smileychan

First of all, thank you for your kind words. We all are entitled to our opinions and biases, so attacking each other just because biases don't match is just unnecessary fighting. Having said that, you actually brought up certain points which I was pleasantly surprised to read. I apologize in advance for prolonging this discussion and offending anyone unintentionally.

1. About JP getting defensive over the phrase he clearly resonated to in the initial episodes, I was puzzled myself. He was clearly smiling in that scene. What I realized later was that he admired DM's ideology and beliefs but didn't share the same beliefs. The basis for this claim are two scenes, one where DM submits the documents regarding division of shares and two, when DM pitches the idea of Noongil to JP. JP's business sense is against the idea, but he gives in seeing DM's firm faith in her decisions.
Coming to the elevator scene, JP and DM were discussing about the project prior to it. DM admitted that she was too scared to take a risk. JP agreed and advised her not to do it. Now in the elevator, DS tries to encourage DM to take the risk. Obviously JP is going to protest; he was just telling her not to. Get my drift here? It wasn't the phrase which upset JP, he was upset with DS for giving the exact opposite advice.

2. I agree, I already explained that many people would perceive it as selfish. I personally find it both selfish and reasonable, so to each their own.

3. I agree and disagree with this point. The letters initially did bring DS and DM together, but became a burden on DS later. He became insecure, thinking that DM liked him only because she believed he wrote them and that he would never be able to win her heart. He persisted, but when she broke up with him citing the letters, his biggest fears came true. He thought she chose the guy in the letters over him, or in other words, JP. So yes, DS gave too much importance to the letters, but not to get together with DM but rather thanks to his insecurities.

I enjoyed reading the theories honestly, even though I knew half of them were reading too much into things. Unpopular opinion ahead : The writer did a phenomenal job writing the characters and story. Many people are upset about how JP became the 'emotional punching bag' but I beg to differ. JP was treated the kindest. His biggest flaw was envy, but the writer made sure he never went too far (example : the scrunchie scene, the lift scene with DS).

So here's my theory of why JP never got to talk to DM about the letters - JP told DM Grandma made him write the letters. He
(a) was too embarrassed to admit that he liked the correspondence,
(b) had already accepted defeat.
In the initial episodes, he clearly shows surprise when Grandma tells him that DM is still waiting for DS of the letters. JP had already moved on from the letters and didn't give any importance to them till he met DM and DS. Why? I believe there are two strong reasons - one, DM brought warmth to his life, like Grandma and he began appreciating it slowly; two, he was always envious of DS. Unfortunately, he realized his own feelings too late and was too scared of rejection. He never put himself out there for DM like DS did. Having said all that, I still hoped for a proper talk about the letters. They never showed DM properly moving on from them and just left it for the viewers to interpret.

Finally, about your opinion on JP having to spell it out to DS that DM likes him, I strongly believe that the writer did it to show character progression of JP. It was purely to show him as the good guy. He overcame his envy for DS and encouraged him to go for it, even though he was a 'rival'. JP had ruined his relationship with DS in the beginning, crushed his idea of JP being a Sherpa. It came full circle at that point when he told DS the truth. And, off topic but, even soulmates need communication to understand each other's feelings. DS stopped approaching DM due to the misunderstanding that DM and JP were together. Only JP could have cleared the misunderstanding up, which he did and earned my respect. So I'm pretty convinced with DM choosing DS, and JP's character development.

Anyway I'm going to move on from this drama now, because romance was never my cup of tea, let alone love triangles. Hope you have a good day, and Merry Christmas to everyone who's reading this on 25th!

Just sharing my perspective here, because the points you mentioned made me reflect back onto those moments in the drama...
1. DM looked impressed when DS quoted the phrase from the letters because those phrases she wrote in her letters reflect her core beliefs. She is an adventurer, and loves taking risks (much like her father). It doesn't really have anything to do with the letters, because from what I understood, she wanted to take the risk but didn't have anyone to support her. DS said what she wanted to hear the most and that earned him her admiration.
2. DS wanted to keep the letters because he thought DM and JP were together. Yes, one could argue saying 'If DM and JP were indeed dating, DS has no right to keep the letters.' I agree, but I also believe DS wanted the letters as price for dragging him into this 'fake letter pal' story and as a consolation of sorts because he still intended to love DM unrequitedly (same as JP who took the plant and letters in the end for consolation). Fair, isn't it?
3. The "sail off without the map" concept fits DM and DS the best. JP is excluded because he believes in taking calculated risks and is more practical due to experience. The writer used the letters as a means of conveying DM's innermost thoughts to DS, so I'll have to disagree with you on that one. DS was asking DM to be confident in herself and stand by her beliefs, and hence, the 'sailing without a map' phrase was used. It wasn't to bring up the letters per se, it was just to show that DS still gave the letters too much importance even after 3 years.

Having said that, even I am upset about how JP and DM never spoke about the letters again. We'd not have the crazy ship wars had the writer not chosen to keep things open till the end. I've read somewhere that she likes writing such stories where both the male leads have equal chances to keep it exciting, and I hate how the main focus of the story was lost amidst all the fighting.
As for your point about DS telling DM to forget the letters, this is my take on it : It's because DS himself was sick of lying and acting like the one in letters. He didn't exchange the letters and obviously doesn't share the same sentiment as DM about them. He was also insecure at that point, so he asked her to erase everything to escape the guilt. He quoted the 'sailing without a map' phrase from the letters after 3 years because (a) that's the only thing which resonated with him, other than the music box story, (b) he knew DM was trying too hard not to make a mistake this time and not taking any risk, which was unlike her older self.
About the concept resonating with him, let's recollect the scene where he keeps wandering after getting dumped by DM. He finds himself at the starting point where he was supposed to give the signed ball to DM and that to me, signifies that DS found the answer he wanted : to try again and give things another chance. So that concept of 'sailing off without the map' is not just limited to the letters, but something both DM and DS learnt the hard way.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, because after all this is just my take on things.

