First of all: OH! MY! GOSH! /loud screaming/ Okay, I am a drama veteran and I know it's way too early to be certain of the outcome, but these first two episodes are among my absolute favorite I've seen in Dramaland in the last 13 years in this genre. I'm not exaggerating. I really don't remember the last time I started a show and then immediately rewatched the available episodes to catch all of the clues I missed. Wild. I feel like a teenager again with how much I adored this.
Some thoughts/predictions:
1) On her way to the Eclipse concert, Sol's friend mentions Kim Tae Sung had to transfer schools because of a big fight: "He was almost expelled but covered it up by dropping out." I wonder if this was him getting revenge for Sol's accident, or if he was involved in the accident somehow. In episode 2, when she is in the street in front of the oncoming car, that little flashback shows her in her school uniform and she has scrapes on her face as if she was in a fight or was attacked. It seemed like Ryu Seon Jae was the one who was running out to try and save her back then, but that could be a narrative trick. Maybe it was Kim Tae Sung. Did she try to protect him during the fight like she did in episode 2? His father is a police Lieutenant and would have been able to shield him from blame if so. Plus, Kim Tae Sung was the bassist in Baek In Hyuk's band back in high school—but he didn't debut as far as I can tell. These three will get more complicated as the show goes on I think.
2) Ryu Seon Jae falling first has to be my favorite twist in recent years. I absolutely loved the shot of him sweating while Sol slept on his arm at the video rental store 🤣 And then him running out with that copy of Basic Instinct! Omg. My millennial heart was screaming. But it also made the scene of him pulling up to Sol on the bridge with her broken wheelchair all the more heartbreaking—she had no idea that he knew her, loved her, lived beside her as a teenager. The significance of him giving her the umbrella, and she giving him that jar of candies that he likes, because she gave them to him in the rain that day. I wonder when she'll find out that he had feelings for her all along, and that the song he was singing at his concert was actually about her, and the first time they met outside in the rain. Ahhhh! So heartbreaking and endearing!
3) The theme of bridges is very consistent so far in the show. Her psychic friend who she refers to as Jang Man Wol (lol) mentions the underworld and crossing a bridge to reach it, which Sol freaks out about when she thinks she is dreaming at the end of episode 1 and tries to stop Seon Jae from crossing. But she also ends up in the past when she is trying to cross a bridge before dropping the watch and crawling into that river beneath it. Water + bridges as a lubricant to other dimensions perhaps? Very cool, and I'm really enjoying how well-planned this show seems so far. There's a ton of little easter eggs if you pay attention, lots of meaningfully mirrored behaviors (the umbrella, rain/snow, counting when they are stressed), and it gives me confidence they'll stick the landing.
4) I'm terribly worried about our leads, though I'm trying to feel confident they'll get their happy ending. '20th Century Girl' had me confident too, though, and we all know how that turned out. I worry that there will have to be a 'replacement sacrifice' as it were. At the end of episode 2, the picture of Sol + Seon Jae appears next to the little jar of candies she gave him on the bridge, implying the changes she is making is changing the future, and they do fall in love and end up very close. But likely her accident still happened, and then his death follows. So either way, if something happens to Sol, something happens to Seon Jae. Their fates are tied together it seems. She has to be saved from her accident if he is to be saved from his future 'death' (which tbh seems to be murder, not suicide. Someone rang on his doorbell right before he falls into the hotel pool.) But if Seon Jae is saved from his fate, will Sol have to die to take his place? She isn't really thinking about herself at the moment, and I'm concerned she will end up right back where she started. But maybe she'll end up paralyzed but he will survive and they'll stay together? Who knows. I just want them together and happy at all times, lol.
