polothesecond

I can't find the link to it now but someone posted about it on reddit. It was something about them filming most of episode 7 in the spring (it might have been the summer) but the kiss scene was shot in the autumn. I think it was based on behind the scenes footage and shots from the episode; you could tell from the footage what time of year it was. It does make sense considering that the kiss wasn't even mentioned in the following episodes. It was as though it never happened because it didn't until they shot it later.

I think the plot was meant to go something like this: SDM wouldn't have chosen either HJP or NDS at first. She would've been too upset with both of them about the whole situation. I also think that in the writer's original plan SDM was never meant to fall for NDS and only liked him because of who she thought he was so she'd have had no reason to go back to him anyway. The revenge storyline would've taken more time to play out and probably would've been a misunderstanding (it usually is). The SST boys probably weren't meant to go to America until the last episode or the penultimate episode and I think SDM would've gone with them (either HJP would've saved the day or Alex was never meant to screw them in the original plot) but ultimately returned for HJP. That would fit with the twitter theory we all know and love.

I'm not sure the plot change happened that soon though. They added the kiss scene in episode 7 months after they had already filmed the rest of the episode. The original plot didn't completely disappear until episode 13 so I think the change happened late in production. Also, if they had already decided on the plot change prior to filming then why did the music score (only SDM and HJP had their own themes, while NDS didn't), the wardrobe (SDM and HJP were always colour coordinated) and the cinematography (plenty of parallel shots) all cater to Jidal? NJH has taken roles before that weren't the main role. He wasn't the lead in Scarlet Heart. He wasn't even the second lead. I don't know what the reason was but a plot change only explains everything if it happened late in the game.

I personally am convinced there was a plot change. I believe the time jump wasn't meant to happen until the very end. That would explain why the revenge storyline felt so rushed. The writer shortened it (maybe changed it entirely) because she decided to make the time jump happen sooner. I also think HJP was meant to be the male lead which is why he seems more like the male lead than NDS (his backstory, his importance to the plot for the first 10 episodes, his POV, etc.). It would explain a lot of other things as well and I can't think of a better explanation for everything that's either wrong or off with this drama so even though it raises its own questions (mainly just one question; for the love of God WHY?) I'm standing by the theory that there was a plot change.

They completely betrayed the viewers and left us looking crazy (some of us more than others *nervous laughter*) after we picked up on all the not so subtle hints and production details. Oh well, HJP was totally worth clowning myself over; hence why I'm still doing it.

I remember when we got to the revenge storyline I was surprised by how slapdash and rushed it felt. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time but I think it was probably shortened at the last minute and there was meant to be more to it.

It's Polo again. I'm on my third username because of a calamity with my computer. Don't ask.

I can see why some people would dislike HJP but what I can't for the life of me understand is why anyone would like NDS. He's very likeable for a brief moment at the beginning but his character regression is on another level. When you compare his development to HJP's the contrast is striking and it should come as no surprise to anyone that NDS is such an unpopular character. I thought they were going to do that annoying thing when the character development happens off screen in a time jump but they didn't even do that much. He came back just as bad if not worse.

I wish PHR had used the time jump to show that HJP had got over his feelings for SDM. If she was forced to change the plot she should've done it properly and abandoned the love triangle. She could've used the time jump to show HJP was married and then NDS could've misunderstood and thought he had married SDM, creating some entertaining drama for the few who were watching it for Dodal. It's not perfect but a plot change was always going to be a mess. She might as well have made it a happy mess. As it is, we got the most depressing end to a lighthearted rom-com ever.