This show’s villains had my blood BOILING. I hated seeing their conspiracies play out, especially since their breaking into Hyun-Woo’s room is a total disregard for his privacy and just ridiculous. Does nobody ask questions? For supposed elites, the thing most excessive here is their gullibility. The Hongs lack self awareness and think much too highly of themselves. Ironically, Aunty and the snail might be the most self-aware; At least they aren’t ignoring the obvious red-flag parade.
*Sigh* I knew the cutesy moments wouldn’t last forever, but boy did I hate having them ripped away! I think Hae-In and Hyun-Woo do better without distractions and outside interference, which is truly saying something since I am usually a fan of joint families. A combined home provides the benefit of help and support from elders, along with guidance and advice from loved ones on how to successfully navigate different stages of marriage and life. However, the Hong household is an extreme example where everyone generally hates each other, but still wants to live together. Weird.
Being right about Da Hye’s trifling ways gave me no great pleasure. Judging by the glance exchanged between herself and Grace, Soo Cheol is NOT the father! I wouldn’t be surprised if she were to renege given her soft spot for the oblivious goof, but for now the Hong’s are figuratively and literally surrounded. The question is, how long has this plan been in motion?
Props to Harabeoji’s side piece, because her micro-expressions were giving me life. Her little winces and subtle instances of chagrin sent a clear message that this man was barely being tolerated, at best. I wonder why he can’t see through it. I want to know what the true back-story between them is, because this is clearly a revenge plot. I’m thinking that she’s Eun Seong’s mom and gave birth to him in prison before dropping him at the orphanage. Maybe Eun Seong’s father took the fall for the company and now they want REVENGE!!!. Either way, I found it easier to focus on the background scheming than the absolute heartbreak that took place this week.
Similar to the four-leaf clover bouquet trampled on the ground, Hyun-Woo’s luck has run out. He can no longer hide the truth of him almost filing for divorce and is confronted by it without warning. My heart ached for the couple, because they had finally reached a tender place in their journey back to one another, only to have the ground ripped from beneath them because no one can respects the power of a “do not disturb” sign. 👁️👄👁️
To an extent, Hae-In’s show of disbelief speaks to how much she took Hyun-Woo and their marriage for granted. They were cold and distant to one another, but she never expected him to leave. This interestingly mirrors her home life and personal relationships, where her mother is callous and unkind in the treatment of her only daughter; yet Hae-In doesn’t think of escaping. They are family, therefore she cannot leave.
In fact, she dutifully does her part, but unfortunately this logic falls apart when applied to her husband. If Hae-In could bear her toxic relationships, surely Hyun-Woo could manage two years of emotional distance within their marriage? That he contemplated divorcing her is a betrayal of the highest kind. Partly because she never saw it coming, but also because he is afforded a way out while she is not. Conversely, Hyun-Woo was raised with much less material wealth than Hae-In, but a greater deal more love. He is cherished and grew up watching his parents love and care for one another, so it didn't make immediate sense to stay in a marriage where he felt isolated and adrift from his spouse. They never worked through the pain of their miscarriage so it hung around them like a heavy blanket, suffocating the love from their relationship. Hae-In is more accustomed to fraught family ties because it has been her life for decades now, but Hyun-Woo is a gentler soul. This is not to call him unmanly, only to point out how he comes across as visibly softer. He’s capable, yet wears his heart on his sleeve. We were even treated to Hae-In gently brushing away his tears; in that moment adopting the role of the quintessential male lead. I’ll give evil sister-in-law something, she’s right about them being fools in love and not able to show it. I hope they figure it out, soon.
I’m sure that the next few episodes will deal with Hae-In coming to terms with this new information as well as confronting the subsequent questions raised. Like, was Hyun-Woo being sincere, or was he just after her money? How can she trust him? I don’t know, but my heart aches just thinking about it. I want the best for this couple and I am 100% invested.
Notable mentions:
🎀 Did any TVD fans clock the actor who used to play Mikael? He’s Dr. Braun in this show and I absolutely squealed when it clicked!
🎀I’m hoping that the foregone kebabs and trampled clovers are not a harbinger of what is to come. I’m torn between hoping for the best with this show and silently accepting what might be the inevitable. They’ve really dumped a lot on our girl and Hae-In has been through so much. It sucks that she’s won the bad luck lottery yet again by being the target of a convoluted take-down intended for her family’s company.
🎀I love Aunty. She’s the best.
🎀Hae-In’s mom makes me want to reach into the screen and slap her silly. Bad mom. Do not give one child a talisman against the other, lady!
🎀Lastly, this show is helmed by the same person who worked on Crash Landing On You! Call me ignorant, but I had no clue. I pieced it together when the mom was watching CLOY on TV. It all makes sense now because that drama completely destroyed me, too. Wishing snail-nim a speedy recovery!
I can see where she may come across as unlikable tp some, but to me she has a soft underbelly that speaks of hidden insecurity and pain. I hope we get to know more about her past and how it helped shape the woman that she currently is.
I hope she accepts it. Fans should be encouraging of their bias/favorite actor's aspirations, not controlling and negative. At the end of the day, if she accepts or denies the project it is up to her, but I will certainly be watching. I can't wait!