Wow, this is a phenomenal introduction to what I hope will be a phenomenal Kdrama all around. Kim Hye Yoon never misses; her flexibility is so natural that she manages to easily pull off a 34-year-old paraplegic as well as a spunky and weird high school student within the same episode. And what a stellar role for Byeon Woo Seok who has been coming up in his career lately and is so deserving of the attention. His performances in '20th Century Girl' and 'Soulmate' were proof enough that he had natural chops, but this will definitely propel his career forward if the quality is maintained. Plus, I absolutely cannot get enough of their chemistry. It's sweet, and familiar, and heartbreaking on screen.
I am so looking forward to live watching this one and writing novel-length comments every week. Stay tuned lmao!!
For years it's been clear that Lin Ze Hui elevates every production he stars in. He truly deserves to be cast in much higher budget, full-length dramas. It's outrageous that he's relegated to 10m episode web shows. He is such a natural!!
The guy is the voice behind every hot male role in c-drama.
Undeniably true lmao. Every time I hear Bian Jiang's dubbing I immediately know I'm looking at a mysterious ML who's incredibly sexy, powerful, and ALSO, impossibly restrained.
Since it's coming, I'm really curious about the whole theme, is it really gonna be comedy all around?? Or we will…
Like so many lakorns I would put my money on a slapstick early-middle and a then a very angsty final arc with a lot of pining and family drama. I can't wait because Yaya and Mark do the pining and angst SO friggen well lol!
Update: CH3 released a new trailer with some clips I haven't seen yet! I absolutely can't wait to watch these two light up the screen together again...
I know it's going to be available on VIU and through LakornPixie. Haven't heard any news yet about fansubbers yet though. I'll drop a comment though when there's official news from someone!
Johnny Huang and Sun Qian are both such natural and gifted actors who always deliver authentic, understated performances. They NEVER over-act. They just inhabit the roles gently and organically. Absolutely cannot wait to see them paired up. I have a feeling this is going to be a romance that grabs my heart, squeezes, and doesn't let go.
Na In Woo's ability to look at his FL in such a complicated and loving way is UNMATCHED.
It impressed me first in River Where the Moon Rises, and then subsequently in Her Bucket List and Jinxed At First. Straight up his gaze is like a tangible physical thing on screen—his way of conveying emotion through his eyes is such a nuanced skill for an actor to have and it creates soooo much visual tension.
LOVING his performance so far and I'm thrilled he is proving his naysayers wrong!!! I knew he would!!!
I love these characters. They are so human and empathizing with them requires zero effort. It broke my heart watching…
Oh trust me, I'm familiar! I've been watching Asian dramas as a hobby for over 12 years now. But every now and then you see a show that breaks the mold and really, really does storytelling right. I was hoping this one would maintain its momentum in the final eps and stick the landing, especially considering the maturity of the narrative and all the changes they've already made from the original Japanese version.
It's not looking too god but we'll have to see what happens 😅
I love these characters. They are so human and empathizing with them requires zero effort. It broke my heart watching…
I agree completely. I've admired her character from the beginning, but recently she just THINKS way too much about absolutely everything. The constant analysis she's doing is almost pathological. It distances her from the people around her; she's becoming an observer and narrator of her own life, rather than the main active participant.
There are even moments now where I worry she sees Jin Woo as a vehicle for meaning and profundity—like a character in a TV show who should follow the script she's writing in her head—rather than seeing him as a equally flawed individual with his own history and experiences.
It's been jarring to watch her sense of agency and security fall away so rapidly, and kind of a bummer that her perspective of her own experience has become skewed in such a negative way. Idk if any of this makes sense. I'm having a hard time articulating my thoughts on this one but I can't stop myself!
Oof. Just finished Episode 13 and I have soooo many thoughts. Spoilers below:
I love these characters. They are so human and empathizing with them requires zero effort. It broke my heart watching the 'breakup' scene. But tbh I'm a little worried about recovery at this point with just two episodes left. I want the healing to happen on screen, not through a *TWO YEARS LATER* rushed finale lol. When Moeun confronted Jin Woo about Seo Kyung showing up, I felt ILL. I could totally feel his panic and his fear of losing her, especially after Ki Hyun had shared with him that she came to his bar looking for answers about the past. Splendid performances in that scene, very nuanced and effective.
