katiescarlett

My opinion only.
To me, this wasn't a kdrama but PSJ's blow-by-blow defense of his real life love story with the youtuber, against his angry fans and the "evil" media. They both got so much bashing during that time so it baffles me why he accepted this project and made everyone re-live those years all over again just to make a point.

He said so himself that he is Gyeongdo in real life. It was hard to watch.

I promised to watch this drama a second time to see if I missed anything that hindered me from enjoying the drama thoroughly. I really wanted to love it. Then... PSJ himself did a solo press conference in January 2026 to explain the low ratings and the death of one character, and confirmed that Gyeongdo is so much his real life personality (being an introvert, how deeply he loves, being dependent on alcohol, professional burnout, dating life, wanting to get married in his 40s). The surrender-to-our love reunion scene was quite telling.

I figured I shouldn't bother watching it again because his surprisingly candid admission made it hard to separate his professional choices to his private ones. The line had been blurred since 2023. Whether he is aware of it or not, Waiting for Gyeongdo isn't just a drama.

It is a confession.

The rest are doing pretty well at their level. There might be a lot of factors for the "downfall" (for lack of a better word), and I can only think of a few probabilities. I won't mention names to be safe. These are just theories, not facts.

Probability #1. There's been a wave of younger but capable actors slowly creeping into the mainstream. Usually, these actors are more daring in choosing their scripts because they have nothing to lose. They are fearless because they have not yet carved a name in the industry. On the other hand, most older actors are now choosing villainous/risque roles to carve out their filmography. The competition is nothing but brutal.

Probability #2. I'm not sure if this is a timeline coincidence but since his dating rumors began three years ago, he seemed to have acted guardedly opposite his female costars. It might work both ways, as his female costars might also hold off in fear of offending his rumored partner. Thus, contributing to the perceived lack of chemistry. I say this because his behind the scenes with co-stars from his previous hits were playful and comfortable. Right now, he seems to be in the era of cautious interactions. Gone is the funny, enthusiastic man we used to see on TV. I miss his dorky antics.

Probability #3. The advent of OTT formats like Netflix, Disney, Prime are producing new kdramas like they are on steroids. It's hard for senior-ish actors like him to keep up with the pace. The usual tropes and formulae are not as hot as they used to be some 5 to 15 years ago. OTTs have their own set of advantages and disadvantages but because they have the money and machinery, they can do whatever the heck they want.

Probability #4. Fans found it hard to admire/fantasize over a man who is already taken (rumored or confirmed). Pro/anti reactions are only a fraction of the whole picture, and there's a silent majority who can choose to shift their attention to other un-attached actors. Separating personal and professional life is ideal, but it is as hard to separate as flesh from bone. SK entertainment runs the business of delusion / illusion / parasocial relationships. They do things differently compared to Hollywood, but the intensity of SK fans are on an entirely different plane. Not even Tom Cruise nor Brad Pitt has that kind of crazy devoted loyal fans. Devotion, however, comes with a price tag because fans are paying customers. It sounds dirty and jaded, but that's how business works.

Probability #5. Either it's his or his agency's poor choice of scripts or he doesn't have good scripts to choose from in the first place. He gets 10 scripts, other actors probably get 30. We are entering a new era of kdrama that feeds on innovation. For someone who has already reached the pinnacle of his fame, taking risks becomes a challenge. SK entertainment is really just a billion dollar industry that is as ruthless as it ought to be. It's a dog eat dog out there, so a couple of consecutive "flops" are a nono.

Probability #6. The gradual loss of mystery and credibility, from which his career has fed upon since he debuted. Given his age, he probably has no energy to hide his personal choices anymore. His first rumored partner even released songs (most of which alluded to their intimate moments) and posted couple items / travels-- which inflamed the actor's vaguely worded statement to protect his privacy. Poor INFP. Her live performances has earned negative feedback too, pointing to her excessive use of surgery, filters, and auto-tune. A catfish of sorts. These contradicts the actor's personal branding that hinges on authenticity and modest but classy discernment. He is Mr. Chanel no more.

Probability #7. The Wooga phenomenon has shifted. It seems like it's the other member's time to shine, or shine a lot more. There is a time to bloom and a season to wither (albeit temporarily) for everyone, and viewers might have grown more curious about what the other actor-members can offer. This is nobody's fault. It's just a natural progression or cycle that does not diminish one's achievements.

Probability #8. His constant mention of burnout, and yearning for married life. I say he should start doing what makes him happy and stop what makes him miserable.

Probability #9. The real comeback is still in the works. Maybe this drama is just an appetizer for something explosive. After one lukewarm project after another, maybe he is set to rev up his filmography to greater heights. Playing a morally depraved character is either going to revive him or break him. Cheers to waiting for this next chapter.

Probability #10. His (unverified) misguided commentary about women. I have not seen the original interview so I will reserve my judgment until then. Have a good one!

