Living Tribunal

Thank you for your apology, I appreciate it. I agree that this is an exchange of opinions, and both of us are entitled to have our own perspectives. I didn’t resort to insults until @perszepersze called me pathetic just for having a different opinion. After that, I tried to keep things light-hearted without going as low as some others, but if anyone found it insulting, I apologize sincerely.

I understand your point about the logic being more grounded in real life, and while I may not agree with it entirely, I respect your viewpoint. The writers might have created the dynamic with certain intentions, but I still feel there were aspects that didn’t align with my own expectations or preferences. That being said, I’m not trying to prove anyone wrong, just expressing my take on things.

In the end, I agree that we're all here to exchange thoughts, not to fight. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts, and I respect that we can have differing opinions while still keeping it civil. Thanks for engaging in this discussion!

Oh, so now we’re only focusing on the crime part of the drama and ignoring the romance aspect, which, surprise surprise, is actually part of the genre? You seriously want me to believe that a crime drama automatically means we should expect bad romance dynamics? What kind of logic is that? The romance is clearly a major part of the story, and you're trying to play the "it's just a crime drama" card like it excuses the lazy writing? Nice try.

Let’s talk about this SFL issue you’ve conveniently ignored. Why can’t they create a balanced dynamic for the ML with an SFL, like they did with the SML and FL? The SML barely had scenes in the original novel, yet somehow, they found a way to shove in those unnecessary moments with the FL just to create tension. But when it comes to the ML? Oh no, that’s apparently off-limits. Is this just a case of lazy writing or are we really just making excuses here?

And just for the record, I never said the FL “crossed the line” with the SML or encouraged him. I'm calling out the writers, not the FL's actions. But hey, don’t let that detail ruin your attempt to twist my words again. As I clearly stated earlier: “These writers seem to be the real villains here, hiding behind the banner of feminism while creating such biased dynamics. They portray SFLs as scheming and evil in the ML-FL dynamic, with minimal moments of jealousy from the FL. Meanwhile, SMLs are always attractive, decent, or portrayed as ideal human beings for the FL, with plenty of jealousy scenes from the ML.” I guess subtlety is lost on you. Maybe a few drama analysis classes wouldn’t hurt—my treat!
"Done here and not trying to win any argument." A classic move when there’s nothing left to argue. It’s almost comical how quickly you bow out once it’s clear you can’t keep up. I’m sure you’ll feel better avoiding the embarrassment of trying to counter logic.

Ah, so now we're getting into word games, huh? You just had to bring up that one line I said, which, by the way, was about a general observation of SMLs across multiple dramas, not just this one. But clearly, your understanding of context is as strong as your grasp of English, so let me break it down for you:

When I said, "SMLs are always attractive, decent, or portrayed as ideal human beings for the FL," I was referring to a pattern across various dramas. I’m talking about the collective group of SMLs in general. But since your reading comprehension is clearly lacking, let me spell it out for you—I did not say this applies only to THIS drama's SML. It’s like you read the first line and decided to make up the rest of the paragraph on your own.

You, of course, ignored the context and jumped straight to your conclusion, which is exactly why you didn’t get what I was saying in the first place. My bad, maybe next time I should be more specific so people like you don't misinterpret it into a one-drama critique. The SML in this drama started off fitting that pattern, which is why I called it out—it's not that complicated.

So, maybe instead of "quoting" me out of context, you should take a moment to actually understand the point I’m making. You just proved my entire point with your inability to grasp it.

Ah, now we’re getting somewhere! Let’s break this down one point at a time, shall we?

1) FL’s Interaction with the 2ML:
When did I ever say it was FL’s fault for being chummy with the SML? Please point out where I blamed her. Oh, right, I didn’t. What I actually said was that the writer created this imbalance in their interactions, pushing unnecessary tension between the FL and SML while ignoring any depth between the FL and the ML. Yet somehow, you’ve twisted this into me accusing the FL of something she didn’t do. Isn’t it nice when people twist words to fit their narrative?

And regarding your point about FL being free to choose her friends—it’s a cute defense, but the issue isn’t whether she can be friends with the SML (she can). The problem is how the narrative force-feeds us moments of closeness between them, while ML gets no such equivalent moments with the SFL. But please, continue pretending the writer isn’t guilty of doing exactly that.

2) Regarding ML having a creepy behaviours: Even I pointed out the same if you would’ve actually seen my comments. Here’s the quote for your reference from my previous response in the below comments: "And yes, the ML was tailing her—don’t sugarcoat it as ‘protection.’ Following her around to the point of changing the light bulb on her street, when she never even told him where she lived? Creepy. That’s not how you earn trust; that’s how you make people uncomfortable.