While Jin Woo absolutely should have been more forthcoming about his scars and his past once Seo Kyung re-entered the picture, it bothers me so much the way Mo Eun is approaching this conflict. I understand her insecurities—she's more than allowed to expect some reassurance and communication; anyone would be upset in her situation, and it's amplified by Jin Woo's refusal to share his experience—but I am so turned off by the way she seems to be...how do I put it....romanticizing his deafness?
When she told her bestie that the more sign language she learned, the harder it became to talk to him, I was like: "No, Moeun. What?? That's not how it works. Relationships aren't just vibes." Lmao. Like, it was such a kdrama thing to say. Did she not realize that having conversations and working though issues with WORDS was an eventual inevitability? They have communicated SO MUCH thus far. What is she (aka the script writers) even talking about?
It was so weird how at the end she looked at Johan in tears and was like "It's so comfortable" as opposed to what it's like with Jin Woo. Like girl, duh?? You grew up with Johan and he doesn't have a hearing impairment. It's bizarre to see her suddenly having these enormous doubts after she herself pursued this relationship with Jin Woo. She never struck me as flighty because she wasn't written that way. If she were, she wouldn't be throwing herself into her acting career despite all the odds she's facing i.e. her age and lack of experience.
The writers made Mo Eun so incredibly self-aware and observant and thoughtful that to have her suddenly be acting so fickle and capricious (especially towards someone she loves and who she knows is very traumatized from both his disability and his previous relationship) feels wildly out of character. I get that conflict is necessary for a TV program but this doesn't fit these pragmatic characters and the relationship they've written at all. Character development was at an all-time high only a few episodes ago. I wish they had written Mo Eun a little differently from the beginning so that the narrative at least felt more cohesive.
CALLING IT NOW: Ain't no way pretty boy chef Baek Eun Ho doesn't end up with the kind-hearted foodie Yu Hee Yeon!!! And I am so here for it when that inevitably happens. They are both adorable and sincere and did I mention very, very pretty?
Loving seeing Ji Won's friendship with Hee Yeon blossom, considering the empty shell of a woman we met at the beginning—hanging on for dear life, not even aware of what made her so hollow—after two decades of manipulation, isolation and gaslighting from her 'best friend' and partner.
It's very bittersweet to see her receive such simple kindness and care from Hee Yeon, only realizing what true friendship looks like after after having actually been deprived of it all these years. When she took Hee Yeon's hand in that restaurant and placed her shaking faith in this new bond, tbh I got misty-eyed. That shit was moving and upsetting because I think every traumatized person can empathize with that moment where you have to take a leap of faith. Trust is a choice and not one easily made after being so deeply betrayed... Every minute I am more convinced the true villain of this narrative is Soo Min, not Min Hwan (though he is a close second), alongside Ji Won's lack of self-confidence. It was satisfying af watching her stick up for herself at that reunion!! I trust it will only get more and more satisfying to watch her shed that old timid identity.
Jeez, this is so much more fun than I was expecting it to be. Honestly shocked Park Min Young still has it in her because her last several projects have been hugely disappointing. This is an absolute banger and has so much substance. It's gonna be rough in between episodes I fear
Song Kang shines so much brighter during his more dramatic turns—his comedic acting doesn't stand out as much. Today's episode proved how much raw talent he has when in the right role.
And wow, I'll be watching Kang Seung Ho's career very closely. He smashed it out of the park. What an absolutely electric performance from him in this show. I couldn't take my eyes off of him when he was confronting his Mom!