Read some comments below saying that they couldn't connect with this drama at a deep emotional level. I think…
I don't know, the chemistry just doesn't hit for me. They almost feel like siblings? Or it could be the pacing like you mentioned, either way it's missing something.
I have tried to watch this drama since the day it came out ( 2020 ) but omg I can’t I am still at episode 9…
I watched the whole thing and to this day I'll randomly just burst out, "SIIIIII FEEEEEHHHHNNNNGGGG!!!!" Lol the ending is beautiful and worth it, though.
This drama and Immortal Samsara have been the most recent XianXia dramas I've watched with satisfyingly happy…
RIGHT!? I'm looking at you, "The Starry Love," "LBFAD" and "Ashes of Love" please do this instead! It feels so anticlimactic to suffer through their trials only to have a hurried or dissatisfying ending. Love and Redemption really gifted viewers a great ending for their dedication and consistency in sticking with the show.
*Sigh* I knew the cutesy moments wouldn’t last forever, but boy did I hate having them ripped away! I think Hae-In and Hyun-Woo do better without distractions and outside interference, which is truly saying something since I am usually a fan of joint families. A combined home provides the benefit of help and support from elders, along with guidance and advice from loved ones on how to successfully navigate different stages of marriage and life. However, the Hong household is an extreme example where everyone generally hates each other, but still wants to live together. Weird.
Being right about Da Hye’s trifling ways gave me no great pleasure. Judging by the glance exchanged between herself and Grace, Soo Cheol is NOT the father! I wouldn’t be surprised if she were to renege given her soft spot for the oblivious goof, but for now the Hong’s are figuratively and literally surrounded. The question is, how long has this plan been in motion?
Props to Harabeoji’s side piece, because her micro-expressions were giving me life. Her little winces and subtle instances of chagrin sent a clear message that this man was barely being tolerated, at best. I wonder why he can’t see through it. I want to know what the true back-story between them is, because this is clearly a revenge plot. I’m thinking that she’s Eun Seong’s mom and gave birth to him in prison before dropping him at the orphanage. Maybe Eun Seong’s father took the fall for the company and now they want REVENGE!!!. Either way, I found it easier to focus on the background scheming than the absolute heartbreak that took place this week.
Similar to the four-leaf clover bouquet trampled on the ground, Hyun-Woo’s luck has run out. He can no longer hide the truth of him almost filing for divorce and is confronted by it without warning. My heart ached for the couple, because they had finally reached a tender place in their journey back to one another, only to have the ground ripped from beneath them because no one can respects the power of a “do not disturb” sign. 👁️👄👁️
To an extent, Hae-In’s show of disbelief speaks to how much she took Hyun-Woo and their marriage for granted. They were cold and distant to one another, but she never expected him to leave. This interestingly mirrors her home life and personal relationships, where her mother is callous and unkind in the treatment of her only daughter; yet Hae-In doesn’t think of escaping. They are family, therefore she cannot leave.
In fact, she dutifully does her part, but unfortunately this logic falls apart when applied to her husband. If Hae-In could bear her toxic relationships, surely Hyun-Woo could manage two years of emotional distance within their marriage? That he contemplated divorcing her is a betrayal of the highest kind. Partly because she never saw it coming, but also because he is afforded a way out while she is not.
Conversely, Hyun-Woo was raised with much less material wealth than Hae-In, but a greater deal more love. He is cherished and grew up watching his parents love and care for one another, so it didn't make immediate sense to stay in a marriage where he felt isolated and adrift from his spouse. They never worked through the pain of their miscarriage so it hung around them like a heavy blanket, suffocating the love from their relationship. Hae-In is more accustomed to fraught family ties because it has been her life for decades now, but Hyun-Woo is a gentler soul. This is not to call him unmanly, only to point out how he comes across as visibly softer. He’s capable, yet wears his heart on his sleeve. We were even treated to Hae-In gently brushing away his tears; in that moment adopting the role of the quintessential male lead. I’ll give evil sister-in-law something, she’s right about them being fools in love and not able to show it. I hope they figure it out, soon.
I’m sure that the next few episodes will deal with Hae-In coming to terms with this new information as well as confronting the subsequent questions raised. Like, was Hyun-Woo being sincere, or was he just after her money? How can she trust him? I don’t know, but my heart aches just thinking about it. I want the best for this couple and I am 100% invested.
Notable mentions:
🎀 Did any TVD fans clock the actor who used to play Mikael? He’s Dr. Braun in this show and I absolutely squealed when it clicked!
🎀I’m hoping that the foregone kebabs and trampled clovers are not a harbinger of what is to come. I’m torn between hoping for the best with this show and silently accepting what might be the inevitable. They’ve really dumped a lot on our girl and Hae-In has been through so much. It sucks that she’s won the bad luck lottery yet again by being the target of a convoluted take-down intended for her family’s company.
🎀I love Aunty. She’s the best.
🎀Hae-In’s mom makes me want to reach into the screen and slap her silly. Bad mom. Do not give one child a talisman against the other, lady!
🎀Lastly, this show is helmed by the same person who worked on Crash Landing On You! Call me ignorant, but I had no clue. I pieced it together when the mom was watching CLOY on TV. It all makes sense now because that drama completely destroyed me, too.
Wishing snail-nim a speedy recovery!