Calling him spineless has nothing to do with him doing his duty as a policeman. It’s about how he accepted two breakups without a fight, never seriously questioning her reasons, and yet kept pining after her like a lost puppy. Moving in next door after being rejected, under the guise of protecting her? Desperate, not noble. And where was this so-called protective policeman when FL was carrying out her illegal investigation into the death matter? Conveniently silent, I suppose." But I guess if you look at everything through rose-colored glasses, it’s hard to see the glaring issues, right?

3) Regarding your comment "His behavior is that of a creepy stalker, making him one of the most useless MLs I've encountered in fiction."

Didn’t I already say this in my original post? "This drama has the most simp-like ML I’ve ever seen in my entire drama-watching journey. Come on, bro, at least try to be a man and stop following the FL around like a dog wagging its tail. The writers turned him into a completely spineless character whose every thought revolves around the FL." You’re twisting my words and jumping to conclusions when that was never even my point. My whole argument is about the imbalance created by the writer in their relationship. I’ve been pointing out the flaws of the writing, not blaming the FL or turning it into some weird feminist discussion.

If you’d actually paid attention to what I said instead of trying to counter points that aren’t even there, you'd see that my focus was on the writer’s handling of the relationship between the ML and FL. It was an unbalanced portrayal, especially considering how the writer shaped the ML into a character who just exists around the FL, completely sidelining his own growth or development.

4) Regarding you pointing out that I called FL a feminist: I never once mentioned anything about the FL being a feminist or anything like that, so I’m not sure where you pulled that from. All I’ve been doing is pointing out the flaws in the ML’s character and the imbalance the writer created. If you had been paying attention to what I actually said instead of twisting my words, you'd realize I wasn’t blaming FL for anything—just pointing out how the dynamic between the ML and FL was handled poorly.

Now, about your statement on my complaints being "meaningful only if they were still in a relationship": What exactly are you trying to say there? Are you implying that because they’re no longer together, the ML’s behavior is excused? If you think FL should be free from any responsibility for her actions in the relationship, well, that’s an interesting perspective. But according to your logic, since they end up together at the end, shouldn't FL also be held accountable for how things went down between them? You can’t just erase her part in the story because they ended up together. Just because the writer decided to wrap things up neatly doesn’t mean all the flaws in their actions should be ignored.

And by the way, you might want to check your English next time. It’s not exactly making your argument clearer, especially with lines like “All your complaints and frustration would be absolutely meaningful if they are still in a relationship, then at that point no one can save the FL from criticism.” Maybe focus on getting the logic right before attacking my views, because your argument is just falling apart. But hey, I guess it’s easier to just criticize someone else's point when you’re not even trying to understand the issues being raised.

And just to clarify for anyone who might be confused: I’m not bashing the FL for having flaws. I’m bashing the writing for forcing us to ignore any possible positive development in the relationship dynamics. But hey, thanks for the discussion—it’s certainly been a ride. My whole post was about the writer's inconsistency but these guys just twisted the whole argument around the flaws of FL and ML.

Ah, the paranoia is real, isn’t it? Truly, I must applaud your wild imagination—it’s almost impressive how you’ve spun a conspiracy theory about multiple accounts and mysterious alliances over a drama discussion. Are we writing a crime thriller now? Because honestly, this plotline is already more thrilling than the one in the actual drama.

For your information, I don’t find you or your opinions important enough to waste my precious sleep over. Unlike you, I have better things to do than sit here concocting baseless accusations about people who dare to disagree with me. Hate to break it to you, but you’re not the main character in this story, despite how hard you seem to be trying.

But hey, keep entertaining yourself with these baseless theories if it makes you feel better. Just don’t forget to add a twist ending—like realizing you’ve wasted all this energy defending a drama when all I did was express my opinion. Drama on-screen is great; drama off-screen? Not so much.

Ah, how perceptive of you to completely misunderstand my point! Clap, clap. Let me spell it out for you since nuance seems to have taken a vacation. I’m not asking for a copy-paste love triangle with the ML and SFL to manufacture drama. What I’m pointing out is the lopsided narrative focus—a deliberate imbalance in the dynamics. When the FL and SML get so many ‘chummy’ moments that are borderline romantic in tone, while the ML is left with... well, nothing comparable with the SFL, it’s not about demanding symmetry in relationships—it’s about asking for fair treatment in storytelling.