Hi @bookminthe

Since the narc narrative is a constant, I would have loved your version of the ending. I read a lot of comments of viewers wanting Gyeongdo to meet a cute Spanish girl in Malaga and start a family with her. That would have been my wish list too. Clark Kent Gyeongdo with an artistic wife and cute half-Korean children would have made the show unforgettable and I doubt if viewers would prefer WooShik dying just to force a "happy" ending with this two. You know why this show didn't rate well? Because it has no moral in the story. People don't like that. Viewers watch a show in hopes of learning something, widening their mindset, enjoying the narrative. This show gave none of that. And goodness PSJ, please make your next project worthwhile because I can't believe I had to sit thru hours and hours of this show only for you. My belief in you is sitting on a loosened thread. I had to face my fear of narcissistic narratives just to finish a drama he stars in.

You know @bookminthe, this in-depth research habit of mine is not doing me any good. I had a godawful time reading and listening tp PSJ interviews. viewer comments, videos, and articles. I will not write down my conclusion here as I know you will not be pleased with what I have to say haha.

I just wish I did not get curious why PSJ accepted this project and I wish I didn't know how personal this project is to him, coming across a SJW-ish character (narc tendencies etc. included). So imagine the trauma I got the second time around hahaha. I told you I had a godawful time. I so get it now so I rest my case. Explaining it in detail is not worth another round of stress lol. I'm just glad I ticked it off my bucket list and one of the most enjoyable parts of all this is getting to read your thoughts about this drama.

I do not know what you do for a living but please consider writing a script even as a hobby. I will come back to this thread if I remember something else. It would be nice to re-read our exchange from time to time.

Hi @bookminthe,

I think the SJW character was the total opposite of what they intended her to be. A narc is more complicated to write than a serial killer IMO haha. A serial killer would have obvious motivations, and the writers can totally go unhinged in writing the character because the audience rarely meet one in real life. With a subject matters that we have little knowledge about, we tend to just take the writer's word for it.

Narcs, on the other hand, are a dime a dozen. A large part of the population have probably brushed shoulders with one or two of them, so there's a kind of narrative about narcs that is already etched in stone. No amount of storytelling can convince people otherwise.

Re: fandom. I wish I was in one but I only pick a couple of actors in Hollywood, Jdrama or Kdrama. I only like PSJ and Hyun Bin as I get easily distracted by any obvious traces of plastic surgery while they are acting on screen. These two have little to none cosmetic procedures in their faces. In that regard, I like watching Japanese actors because they have a more grounded look. I love it when actor's show a a little wrinkle or crow's feet here and there as they look more believeable no matter what roles they play.

Everytime I finish watching a movie or a drama that caught my interest, I go in-depth with the whole production, especially the actors. I find it amazing how their real life choices directly correlate to the projects they say yes to. That, to me, is half the fun. I am such a nerd haha. I am not a member of any active fandom though. I research only out of curiousity and not in hopes of belonging to any group. Knowing what I know in the end is satisfying enough.

I agree with you about Gyeongdo and his father. They are totally clueless of SJY machinations, and come to think of it, I think SJW herself has no idea that she is a narc. She merely thinks she's always the victim and that Gyeongdo and people around her should take pity on her and protect her because she needs someone to do it for her. That's why we can't take her seriously. She has no self awareness of her misdeeds.

Re: the reversal of gender dynamics. I have no problem that SJW is suddenly the head of a conglomerate, she is an heiress after all. The director just did a botched job focusing more on TELLING rather than SHOWING. Much like what he did with most of the show.

SJW is a great CEO now. Suddenly, without even showing how she got so good at her job in just a matter of weeks. There was no outright explanation other than she is the child of the owner. What they showed us is that she is a flighty chaebol who flies all over the world with daddy's money and calls herself a fashion influencer. The fashion influencer also makes me scratch my head. What fashion? What influence? I saw none of that. TELLING, SHOWING. She just transformed from a suicidal alcoholic into a competent CEO overnight.

In hindsight I also get why Gyeongdo wore oversized clothes. Because he should be as unchanging as a tree. Boring and steady. It's correct that it's impossible to change an introvert.

But boy, after all the trauma he went thru because of SJW, Gyeongdo owes himself some character growth, a little panache borne out of the pain that people experience in real life. They could have gotten inspiration from Christopher Reeve's Clark Kent. Kind, and dorky but sexy and capable. Fitting for a person who has sufferred a good two decades of pain but still stood his ground no matter what. Gyeongdo could have had quiet a strength that would redeem his extreme stupidity when it comes to SJW.

I even wish they explored the ex-husband more. The actor played him well. they planted the seeds but didn't commit to it. What could have been a rivalry that could have forced Gyeongdo's Clark Kent to come out was replaced with a poorly ended corporate battle. The scene where he snapped his fingers to catch the ex's attention was promising. But in their next face-to-face re: proposal ring, they were made to fight like immature kids.

They made Gyeongdo a boring push-over thru and thru, one who can and will sacrifice his integrity for Seo Ji Woo. They could have made him initially firm at hating/ignoring SJW like a man with abundant self-respect and self-control. He is freakin' 38. He could have made SJW chase after him this time around. Because now, he is a big shot journalist with a few pretty admirers.

But no, they made Gyeongdo chase after SJW, and made him sit on a desk looking at an empty piece of paper. Another case of TELLING not SHOWING. He is a good journalist, trust me bro.That is why his clothes bothered me, because even in his choice of fabric and fit, he still seems like a long-time victim of a narcissistic partner. Someone who has nil self-respect nor confidence. A typical characteristic of someone who went thru a form of abuse.

