It's been a long time since I enjoyed watching and talking about a drama.

This drama is like a huge building on fire. Can't do anything about it yet you can't take your eyes off of it. Just gonna stay to see who managed to come out of the ashes & rubbles when it's all over. The tag should have "TRAGEDY" written in bold. Highly recommended.

"Dying is easy. It's staying alive that's hard"

That's probably the most hypocritical thing that FL ever said as she gave SY's dad a quick death the moment he said those unremorseful things. Yet, given the same chance, SY wouldn't hit her with his car. I think his revenge is less of avenging his dad's death by killing her & more to inflict the same pain that she indirectly caused to his family. Hence, the affair pictures.

Remember, SY was still in high school when the accident happened. He was bent on revenge but his mom prevented him. He probably moved on with his life, even went to med school. But when his mom went comatose, no one was there anymore to reign/guide him through all that pain & anger. When the no.1 person to blame already died, you turned to no.2 which is FL. Childish? Yeah, but I think SY's actions aren't meant to be rational and logical. Just blind rage.

Yet, he doesn't have the heart to do the revenge. He hesitated a lot because he felt conflicted. Cha Eunwoo really did a great job portraying that, he look at them with this hatred but also with this sorrow (like he just wanted to drop everything & burst out crying). The revenge seems to be his only reason to continue living. But yeah, I still want to smack him. There is not a single characters I like/support in this drama other than FL's mom.

SY's revenge continues because FL was indirectly belittling his pain, preaching his "decision" to lead a "rough life", even refusing to see them unless provoked. She just wouldn't recognize his pain even when he came up to her first (which is weird since she recognize it if he WERE the fire incident sole survivor). I don't think he can begin to try to understand & forgive her if this continues.

Right, a mediation strategy. But why does it have to be only Seonyul who has to understand Soohyun's perspective? Soohyun could have discovered more from Seonyul's perspective too. To understand his grief too, but no, everytime he brought it up, she was like "MY SON, MY FAMILY!!" Forgetting that he has his own family too. They should try to understand each other.

In ep 9, we see Seonyul got his revenge. He was truly amused and thrilled by what a measly picture could do to Soohyun's family. But remember this, the affair is real. They might want to pretend it never happened, or lie for the sake of "protecting" their loved ones, but like most lie, it bounds to reveal itself. It's just a matter of when? Soohyun's mom will know to sooner or later, with or without Seonyul's intervention.

Seonyul's motive for revenge might seem weak for some, but he was at the end of his wit. He even thought of ending his life, but just like what is written in Soohyun's book "As long as you have one belief to protect your heart, you should survive by any mean". So Seonyul decided to turn his knife from his neck to Soohyun's instead. That becomes his belief, "Death will bring a bigger death."

His dad killed her son, and she killed his dad. AN EYE FOR AN EYE. If it's just that, they would have become a pirate, but anyone who knows grudge know, it doesn't stop there. Another eye will be taken again. That's how AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WORLD BLIND. To put it simply, if your siblings hit you, you hit back, do you really think your sibling will stop there? lol iykyk.

Besides, did you guys see how Seonyul was actually hesitant? He was not sure if this was what he truly wanted, but this was the only thing he was left with as someone who survived. The way his eyes looked, it's full of hatred, yet he also looked like he just wanted to burst into tears right there and then, Cha Eunwoo did so well to portray that. Amidst everything, Soohyun reaffirms that she would not shake, that what she did was "right," so now there's no more hesitancy.

I mentioned in my previous comment that FL might took her revenge "too far" and seems like many disagree. I personally don't think the justification for her action is as a simple BLACK or WHITE answer, but different shades of grey depending on how you see it.

Was DEATH of that MF (Seonyul's dad) the only revenge she could do? or was there any other way she would, could, should have done differently (for her revenge) if she can turn back time? Fl's answer is no, because she would do it all over again with no regrets. AN EYE FOR AN EYE.

But there are cause and effect for her action, it affected not only that MF but also his innocent family, just like how her prison roommate's revenge towards her husband affected another innocent family.

Which begs the question, should sin and punishment be inherited?
1. If yes, Seonyul should suck it up and moved on since his dad is a criminal who deserved it. Be understanding and stop with the childish revenge.
2. If no, can he have it in him to be the bigger person to forgive and forget about what affected his mom and him due to his dad's AND FL's action? Seonyul's answer is no.

With this, FL's revenge has become a catalyst that keep the ball, in these cycles of revenge, rolling. Now it's Seonyul's turn. AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WORLD BLIND.

I don't think there are right or wrong answer when it comes to this. I think that was what the drama is trying to do with the audiences. There are no black and white, just what shades of grey we prefer.

So what do you think?

Too far? Justified? Or could have done it differently to not affect his family?

This drama is so good. Please watch it.

Exactly, his dad ruined her family first. But then she did it with his too. His dad may started it, but she continued it. By taking down his dad, she unknowingly took down his whole family with him. By no means his dad is innocent, but how about his mom and him? Was he supposed to inherit his sin and punishment just because he is the son of a mf?

She thought she paid the price for her revenge by going to jail for 7 years and that is it, but the actual price she paid was 7 years in prison and the destruction of Seonyul's family too. In the same way her prison roommate price of revenge toward her husband and mistress resulted to the death of innocent couple and their sole survivor son. Seonyul's family has become collateral damage for her revenge that becomes a catalyst to a tragedy that keep the ball rolling and now it's Seonyul's turn. AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WORLD BLIND. If you are at the receiving end, do you have it in you to be the one who stop, forgive, and forget?

But hey, the characters' moral is not black or white, they are different shades of grey. I only wrote this because people put down Seonyul's motive for revenge as childish or amateurish while saying that FL's revenge is justified (which I also felt was a MASSIVE grey area).

Gosh, this drama discussion really tested the mental gymnast of people's morality. I personally don't think there are right or wrong depending on your own interpretation for the characters' action. This is fun.

I highly recommend this drama. Please watch it while it's still ongoing. It's so fun to theorize what would happen.

Another Theory Time: (with 80% chance of it being wrong)

What if SY knew it was KJ all along? What if his revenge on FL is only small but crucial part of his grand revenge plan? KJ mentioned that he can easily read people's intention, so SY need to throw KJ off and make him believe that his actions and angers are mostly towards someone else. That's why SY told KJ "I won't forgive anyone for hurting my PARENTS". Yes not only dad, but also his mom.

Ofc he is not faking his anger towards FL, after all, she killed his dad and remained unremorseful even after she was released from prison. His dad might not be innocent but her revenge vigilante justice by killing him in the name of her child is taking it too far. Just because she paid for her crime in the eye of society doesn't mean the effects she indirectly caused to bereaved family are gone, so he needs her to pay for it. How? By destroying her "perfect" life like she did his and then use/blackmail her to attack KJ.

Essentially, to kill with a borrowed knife or create a situation like "A mantis stalking a cicada is unaware of an oriole behind" by pitting KJ against FL's family then swooped in when KJ is at his lowest.

"I'm going to go all the way. Until I reach her end or mine."

I mean, why would his failure in taking revenge ON HER lead to his end? UNLESS...his plan A to use FL to take down KJ failed, she reached her end, which will then mean that SY needs to take KJ down personally as plan B. If he failed then it's his end.