And since you’re so adamant about there being no love triangle, let me remind you: a one-sided obsession is still part of the dynamic. The SML’s jealousy, aggressiveness, and constant competition with the ML over the FL absolutely creates a love triangle-like tension, even if it’s one-sided. But maybe that detail slipped by you while you were busy trying to defend the writer's choices.

Also, calling this point 'weird' doesn't make it any less valid—it just shows you didn't take the time to consider the larger context of why audiences like me find this pattern frustrating. But I get it, critical thinking isn't for everyone.

So no, I'm not asking for a drama checklist where every ML gets a second FL. I'm asking for balanced dynamics that don’t rely on outdated tropes like ‘chummy FL and SML moments’ to artificially stir tension while giving the ML zero comparable interactions. If that’s too complicated for you to grasp, well, I don’t know what to tell you—maybe watch more than the surface level next time.

Oh, so this is your first time seeing an SML waiting around for the FL for years without confessing but suddenly becoming aggressive and competitive the moment the ML enters her life? Let me introduce you to the entire trope of second male leads in dramas—you know, the ones who pine endlessly but only seem to spring into action when there’s a perceived threat from the ML. If you’d taken a moment from defending this drama like it’s a masterpiece to actually reflect on recurring patterns in storytelling, you’d notice this isn’t exactly groundbreaking.

Also, where did I call a serial killer a 'decent, ideal human being'? Oh, wait—I didn’t. I said that most SMLs are often portrayed that way, especially early on in dramas. And guess what? In this drama, the SML wasn’t immediately painted as a villain either. For a good chunk of the show, he was a supportive senior to the FL, without the FL suspecting anything. If his dark side is suddenly revealed at the end, it doesn’t erase the initial portrayal, nor does it invalidate my point about the imbalance in scenes between the ML and the SFL compared to the FL and SML.

And yes, the SFL existed—but she barely had any impactful moments with the ML before being killed off. The writers could have created another SFL or fleshed out the dynamics to balance the story better, but nope, they stuck to the trope of focusing on the SML-FL bond to create unnecessary tension. But hey, if you’re too busy licking your screen every time the SML shows up, I don’t expect you to notice the lack of storytelling balance.

So no, I’m not here to blindly agree with you or pretend the drama’s choices were flawless. I’m pointing out legitimate frustrations as a viewer, and if that bothers you so much, maybe consider taking a step back and watching dramas with an open mind instead of defending every aspect like it’s the holy grail of writing.

Yes, I did watch the drama, and no, I’m not here to sugarcoat my opinion just because it doesn’t align with yours. Let me clarify a few things since it seems like my words were either misread or deliberately twisted.

First, I never said the FL crossed a line with the SML. My point was about the way the writer chose to portray their dynamic—plenty of scenes where they’re chummy and overly comfortable, creating unnecessary drama and frustrating the viewers. It’s a trope that’s becoming far too common in recent dramas, and it’s tiresome.

As for the SML, yes, by the end, he’s revealed as creepy and unstable, but for the majority of the drama, he’s portrayed as a good, supportive guy with no suspicion from the FL. If anything, his darker traits felt like an afterthought—something thrown in for shock value rather than being well-developed throughout the story.

And let’s talk about balance. The frustration isn’t just about this drama but a pattern across many recent ones. Writers give us SMLs who get these close, borderline intimate moments with the FL, but the ML rarely gets anything similar with an SFL. If that dynamic doesn’t bother you, fine, but it annoys me and plenty of other viewers who notice these recurring patterns.

Dramas are subjective; what annoys one person might not bother another. But twisting my words to fit your narrative doesn’t make your argument stronger—it just shows you didn’t really understand what I was saying. If you don’t find it annoying, that’s your opinion. Mine stands: these writing choices are frustrating, repetitive, and make for an imbalanced viewing experience.

Pathetic, you say? That’s rich coming from someone who has spent this much time obsessing over my comments just to defend a drama like it’s a personal crusade. Here’s a reality check: calling someone names because you don’t have the wit or evidence to refute their points is the textbook definition of pathetic.

You’re so desperate to discredit me that you’ve resorted to wild accusations about me using another account. Is it really that hard for you to accept that others might share my frustrations? Judging by the flood of negative comments on this drama, it’s clear I’m not alone. But sure, keep telling yourself it’s just me if it helps you sleep at night.

And let’s not forget—you were the one who replied to my comment in the first place. I was just expressing my thoughts, yet here you are, taking it personally and spiraling into baseless insults. If anyone’s behavior here screams 'pathetic,' it’s yours. But hey, keep entertaining me with your tantrums—at least they’re more amusing than the drama you’re so fiercely defending.

