While you can read my step by step reactions in the comment section below as the plot unfolded, be warned that is filled with spoilers and emotional reactions...the review is a more holistic concise overview that will not spoil the tale for those that have not yet seen it, while maybe giving those that have something to think about or agree/disagree with.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
I am in love with this drama. I am about to start the penultimate episode (so 2 left)....
Right now its sad.....
But I'm okay with that...because the story has progressed so naturally. And I still have 2 episodes for it to turn around... Maybe its just my mood, or I dunno what, but I am very invested in these characters and story. So many people say its slow, and compared to a romantic comedy it is slow. But this is a drama, an actual romance. and it has huge doses or reality. Thus its not a fast paced fun romp .
There has been no trip and fall in slow motion or 18 minute long staring contests or kisses in slow mo from 25 different angles.....
But what is here is beautiful, honest, touching, and for me, I can't stop....I have now been up almost 24 hours....watching this........straight through.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
So the past episode has dealt with a lot of the issues I've been bringin up.
And its been great.
Joon, though still weak on the friend front, and as of my pausing is still doing the concert with Jung Kyung.... BUT he has stepped up and addressed almost every issue that I found him lacking against our main female lead Song Ah. He is fully supporting her and they have spoken earnestly about many of the hanging issues. And he is backing it up with actions.
Now, Song Ah is annoying me to no end. Why the hell would she accept a phone call from the agent guy? Why? I just don't understand her at this point. I get the whole school rumor mill and her being inadequacy there....but the whole thing with the manager is going to be her fault. It makes no sense for her to respond to him.
I am also annoyed with her over the whole professor thing. But I guess she has to have one on her side to get into grad school...so its playing the system.
Well finished this episode and now this is just no way she can continue with this professor right. Just none.
And everything is about to implode. And while our male lead is not blameless...it is mostly actually going to be Song Ah's fault.....self sabotage.....our male lead has made strides to recover...but still...has left Jung Kyung on the board and that is his fatal mistake.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
SPOILER!!!!!!
He said nothing....nothing.......nada
I was so happy with this show. And It really is quite strong, and when I write a review for it...unless they just completely throw in the towel in the last 5 episodes that is almost guaranteed to get high marks from me at this point.
I was really happy that they gave a male lead that wasn't chauvinistic, sexist, or toxic. He instead is very layered, kind, good natured, but imperfect. He is very flawed, closed off, and lost.
But the last few episodes....I swear.......he keeps losing so many points.
How is he so ineffectual? I suppose that is his story to learn not be so passive. Being aggressive all the time is horrible, but equally is being always passive.
He didn't fight against the manager issue. He made one or two phone calls and that was all. He just lets him take control and now if he does the Tchaikovsky competition and wins it will be under the new management. He is going to have his personal life displayed for all. He is going to give a future to yet another horrible human being and be complicit in screwing over those that helped him.
And this monster goes to his girlfriend and basically tells her to quit being a violinist, that her dreams wont happen, that she is not good enough, does not have the talent, or the years.....
And Joon, worried the guy said something mean, doesn't argue this. He takes her hand and sits in silence. HE AGREES.....and all my respect for him just melted.
Whether it is true, he can still give her hope. He can take the time and try to coach her, to make her better. He can support her decisions. He can tell her no matter what to try and not give up....THERE WAS SO MUCH he could have done......
But instead...just silence.
Not only this, but he is willfully playing the same piece as she is trying to perform with someone else. His life long love. And then says to her he wishes he could help......
He doesn't see her struggling, her life, her [problems....
To be fair she doesn't tell him either....its annoying as hell but it isn't all his fault...
But some things, some things are obvious. That he can't see how much she needs him, how he doesn't support her, and how he is actively hurting her with his actions....is beyond me......
But he is just as much a passenger in his life as she is in hers...neither of them driving to where they want to be.....so I suppose it is the blind leading the blind here.
The female lead is driving me crazy with the professor and the audition. She is being willfully blind. She is ripping off students to keep sucking up. She is not getting feedback, and to think that this professor has any interest in her future is a joke. But she keeps doing it.....
But its her personality and she is only hurting herself....so I don't judge it as hard as how he is hurting her......
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
SPOILERS!!!!!
So,
What was Joon expecting from Hyun?
We all know how I felt about the not being honest with your friends story-line and it blew up on both our leads....as I thought it would.
But now, he has entered the fray of them competing for a job.
1) Joon secretly coveted your best friends girl for over a decade.
2) Joon and her kisses each other and though it didn't go further you all lied to hide it from Hyun
3) When Jung Kyung breaks up with Hyun it is over her being in-love with Joon.
