Niki Chu

I think the controversy only made people read too much into this. I also realized that now that I'm aware of the background, I'm paying more attention to how North/South Korea and their governments of that time are portrayed here. And yes, if you look very attentively, you could say that the political aspects as shown in the drama are somehow messed up. But that's only because the show doesn't make it obvious who the good/bad guys are. I think that is okay for now, because the angst and tension are even bigger when you can't predict how each side is going to react. The comedic undertone you mentioned is by the way used as a mockery of the people who demonstrate it, not to make them endearing or relatable. Overall, after watching the 6 episodes released so far, I don't feel that the ANSP is depicted in a good light. They change course every 2 minutes, are not reliable (not among each other and the general public does not trust them either) and only act out of self-interest. Kang Moo is the only exception, but one person doing his job right is not going to make everyone sympathetic of the whole organization he works for.

Me neither 😭

That scene broke my heart so badly, I didn’t see it coming 😭

She thinks she’s responsible for this whole mess, so she lets him know to make him set the other hostages free. It’s her the big boss is trying to get out the most anyway. Regarding the doctor: it’s hard to tell, cause Sooho’s colleagues didn’t recognize her…she may have some personal agenda rather than working for one side or the other

I think she’s suffering from past trauma. The drama is set 7 years after 1980. It was indicated that her husband was killed

I had to think of that scene too! ♥️

This. I wish everyone would read this. Even Germans (who are ashamed of the Nazi-regime to the point that they hardly teach kids about German history before WWI in fear of evoking nationalistic sentiments) accept that not everyone who worked for that regime was 100% evil. There were Nazi-soldiers in love with Jewish women who helped them and their families flee. But they also arrested and killed innocent people while on duty. Humans are like that. Capable of so many evil deeds, but also good ones. In that regard, I like that this drama has the courage to remain neutral and doesn't disregard the ability of its viewers to make their own judgements.

Yes, in all countries with access to Disney plus. But that's going to take a while

And they accuse foreign viewers of ignorance. *sigh* so tiring, like really

Sadly no :( It's not available in Germany...but I read somewhere that it will be released everywhere after all episodes are out

You are raising a very good point: they don't want international people to find out about this part of their history. And that is the biggest issue I have with those criticizing the show for distortion of history, claming they are worried about the witnesses from back then. It's a drama that airs on a private network, not a public one, so Koreans themselves can easily avoid and ignore it. BUT, due to its cast (most of all because of Jisoo), a lot of people from outside of Korea will watch it. And that's where I'm really angry when they say this has nothing to do with foreign viewers because it's their history. They're basically saying that they just want to show us a glittery and polished image of their country. Cause come on, no one is going to think this drama represents actual history. The audience will rather be divided in those watching it for entertainment only and those who watch it for entertainment first, but will want to look up the real facts as well.

They're really twisting everything...

I haven't watched the new episodes yet, but in the article it sounds like the professor was hiding in a church or sth. But from what I know, he's not North Korean, but the "brain" behind the opposition party whom they want to frame as someone doing business with North Korea, right? In that case, these accusations are groundless...

That comparison would be insane :O hello from Germany! I'm sure ANSP did inflict lots of suffering, but come on, genocide is on another level...

That's good! And the ratings improved too. Hope that's a good sign.

Does anyone know if the controversy has cooled down by now? I haven't been seeing any articles ever since the new episodes were aired.

She's not bad though? She is supposed to be naive and innocent in the beginning. She wasn't even criticized by Korean netizens and they are super quick to criticize idol actors.

Watched the first two episodes and I like the show so far. Honestly, what happened in South Korea during the 80s is, contrary to what many might think, not unique to this country only. There were so many cases of student protests and young people dying for their ideals. So I think it's kind of an ignorant statement to say that foreigners don't have a say in this. Many of us, including myself, have family members who witnessed violent and traumatic episodes in history.
Bearing that is mind, I haven't yet found anything deserving of this strong of a negative response in the show. Let's have some trust in viewers, who are very well able to engage critically with what they see and who are reasonable enough to educate themselves on the matters depicted in the show. And let's also appreciate how the writer has not created a black/white story but a multi-faceted one. And please, please, refrain from spreading rumours and hate when 1) you haven't watched the show, 2) you have not read the statements released by the production crew and 3) haven't come up with the interpretation of how the show is allegedly distorting history by yourself.

All they are saying is that the misunderstandings will be resolved after seeing what the following episodes will bring to the table. And still people are going crazy. It's like sentencing someone to death beacause you think there's something they've done wrong and you refuse to hear them out. Even criminals are given the chance to explain themselves at court. No judge would pass a death penalty because they didn't like the first two sentences coming out of the defendant's mouth. Unless in a dictatorship. And those criticizing the drama are saying it's the SHOW that is disrespecting the pro-democracy movement. LOL.

Same here, I don’t get that either