We mentioned Han So Hee. I am not a fan of hers, I just find her pretty and I like that she speaks her mind and owns her s*xuality in a repressed society like SK. I didn't watch all her kdramas but I like her vibe opposite PSJ, she balances him. He seems to be quiet and introverted so she is a breathe of fresh air for him. She is not my perfect model of what a woman should be but she is unapologetic of how and what she is. You go girl.

Now when I imagine her playing SJW, I'm thinking she won't play her as overtly pushy or trying too hard. She will play her with subtle rage and a come-get-me attitude. Gawd, WJA chose the in-your-face-pushy kind of acting instead of relying on physical attraction on the onset. Hers was kind of a slapstick way to get a guy's attention.

Were they trying to copy sassy girl? But sassy girl was a funny story from many decades ago. It does not fit modern ways of thinking. It also worked because the guy is Cha Tae Hyun who is not supposed to be handsome in the story. It makes sense that he will be head over heels with a girl who bullies him. But come to think of it, even Sassy Girl isn't acceptable.

We cannot totally avoid the narc characteristics because that was the whole point of thr scriptwriter. To love a narc against all odds. So let's fix the narrative a little to fit this goal.

Going back, HanSoHee would have expertly "manipulated" Gyeongdo into worshipping at her feet, without insulting, cursing and bad influenc-ing. She would have went all in with her bitchy seductress, instead of acting like a prim and proper bully. Who decided that those actions were loveable? The soju drinking scene had so much promise but looked more like bullying.

I mean Gyeongdo fell in love with SJW at first sight, given that he was a testosterone driven college kid. SJW should have been played by a woman who can evoke physical attractiveness. That would make it so believable why Gyeogdo cannot get over her even after so many years. He got hooked with her physical charm at first, and fell deeper when he got to know her better.

The reckless, aggressive SJW that we got was homely and irritating, and yes, like the ex that Gyeongdo had to get over from so he could find a healthy relationship in the future.

HanSoHee would have been so effective at giving Gyeongdo that come hither look that made Gyeongdo fall madly, crazy in love. SJW didn't have to push Gyeongdo around. She only had to seduce him with her smarts, subtle movements, and eye contact. And I am not even talking about s*x. She was a well-travelled woman even at a young age, it fits her character.

Attraction like that would have made Gyeongdo's 2 decade allegiance unquestionable. I mean, he had the best girl ever and nobody measured up to her no matter how hard he looked.

But no, they made SJW start Gyeongdo's drinking habit and made him listen to her inappropriate words. Ask any man who finds that attractive and worth falling for. That scene when SJW went to his classroom was a gold mine. Imagine Han So Hee in an all black, tight-fitting outfit, red lipstick, bad girl, looking like a mischievous narc, waiting to break Gyeongdo's heart.

That would make her unforgiveable but also unforgettable. They started that toxic dynamic but did not follow thru. Toxic, but sexy. It was the only way to explain Gyeongdo's obssession.

And I do not believe for PSJ to miss the beat in acting a skinskip-obssessed lover, who got a taste of toxic love hahaha. He would play that version of inept, awkward, but loyal love fool to a tee. And he would have been fantastic in it. The eyes are key for PSJ and HanSoHee. They could evoke ma multitude of sins, regrets and delusions with one batting of an eyelash. One subtle eye acting could've made a difference in the storyline.

HanSoHee or any A-list actress should also be able to properly convey the ghosting part. It was the trickiest scene of all because it would make or break how SJW will be accepted by the viewers as Gyeongdo's forever love. I never saw any hint of guilt or regret in WJA's version. It may not be included in the script but a more experienced actress would have shown it.

One scene with HanSoHee contemplating and raging and throwing things would have conveyed SJW's absolute disgust and perdition of herself for ghosting poor Gyeongdo. I love him but I am selfish and I cannot face him right now. I cannot even look at myself. There. They should have let us see that SJW was aware that she was being an abso crazy bitch. A bloody hand, broken mirror would have been poignant. Since we are already in the subject of mental issues.

The SJW we got let Gyeongdo apologize for not being with her when she left at 28 lol. That's what we missed, and keep missing until the show ended at episode 12. What we got instead was SJW taking pity on herself, crying, feeling like a victim and even blaming Gyeongdo for not being there at the theater when he said he would. Girl, is the subject of self-introspection alien to you? Lol I really wanted to squeeze her pouting mouth.

The majority of comments that I read is what the hell did Gyeongdo see in SJW that made him feel such intense emotions? A badass HanSoHee (or another actress) would have solved the biggest plothole in this story line. A broken but oh so unforgettable woman. Let's be honest, men are visual creatures, they are always in a quest for their Helen of Troy. A 20 or 28 or 38 year old man who falls in love with an uberly attractive narc is not a hard cake to sell.

Also, a confrontational scene between the mother and the badass SJW would have been so charming, two women who love Gyeongdo in equal measure verbally slugging it out until all the bitterness in their heart have dissipated. Eomma would have acted the hell out of that scene but she was reduced to a quiet, forgiving entity. What mother will not feel hatred for the woman who has hurt her son so badly? Reality check.