4) Now because Joon instead ignores his feelings and stuffs them away, like he does his keepsakes in his suitcase, he claims he is "friends" with Jung Kyung and that his how he can play with her.
(A) You don't treat friends the way you are treating Jung Kyung. That is how you treat people you do not like or you like and are trying to keep at a distance...
(B) In what world can you turn 10 years of unrequited feelings on and off. Yesterday she as the love if his life, today she is nothing. It is all lies and not real.
(C) Him hiding the keepsakes is him showing that he is holding on to Jung Kyung and what was there between them. He is not getting rid of it. He is not cleansing it from his self. Just like the handkerchief it was in his pocket, to his drawer, and then to the suitcase, but only because he realized Song Ha saw it. All these feeling are still there and hes just hiding.
5) HE IS NOW COMPETING FOR A JOB AGAINST HIS FRIEND!!!! Why is everyone acting like this is normal? Joon should be NOWHERE, and I do mean NOWHERE near this if he honestly had any true feelings of regret and wanting to repair anything with Hyun. SERIOSULY!!!!
Joon is helping a wealthy socialite who is trying to woo him from his girlfriend and he has been in love with for the past 10 years against his so-called BEST friend who is poor with no future prospects and was just dumped from this 10 year relationship over Joon.
And then Joon has the nerve to go up to him and try to be his friend cause he missed him?
Hyun reacted perfectly and on-point. And I like that he has kept away from them. I really do not know how this competition will go. It seems that they will win and Jung Kyung will get the position, unless the grandmother rally does rig it. And thus Hyun future looks pale.
Also again, how does no one see how wrong them pairing up was and is.
At least Song Ah just witnessed what she allowed to happen.
This relationship is doomed isn't it? That is why this has an 8.1 as of me watching right....
I may be wrong. This show has built a few things up, that made me very stressed, and then just solved them with a conversation.....or very anticlimactically. Which has been disappointing.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
Just started it and was hoping she would end up pushing him away and leaving. But that is not what is happening. I'm not excited for this...and I do not like how she admits that she was upset that he wouldn't play for her, but is okay with him playing for Kyung and I do not like how he doesn't seem to need to explain himself here........
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
SPOILER ALERT!!!! S P O I L E R A L E R T!!!
Okay, just finished episode 8.....
And, well, I am a wreck over this. I um, guys....don't hate......but um
I'm angry about that kiss. I'm sorry, he has had her waiting in the balance, which I have issues with. But it is more than that.....
1) He refuses to play with her.
Now, this is because so many people are in his head. I get that. I do. BUT, he has also been told NOT to play with Jung Kyung as well, and yet he is going to, or at least try...the whole management thing I'll get to.
He does this because he is told it will diminish who he plays with and people will think any success is because of him. So he thinks he is protecting our female lead. Yet, she is trying to do a concert for grad school, and Kyung is doing a concert for a job at the said school. And he values breaking this rule for Kung and NOT our female lead.
I have issues with this. Strong issues.
2) He tells her this to her face in what is a very noble act. Hurtful, but noble. And then they proceed to have a small argument (since they are both so passive is a really short one but emotional all the same) and then when she is gathering her things to leave, he starts repeating, "I like you, I like you, I like you , I like you." spins her around and kisses her.
Now he has just devastated her. She is in tears. There is so much going on inside her right now both mentally (over the whole chair seated, realizing her professor thinks she isn't good enough, him not willing to play with her, him willing to play with Kyung) and emotionally (the guy she has wanted for years just confessed to her after sleeping with her best friend. Joon running her emotions dry, asking her to wait, and now breaking her heart with Kyung, feelings of inadequacy) just so much.
For him to kiss her like this. It was just not the right time, the right move, the right anything. And I didn't enjoy watching it, I actually had to look away.
The music didn't help. This is a kdrama moment and one of my gripes about the medium. The constant use of ballads in the background to signify romance and love. This scene needed silence, or a slow soft solo violin filled with emotion. Not a swelling rock ballad tackily roaring suddenly in my ears....it deflated the scene's emotion and resonance.
3) There are far too many unresolved feeling and emotions dealing with those around them. Their situation hasn't changed at all from when our female lead admitted her feelings three episodes ago. Thus, all the weight and problems are going to persist and there is no way this relationship will last.
That our main lead thinks he can spend time preparing music with Kyung (his secret love of 10 years) while starting a relationship with our female lead is incredibly out of character for him and impossible. The long practicing, long nights, emotion and connection of the music, and Kyung actively trying to woo him now.....this is a recipe for utter disaster. It was what we wanted to bring the main lead and him together, this very practicing and preparing. Instead it will rip them apart as he does it with Kyung.