Oh, so now I’m really annoying? Well, I suppose that’s what happens when you try to point out the flaws in something and you’re met with someone who’s too invested in defending a series with more plot holes than a Swiss cheese. But hey, if I’m ‘annoying’ for having a conversation about a drama in a public domain, then I guess that’s just my role here, huh?

And about SFL’s confession during university—yes, we get it. She was in love with ML, and since she confessed, I guess we’re supposed to believe she can’t be a friend after that. But, really, is it some unwritten rule that ML can only have one SFL? If SFL already confessed and got rejected, are we supposed to just write her off and not give her any more purpose? But the writers, of course, can create another character to serve as the next complication, right? SML was just the ‘right fit’ because, hey, who doesn’t love a random love triangle to spice things up?

And as for SML 'not being in love' and 'incapable of it'—well, how convenient. That’s such a neat little excuse to just explain away everything. But tell me this—why was there so much jealousy from SML’s side every time FL and ML were close? Remember the dinner with Wang Qian Qian? SML was practically seething with competitiveness and jealousy, but we’re supposed to ignore all that? You can’t just throw those scenes in and expect them to magically have no meaning when the writer decides at the end that SML is ‘incapable of love.’ So, let’s just pretend the entire build-up of jealousy and aggression didn’t happen, and then call it a day. It’s almost like the writer’s trying to have it both ways—give us some drama-filled moments with SML and then, at the end, give us this neat, lazy explanation for his entire character arc.

And just to clarify, you’re the one replying to my comment when all I was doing was expressing my frustrated thoughts about the drama in a public space. But I guess that makes me 'annoying' because I didn’t just sit back and accept everything the writers served up without question. Interesting how that works.

Oh, now I’m ‘lazy’ because I’m not accepting the drama’s answers as gospel truth? That’s rich. Just because I’m not blindly following the story doesn’t mean I’m lazy; it just means I’m actually paying attention. If you're telling me that the drama gives me all the answers 'in a round and closed manner,' then please, do enlighten me where exactly these answers are. I’m still waiting for the so-called ‘closure.’ You say SFL’s death solves everything, but isn’t it a little too convenient that they just kill off a character to avoid dealing with a complex love triangle? Yeah, no further complications needed, just sweep it under the rug, right?

And this whole ‘no romance in a crime drama’ thing—so because there’s a crime element, I’m supposed to just forget the romance and pretend that’s not part of the genre? You’re telling me I’m the one with the skewed sense of proportion? This drama markets itself as both a romance and a crime drama. So, forgive me if I expect both elements to be handled well. You know, like a drama is supposed to, especially if it’s sold as a romance. But I guess I’m just too dumb to understand how to enjoy it properly, huh? Should I get a manual on how to watch dramas based on your opinions?

Oh, and ‘ML figured it out,’ you say? Great, I’m sure his soft, non-committal lines about 'handling things badly' are the magical fix for everything. Sure, because when FL broke up with him twice without giving him a real explanation, he was totally fine with just saying, ‘Okay, I get it.’ Really? That’s all it takes? No, it’s not his fault, but he sure let FL off easy without demanding any real answers. And, oh yeah, don’t forget about him stalking her to ‘protect’ her. Very noble, very heroic.

Let’s not forget that you were the one commenting on my post where I was pointing out the writers’ mistakes, but now I’m the one being selective? Interesting how that works. I guess I’m the one supposed to just accept it because it’s what the drama gave me, right? Well, thanks, but I’ll keep watching with my own perspective, and you can enjoy the story exactly as the writers intended—no questions, no expectations, no real character development.

Really? You think I watched this series with 'great leaps' just to piss myself off? Why would I skip a drama that I was supposed to watch for entertainment? Yes, the drama frustrated me at times, but there were also moments I genuinely enjoyed. Huang Jingyu, the actor playing ML, is one of my favorites. I’ve loved most of his dramas, and the synopsis of this show sounded right up my alley, especially with the second-chance romance angle. But, unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. I wasn’t looking for a perfect drama, but I was hoping for a much more balanced and satisfying dynamic than what we got.

Oh, I see, we’re playing selective memory now, huh? Sure, ML softly asked about the breakup a couple of times, but with no real insistence. When FL gave him vague answers, he just accepted it and moved on. How convenient that the SML wiping her phone gives FL a free pass, right? Classic move by the writers to make SML all emotionally unstable while FL gets a guilt-free pass.