If Gyeongdo and the friend group could it go so easily then the Eomma should have at least shown what real life parents would do. The Eomma actress deserved a scene to showcase her acting chops. The blank stares and nonchalant way she looked at SJW didn't do it for me.

I was looking at the screen waiting desperately for a slap or two, and a few months without forgiveness. It would have been easier to forgive SJW, could've even redeemed her character. Even in real life, we tend to forgive only when people who hurt us were punished or has apologized profusely for what they have done. SJW was allowed to go scot free. Without consequences.

How about you @bookminthe, how would you have fixed some of the problematic scenes?

Please write more. Know that your thoughts are seen and heard. Not judged, but accepted.

Hi @bookminthe, took me a while to reply because I read every word with an afterthought. Surely Tomorrow only rated more than 1.2% because of PSJ. While reading your detailed description of a narc, how I wished you had assisted the scriptwriter of this drama. SJW is fully formed in your mind, while the writer herself does not know what to do with her. How obvious it is because SJW became an irritating caricature instead of a broken but fully fleshed-out person.

I do make it a point to watch interviews of actors behind the scenes because it makes me understand the micro expressions that they make while playing the character. All characters are only as good as the actors who play them. I cannot questions PSJ's acting as he has fully immersed himself with Gyeongdo, he went all in even with his bored appearance, which I presume is how he interprets an extremely introverted person.

I can forgive WJA for accepting a role that she is obviously not ripe for but on screen I am peeved of her interpretation of SJW, making the character extremely pushy and disrespectful. She lacked a certain grace in playing a rich, spoiled, broken, modern woman. There are so many ways to express it but she chose the over-the-top way instead of the more subtle/profound way. Hence, the word performative. The director and PSJ can only do so much to balance her aggressiveness.

I do understand that WJA played a lot of masculine/tough/yakuza characters before Surely Tomorrow so it might have been a factor in why she seemed masculine more than feminine in her portrayal of SJW. Pushy, arrogant, weak, selfish, rude, rascal-ish, needy, manipulative. All are in the negatives., she did not even try to balance it. Even the way she fake laughed during the Gyeongdo half-naked-in-her apartment scene was so cringe. Grr, the director accepted that take.

Even villains have a certain amount of vulnerability, but SJW did not. The chemistry with PSJ suffered massively because of it. I have seen PSJ in all of his kdramas/movies and he can generate so much s*xual tension with his co-stars like you wouldn't believe because the FLs were tough but womanly. There is a certain sexiness in femininity and even PSJ can be playful with that. But with WJA, a flat line. I can see that both of them tried their darndest to act out the chemistry, but the viewers are no fools. Her range is limited to tough characters.

I am quite the unique viewer because after a kdrama, I cannot help but analyze the actors, directors, scriptwriters etc. in real life. It gives me a wider window of understanding why they chose to do this or that scene a certain way. Their face and eyes tell a story even when they're acting. I know a lot of people frown upon looking into an actors personality in real life but this is how I roll. All characters borrow certain traits from the actors that play them. We cannot separate them entirely.

Re: general reception of the drama. Well, the weekly ratings speak for themselves. I am not sure if South Korean and international audiences can relate to SJW if at all. Her perpetually-swearing-insulting antics are not likeable for conservative/Asian cultures. Unfortunately, international/Western audiences are well-informed of narcissistic behaviors. SJW is Catch-22 with both audiences.

I agree with PSJ in his rationalization of Gyeongdo. Gyeongdo is a good man through and through, an all-around loveable person, and hopeless romantic. PSJ portrayed him to the bone, and left no crumbs. The only crack in his character is SJW. She does not align with everything that he stands for. Everything about Gyeongdo becomes stupid and nonsensical when it involves her. It escapes my understanding why they had to force the love narrative between them when they cannot even be friends. Nobody buys it, and those who do only because they love PSJ.

PSJ is an intuitive actor and no matter how he tries to act smitten, his micro body/facial tics betray him. Even during their most intimate scenes, there is an absence of attraction on his part. During their skinship moments, haha wtf, I can't help but wonder if PSJ has a real-life girlfriend who forbids him from being intimate with his co-star.. The non-chemistry is that bad, it makes you ask silly questions. I recently watched a few episodes of Can This Love be Translated, and I need to correct myself with the age gap being the cause of nil chemistry. ML and FL have a 10 year-aged gap but there was ease in their interactions, no over-acting needed.

There was also a dual personality arc for the FL but funny enough she was a lot, lot more loveable than SJW. It is because she has a mental illness that she cannot control, and she does not use it as an excuse to hurt anybody. She copes with it without having to resort to drug addiction, alcoholism, rudeness, or narcissism. She has it a lot worse than SJW but she is also gives and makes her loving feelings clear to the ML. She does not take and take, unlike SJW who does not give anything to Gyeongdo. Only takes.

As for Gyeongdo, do you remember the scene when the intern didn't like what she wrote because it was all lies, just so they could cover-up Gyeongdo and SJW. I realized Gyeongdo, inspite of being a kind man, has the capacity to step on others in defense of SJW. That a twisted kind of love, indeed. I cannot help but think that when they get married, SJW might weaponize that love against Gyeongdo's parents. Surely Tomorrow is Gyeongdo's villain origin story.

