omo-omo-omo

It is so lovely to see Han Groo - the last and only time I saw her was in Marriage, Not Dating. That was such a fun but under-rated drama, and her acting was amazing even then and again now. I find her really pretty too - she has aged for sure, but still very bubbly!

Anyone knows why she was away from movies/dramas for so long?

Finished 10 Episodes but I have some questions. If someone who has watched till Ep 10 and has answers please do share in comments (under spoiler tag)

The summary goes - " Koo Ha Na grew up as the eldest child in her family and became the family's breadwinner, while developing a strong sense of responsibility. She is devoted to her family, but she learns the shocking truth that she is not her family's real daughter. Her family were the enemies of her real parents and she has been used by her fake parents. "

1) Devoted to her family - so does it mean the Goo family (biological parents of Ji Seok, Ji Chang)?
If that is the case then why does it say that it is a shocking truth that she is not her family's real daughter? I means she was grown enough to know that she is adopted.

OR does it mean the family she escaped - the DRUNK father and weird stepmother playing go and making her do house chores....were they also NOT her real parents?

2) Summary shares - "Koo Ha Na is now reborn and becomes the incarnation of revenge".
We are yet to see this but does it mean real rebirth - like she will die and be reborn, or does it mean in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, but why - it has not been explained. Like she is seeing her picture against Niagara Falls and hopes to meet her friend when she is 30. Then it fast-forwards to 2024 and we know the kid is with her.

But how did the woman meet and the kid come to Ha Na?

I am assuming a bit like Soul Mate movie kind of scenario. Doo-na/Yu Jin comes to Korea pregnant and trying to find her mother (In Ep 10 - Ji Chang teases Eun Chong to stop living off his sister Ha Na and find his grandmother - so Ha Na knows) But she dies giving birth to the kid. Ha Na therefore takes care of the kid.

Eventually Yu Jin's mother will come to know Eun Chong's existence and that he is her grandson, and try to either forcibly take him and away from Ha Na - or look after them both.

Everything you shared is on point - I kind of carried away and wrote a lot, but you've articulated it well what was on my mind.

So I shared this along with many other MDL-ers that the rating for any show should be allowed to be updated once the show has finished airing. Till then only episodes should have a rating which can get averaged into total drama rating. Something along those lines.

Otherwise I feel the ratings are not a true reflection of how that drama is - either good/bad. Same is the case I feel for this drama - it has been marketed quite well and the only of this genre in the current airing shows, has been showcased many times on social media so has build up the hype and ratings.

But yes, lets see how the second half turns out. Fingers-crossed that it becomes better and worth the long wait even if it is a week's.

The premier showed they have gone to the retreat and somehow she is lost. He is searching for her and seems to be hurt and I am guessing she also would be in a bad state and not scream for help.

In an ideal drama - this would be a cliche but good scene that brings together the main leads. The whole lost in forest vibe and the ML finally finding the FL after being worried so long, and they usually hug/kiss or at least realize their feelings as they take shelter in a huge tree cave or cave or house of some kind. You know the cliche drill.

But given the how this drama has been awkwardly sticking together the cliche scenes rather than threading it beautifully - my expectations with this drama is all time low. I just want to get to the bottom of the mystery at this point and hence watching this. And ofc out of respect for the talent and craft of the main and support actors.

I honestly cannot digest the fact that this is an 8.9 drama. Like I know it has a huge star cast and is marketed as a very glamourous drama - but there is hardly any substance in it. There is a feeble mystery/suspense, family drama, and romance - hardly deserving of the 8.9 ranking - at least imo. What do you think?

I am anyways trying to find the novel it is based on, as I have already given up on the show makers to adapt it well.

Then Strangers from Hell is for you. Along with his movies like - Unlocked.

OMG TELL ME ABOUT IT! Like why are the directors wasting such talents like these main leads! It was supposed to be sultry but all I felt was CRINGE CRINGE cause it was so poorly done.

The directors are awkwardly putting together different kind of tones in the same scene rather than building up to it.

Like the phone call was suspenseful - and we understand that he is so smitten seeing her in that dress that he drops the call. They could have built up the suspense-to-sultry-lovestruck scene, but it felt very choppy and not stitched together well. Idk if am making sense - but there is no cohesiveness to the tones/emotions this drama is trying to evoke. At least not for me :/

I have a lot of complaints with the direction. Like we have seen these kinds of scene before in K-dramas, it is not new. But am watching it with no emotion whatsoever except for a cringe shiver running up and down my body.