Some thoughts/predictions:
1) On her way to the Eclipse concert, Sol's friend mentions Kim Tae Sung had to transfer schools because of a big fight: "He was almost expelled but covered it up by dropping out." I wonder if this was him getting revenge for Sol's accident, or if he was involved in the accident somehow. In episode 2, when she is in the street in front of the oncoming car, that little flashback shows her in her school uniform and she has scrapes on her face as if she was in a fight or was attacked. It seemed like Ryu Seon Jae was the one who was running out to try and save her back then, but that could be a narrative trick. Maybe it was Kim Tae Sung. Did she try to protect him during the fight like she did in episode 2? His father is a police Lieutenant and would have been able to shield him from blame if so. Plus, Kim Tae Sung was the bassist in Baek In Hyuk's band back in high school—but he didn't debut as far as I can tell. These three will get more complicated as the show goes on I think.
2) Ryu Seon Jae falling first has to be my favorite twist in recent years. I absolutely loved the shot of him sweating while Sol slept on his arm at the video rental store 🤣 And then him running out with that copy of Basic Instinct! Omg. My millennial heart was screaming. But it also made the scene of him pulling up to Sol on the bridge with her broken wheelchair all the more heartbreaking—she had no idea that he knew her, loved her, lived beside her as a teenager. The significance of him giving her the umbrella, and she giving him that jar of candies that he likes, because she gave them to him in the rain that day. I wonder when she'll find out that he had feelings for her all along, and that the song he was singing at his concert was actually about her, and the first time they met outside in the rain. Ahhhh! So heartbreaking and endearing!
3) The theme of bridges is very consistent so far in the show. Her psychic friend who she refers to as Jang Man Wol (lol) mentions the underworld and crossing a bridge to reach it, which Sol freaks out about when she thinks she is dreaming at the end of episode 1 and tries to stop Seon Jae from crossing. But she also ends up in the past when she is trying to cross a bridge before dropping the watch and crawling into that river beneath it. Water + bridges as a lubricant to other dimensions perhaps? Very cool, and I'm really enjoying how well-planned this show seems so far. There's a ton of little easter eggs if you pay attention, lots of meaningfully mirrored behaviors (the umbrella, rain/snow, counting when they are stressed), and it gives me confidence they'll stick the landing.
4) I'm terribly worried about our leads, though I'm trying to feel confident they'll get their happy ending. '20th Century Girl' had me confident too, though, and we all know how that turned out. I worry that there will have to be a 'replacement sacrifice' as it were. At the end of episode 2, the picture of Sol + Seon Jae appears next to the little jar of candies she gave him on the bridge, implying the changes she is making is changing the future, and they do fall in love and end up very close. But likely her accident still happened, and then his death follows. So either way, if something happens to Sol, something happens to Seon Jae. Their fates are tied together it seems. She has to be saved from her accident if he is to be saved from his future 'death' (which tbh seems to be murder, not suicide. Someone rang on his doorbell right before he falls into the hotel pool.) But if Seon Jae is saved from his fate, will Sol have to die to take his place? She isn't really thinking about herself at the moment, and I'm concerned she will end up right back where she started. But maybe she'll end up paralyzed but he will survive and they'll stay together? Who knows. I just want them together and happy at all times, lol.
Wow, this is a phenomenal introduction to what I hope will be a phenomenal Kdrama all around. Kim Hye Yoon never misses; her flexibility is so natural that she manages to easily pull off a 34-year-old paraplegic as well as a spunky and weird high school student within the same episode. And what a stellar role for Byeon Woo Seok who has been coming up in his career lately and is so deserving of the attention. His performances in '20th Century Girl' and 'Soulmate' were proof enough that he had natural chops, but this will definitely propel his career forward if the quality is maintained. Plus, I absolutely cannot get enough of their chemistry. It's sweet, and familiar, and heartbreaking on screen.
I am so looking forward to live watching this one and writing novel-length comments every week. Stay tuned lmao!!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4WwiwZOmC_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
It impressed me first in River Where the Moon Rises, and then subsequently in Her Bucket List and Jinxed At First. Straight up his gaze is like a tangible physical thing on screen—his way of conveying emotion through his eyes is such a nuanced skill for an actor to have and it creates soooo much visual tension.