There is a certain dynamic about SJW and Gyeongdo's mom that makes for a future scuffle. The actress that plays the mom knows how to play with her expressions to defy the script that she was given. You will notice that she is not overly enthusiastic when SJW is around. The script might say that SJW has managed to charm eomma but the actress that plays her conveys apathy in her eyes. That is a veteran actress we are looking at.

The actress knows that no sane parent (let alone a doting mother) who will let this narc get to her son. SJW is not a narc in theory only. The mother had to pick up her son from the depths for God knows how many times. Even their family dinner made me cringe. An upright mother would slap SJW and grey rock her efforts at forgiveness. Even conversing with Gyeongdo's dad, SJW is played with childish/haphazard enthusiasm. I wanted to pull my hair out. The eomma actress could have played her character enthusiastically, but no. Her eyes were empty, it's obvious that she is not pleased with the woman.

And just like us viewers, it should have been so hard to watch Gyeongdo fall all over again into a toxic relationship. After he met SJW again, there were no good things that happened to him, only pain and drama. Love is supposed to make your life better, and also make you the best version of yourself. Only the opposite happened to Gyengdo when she arrived.

This drama was not good for my mental health. I could only imagine it's effect on people who have survived toxic relationships. no wonder, a lot of international audiences are raving mad about SJW, especially women. She is not a woman's woman. She is the kind of girl that other girls stay away from.

I am glad that PSJ is proud of his hard work and efforts on this kdrama, but I hope that he recognizes that his fan's love for him is not unlimited. His recent projects were Dream (movie), The Marvels, Gyeongseong Creature. They have been received only mildly, so Surely Tomorrow is bad news. I enjoyed Gyeongseong Creature but his potential with Han So Hee was poorly handled. There he is again, 36 yr-old PSJ looking like an innocent virgin around such a gorgeous woman. Their characters were separated for 75 years but they only kissed and looked shy around each other haha. PSJ, what the heck? You are not maximizing your body of youth.

It's about time he accepts something risque or risky. He always picks characters in safe harbor. Most of them are virgins, with a good heart. It's getting redundant.

Warning sensitive topic: Gyeongseong Creature has an "anti-Japanese" undertone (unit 731, and PSJ gives a hearty speech about Japanese occupation during 1945), while PSJ has a massive fan base in Japan, massive billboards and all. I don't know if a politically-colored project was a good choice for him, but Netflix green lit a 70 billion won budget for it. The drama was not a mega-hit and probably alienated some fans. Not sure if it's a factor why Surely Tomorrow is on Prime, not on Netflix.

Anyway, if Han So Hee played Seo Ji Woo, Surely Tomorrow would have been a massive hit. That girl can play a psycho and still manage to make it work. I would not doubt Gyeongdo's undying love at all because Han So Hee will play the broken Seo Ji Woo with gravitas. There is a softie/bombshell aura around her that Won Ji An doesn't. Gyeongdo's stupid pining would surely sell.

Hahaha, I'm blabbering again. Thank you for the exchange and giving me a safe space to express my unorthodox and occasionally offensive musings @bookminthe

You write so beautifully.

Reading your thoughts has offered me some healing because darn it, this drama has triggered me in so many ways. I feel scammed because they used PSJ, my ultimate kdrama actor, to force me to watch it until the end.

How enlightening to read that you think of the FL as a covert narc as I have always thought of her as an overt one, insulting Gyeongdo, and being overly pushy and rude. She even cut him down to size when she visited his office to talk to the manager, slyly implying that Gyeongdo wasn't that big a deal.

I watched a video saying that SJW is so PERFORMATIVE. That is exactly the word I was looking for to describe her. She looks so forced, I can't unsee it.

Re: ending. I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt icky about Jiwoo asking him to have babies. Might it be the choice of actress? Won Ji An is 25 years old and acts as such even when she's supposed to be 39. One can't fake experience. That's why she cannot hide her age.

Aside from being performative, she lacks the nuances of a woman who has lived thru her 30s and nearing her 40s. This was a bad, bad casting choice. Even Bae Suzy who is IMO not a very good actress would have fared better as SJW.

Even in interviews, PSJ seemed to be so restrained and formal around Won Ji An, might be because the subject of age gap is always being thrown around.

Had it been a woman closer to his age, PSJ wouldn't have looked like a eunuch, like he did especially in domestic scenes when they are sleeping in bed as a couple. He lost his darned s*x appeal overnight because carnal tension would have been ill-recieved. She looks like a minor no matter the clothes/haircut.

It's good that I am slowly running out of things to write about this drama because I am exhausted analyzing the nonsensical choices of the characters, and even of the director, scriptwriter.

They wanted to do so many things but never committed to anything. Evil mom. Alzheimer's. Mental issues. Drug dependency. An Da hye. Ex-husband. Evil brother in law. The corporate spy. They started all these but never finished.

I am even quite disappointed that PSJ had to do a presscon after the drama finished to explain and defend the choices made. Man, I love him from top toe but has he not learned anything from the comments viewers made? lol

He even related his own experiences in romantic love and alcohol to this drama. Noooo PSJ, leave your private life alone. It's cannon fodder for more intrigues. This drama is not your autobiography nor your apology letter to an ex-lover. Or is it? Anyhow, please be well mentally, psychologically, physically. Semper ad meliora.

