mango

For anyone interested in this drama while I have not finished it yet maybe this will help. the first episode was really good, enough to hook you in and expect a lot from the show but from ep 2 it started getting confusing to me. I think it's because the main topics are politics, power dynamics, corruption and trafficking. I stopped watching after episode six and was hesitant to restart it but now that I did it seems less confusing. There really isn't much of a reason to keep watching unless you really want to know what happens to the couple at the end...there really doesn't seem to be any plot twists or character that makes you want to keep watching. The only unique aspect of the show is how the married couple are both selfish and ambitious and the way they both use each other and those around them. also there are scenes and dialogue of trafficking through an entertainment agency and a tape of FL so these things might be heavy or triggering to some.

I personally think it’s grooming…I made a comment about how SML manipulated FL when she was having a hard time. He noticed her with a clear romantic eye knowing she was a high schooler, then noticed she’s struggling emotionally when she started college, and as the older adult decided to say something along the lines of “well since school isn’t working out try becoming independent” and of course to be independent he encouraged her to work. He says the hotel he works at is hiring and even has dorms etc. the problem with that is he was basically making sure she isolates herself, especially from her dad. The scene where she’s packing and her dad looks so distressed, you can tell he doesn’t want her to leave and I think they showed viewers that for a reason.

this drama is actually… concerning. the female lead character doesn’t have a sense of direction in life and seems to do whatever others encourage or lead her to do. I understand her not knowing what she wants to pursue because she’s in HS and a young adult (plus the effect of her father’s mental health on her) but once she meets the male lead she’s so dependent and male centered wanting her life to revolve around him…I understand wanting to be with your crush and boyfriend as much as possible but there’s also a beauty in being okay with being apart like going to a university that’s further away. She stops going to school once her friend does, and because she was so dependent on the presence of others she spirals into a short depression and pushes ML away. like alright this is semi realistic but the rest of the plot doesn’t even make sense. the weird second ML who’s way older and has practically been eyeing her since he saw her in her HS uniform, and she ends up with a career he encourages her to do because he manipulated her into “becoming independent” since college wasn’t working out. also how old is the second male lead then? isn’t it implied he had something going on with her “stepmom” too… it would have been lovely for her to have grown to love working in hospitality if she hadn’t been influenced by the second ML

this was so disappointing… I am surprised so many people like it. perhaps for its time it could have been unique. The first episode is good and lures you in but then it gets boring because to me it seems like lots of filler moments. It’s evident when you watch the next episode’s preview (those short clips at the end) which tell you the entire next episode in 30 seconds. It picks up at episode 10 (but you could honestly skip it and start at ep 11) and I think the plot is predictable at a certain point. I mean a kdrama thriller with religion…? yeah.. anyway its beauty is in the subtle moments that show you the depth of certain characters. It was very disappointing plot wise.

if you didn’t realize early on in the first episodes they make it clear she does not have a sense of morality. she doesn’t instinctively know what’s right or wrong, she “knows” based on what those around her claim. that’s why she fulfills people’s wishes. they also make it clear she does it for the thrill, and she justifies herself because they are “bad people”.

it is but people will disagree simply because parasite is mainstream therefore easier to understand. in no other choice the themes are not as obvious which is why people who aren’t film lovers disagree and rank it lower.

I may be late but maybe it can help someone else. if you are in the USA and have a library card you can watch this movie on an app/website called Kanopy.