These scenes should make me blush, scream internally, smack my knee repeatedly, curl my toes etc at the cute heart-fluttering-ness of it like we are used to with K-drama rom coms. But this is was like worst form of infamous K-drama cardboard/fish kisses.

Ep 5 - there are still so many cringe and awkwardly put together scenes, but I still keep watching cause I want to know what the main leads secrets are.

Sending that wrong emoji was so deliberate and wasting so much time of the main leads thinking seemed so fake because of it. Like had she been fast typing and deleting her messages and accidently sent an emoji then would have made sense. But she was so slow and had put her phone down only to pick up and slowly go to the emoji icon and then pretend to accidently send the heart eye emoji - ARRRGGGHH.

I really feel the script writing and direction is failing the main leads - they are such superb actors, but this is just so cringe.

About that Emoji Scene in Ep 5
[Warning - Maybe Unpopular Opinion for Some]

Congratulations - you have unlocked yourself the privilege of knowing one of the greatest idol-turned-amaJING-actors: Im Siwan.

I'll let his work speak for himself - if you have the time do checkout his MDL page: https://kisskh.at/people/1891-im-shi-wan

In terms of work - highly recommend to watch:
1) Misaeng - this what catapulted him to serious popularity
2) Boyhood - a personal favorite of mine, and pretty recent drama
3) Strangers from Hell - you'll get to know why he is the King of Duality
4) The Attorney (Movie) - support role but what acting, as always
5) Summer Strike - yet to see this myself, but hear great things about the drama
Optional: Unlocked, Boston 1947

Regarding him appearing in Missing Season 3 - there was a small cameo at end of Season 2 that hinted that the story will continue and possibly Im Siwan will be playing an important role. Cant divulge much - cause it might be spoilers (but let me know - shall spill over DM or Spoiler Tagged Comment).

I commented given the story of Missing is good, but if Im Siwan is there - I am more excited to watch it. Similar to how I am looking forward to Squid Games S2 - like the story is good, but knowing that he is also part of the cast, makes me doubly excited!

Sorry for the long answer- but I hope it makes you understand a little bit about the enigma that Im Siwan is 🥰 Given the good actor he is, deserves this much of fan publicity from me :)

Looking forward to this - after all it is their work through which we can reconnect with artists who have passed away. It still feels surreal to know that Song Jae Rim is no more 💔

Also - the thumbnail picture of this article is Song Jae Rim, but for an instant I thought it was Kim Jae-Young. This pic > https://i.mydramalist.com/JBvQlp_2f.png (Like he looked in his role in The Judge from Hell)

Haha, I have seen a lot of people on social media comment the same when the players interviews came out.

But then our rapper is not retired - we will see him make a comeback! Doom Dada Pt 2 #VIP

Mind-blown with Park Sung Hoon's character description. Honestly when the teaser/trailer first came out, I rewatched it several times to confirm that what I was seeing was correct. Without much information my initial thought was maybe he is portraying a character as a man with long hair. The second thought was maybe he is in disguise of some sort - given the players who join the game are in debt or something, and this is the way he is hiding from debt collectors or something like that.

I honestly - remotely did not think they would create a character like Hyun Jun and reading the description, I like the background. Given the scale and popularity of Squid Games globally, what a great way for showcasing gender representation and diversity.

While initially I was looking forward to this drama - because of the continuation of the original story and characters, but majorly because my biases Im Siwan and TOP would be there. Now, I will also add PSH's character to look out for too and witness what's their choices and inspirational aspect of this character 💖

Nice to meet you - it is Veronica Park! 😉
Drama: The Secret Life of My Secretary, one of my favorites - instant mood-lifter drama.

Thank you for your comment - always appreciate when people can remember this iconic diva! ⭐

Thank you for reading through it and reading your comments I realised what the words were - cheesy and fan service. During my ninja typing of the rant, I forgot what the words were :P

But yes - it is not a bad drama per se, more like an expectation mismatch. Like you even I'll wait for more episodes to air and then watch it only to know what the end game is.

hehe gratias!

truly - thanks again @Kannadin

True - in fact, I am trying to bear through the aspects that are annoying me cause I still want to know the reason behind the characters' actions and overall mystery element. So gritting my teeth and bearing through it all. Cause I still have high hopes from YYS, and his choice of script - if nothing else.

Have also not read the novel, so maybe that is why I do not have the context on the characters.

Not a bad show for me - but I guess I had other expectations, given the cast and their past works that I know of + the vibe I expected was more of a suspense thriller with some romance, not the other way round.

But thank you for reading through - and sharing your views, it helps me put together the pieces seeing it from someone else's (your) pov :)