I just hope he learns from this and choose a healthier character with a healthier FL next time (except when playing villains of course). I have never doubted his acting abilities and I know one day he will score a drama that will redeem him for ages. He is that talented.

And also for the kdrama producers, it seems like the new trend is giving the FLs some kind of mental health issue without due diligence. There are so many experts on the field. Use them. Please handle other people's sufferings and illnesses with grace and empathy.

I agree that this is like watching someone we know getting entangled with a narc or a toxic person. It is frustrating not to be able to do anything about it. We watch kdramas to feel good and be entertained. There is nothing entertaining about an FL who exhibits narc characteristics thru and thru, without an ounce of redemption. It's so stressful.

To cleanse my palate, I might watch CLOY again. The FL there could have been pushy, annoying, spoiled, and insufferable but it was masterfully done.

I need to stop myself because I am already venturing into the actor's private life territory. It's best not to go down that rabbit hole. Fare thee well, Surely Tomorrow. It's been quite a ride.

Yes, typical narc. So she will have her flying monkeys to defend her in case Gyeongdo decides to really leave her. Even manipulating the mom to send Gyeongdo the wedding dress picture was subtle but to the keen eye, is textbook narc tactics.

And if you have watched the end credit scene, notice how she is coaxing Gyeongdo to have babies like she was coaxing him to cut class and drink when they were 20. Arrrgggh the cycle never ends.

The problems with some kdramas is they force themselves to feature mental health issues just to be releavant, without in depth research. Gyeongdo's alcohol addiction was played and focused on really well. But they made the FL a lost cause only using narration as a tool. Script says she is broken, trust me she is. See how Gyeongdo accepts her. You should accept her too.

Then she even has the gall to ask "Why are you scared that they will turn out like me?"

Haha Gyeongdo said, "that too"

He is already aware but he still let's her dictate his life. I figured he must be so bored that he constantly needs her chaos to function properly.

I recently listened to a podcast (believe me, this kdrama traumatized me so much that I had to look for others who see the narc FL) that says, Gyeongdo still being in love with the FL after what she did for many years, and not being able to touch any other woman reflects on his CREDIBILITY. I believe, this also reflects everybody else's credibility, like Gyeongdo's friends and parents. It's so problematic for everyone, really.

Now I may be biased because I am a hugge PSJ fan. But I did realize that Gyeongdo, on his own, is a fabulous human being and played so beautifully by PSJ. His angst, nuances, kindness, quirkiness, were all played to perfection.

It's just thr FL makes him lose credibility as a person. We are who we love, so they say. There is no wonder why viewers throw mud at him too, even if he is a good person and an all around nice guy. Because e lets the FL do this to him.

We all have thr friend who entangles themselves with the wrong person, and we want to kick them in the head for doing so.

It's been a while and I've been cleansing my palate with new and old kdramas. I noticed that most FLs are broken too to some extent but have redeemig qualities and also do something for the ML. They don't make me wonder what the ML sees in them because the power pkay is equal for both sides. This FL, on the other hand, has all the worst characteristics a woman can have so no matter how PSJ tries to convey deep love, it doesn't work and looks forced. Thr FL makes Gyeongdo a nutcase himself and a hapless victim of an abusive relationship.

And for some reason, her being a chaebol made all her characteristics worse. A rich girl, swearing, abusing, ghostng, manipulating...

I don't know why of all kdramas this has really affected me. Maybe because I suffered thru all episodes waiting for the redemption of the FL. But no, they gave us a death of a friend, Gyeongdo looking healthier when away from FL, FL cornering Gyeongdo's family friends and officemates to her side, FL planning a baby like they are new toys to tinker with. No redemption, just fear of Gyeongdo's future with her.

Haha thank you for being a safe space for me to express my thoughts. I would have fallen to an abyss if keep getting gaslighted into loving the FL. Hope I find a healthier kdrama to watch very soon. But compared to Seo Ji Woo, all kdrama FL's would look so mentally healthy.

Hahaha I so agrree ith you that thr ending just showed them in the park but there will be lots and lots more breakup, especially after marriage and children.

But this time it will be the kids that will get traumatized. That's probably why Gyeongdo agreed that he doesn't want the kids to take after Jiwoo.

As a rule of thumb, a broken and depressed person should seek professional help first before even thinking about getting into a relationship. It's impossible she healed magically with only Gyeongdo trying to help her. He is not a doctor.

Haha thank you for the exchange of opinions danny_ang

I'm going to make enemies with my opinion of her lol. I read one comment that starts with "As a parent..." or "as a friend..." They wouldn't really support a union such as Gyeongdo and Seo Ji Woo because one is a giver (never takes) and a taker (never gives). Most of us do know people like that in our lives and sometimes we have to discreetly stay away from them because the level of toxicity will slowly creep into their environment.

danny_ang, please forgive my forceful word haha.

I for one, will not recommend someone like Seo Ji Woo to Gyeongdo because due to her self-absorption, she unknowingly treats Gyeongdo like a butler, to cater to all her whims with zero thought. Of course she will not be able to live without Gyeongdo because he is the only one who is willing to tolerate and love her unconditionally.

