omo-omo-omo

Haha, Seriously. Unfortunately it is becoming more common in recent K-Dramas.

Would love to know your thoughts, do comment on it. I love discussing what fellow MDL-ers think. This is what I have shared: https://kisskh.at/profile/omo-omo-omo/reviews/319699

I fast saw it, after writing this post - as I wanted to write my review for the show XD

In all - Ryu Shi-Oh is the highlight of the show, rest all is trash, in my humble opinion.

Seriously.

When it first came on-screen, I thought they would have their own love storyline and they would be like an extended force for Namsoon and co. to fight/help in their mission.
Waste of talent/screentime and our times too!

While am yet to see the last 2 episodes, even the grandma's love story with the barista felt unnecessary to me. They were going with such a good message that love can be at any age, but then they just lost the plot and had unnecessary gimmick for comedy. The end also am assuming going my the spoilers on SNS, that they are not together..?

So what was the whole point?

I am still debating whether I should watch the last 2 episodes. Already know what is in store given it is spoiled already on social media and their own episode teasers.

Cannot agree more - that the only reason I think many of us went through this drama is:
1. Cause of the legend the first season was. We hoped the spin-off/sequel would live up to it
2. Byeon Woo Seok.

Speaking of BWS, I saw him in 20th Century Girl, and was hoping he be cast in another project cause that guy is handsome and talented. Also, hoped he gets a happy ending ;)
While Strong Girl Namsoon was garbage - still we know BWY and I know/pray his journey just sky-rockets from here onwards. Cause that man has delivered a performance that tenured actors would also appreciate, as well as stolen our hearts with that smile and handsome face!

The best thing to come out of this show - Ryu Si-Oh!

I cannot bring myself to watch the last 2 episodes. From clips / spoilers on social media I can see they are butchering the ending. Also my sole reason for watching the show was Ryu Si-Oh, is gone.

I mean I know he would be gone, but the whole win of the protagonists is so meh.
Can't believe they are keeping it open for Season 3.

Wanted opinions - should the last 2 episodes be watched / can speed through it 2x OR Skip?

I love Cinderella based stories and to have PYJ and Lee Jun Young in lead will be interesting indeed!
Cannot wait for the trailers to be out and see it all in action eventually as a drama 🎉🎉🎉

He is such a talented actor. I saw him first in the movie, Love and Leashes - where he unleashed his cute puppy side. And then I saw him in similar roles in DP and Mask Girl, and then full blown antagonist in Brave Citizen. He has such an intense gaze and that villainy streak is scary and admirable.

Really difficult to do such a 180 degrees, and I cannot wait to see more of his work! Definitely one of the most talented idol-turned-actors that we have in K-industry 😍

If you are moved by real life stories especially around sports - this one is a must watch.
I personally love the whole grit, determination, sacrifices that are made not only by the players but their coach, family, friends and supporters - the whole community comes together to help you achieve success. It makes my throat heavy, eyes a little teary but makes me smile and heart is full to go through these emotions.

Add in to it - if there is a fierce competition or the main leads had to overcome some situational adversity, the win in the end makes the moment even better. You cheer them on as if you were with them, in the moment.

One thing that I would like to highlight specially for Koreans - they really know how to overcome adversary as a nation. I saw this is Reborn Rich and being spoken many times how they overcame the IMF 2008 crisis by donating their gold. In this movie also, we see a scene where common people for the sake of their country donate money so players can participate in a marathon. This behavior is something I admire and respect immensely ❤️ and it always makes me feel emotional, in a good way!

So if you are like me or want to feel this kind of happy/motivational vibes - Boston 1947 will deliver.
Im Si-wan is one of my favorite actors and his talent speaks in each of his diverse work. And supporting him in here Ha Jung Woo and Bae Sung Woo need a special mention. I have seen them in other works too, and this film was no different.

Beautiful cinematography, amazing acting by leads and support - and heartwarming tale that will leave you feeling good! ❤️❤️❤️

It is giving me a bit of Jurassik Park feels but in Korea/1930s time

one of the best episodes! EXO are such talented individuals, and when they come together - it's just magic! #EXO #EXOL 💖💖💖

haha, IKR!

Stunted growth - this is making me laugh in a different way (#shortpeoplejokes)
But yeah - drama always highlights mean folks grow up to be meaner.

Also we do need our ML to face his fears, so what better than fight his past trauma-tizer?

It is so good to see Cho Jin Se (Song Woo Taek) and Kim Won Hoon (as Youtuber that CEW learns from) here in this drama, after seeing them in My Lovely Liar. Their role is of support and bit part here, but even in small roles they deliver so well! #talentedartisists! 💛💛💛

After loving them in Go Back Couple, excited to see them together again ❤️❤️❤️

@DaliaB, as someone who has grown up hearing brother in Western and Indian context, like the way you mentioned even I was surprised when it was translated so in the subs in Asian dramas.

My first encounter was in form of watching the anime version of Winter Sonata. Though there it was okay, cause the younger sister of the FL called the ML/SML - Oppa. So in my mind I was like okay, brother or a male elder is called Oppa, same as in Indian context of Bhaiya.

But when I saw Boys over Flowers, technically my first K-drama, and FL's friend addresses her love interest as Oppa - I had a cultural shock like no other. Took me a while to research and get to the bottom of it. At that time I was not on MDL so it was all information on search engines, blogs etc.

Took me sometime to get used to it - but I guess now it is one of the most popular words in the world. Thanks to the initial Hallyu wave of 2009, Psy's Oppa that changed the world in 2012 and of course the most recent 7 Oppas that have had global recognition like no other!

