Finally, someone who understood it is a happy ending. A perfect happy ending.
I was full of emotions and physically choked up when I watched it for the first time. I loved it, but I could not move on from it. LIKE I HAD WORK TO DO BUT I WAS PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO. So I started reading a ton, I mean A TON of reviews, then I went ahead and read the English lyrics to all the osts; it was always there, they made it clear from the get-go. So I started watching it the second time around and just allowed them to break up. People outgrow each other all the time. Yijin and Heedo are the most shocked that they outgrew each other. But actually, their adult versions (a little short for Yijin) were perfectly content with their choice. They still have a special place in each other's hearts. Not all love has to end with a ring on it. The most realistic and sad part is, they were never able to be friends after the breakup. Being friends with an ex, to me, feels like a unicorn situation. I don't know many people who managed it. But somehow I wanted a scene where she was was building her table with his news as her background or something. You know, yes, she's no longer in romantic love, but that doesn't mean their bond was cut. He can just blend into the background as someone who is always there for her; her rainbow. Wishful thinking. But what we got was beautiful too!
I watched the last episode the second time around and honestly, it's a very very good ending. The conversation style enactment of their diary confession scene was cinematic gold standard. Because it's not entirely a made-up scene. Heedo did infact write all the lines spoken there, and Yijin did get to read that, and he also did in fact write his side of dialogues too. So now that bus stop hug scene holds more value (when it was already such a heartfelt scene) because Yijin was saying goodbye with her true thoughts properly communicated. He was given his closure!
I recommend watching the last episode after some time, for me I needed to read reviews for a few hours and read the lyrics of the OST to realize that this truly is a happy ending. Not the conventional kind, for sure. But the fact that every character found their spot in the world and is well, healthy and living is a triumph.
May 2022 reward us with more beautiful stories! Cheers!
Nam Joo Hyuk likes to choose shows that depict pain... The Light in Your Eyes = straight-up pain, Start-Up caused pain because of SLS, this show caused pain because of how beautiful and precious our youth is ... PAIN PAIN PAIN
after reading the comments decided to not watching the episode 15 and 16. there is no particular reason or logic…
I think you should watch it, just because it's bittersweet doesn't mean it was not beautiful. In a week, more appreciation posts will show up. People take time to assimilate emotions.
I might be in the minority here, but THAT ENDING WAS EXEMPLARY. I am so glad none of my wild predictions came true. I am glad the writer included the ugly side of their relationship in the last episode, because real relationships do not resemble a field full of flowers. (Heedo's outburst that he once said he loved her reckless side, oof!)
"You and I are lovers in good times, and a burden when times turn." Perhaps because of the age gap, perhaps because of different occupation, perhaps because Yijin had too many trauma, perhaps because Heedo also had her own set of trauma... We don't always get to have what we want. To borrow Yijin's words, "just because you are not living your dream does not mean your present is imperfect." While Heedo could not get to stay with Yijin, Yijin could not get to keep the innocent Heedo in his arms, while they were each other's "the one that got away," the fact that they loved each other with their whole soul will never go away. The regrets of first love, the regrets that make you grow as a person, the fact that you don't always get closure... Remember that scene where Heedo said "nothing lasts forever" to Minchae? We all outgrow everyone in our lives. Even though Yijin and Heedo both wanted their relationship to last, the truth is they outgrew each other. It hit too close that I almost felt the breakup myself too!
I appreciate that they didn't even care to show the husband. (However, they did drop the hint with the sender of the diary being Kim Eun Ho.) That's not important to Heedo's summer. That summer is forever hers to keep with her gang and Baek Yijin.
2 yearsThey celebrated 2001 togetherAnd could not do 2002 together
I believe it's only one year no?
They were together for Dec. 31st 2000 --> Jan. 1st 2001, dated cutely in 2001, was supposed to go on a trip on September 10th (but that's Sept. 11th in the states because of time difference between the two countries) but that plan changed and they immediately became long-distance. Hence, they were not together for Dec. 31st 2001 --> Jan. 1st 2002.
I'm starting to think this will happen... I will list it as spoiler because I don't want to spoil anyone's mood.