The part I dislike is Gyeongdo putting his life and dreams on hold just to help her with her endless struggles. When in fact, Gyeongdo is the disadvantaged one because he is the poor one and the one who got diagnosed with alcoholism and the one whose career might be in trouble when involved with a scandal with Seo Ji Woo. Gyeongdo has more to lose because he is just an employee. But if Seo Ji Woo's company gets in trouble, this rich girl will still have money to prance around the world like she used to. She even had all the cash to shut up the media, she just didn't think about it because it is always Gyeongdo that needs to sacrifice.

The manager is the only one who does not enable Gyeongdo, because the parents and the friends do, probably because they love Gyeongdo too much. But if one has witnessed how a person spiraled our of control because of a woman, is it not their moral responsibility to cut Gyeongdo from his constant source of pain. Mind you, Seo Ji Woo at the beginning of the drama is not yet a healed version of herself.

If she's still the needy, flighty person that she was 18 years ago, then I am not sold with her abrupt change of character in the last episodes.

I would have loved Gyeongdo if he had a "normal" girlfriend, not the needy, manic, insecure, broken Seo Ji Woo. Someone who Gyeongdo needs to protect but will also bring out the best version of him. With SJW, he keeps sacrificing his career and turns to self-harm (alcoholism).

I am firm with my opinion that he looked way healthier when he was in Malaga, without Seo Ji Woo. The writers resorted to k**ll*ng the friend in the last 10 minutes of the show because Gyeongdo seems to be living his best life already. It's hard to convince the viewers that he is better off in SK without someone d*yi*g. Even the thought of having kids that are like Seo Ji Woo "bothers" him. Even if he is the man, he wasn't the one who suggested having kids.

And the way Seo Ji Woo talked about having babies, it's like that aimless 20-year old kid who found a shiny new toy to play with. That's not how healthy adults talk about creating a family. It looked like it's another one of her whims that Gyeongdo has to give in to.

Gyeongdo even reminded her that they need to do careful.planning etc, but she didn't even listen and let him finish his sentence and explain his opinion. What Seo Ji woo wants, she gets pronto. Even fragile things like babies haha.

I had very little to work with in terms of liking her because from Epi1 she was already so stressful. She was a divorced, manic, drug dependent, alcoholic, depressed, ghost-er woman who only remembers Gyeongdo when she is in trouble. I concur that it was in bad taste to go back to Gyeongdo after trying to make babies with his ex-husband. Their marriage did not include love but it had plans of a future family together. That means if her husband didn't cheat, she wouldn't have gone back to Gyeongdo at all.

It would have probably been okay if she was just a divorced woman but with a selfless heart and iron will. Or depressed, but a loyal virgin. Or one who ghosted Gyeongdo but came back after a year because she cannot sleep at the thought of hurting him. Or drug dependent/alcoholic but saves Gyeongdo from harm using her money and connections. Balance. Something that redeems her. But instead, the writer gave her all the negative traits that one finds deplorable in a woman lol.

I wanted to think of her actions in Ep12 as her saving grace, but by then it was already a tad bit too late to endear herself to the viewers. I was still wondering what Gyeongdo likes in her other than, well, nothing. Also, her delivery of lines (the character) has more of a "hey bro, wazzup" feel instead of a helpless, endearing woman who is in dire need of protection.

On the positive end, I really like that Gyeongdo has a strong support system from the parents, to the college friends, to his officemates. I was kinda sad for that intern who wrote "lies" to cover Gyeongdo and SJW. That was the only time Gyeongdo became bad in my eyes because he was willing to sacrifice the integrity of Dongwon Ilbo and that poor girl's career. Them, to me, are the people who truly loved Gyeongdo. They are the drama's saving grace.

Hahahaha, I'm blabbering again but I am now actively searching for another drama to binge on. This drama has been bad for my nervous system. We do agree on some things and we do not agree on other things. But it's a healthy exchange. It's been nice reading your thoughts as well @danny_ang Please keep writing.

I have a different interpretation of Seo Ji Woo but I'm glad to read yours about her too.

No, you did not misread. I probably remember wanting to fast forward some scenes but ended up having it on my screen. Quite bluntly this drama gave me a little trauma that I barely remember how I got to Ep12 haha.

Unfortunately I watched all the episodes on Prime without fast forwarding too much. I did get torturedhaha. Thank you @danny

What beautiful lines? I seem to have fast forwarded a lot in Ep12 haha.

Re: flashbacks, without those, the writers could have sold this story to me. I was even so touched by their domestic when they were 28 life in Episode 6, I think.

Well until that other flashback about her reason to leave. Causing Gyeongdo to go prancing around like an id*iot, with his father's near death and his girlfriend's disappearance. Unforgiveable.

Hahahaha I need to stop now because when I start I can't seem to push the breaks on my opinions. Black sheeps, you and I both.

At first, I also didn't understand why I found it uncomfortable watching Jiwoo's effort to woo Gyeongdo at the very end. Going to his parents, their common friends and his officemates while Gyeongdo was gone.

Then I read one reaction from a netizen that she shouldn't have cornered all his support system while he was abroad, trying to heal and get away from the noise (one that she threw upon him).

Aha. That's it. OMG everyone loved her actions near the end, interpreting it as finally returning Gyeongdo's efforts.