Again, thanks for writing such a cute and amazing article!

Hey KYJ!
It is a very good article, plus like I mentioned bonds of friendship is very important to me in real-life, so some of the dramas that I have not seen - am looking forward to add them to my PTW list, given what has been shared by you and fellow co-authors!

Maybe, when I feel the urge to rewatch F4, I will try the Thai version as well.
Have only seen and liked the Korean and Japanese versions - Taiwanese versions (Meteor Garden and Shower) did not work for me 🙈. Hopefully with Thai version, I am luckier!

100% agree with the friendship depicted in A Business Proposal and Reply 1988.
Especially the female friendship in A Business Proposal, cause it kind of reminds my real-live girl friends, with whom I can be the same level of crazy when together, help/support each other as they do, while also giving each other space to grow as individuals (that we don't have to be joined at the hips to validate the strength of our friendship)

I am yet to watch many other dramas mentioned in the article but Boys over Flowers - Thai reminded me of my own first drama, Boys over Flowers (Korean). And not all 4 in the F4 unit, but just Gu Kun Pyo and Ji Hoo. (In fact the other 2 were good friends to each other, kind of worked in pairs I guess). Okay, it might seem not so relevant now in 2023, or biased - but this is 2016 me talking when I was smitten with the drama. Right now, I agree if you peel the layers of this drama, we see more red flags/toxic behavior than innocent romance/friendships.

But yes 2016 me - was so happy to see JH and GJP. Like in the latter half of the series as they each tried to protect the FL in their own way - they at times did not even have to communicate verbally but kind of understood each other. And I was so happy to see this - cause that is what happens with real friends. You may fight and have disagreements, but at the end of the day you are there for each other. Also your conversation does not need that many words, sometimes - or maybe you can complete each others sentences.

Like I said, rewatching this drama even I would not like it at this age - but it was one of my first K-dramas, and 2016 me was wholeheartedly rooting for this friendship, perhaps more than getting ML/SML together with FL (cause she was written badly as a character then and even now)

Is he the other Korean kid in Russia Pavel group when Ryu Si-Oh was Anton?

I kind of thought this since long, especially when his photo was revealed with Ryu Si-oh.
The last episode 14 and the teaser for the next episode is making me think further on this.

Theory 1:
- Maybe at some point as kids, they separated either by accident or planned.
- While Anton was trained under Pavel, Bread Song joined any other group or on his own became the person he is now.
- They met again at some point, where Ryu Si-Oh was going to start Doogo.
- Maybe Bread always kept a lookout for Ryu, all these years after they were separated.
- They kept the farce of being separate/unknown people but are actually working together
- With Bread Song driving the capital through his business and monitoring the import of the sea hare business (hence he is in Busan)
- in a way, Bread is helping Ryu to also separate from Pavel by helping him with the anti-dote business.

Theory 2:
- Pavel separated the two of them purposely (which is why Ryu Si-Oh asks the one-eyed lady if he is at least alive or not?).
- Pavel controls Ryu and Bread Song separately. They could be threatening Bread and keeping him in control to do their bidding, by sparing Ryu all these years. If he does not listen to them, they plan to kill Ryu since they know Bread has a soft spot for him.
- But at some point, Ryu and Bread meet and hatch their own plan to takeover from Pavel (this is where the photo is from, perhaps and hence Bread tears it up, lest it lands in hands of Pavel).
- While Pavel thinks Bread is running his scam business and providing them with funds, he is secretly helping Ryu to build the anti-dote business to overthrow Pavel someday.

Theory 3:
- Pavel did separate Bread from Ryu as they were kids.
- Bread is kind of their contingency plan in case Ryu/Antwon goes rogue
- So as Ryu is trying to one-up Pavel, Bread therefore is there to thwart the import of sea hares at Busan, at the say of Pavel.
- Maybe in the end:
a) Pavel will help Ryu as he fights Namsoon and family (and both maybe die tragically instead and not at hands of the powerful women trio)
b) Ryu will lose to Namsoon but she will not kill him, instead Pavel will instruct Bread to kill Ryu.


In all, my favorite character from this series - Ryu Si-Oh will have a tragic ending.
It is coming but am still hoping it does not T_T

Theories about Bread Song - adding it as a first comment under spoiler tag.
Anyone else thinks the same or has any other thoughts?

I agree - and personally for some reason I feel Cha Eun Woo acts well when wearing glasses. There is a variety show he was on - Master Key, where he is the main killer (the show is one celeb acts as a killer while others try to find clues on who-dunnit).

Also, another unpopular opinion - but I feel he shines best and is more himself when the focus is not on him a 100%. Example: this variety show I mentioned above, then another Master in the House. HE is more of himself in a setting where he shares space with other co-actors and hence seems more natural.

Also, yes the scene you mentioned - I felt the focus was on the case of bullying rather than just CEW. The dynamics of the bullies and then his hug with young Yul. and he portrayed it all so well.

Another scene - the last scene of Ep 6, when he is trying to keep the cotton candy away from Hae Na, and it shows his playful side, which by following him after so many years - I can instantly see that is how he behaves with his Astro members and BTS scenes with co-actors.

But put him in main spot- like that boat rowing and he is showing his jealous self and abruptly stands up. That scene is just so stiff and maybe that's what gave him his cardboard acting tag T_T

I wrote a lot, but I will end my analysis here :P
Lest anyone says am cray-cray about him 😂But thanks for sharing your thoughts! And let's see how he shows more of his acting in coming episodes!