Remember that scene about Yu Rim confusing herself into thinking her first love was Yi Jin when in fact it was his car? 1. Hee Do's first love was Yu Rim/ Injeolmi/ her idol Ko Yu Rim. 2. Yu Rim passes away in Russia, maybe due to some kind of stress causing her to dive again and this time the end result was not favorable. 3. Min Chae is Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do's child. I don't know if she's adopted or not. Remember Hee Do tearing up after mom and her woke up from anesthesia in the hospital? 4. Either Na Hee Do is suffering from PTSD triggered memory loss, maybe from the loss of her first love, or Na Hee Do mommy has dementia from years of always being nervous. Yi Jin is seen packing up in the preview and saying some stuff about not wanting to embarrass Hee Do etc., He also has fears about balancing his occupation with his relationship... 5. Yi Jin will have to move divisions, perhaps even cities/countries for a bit so they need to be apart. The reason Hee Do is teary in that interview is because she is proud of the fact that he was able to return to his favourite division/ the sport division.
I don't know, I suddenly thought up of these what-ifs while showering and needed to dump them somewhere.
Very well said, I couldn't agree more.I also really appreciated how they tackled Yijin's struggle - that alongside…
Absolutely! Yu Rim is the most mature among the gang (aside from Yi Jin of course) because financial burdens and being the unofficial breadwinner of the family made her grow up too fast. Which is why her parents are so heart-broken and are trying their best to keep their little girl, well. "little." Every parent wants their child to have a fulfilling childhood. Yu Rim's choice is going to be the catalyst that causes a lot of maturation in the gang. Ji Woong will learn from this experience that while love (beauty, vanity, youth, joyful activity etc.) is wonderful, they don't pay bills. Seung Wan will continue to discover that while she wants to live in an ideal world where worldly problems can be discussed and solved efficiently, that thought in essence is the product of her (comparitively) privileged upbringing. Hee Do will quickly realize that while she is somewhat still stuck at being thirteen, the world is not built for thirteen year olds and will open her eyes to really see what reality is.
It's truly beautiful! Honestly, I would obviously love it if those who are currently happy can stay happy. But I understand if the writers choose to go the other route. If they want to characterize Yu Rim to be hardened and disillusioned in the Madrid Olympics when competing against Hee Do, I understand. There were enough plot to showcase that change. If they want to show Ji Woong trying his best (aka, maybe finishing up post secondary even) for Yu Rim to give them a chance again, I also understand. It won't be out of the blue. If Seungwan becomes successful via radio after finishing up uni, that would be great! But if instead she just becomes a lego piece to society and nostalgically recalls her heroism in the past, that outcome won't be a bad plot either. If Yi Jin and Hee Do do not work out, and we get a lalaland-esque end... I will be sad but it will be poignant. And perhaps will be a life lesson for little Min Chae to learn, who in today's abundant world, may not be able to learn first hand. Ah! So excited for next week.
Sorry for the long post, it's almost as if I am unable to write simple short comments. :(
What makes this situation so heart-wrenching is that I can't blame Yi Jin at all for his choice to report Yu Rim's news. I would have done the same if I were in his shoes.
Maybe because I am close to his character's age here, I understand his view and sympathize with his burden a lot (taunted to be a high school graduate, his overall intelligence disregarded for his academic background, having no where to fall back to if his job isn't going well, his trauma of "rags to riches," having to let go of a life he lived involuntarily, having to foresee a future for his now-broken family). In a way, the struggles of Yi Jin is an homage to Hee Do's mom. To be a reporter is to be the exact opposite of what we humans are good at, being unbiased. It is there as a plot device to aid Hee Do's emotional maturity further. At the same time, it is there to be relatable. We all have instances of emotion(morale) vs. reality. I know I can think of a few on top of my head.
I am glad the writers included scenes of Hee Do witnessing how much Yi Jin was suffering (smoking, crying in their memory tunnel etc.) and have previously included scenes such as her appreciating his gentle wording during the report on Taeyang High's last match, which got him chewed out at work for being inappropriate.
I am excited for the finale week coming up. I should get a box of lotion tissue because I predict some tear falls. All I ask for is a clean, memorable ending!
i think the ending scene isn't going to be something very grand or anything, just simply hee do and yi jin smiling…
You know that famous gif of Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield at an award show? That longing look and happy tears and nostalgia infused gif? I think a similar scene will happen here.
So my theory is, Min Chae definitely Hee Do and Yi Jin's daughter. Yi Jin and Hee Do will hide their marriage…
Even if this doesn't come true, I think you have a brilliant mind! You should consider story writing! It's an asset to be able to write convincingly while maintaining worldly logic.
I recommend watching the last episode after some time, for me I needed to read reviews for a few hours and read the lyrics of the OST to realize that this truly is a happy ending. Not the conventional kind, for sure. But the fact that every character found their spot in the world and is well, healthy and living is a triumph.
