renmilktoast

Aww man 😔😔

I'm assuming this drama was pre-produced, but maybe if it hadn't been, we could have hoped for an extra episode to even out the number after the delay of episode 10 (that's what happened with Prime Minister and I, and why it has 17 episodes instead of 16, lolll)

noooo, does anybody know why? I was wondering why it hasn't come on kocowa yet...
Edit: never mind, someone said it's because of Asian Games TT

As far as westernized dramas being great, that's rather a matter of opinion, isn't it? Also, it's funny, because I've always admired the amount of variety that exists in K-dramas. They've never done the same thing over and over again, and I would never imply that they should, lol. And lastly, when I refer to Korean culture, I'm talking about the values that are portrayed and promoted in a lot of Korean dramas, as well as the overall atmosphere and content of said dramas. If you were to watch a drama like While You Were Sleeping (2017), and then turn around and watch a drama like Vagabond or The Glory, I think what I'm talking about would be evident.

Thank you! ^^

Thank you so much! ^^

I know this opinion is controversial and probably most people do not agree, but I can't help hoping it doesn't succeed. K-dramas that Netflix has invested in feel extremely westernized and it's sad. If I wanted to watch western shows, I would not be watching *Korean* dramas, lol. I appreciate and respect Korean culture and that's what I want to see more of.

Same here, I never heard of SF9 until I saw Rowoon in Extraordinary You...

A drama airing on Netflix AND Viki? Has that ever happened before?

Haha yes, I will also stop hijacking, but I really appreciate hearing your outlook on BOF, especially the Thai version since I hadn't been sure whether to give it a chance! :)

Sorry for the late reply, MDL didn't send me a notification and I just now remembered to check back!

Yes, you made really good points!! Most K-dramas are not realistic, to be sure, but I appreciate what you said about reinforcing fantasies. That's exactly why these type of dramas bother me – in the end, I just don't like the ideas they seem to be endorsing. That's also really good to know about the Thai version of BOF! I had heard that it was more realistic than the others and wanted to give it a try, but wasn't sure if it was really going to be any better. The fact that Ml wasn't sexually abusive helps. Maybe I'll consider giving this one a try after all??

Of course, ML in Cheese in the Trap does change, but they saved it for the very end of the drama. And the idea of someone who is a psychopath suddenly waking up one day and realizing that their behavior is toxic was so far-fetched that it didn't bring me any satisfaction, lol.

The reason I've avoided Boys Over Flowers is because I'm a strong believer that if a guy has ever been abusive towards a girl, it doesn't matter how much he changes, that girl absolutely shouldn't ever be in a relationship with him. I know it's just a drama and I have a tendency to take these things too seriously, but I can see myself getting too frustrated with it, haha.

If I ever try watching Start Up, I'll go into it with my heart well guarded against liking the second lead. Although it might not work 😂😂

Yes, I was just thinking how funny it is for Nam Joo Hyuk to be in two dramas with a similar controversy haha. In my opinion you were right to avoid Cheese in the Trap. ML there was probably the most toxic ML I've ever seen in a K-drama, and it wasn't even in a tropey way. To me it all felt much more realistic, including FL's awareness that the relationship was problematic, but forgetting all of the red flags when she was in ML's presence...kind of romanticizing a scary real-life scenario there.

It's for sure not enjoyable to watch a drama where you prefer the SL! Watching School 2015 and Cheese in the Trap were both miserable for me, haha. So I've been actively avoiding dramas that I think will give me second lead syndrome ever since. 😂

Ahh okay, that makes sense, and we've seen something similar in other dramas too. I heard there was controversy with Cheese in the Trap and School 2015 because of SML syndrome, although if I'm not mistaken, with those dramas there was actual conflict about the makers giving more scenes to the second leads because of the actors.

I think this is my first time hearing that Start Up was controversial... Come to think of it, I don't know much about this drama. I'm very curious what went on?

Haha I can relate, I don't tend to make it far with the handsome jerk leads these days. I'm more apt to drop the drama if the character doesn't show some complexity within the first couple of episodes.

Yes, you summed it up so nicely! The subtlety of their building feelings towards each other is done so beautifully, by the writer, the actors, the director. The balance between attraction and chemistry, growing comfortable around each other, being honest with each other, and seeing each other's worst...it's all working together to create such an amazing and complex arc. I honestly don't know when I'll get to see something like it in a drama again, it's so unique and well-executed.

I haven't seen Start Up yet (one of those dramas I always plan to watch but never quite got around to it lol) but I think I understand exactly the nuance you're talking about. Sang Yeob's performance makes the character, and I would never want to see another actor try to play this part. He transforms Tae Young from a one-dimensional jerk into a character that really draws you in.

Totally agree! I love that both leads are so layered and that neither the characters nor the relationship between them is tropey like it could have been. Your comments about Kwon Suk's different facets are spot on. I also appreciate that the drama didn't wait to show us Tae Young's human side, what makes him tick. Too many dramas take too much time to reveal what's relatable about an unlikable character, and they completely lose me, whereas this drama drew me in right away with a plight I could relate to. From the first episode I felt I could root for Tae Young, in spite of the jerk persona. I'm glad to see others appreciating this underrated drama!

Ahhhh thank you so much for the beautiful compliment, now I'm going to cry 😭😭❤️

I made another FMV for the leads. Just couldn't resist after episode 8 ^^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRj7_Imlcc

I've heard several people mention the power imbalance thing and to me the concept itself sounds so problematic... are they saying that because KS is female and younger that she's automatically less powerful? Lol, I sure hope not. If anyone understands this feel free to explain it to me...