This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I have so much compassion for Joon Young.
To be honest, he is a victim of his family having broken apart. He had no say and no choice at all throughout the whole ordeal. This is a kid who’ve initially accepted his life despite his parents shortcomings (mom who places work first, hardly present in his daily affairs, and dad who did spent the most time with him but then had this affair and started this whole downward spiral for the family). Everything that happened between his parents obviously would come at a great cost for him (I mean, how can we irrationally expect otherwise?).
So as a kid, without much voice and who was hardly listened to (despite him voicing his thoughts at the beginning that he didn’t want his parents to go through a divorce and he asked if they could just look past things and each other and just stay together). This is a child that just desperately wants to keep his family intact no matter what, it would be unfair to expect him to fully understand the complicated world of a married couple, because after all, he is indeed a child.
I never once thought of Joon Young as selfish, because nobody should ever expect a child to be “understanding” of parents/adults - that’s the wrong way around. Not to disregard the fact that some children IRL do really have that understanding and people have to see that as a gift rather than basic expectancy of a child to have because heck, children are not adults and should not have to shoulder responsibilities and burdens as such.
I actually started the show feeling more compassion for Ji Sun Woo, but I realised towards the end, the most innocent victim of this whole "drama" is Joon Young. I still had some compassion for mom, but more for the kid. Just had to say my piece for this poor kid. <3
GOSH, I love the post-credits of this ending. How at the end...showing pictures of behind the scenes shot, everyone was smiling and I felt this lightness and smiled along! I somehow felt that was so necessary and poetic given the intensity of the ride the whole show was! <3
Thank you for writing up this article and all the work that goes behind it! Love whenever there are articles spotlighting the efforts and engagements of people on MDL, in a way that also inspires and educates! I've never written any reviews...just yet, but I am sure soon, one day I will get on to doing that. Truly appreciate all the work of reviewers - they play such a pivotal role more than we often realise (what better way do we navigate perspectives in a conducive manner?). THANK YOU! ;)
Thanks for the ost, I didn't notice it while watching and it's to good to miss out on.
Haha I can't remember exactly where it played, but I remember it being played quite often (both the original & instrumental version), especially during the times when it involves Cha Young Jin and Go Eun Ho :)
I've watched a fair share of Wu Lei's projects along with a lot of his variety/reality show appearances, which made me grow my appreciation of this young man - mainly in terms of his visuals and personality. The projects I enjoyed him in were particularly from his childhood days playing supporting roles (to name a few: Mysterious House, Agreed Not to Cry, Zigu Yingxiong Chu Shaonian), which grew my respect towards this fine young actor, especially watching his crying scenes - a truly phenomenal performance! I feel like he has a lot more potential to shine in modern or family dramas, which he seemed to participate more in as a child but not so much as an adult. Or perhaps I am not a big fan of the wuxia plots that Wu Lei seem to incline towards. But nonetheless, personally he is one of my favourite young actors! <3
Just so curious, anyone ever seen/heard her speak English &/French?? Would love to see a video of it! Liked her in Ever Night S1 (loved the chemi with Arthur) and now currently watching The Best of You in Mind! ;)
From the second trailer, it seems to suggest there might be an amnesia theme with the Father...thinking he is 22 years old. LOL! Is there supposed to be comedy tag or something? Anyways, I love family dramas and I like the casting and cannot wait! <3
WOW, what a combination of male and female leads. Both individually great at their craft, together I would never have ever imagined - but I am genuinely so excited to find out! HIGHLY ANTICIPATING <3 Also, to be honest I love most of the casting already even the supporting :)
Love your article, the way you summarised it all fitted perfectly with my experience watching the show! I found the show to be a high-quality, unapologetically unfiltered close-to-reality depiction of the lives of youths who are trying to survive the best they can given the circumstances life threw at them. So many themes and issues can be extracted from this, as you have highlighted some!
I also have to commend the portrayal of subconscious and conscious collision of realities in the dreams Oh Ji Soo have in this, truly felt like it enhanced the creativity and art in storytelling! I truly WISH THEY MADE MORE SHOWS LIKE THIS - especially enjoyed the subtleties and the amount of attention/space/thought given to the storytelling of the vulnerable yet resilient phase of youthfulness in the script writing, where it spotlights them as mains.
GREAT CASTING and I went through a LOT OF FEELS watching! Definitely hoping and looking forward to a Season 2, I finished 10 episodes in 2 days (that was how good it was!)! Easily one of the best dramas I've watched thus far in 2020 <3
My summary of this show: A high-quality, unapologetically unfiltered close to reality depiction of the lives of youths who are trying to survive the best they can given the circumstances life threw at them. So many themes and issues can be extracted from this!
I have to commend the subconscious and conscious collision of realities in the DREAMS Oh Ji Soo have in this. What a creative work of art in the storytelling!
I WISH THEY MADE MORE SHOWS LIKE THIS - with the depiction and storytelling from an authentic, close to reality perspective of the youths and their surrounding lives. Especially enjoy the subtleties and the amount of attention/space given to the young main characters in the script writing, where it spotlights them as mains. GREAT CASTING and I went through a LOT OF FEELS watching! <3
YOON CHAN YOUNG. Hope this is a proper male lead role, have been waiting since his impressionable role on Mama back in 2014. Such a powerful actor! There is a deep melancholy about him whenever I see him on screen with the type of roles he play.
Same for me, why did no one launch her into space yet, damn???
Haha exactly yeah her character is single. I would love to be able to skip her scenes, but I have to hear what she's saying...the drama's too good for me to skip anything. I always find myself scrunching up my face in pure annoyance when she appears! OH, and don't get me started on HER EYE ROLLING! GOSH.
To be honest, he is a victim of his family having broken apart. He had no say and no choice at all throughout the whole ordeal. This is a kid who’ve initially accepted his life despite his parents shortcomings (mom who places work first, hardly present in his daily affairs, and dad who did spent the most time with him but then had this affair and started this whole downward spiral for the family). Everything that happened between his parents obviously would come at a great cost for him (I mean, how can we irrationally expect otherwise?).
So as a kid, without much voice and who was hardly listened to (despite him voicing his thoughts at the beginning that he didn’t want his parents to go through a divorce and he asked if they could just look past things and each other and just stay together). This is a child that just desperately wants to keep his family intact no matter what, it would be unfair to expect him to fully understand the complicated world of a married couple, because after all, he is indeed a child.
I never once thought of Joon Young as selfish, because nobody should ever expect a child to be “understanding” of parents/adults - that’s the wrong way around. Not to disregard the fact that some children IRL do really have that understanding and people have to see that as a gift rather than basic expectancy of a child to have because heck, children are not adults and should not have to shoulder responsibilities and burdens as such.
I actually started the show feeling more compassion for Ji Sun Woo, but I realised towards the end, the most innocent victim of this whole "drama" is Joon Young. I still had some compassion for mom, but more for the kid. Just had to say my piece for this poor kid. <3
I also have to commend the portrayal of subconscious and conscious collision of realities in the dreams Oh Ji Soo have in this, truly felt like it enhanced the creativity and art in storytelling! I truly WISH THEY MADE MORE SHOWS LIKE THIS - especially enjoyed the subtleties and the amount of attention/space/thought given to the storytelling of the vulnerable yet resilient phase of youthfulness in the script writing, where it spotlights them as mains.
GREAT CASTING and I went through a LOT OF FEELS watching! Definitely hoping and looking forward to a Season 2, I finished 10 episodes in 2 days (that was how good it was!)! Easily one of the best dramas I've watched thus far in 2020 <3