LOVING his performance so far and I'm thrilled he is proving his naysayers wrong!!! I knew he would!!!
It's not looking too god but we'll have to see what happens 😅
There are even moments now where I worry she sees Jin Woo as a vehicle for meaning and profundity—like a character in a TV show who should follow the script she's writing in her head—rather than seeing him as a equally flawed individual with his own history and experiences.
It's been jarring to watch her sense of agency and security fall away so rapidly, and kind of a bummer that her perspective of her own experience has become skewed in such a negative way. Idk if any of this makes sense. I'm having a hard time articulating my thoughts on this one but I can't stop myself!
While Jin Woo absolutely should have been more forthcoming about his scars and his past once Seo Kyung re-entered the picture, it bothers me so much the way Mo Eun is approaching this conflict. I understand her insecurities—she's more than allowed to expect some reassurance and communication; anyone would be upset in her situation, and it's amplified by Jin Woo's refusal to share his experience—but I am so turned off by the way she seems to be...how do I put it....romanticizing his deafness?
When she told her bestie that the more sign language she learned, the harder it became to talk to him, I was like: "No, Moeun. What?? That's not how it works. Relationships aren't just vibes." Lmao. Like, it was such a kdrama thing to say. Did she not realize that having conversations and working though issues with WORDS was an eventual inevitability? They have communicated SO MUCH thus far. What is she (aka the script writers) even talking about?
It was so weird how at the end she looked at Johan in tears and was like "It's so comfortable" as opposed to what it's like with Jin Woo. Like girl, duh?? You grew up with Johan and he doesn't have a hearing impairment. It's bizarre to see her suddenly having these enormous doubts after she herself pursued this relationship with Jin Woo. She never struck me as flighty because she wasn't written that way. If she were, she wouldn't be throwing herself into her acting career despite all the odds she's facing i.e. her age and lack of experience.
The writers made Mo Eun so incredibly self-aware and observant and thoughtful that to have her suddenly be acting so fickle and capricious (especially towards someone she loves and who she knows is very traumatized from both his disability and his previous relationship) feels wildly out of character. I get that conflict is necessary for a TV program but this doesn't fit these pragmatic characters and the relationship they've written at all. Character development was at an all-time high only a few episodes ago. I wish they had written Mo Eun a little differently from the beginning so that the narrative at least felt more cohesive.
Spoilers below:
Loving seeing Ji Won's friendship with Hee Yeon blossom, considering the empty shell of a woman we met at the beginning—hanging on for dear life, not even aware of what made her so hollow—after two decades of manipulation, isolation and gaslighting from her 'best friend' and partner.
It's very bittersweet to see her receive such simple kindness and care from Hee Yeon, only realizing what true friendship looks like after after having actually been deprived of it all these years. When she took Hee Yeon's hand in that restaurant and placed her shaking faith in this new bond, tbh I got misty-eyed. That shit was moving and upsetting because I think every traumatized person can empathize with that moment where you have to take a leap of faith. Trust is a choice and not one easily made after being so deeply betrayed... Every minute I am more convinced the true villain of this narrative is Soo Min, not Min Hwan (though he is a close second), alongside Ji Won's lack of self-confidence. It was satisfying af watching her stick up for herself at that reunion!! I trust it will only get more and more satisfying to watch her shed that old timid identity.
Jeez, this is so much more fun than I was expecting it to be. Honestly shocked Park Min Young still has it in her because her last several projects have been hugely disappointing. This is an absolute banger and has so much substance. It's gonna be rough in between episodes I fear
And wow, I'll be watching Kang Seung Ho's career very closely. He smashed it out of the park. What an absolutely electric performance from him in this show. I couldn't take my eyes off of him when he was confronting his Mom!