prodigyinthought

What this episode showed us, was that Dusik despite always being in everyone else's business, despite being the "Pride" of Gongjin Village, truly has no-one to care for him but himself. There is a pattern of self isolation there, where he doesn't let himself be seen anyway, doesn't let anyone talk to him about the demons in his closet. And sure, there are people there for him, they all seem to care for him, but throughout the episode you can observe how he's slowly being sidelined.

It's present in the shots of him slinking in the background, in the conversations where he ebbs out of relevance because he truly has nothing to contribute there, and it makes you think, maybe the reason he has acquired so many licenses, and trained himself to do pretty much everything, is to simply feel wanted? To feel irreplaceable? But we see life going on without him just fine, Ms Gamri has a new grandson to miss, Hyejin has a new friend to talk to, the vilage issues are getting fixed just fine, and then the epilogue truly drives it home.

"Don't go. Don't leave me behind"

It seems a lot like he's talking to someone of his past, but this time Hyejin is there to reassure him, that she's not going anywhere. That this time, they have each other. It's a heartbreaking sequence, and we don't know even half the story yet, I'm looking forward to when they both become consciously vulnerable in front of the other.

Tbh following his change in expression I'm pretty sure it's about the classist attitude not getting used to a rural setting.

And I think it makes sense that he'd take offense following everything they've been through.

But I feel the need to clarify that Hyejin is my favorite female lead atm while Dusik isn't my favorite male character (thought he makes the top list hehe), so I'm not speaking out of bias but rather bc I saw that these were the things that irked most people and if they address it, it'll make her so perfectly written.

I think if her flaw is being classist, then her arc is growing out of it, so highlighting that the other characters don't like that attitude either isn't hating her character!

I love her very much bc imo she's the most realistic character in the entire story, and shes unafraid to speak up for herself and I love her for that

Absolutely!
But thats my point. Dusik's behavior makes up a good part of the plot. His reluctance to be helped, to be cared for as opposed to him going out of his way to help and care, that's relevant to his story arc and will come up soon.

Yes he most definitely treats Hyejin differently, but he himself is not aware. That's why he's genuinely surprised when she pops the question.

And I don't think he told her to be fine with the rumors, i think he said don't mind, as in lightly pacifying her? And then his face changed completely when she said she doesn't befriend just anyone.

Which I don't mind bc I think it's pretty obv that her spikes are up bc she's hurt. They're both looking at it differently and misunderstanding the situation completely.

So yes, I hope they tie up all the loose ends bc these two need to meet at the middle.

For people criticising Hyejin I want to say, yes you're completely valid to have your own opinion, but also there need to be flaws for growth to happen? If there are no flaws, then there won't be character development.

And for Dusik he starts off perfect but now we're seeing the cracks, and that's not the show providing means to berate him but rather to realise that he is ALSO a real person, not just a facade or an image of perfection.

They SHOULD make mistakes, don't we all? But how many of us apologise for our flaws? These characters are growing, and people should leave space for that to happen, instead of latching onto every human flaw. Growth happens when there's conflict. If they are perfect nice characters, there would be no story.

And yes, I'm 100% with her in that there's no reason for her to tolerate goosip at HER expense

I didn't see it as condescending at all tbh I probably would've said something worse bc the "I thought you had changed" wasnt about her reaction the rumors. Its that she apologised for her classist attitude only to insinuate he's not at a level to be her friend.

I am totally on Hyejin's side about the gossip, but at the same time I think no one minds gossip in that village and they seemed to forget that Hyejin isnt like everyone else in the village like hwajeong and dusik that are constantly gossiped about? And his advice was merely given as a means of pacifying her.

Dont get me wrong, I understand her reason for the outburst completely, she's confused, she's hurt and the word "friend" is like a dagger to the heart. But yes, I've been seeing theories and I think the social positions talk will be brought back, and Hyejin is definitely the more relatable character so we have 10 more episodes for both these flawed characters to grow.