May 2022 reward us with more beautiful stories! Cheers!
"You and I are lovers in good times, and a burden when times turn."
Perhaps because of the age gap, perhaps because of different occupation, perhaps because Yijin had too many trauma, perhaps because Heedo also had her own set of trauma... We don't always get to have what we want. To borrow Yijin's words, "just because you are not living your dream does not mean your present is imperfect." While Heedo could not get to stay with Yijin, Yijin could not get to keep the innocent Heedo in his arms, while they were each other's "the one that got away," the fact that they loved each other with their whole soul will never go away. The regrets of first love, the regrets that make you grow as a person, the fact that you don't always get closure... Remember that scene where Heedo said "nothing lasts forever" to Minchae? We all outgrow everyone in our lives. Even though Yijin and Heedo both wanted their relationship to last, the truth is they outgrew each other. It hit too close that I almost felt the breakup myself too!
I appreciate that they didn't even care to show the husband. (However, they did drop the hint with the sender of the diary being Kim Eun Ho.) That's not important to Heedo's summer. That summer is forever hers to keep with her gang and Baek Yijin.
They were together for Dec. 31st 2000 --> Jan. 1st 2001, dated cutely in 2001, was supposed to go on a trip on September 10th (but that's Sept. 11th in the states because of time difference between the two countries) but that plan changed and they immediately became long-distance. Hence, they were not together for Dec. 31st 2001 --> Jan. 1st 2002.
Also, Ramadan Mubarak lovely internet people!
1. Hee Do's first love was Yu Rim/ Injeolmi/ her idol Ko Yu Rim.
2. Yu Rim passes away in Russia, maybe due to some kind of stress causing her to dive again and this time the end result was not favorable.
3. Min Chae is Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do's child. I don't know if she's adopted or not.
Remember Hee Do tearing up after mom and her woke up from anesthesia in the hospital?
4. Either Na Hee Do is suffering from PTSD triggered memory loss, maybe from the loss of her first love, or Na Hee Do mommy has dementia from years of always being nervous.
Yi Jin is seen packing up in the preview and saying some stuff about not wanting to embarrass Hee Do etc., He also has fears about balancing his occupation with his relationship...
5. Yi Jin will have to move divisions, perhaps even cities/countries for a bit so they need to be apart.
The reason Hee Do is teary in that interview is because she is proud of the fact that he was able to return to his favourite division/ the sport division.
I don't know, I suddenly thought up of these what-ifs while showering and needed to dump them somewhere.
It's truly beautiful! Honestly, I would obviously love it if those who are currently happy can stay happy. But I understand if the writers choose to go the other route. If they want to characterize Yu Rim to be hardened and disillusioned in the Madrid Olympics when competing against Hee Do, I understand. There were enough plot to showcase that change. If they want to show Ji Woong trying his best (aka, maybe finishing up post secondary even) for Yu Rim to give them a chance again, I also understand. It won't be out of the blue. If Seungwan becomes successful via radio after finishing up uni, that would be great! But if instead she just becomes a lego piece to society and nostalgically recalls her heroism in the past, that outcome won't be a bad plot either. If Yi Jin and Hee Do do not work out, and we get a lalaland-esque end... I will be sad but it will be poignant. And perhaps will be a life lesson for little Min Chae to learn, who in today's abundant world, may not be able to learn first hand. Ah! So excited for next week.
Sorry for the long post, it's almost as if I am unable to write simple short comments. :(
Maybe because I am close to his character's age here, I understand his view and sympathize with his burden a lot (taunted to be a high school graduate, his overall intelligence disregarded for his academic background, having no where to fall back to if his job isn't going well, his trauma of "rags to riches," having to let go of a life he lived involuntarily, having to foresee a future for his now-broken family). In a way, the struggles of Yi Jin is an homage to Hee Do's mom. To be a reporter is to be the exact opposite of what we humans are good at, being unbiased. It is there as a plot device to aid Hee Do's emotional maturity further. At the same time, it is there to be relatable. We all have instances of emotion(morale) vs. reality. I know I can think of a few on top of my head.
I am glad the writers included scenes of Hee Do witnessing how much Yi Jin was suffering (smoking, crying in their memory tunnel etc.) and have previously included scenes such as her appreciating his gentle wording during the report on Taeyang High's last match, which got him chewed out at work for being inappropriate.
I am excited for the finale week coming up. I should get a box of lotion tissue because I predict some tear falls. All I ask for is a clean, memorable ending!