You mentioned FL being careful with SML’s feelings because he’s emotionally unstable. Oh, but what about ML? Apparently, he doesn’t deserve the same consideration. FL can tiptoe around SML, but breaking up with ML twice with zero real explanation? That’s totally fine, apparently. And about FL running after him during their university days—sure, that was understandable because they weren’t together at the time and ML wasn’t sure about his future. But shouldn’t the initiative have shifted to FL after both breakups, which were on her side? But no surprise, it’s always ML taking the lead, while FL only reacts when it suits her.

Also, where are the answers to the specific questions I’ve raised? Why didn’t the writers balance the dynamics and create more moments between ML and SFL? Why was FL all chummy with SML, but we never got similar moments between ML and SFL to balance it out? The constant buddy-buddy scenes between FL and SML were clearly designed to annoy ML and the viewers, but ML and SFL? Nothing. Why did ML tail FL like a creepy stalker—even changing her streetlight—when she never told him where she lives? How is that not creepy? And let’s not forget how he just ignored the whole illegal investigation thing. Nice job, ML.

And as for spinelessness, moving in next door after she rejects you, pretending it’s for her 'protection'—now that’s the definition of desperate, not noble. FL running after him in airport? Sure, but where was her initiative after that? Oh, wait, she didn’t really have any.

So, if you think the dynamic was balanced, maybe you’re seeing things through some very rose-colored glasses. But feel free to answer my questions—maybe that will change my mind. Until then, it’s pretty clear the writers didn’t bother putting any real effort into this.

Ah, so FL saved the SML’s life, and that automatically makes him an eligible contender, huh? Let me remind you that while she did save him, what was he doing during the eight long years they were apart? Twiddling his thumbs? Did it never occur to him to confess or do anything meaningful until the ML showed up? His sudden aggression only when the ML returned says a lot about his priorities.

And let’s not twist my words—I never claimed FL and SML had 'sweet moments.' I specifically said the writers made her unnecessarily chummy with him, creating scenes solely to irritate us and the ML, while giving no such moments between the ML and SFL. If you compare the dynamics, you’ll notice the imbalance. Even when the ML was jealous, he took action—he fought for her, made efforts to win her back. Meanwhile, FL’s jealousy just led to her sulking. Did she do anything proactive? Nope. Again, a flaw in the writing.

And yes, the ML was tailing her—don’t sugarcoat it as ‘protection.’ Following her around to the point of changing the light bulb on her street, when she never even told him where she lived? Creepy. That’s not how you earn trust; that’s how you make people uncomfortable.

Calling him spineless has nothing to do with him doing his duty as a policeman. It’s about how he accepted two breakups without a fight, never seriously questioning her reasons, and yet kept pining after her like a lost puppy. Moving in next door after being rejected, under the guise of protecting her? Desperate, not noble. And where was this so-called protective policeman when FL was carrying out her illegal investigation into the death matter? Conveniently silent, I suppose.

So, before defending these characters, maybe compare the scenes like I did. You’ll see that the imbalance is entirely the writers’ fault. They’ve normalized these frustrating dynamics, prioritizing one-sided storytelling under the guise of emotional depth. Now, if you’ve got stronger arguments to change my mind, go ahead. I’m all ears—really, enlighten me.

Sure, go ahead and give me some enlightening instances from the drama where you think I’ve been wrong. Who knows, maybe your examples will be so compelling they’ll magically change my opinion. I’m all ears—really.

This drama has the most simp-like ML I’ve ever seen in my entire drama-watching journey. Come on, bro, at least try to be a man and stop following the FL around like a dog wagging its tail. The writers turned him into a completely spineless character whose every thought revolves around the FL.

To make matters worse, they threw in an annoying SML just to irritate us further, but didn’t bother to give the ML anyone like that to balance things out. And, of course, they include plenty of scenes between the SML and FL where they’re super chummy and comfortable with each other, just to annoy the ML and, honestly, us as viewers. But do we get anything similar with the SFL and ML? Of course not! That’s apparently off-limits.

These writers seem to be the real villains here, hiding behind the banner of feminism while creating such biased dynamics. They portray SFLs as scheming and evil in the ML-FL dynamic, with minimal moments of jealousy from the FL. Meanwhile, SMLs are always attractive, decent, or portrayed as ideal human beings for the FL, with plenty of jealousy scenes from the ML.

At least try to create some balance! If you’re going to give us this dynamic, make it fair for both genders. Let us see similar interactions and conflicts on both sides—it’s not that hard!

Wan Peng and Jiang Chengyi again in a new drama. I hope they are not a part of love triangle again 😂

No, there are many dramas coming in January too. I just told you about First Frost because there were rumours that it will air after The Blossoming Love. White Olive Tree is also airing frok the end of Feb as per the rumours

How is the ending guys?

First Frost is coming soon