I read this differently tbh. When he said "cross boundaries" he meant she can involve herself in others business and his business, not his trauma. And yes he has an impenetrable boundary around him but thats not a "flaw" but rather a reaction to trauma which is a story that will soon be addressed. Youre right that he obv likes her but he's also quite unaware of it, the characters arent omniscient the way the viewers are.

Remember how he wiped her mouth and all the villagers thought their relationship was platonic, only Hyejin assumed it could be misinterpreted? I think in his mind, and the villagers mind theyre so used to him being openly affectionate, that he himself doesn't realise it can be interpreted as romantic. Hyejin is absolutely right imo but also I think it affects her more bc she is too new and unaccustomed to this behavior.

Also I don't think he's trying to "fix" her, rather he realises she's oppressing herself and tries to draw her out.

Ironically he doesn't let HER do the same, and I think that is the problem, but that's not a WRITING flaw, it's a character flaw that will surely come up later. My issue is that the flaws I was talking about seem to already be swept under the rug.

My point is yes, Dusik has quite a lot of flaws but the story is promising to address the cracks in his perfect facade soon. On the other hand, the "social positions" talk was just...dismissed? I hope they bring it back

I sure hope not, both characters are meant to grow TOGETHER. And for now, I have faith in the show to close all it's loose ends.

I don't think it's going downhill, I think we have 10 episodes left to do her character justice. And I'm here for the ride!

I feel like the show has been pretty consistent in holding the characters accountable for their faults so far, with Hyejin apologizing for bad mouthing the villagers, and Dusik apologizing for being a hypocrite that judged her too soon...but I feel like this got lost somewhere in episode 5 and 6?

I would have much rather preferred if they brought up the "social positions" topic without Dusik telling her "you don't have to be sorry for your opinion", because it does strike me as inappropriate to tell someone to their face that you believe you're at a higher social status. Don't get me wrong, saying this in no way makes her a bad person, we all judge people, but since I'm accustomed to the show being self aware and having the leads understand and apologize, this is kind off throwing me off.

I noticed a lot of people thinking "I thought you had changed" was about her minding the gossip but that wasn't it actually. After apologizing for mentioning social positions , later she insinuates he's not good enough to be her friend, which yes I get is an outburst, but it was never addressed in the episode. This is why Dusik tells her he believed she'd changed but she's still judgmental. However, the show sort of glides over it, with Dusik forgiving her the instant she does something nice.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the way these characters do things that are akin to putting one's foot in their mouth, but the beauty of it is how the show ADDRESSES it. I hope there's some consequences to it all tbh.

I'm also looking forward to Dusik messing up a little more, so we can have Hyejin impart some wisdom on him too, because growth should happen together I believe.

No sorry, we're back to the beginning and I genuinely have nothing more to say bc I believe I've said everything I have to, so I won't be continuing this conversation. To each their own ig

He was giving her a suggestion that would help the majority of the misogynistic elderly villagers drop the prejudice so they can actually interact with her and then get used to her, because let's be real, you can't change the entire village.
"I know you don't wear it to show others" was also a line there I believe? Anyway, if you think it was disrespectful that's your prerogative and completely within your right.

Have a good day

I've never experienced a man being nice about it and acknowledging how it's not my fault, nor my obligation and that the view is outdated but I HAVE experienced being slut shamed by elderly women, and yes I agree, never pleasant.

"saying you better do" yea he never said that. Idk I thought it was very well handled, some lines just appear worse without context but since you're for ignoring context, ig that's all I can say about it. Have a nice day

I most certainly would disagree with you, I'm basing it off the fact that his suggestion was pretty rational to me following the cultural aspect of rural settings in Asian countries. The fact that the character himself was acknowledging the misogyny in the old ladies judging her for her attire while keeping the plot realistic was quite satisfying to me.
You see it differenlty ig

That's really not what happened...he gets cold shouldered by the old ladies for pointing out that it's simply normal clothing, and he happens to be the most liked person in the village. Hyejin is already disliked for the microphone incident, and her dentist office is about to close down because her target customers are the elderly in the village. After defending her he makes a suggestion for her to maybe meet them halfway because you certainly can't change the views of the elderly in Asian countries, especially in rural areas, (I would know) but while he says it he points out that yes, the view is outdated, and that he KNOWS she doesn't wear it to show anybody.