I'm gonna do that too! Since it's an airing kdrama, we all try to flock to comments and discussion threads to feel better, to read up more about the possible developments in the next episodes and discuss our viewpoints. It's a different kind of hell when you see almost all the comments bashing the character you like. So enjoying the show and avoiding the negativity is the best choice for our own mental health. Don't mind these comments, what ultimately matters is how the drama impacts you and if you enjoy it. Nothing else does. :)

IKR?! Childhood connections, 'almost met' clichés, hiding feelings out of embarrassment, perfect paper white characters - these have become the hallmark of most romcom kdrama male leads. NDS is a grey character, and like you said, that's what makes it beautiful. I honestly thought they'd break stereotypes with this kdrama when I saw the premise and the first episode. How all the characters were introduced, how each one had a story. It felt like we would see the journey of 4 leads, how they'd bring out the best and help each other shine.
Honestly, the love triangle ruined the whole show for me. It created this unnecessary divide between the audience, and now all we have are people complaining about who the main lead is, who should end up with the girl, etc.. I try to look past the triangle but then I find comments everywhere bashing NDS. And same here, I never comment on stuff online but I had to this time. Worst part is that it's always the same people commenting. There's no issue with vocalizing one's thoughts but this is borderline spamming.

From what I have seen on various platforms, most of the HJP fans are upset with NDS rather than the ship... many people just want HJP to be happy, which we all want, but then they also loathe NDS and don't want him to be the lead (?). I mean, if I could write the ending, I'd have ended the love arc with NDS and SDM breaking up and then shown them working on ideas together. It would be an open ending, with HJP getting to know WIJ more and NDS and SDM as work partners, cuz let's be honest, SDM's creativity and NDS's coding skills are one hell of a pair!

Oh no, I meant jumping to conclusions as in them re-igniting the love triangle and pushing it down our throats... like for example, NDS comes back to Korea and starts questioning things, disrupting HJP's plan and stuff... that could be a possibility, no? Of course, by the looks of it, it does seem like they are going to go all out and fight for 'their love for SDM' but the show has thrown curve balls at us a few times previously... that's what I wanted to point out.

Omg if they do that, I'm gonna forgive them for all the pain they caused with the love triangle. XD

I think it's better not to jump to conclusions based on the preview... I remember how they completely caught us off guard in ep 9 after the supposedly 'confrontational scene' between SDM and NDS... it turned out to be his imagination. So let's just see how things develop and hope for the best for all the characters... who knows, maybe the last few episodes will make up for all the angsty moments? One can hope! ;)

OMG tell me about it! I am pretty sure they're going to do that, in fact I am also expecting the ratings to drop thanks to the angry, disappointed fans if they show NDS and SDM warming up to each other again. I mean, it's natural to feel frustrated but we all know HJP is going to get a positive ending ultimately. The NDS slander is just uncalled for, honestly. SDM could move on from the letters thanks to her attraction towards NDS, and even though it was based on a lie, the writer made it evident that she had begun liking him for what he is, and not the guy she thought he was from the letters.
The writer did an amazing job at creating HJP's character, but most of us are failing to realize that she had to do it to show the contrast between NDS and HJP. HJP has everything but familial love, NDS has familial love and support but nothing in terms of personal achievement. NDS is emotionally driven, and literally wears his heart on his sleeve which makes him look very immature compared to HJP who is very reserved and only shows emotions when it's about people he holds dear.
At this point I couldn't care less about who is in SDM's heart - I just want NDS to succeed.

Agreed!

Thank you! I have no idea why this comment section is full of people trolling and fighting over how one character has always gotten the shorter end of the stick, how one character is 'babied'... the characters are humans too, and SDM obviously can't see things we are seeing as viewers. She is closer to NDS, because they have worked together and spent a lot of time with each other in the few months. NDS is more approachable as compared to HJP in SDM's perspective, and has turned up to help her in moments she felt the lowest.
I've seen so many comments criticizing the writers for making NDS's character hard to like. I mean, that's reality. We all go through immature phases. What matters is who we are at present. At this point, I want NDS to be the anti-hero because people are unable to appreciate his complexity anyway.

First of all, it seems like you're taking out your frustrations here, so I'll be respectful of that. If you are talking about NDS fans rooting for the NDS - SDM ship, I honestly don't know and would prefer not commenting on that. However, if you meant NDS fans rooting for NDS's character development, I am rooting for him because he is someone who hasn't come out of his bubble yet. Yes he's done some very questionable and mean things, exhibited violent tendencies and taken wrong decisions. Why do I not hate him? Because he is empathetic and too kind for his own good. All his actions, right or wrong, were fueled by unchecked emotions and that's the aspect I want him to improve. He is too emotionally driven and it would be great to see his professional side.
P.S.. HJP is a gem of a person too, so this is NOT a 'Why NDS is better' comment.

I have no idea why people are only hating NDS because he's a flawed (?) character... isn't that the whole point of this drama? To show how young people are vulnerable to making very foolish choices, rebelling and learning from failures? I felt SDM and NDS both had to learn things the hard way, letting go of the past (SDM) and having ambition and controlling emotions (NDS). Of course, HJP is the Good Boy for the most part, but comparing the two for the sake of a love triangle is unnecessary and unfair too imo. This drama is about growth and not giving up hope ... let's keep it that way.