But if you look at it, she was trying to endear herself to the very people that Gyeongdo will go to when he is down and out. Checkmate.

Grrrr. I thought there was something fishy for her sudden change of character. If the author was aware of this, then she had written the perfect narc hahahaha.

Gosh, I need to watch a new kdrama. Thanks for the insights.

DEAR PSJ HANDLERS WHO ARE PROBABLY LURKING HERE.

I saw PSJ's instagram post and as a fan I have felt guilty for slamming Surely Tomorrow when he has given his all to this drama. But I do not have the heart to say only positive things when this story and characters have obvious faults.

So let me be the villain if only to encourage him to come out of his shell and live his actor life passionately. He has perfected the art of weeping so there is nothing new to see in it. Make him the one who makes bad men cry this time.

I hope he also reads audience comments and learn from the positives as well as the negatives, so he may be able to pick roles that will challenge him to a higher level. Crying and screaming is not the only way to showcase good acting. It is also in the nuances and mundane gestures.

He doesn't need to always act innocent or look away shy in the pesence of a woman. He can be ardent too. He is nearing 40 so it's about time for him to maximize his peak masculinity and sex appeal. A character that is tough but also knows how to love a woman in a healthy way.

Please tell PSJ not be scared to take on roles with bold, strong, sexy, smart characters. His fans are going to support him all the way. If his Jeomjus were able to watch this fledgling drama in full out of loyalty to him, then that is a sign for him to not be afraid to experiment.

Let him take bad boy roles, evil with a heart roles, swashbuckling roles, playboy roles, secret agent roles, genius roles, villain with social responsibility roles. There is a buffet in front of him, all he has to do is pick. There is nothing wrong with having a little weakness or imperfection. That is what makes a character loveable.

It seems like he chose the shy, innocent, green flag to a fault Gyeongdo because it is the surest, safest way to get the female audiences. He played Gyeongdo to a tee by the way, it's just that he is not a character that one idolizes, relates to, or keeps loving in the long run. People crave safety but they crave adventure more.

They want to have dreams, to grow as a person and, and find someone to love who is good for one's nervous system and mental health. Please find him a character who does exactly that. Someone that people can hang their dreams and aspirations to. Someone to truly love.

We are watching dramas not to escape life but to look for fictional characters that can achieve what we have always wanted to do but cannot. Conquer an insurmountable problem. Fall in love. Succeed. Do revenge. Become rich. Leave a toxic relationship. Fly.

PSJ can get away with it and we can take it all. I only had many issues with Surely Tomorrow because it was hard to watch PSJ crying constantly for a toxic arc. It was like watching him being publicly flogged for no reason in that drama. I cringe. Make his tears worth it. Make him cry as a character about a fallen loved one, his country, his family, or a goal.

This is 2025 and the world has rotated a full 180. Spineless men with no self-respect are not cool anymore. Only people who know how to love themselves have the right to love others too. I personally would have preffered watching him as a villain who has full on self-awareness than a simp with no personality and spunk.

Self-love and self-respect is the new craze. Ratings come and go but the message that the character and story convey is forever. Make the message a healthy and self-empowering one.

I really want to see PSJ win an award this time around. I think one of the reasons why he had a semi-hiatus is because being an actor already became a thankless job. He keeps giving his all but he is barely recognized among his peers.

Please help him raise those winning trophies and get a solid nod from his co-actors in next couple years. It will be much sweeter after all the snark that had been directed at him for this drama.

Please tell PSJ that it's okay to play different roles, not just the faithful, innocent lover who only ever yearns for one woman. An imperfection will not take away from the story because I know he will give his character justice.

His stardom has become his biggest liability. He's had varied roles but them characters feel unfinished. Like he is doing only a half jump. Unsure.

In Surely Tomorrow I sense that is giving his all in acting but his physical movements seem so ridgid. Like he is suppressing a playful and carnal side of him in order to satisfy an audience. That won't be sustainable in the next 10 years.

The word simp has become a hated word in regards to this drama because the audience expected so much of PSJ. We are used to him picking characters that are kick-ass, no matter how imperfect. Characters that inspires us to do more and to do better. Characters that we know will protect us but also scold us when we are out of line. Characters with spine and purpose.

If it were a lesser actor we would have not cared much. I believe in PSJ with all my heart. He deserves the world.

I wanted to commend Gyeongdo's mom and dad for sending him to travel for a year because I was pretty sure a part of them wanted Gyeongdo to stay away from Jiwoo. Their son is a kind and upright human that only ever gets hurt when that girl is around.

The parents conciously or unconciously want their son to fly away from his source of unhappiness and pain. He was not even planning to stay in SK. He was starting to love his life in Malaga, he looked so healthy mentally and physically.

Why force a reunion when it's not healthy at all? He deserved to have a nornal life with a nornal wife and normal children. Whybhe allowed Jiwoo back in his life again, I will never understand. But yeah, bad women happen to good men.

I wish Gyeongdo just stayed in Malaga and found himself a Spanish-Korean woman there. The vile comments wouldn't have exploded if they gave that man a happy ending that did not include the FL, that up until now makes me want to break something.

She always crying about situations that she herself created, pouung if she doesn't get her way .

I would have never touched this drama with a 10 ft pole if I was not a PSJ fan.