You're kind of focusing on the line but ignoring the context, in which he doesn't tell her what to wear at all but makes a suggestion so the old ladies will let down their prejudice, get to know her, and then they can start getting used to her being herself and wearing whatever because they're less likely to judge. The show and both leads are self aware about how misogynistic that viewpoint is.

I mean I doubt you'd change your mind looking at the replies here, but I decided to put it out there anyway

The reason there's less hate for the ml is because the show is self aware about the male lead's flaws. They have him apologizing for being judgmental, and constantly telling the female lead that he thought about whatever issue they have from her perspective and that she doesn't have to apologize.
Idk why people hate on the fl either tbh because obviously there should be character conflict for growth, but I think the fact that her apology came after finding out he was from SNU rubbed people the wrong way even thought she was actually genuinely sorry. It's honestly a misjudgment on the writer's part here.

I don't see anything bad about Dusik being "rude" to Hyejin on their first encounter because I think it makes sense. He gets her possession back to her only to be asked to go back into the water to get something as small and hard to spot as a shoe, despite him not being related to her in any way, or her being in any position to ask a STRANGER with a likely busy schedule to get back into the water to find it for her. Following his first interactions with Ji Seonghyun he reacts EXACTLY the same way, asking if city folk are like this.
Which makes me believe he has some sort of bad experience with city folk, maybe he finds it the norm to be exploited when he does an act of kindness? But the best thing about Dusik's character, is how he always thinks from other people's shoes. He gets mad, he judges too, but then he comes back, analyses things from a different perspective, takes accountability for his mistakes and addresses and apologizes for it.

Is this something WE do in our lives? How often do we judge people but never apologize for it? That's why I commend the writing here. He seems perfect, but he's flawed. His flaws don't make him unlikable, because not only is he realistic in being imperfect, he's easy to appreciate because he always addresses his faults and tries to do better.

Hyejin is also the same. She's upfront, straightforward and says things she later realises,she should never have said. But then she empathizes. Hyejin shines in the little discreet acts of kindness. People don't know because she doesn't do them openly, she doesn't fix people's messes, but she doesn't turn a blind eye either.

People said this was a love at first sight story but I don't think that's the case for a couple of reasons.

I do believe he was initially attracted to her, because of how warm she seemed despite being outwardly cold, cue the epilogue from episode 1. However when she left for Seoul, he didn't care or try to stop her, it wasn't all that of an impactful moment for him. I think he actually started falling for her following the dynamic they have, the push and pull, how she's the only person in the village calling him out, or pushing his buttons. I think she makes every moment "fun" for him, and he enjoys being with and around her because of how sassy and pushy she is, and how despite being all high and mighty, she genuinely tries her best to improve.

We don't have much info on him yet, but it could be because he sees a bit of himself in her, or he doesn't understand her completely, thus the intrigue. The initial attraction was there, as indicated by the soft, golden hue of the scenes in that ending credit scene from episode 1, showing he feels her "warmth" . And from there onwards, I'm guessing it's the dynamic.

I understand why you would think Hyejin is a bit much, it's particularly heartbreaking when you know how much stuff Dusik is dealing with. But I think these are the character flaws that she will be receiving development for, there has to be an issue for there to be growth.

That's the issue a lot of people, even within the show, have with her hahaha. I believe this is the character flaw she will eventually grow out of. Her oddly placed superiority will slowly fade, this imo is her character arc. Along with of course, opening up to people.