omo-omo-omo

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 :)

So while I ranted about the things I do not like in this drama so far (Read Here: https://kisskh.at/766179-the-number-you-have-dialed#comment-19696136)

Here is also my whacky attempt at making a guess/theory on the story.
(First Comment under Spoiler Tag)

The ML loved FL since they were children. He also is a imposter of some sort - like maybe not the real kid since his mom tells him "my son loves seafood" but he apparently does not - so I guess this is a common thing they unite on - they are both pretending for their family in some capacity and the ML knows.

As he grew up he realized that FL was to be married to a weirdo guy and for some reason step sis also did not want to marry him (may be she liked someone else and was so in love that she did not care for ML and his rich powerful family). So with her help - it was he, ML - who planned the whole bride-switcheroo.

--> Present Time: Ep 5 onwards:
Now sis will be back and see all the riches her step sis is living in, and so try to break them up? Or if not romantic angle - definitely cause some issues between them.

--> Who are the Kidnappers?
The kidnapper is from a group of people who were wronged by ML or so they think. Maybe in the past these people's family were wrongly harmed/killed due to the decision of the ML. HE is mentioned to have been trained as a negotiator as well and has some form of secret spy/police training. So maybe in some political/hostage situation the kidnapper groups' loved ones were not rescued. Either cause ML's family (dad/grandad) ordered it or someone else. But on the front - it was the ML who delivered the news as a reporter or spokesperson. Basically he would have worded it very strongly against the people killed. Hence they have now united to take revenge on him. Maybe ML was the front and mastermind was someone else (maybe ML family)

OR - it is someone who is also related to Nuri Orphanage, and ML family had to do something with it. It was all hidden and probably ML orchestrated it all, again at the orders of his family. But the kidnappers only know of ML being the culprit.

--> Also not sure what was the story the SML was sharing about the mansion near the orphanage. And the masked kid. Were he and the actual son of the ML's family (assuming he is the imposter) were friends once. Like the SML will get to know ML is imposter since he knows the reason behind the vanishing of the original son.

Anyways he would most likely end up with the reporter/anchor lady from HBC*.

---> FINALE:
In the end all is revealed - and the ML and FL are together, confess their love and take back what belongs to them, bitch-slapping all the evil mothers and sisters on the way, or punching evil power hungry dads while getting their happy ending along with the second leads and help revive NURI orphanage.

P.S: Maybe FL mom - harmed the Chairman's wife and son, in order to make a place for herself and her daughter. She could have also harmed her own husband (FL's real father)

The President Candidate - ML's father also looks shady - he probably had something to do with his son's death, and also Nuri orphanage.

FIN.

Good Things So Far:
[1] Love the suspense - who is the kidnapper? what is the story with both families and all characters? what are they hiding? what will happen to our main leads? do they love each other or no? will they remain together or will it be a thriller with a twist that no one saw coming? so many questions - and the makes of the show are doing a great job in keeping me hooked.
[2] Yoo Yeon Seok - he is a great actor. Nothing more to say.

Things I am Not Liking:
[1] The cliche romantic moments are looking forced.
I know many are loving it - as I can see in comments here and on social media - but I feel it is very unnatural, forced and awkward to me. This is not the chemistry we have seen in K-dramas - and believe me I have been watching them since a long time. And it is not like I do not like the cringe and butterfly inducing, heart thumping, toe-curling moments - when the actor locks the actress in between the wall and himself, or saves her from an oncoming speedy vehicle. But this seemed very unnatural - which is strange because both the main leads are good artists.

Also not just the acting - I feel the situations in which they were done were completely unnecessary.
For example: we did not need the weird seductive background music when the actor is just walking in his workplace hallway to take the interview, we did not need the full twist and saving two times when the bike is in parking lot about to hit FL and the glass being flung by her FIL. Like NOOOOOOO - I feel bad that the actors of such caliber are being put into such situations.

And I enjoy such moments - like it was in A Business Proposal, Lovely Runner etc. But here it really is making me enjoy it less and therefore reduce the overall watching experience of this drama go really low.

[2] Logic:
The ML is definitely smart - like someone who things 3-4 steps ahead, at least that is the impression we are being given. The FL is supposed to be mad and burning with rage which is why she takes the phone from the kidnapper and is now calling/threatening the husband.

[a] Lingerie Sexy Photo
And even if she is doing such an act for the first time - what was the whole point of sending the sexy lingerie picture? She could have rather kept herself in a tied up situation or pretended to show as if the kidnapper is always around her and therefore the husband should be careful that he could kill her any moment. The sexy picture was not even used well - and was just there for the audience to feel the "chemistry" when next day the husband tries to check her mole. Moreover the picture looked clearly like a selfie - it was taken from the top, did it not occur to the husband that she herself might have taken it (maybe it did given the Ep 4 reveal in epilogue).

[b] getting worked up too quickly - and husband doesn't even suspect?
Also the pretending kidnapper has no motive and is easily getting agitated whenever the husband is talking as if the wife is a possession or taunting the kidnapper that he can't do anything. If she is on the path to revenge and given she is someone who is pretending to be mute (which means that she must have had to be calm etc to execute it) suddenly is losing her mind at the slightest provocation
of her husband, who btw has been doing it since last 3 years - or so it seems.

[c] FL speaking to her DAD:
FL knows that her husband has bodyguards following her and are reporting back to her husband. I mean she should be thinking that way given how controlling he and his family have been. And the fact that she is pretending to be mute - she should be extra careful and look around her when she is speaking. But no - she goes and speaks to her dad in full public view. And oddly, the guards with her are not seeing/reporting this.

===================================================================

All the above really is marring my experience of this drama. I guess I expected a lot given it was starring YYS. While I am still hopeful and intrigued by the suspense/motives, I personally did not like the above - illogical moves, forced chemistry, unnecessary attempts at being romantic, background score coming in as a seductive force at moments not needed.

Really hope they focus on the mystery and romance is built organically - not enforced - in the coming episodes *finger-crossed*

I had hoped this would be my 10/10 rated drama, but chances seem bleak.

Somethings about this drama has been bugging me - so am going to say it, to get it off my chest. While I have been eagerly awaiting this drama cause of the mystery element & YYS and will continue to watch it - I really am not sold on some aspects, which are making the social media and most audience go into a frenzy.

Hoping there is no hate - here I go and add it under first comment (spoiler tag)

thank you - have already seen it. Along with My Demon, Goblin - which have similar themes :)

The main actors are the reason I am still not dropping it. But struggling to finish after Ep 7. I know it is deliberately slow, but then maybe that is why it is not for me. Plus am coming to it after watching Black Out - which was intense, on similar lines but had a pace which was to my liking.

But good to know that you liked it - lets see if I can find the strength to finish it *fingers crossed*

Doubtful about Doubt - struggling to finish it, after dropping it once.
Black Out was a masterpiece, a 10-rating drama for me in a long time.
Hence, even though I like YYS and have full faith in his acting, his project picks are not always great, therefore will wait for this one to air some more, and see mid way if it remains as good as the beginning.