And outside of my 3 bullet points.....his best friend. His best friend is vying for the same job and him pairing with Kyung against his best friend......this is wrong. It was wrong of her to ask this of him. It was wrong for him to accept. He doesn't know about the friend right now, but will he stop once he does? We already know the answer is no.
I hope this story doesn't do the stupid time jump in the end like so many Kdrama's. I hope his friend walks away from them and doesn't forgive them even though that is what the audience wants for a happy ending. Our main lead is being horrible to him.....
And the whole management company situation.
Why would the company pull him from a huge foundation into a start-up run by the person badmouthing the foundation? How does this make sense and how do they not see the back-stabbing and amoral behavior?
Why is our main lead going along with it? I get he is under contract and has to do the performances and such that they force him. But he gets to choose who he works with. While he may not be able to stay with the foundation, he sure as hell can keep from working with the backstabber. He should have just punched him there at the meeting. Let that get back to Chris that the start punched the guy and refuses to work with him.
I get our main character is subdued and kind....but this is a flaw at this point. He is actively participating in backstabbing people who have stood up and support him and been by his side, for someone who is openly being disgusting and treating him like filth. And he is staying silent........where is that second convo with Chris he said he would have?
I disliked the guy they all worked with, but I didn't know he would be turned into an out and out villain. Could kinda do without this, there is enough other things happening that it isn't needed, and its just painting the male lead into and even worse light.
I still LOVE this drama, and almost all the characters. The main lead keeps losing points though, and as I stated in the beginning, right now, I don't want them together.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
So, just have to update now that I've finished episode 7 based on my previous comments. SPOILERS people, true blue.
Now, he does turn her down, as I suspected, but he does it in the healthiest and most shocking way. By spilling out all the things bottled up, by actually communicating, and letting her know why he is saying no......
It was such a healthy and unexpected plot development....sad that I didn't expect it.
However, I am not sure how I feel about him asking her to wait for him. That seems pretty selfish. I like you, but I can't be with you because I am actually in-love with someone else, but wait for me so I can get over them. Ehhhhhhh
But then they kinda act like they are dating. Which confused me. He shows up in the cafeteria, they go on ice-cream meetings. Text and and giggle. And I'm just like wait, you said no. So why you all doing this?
And then there is the fateful incident with our male leads friend trio and the drama there. Which goes up to level 7 here, and well deserved to for as long as it has been simmering. Unfortunately our female lead witnesses it and gets very hurt.
Now this is what I don't understand. He already said no to them being together. Asked her to wait for him. And then told her the entire history going on here. Why is everyone so hurt? And I didn't understand her question to him that actually made them sort of break-up (From the fake dating I talked about above.)
"Is there space for me between the 10 years of you and her?"
He stares long and hard, doesn't answer, and then drops his head.
What is my take away from this?
NO. There isn't room for you.
If that was what he couldn't vocalize then it means our female lead doesn't have a chance. So why did he ask her to wait for him? Why does he seem to have conflicting emotions? Why does he think about her and want to see her? Why does she make him happy when he's sad?
Isn't that space that exists in him for her between all of this. Isn't this what can foster and grow and is why he asked her to wait?
Am I not understanding the question? Because I am most definitely not understanding the response to the question. And why was this the straw that broke her away from him? Or kinda. Because all throughout the rest of the episode they avoid each other and have stopped talking. But then at the very end they have a conversation, and our female lead mentions how she is waiting for him. So, is this still a thing? Is she still open and waiting to date him, be with him, for him to actually come and say "I'm ready?"
I guess I will just have to find this all out. Anyway.
Side Note: Loved how his guy friend called him out in the fight.
"You loved her. How could you? How could you love her watching us for 10 years?"
This is a serious question. And it hits our male lead like it should. This goes back to my first comment on this series and the 1 complaint I had about the two main characters. But that I loved them anyway. You have to be honest and respectful even if you can't control with whom you fall in love. Our male lead is in the wrong here and should have been honest with his friend long ago.
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have…
Just finished episode 6...
I am a fan of this show. So far it has been wonderful. It is heart breaking and wonderfully acted, and the story is unfolding delicately. The underlying tension of outside forces that that have nothing to do with romance is stressing me out. There is not a single character so far that I do not like in some way, even when they do hurtful things.
But, I don't like how she confessed her liking at the end. I don't want her to be with him, at least right now. He is too involved elsewhere. I have a feeling he will reject her next episode since we are on a cliff hanger. That will allow me to respect him, because he should not say yes. He likes her sure, but he has so many unresolved issues and feelings floating around, it would be so unfair and the relationship would buckle and break under the weight of it all.
But this is going to hurt her. Hurt her dearly and it is going to be so hard to watch. But it is really what needs to happen.....
I am disappointed in him sending the other girl his room number and access code. He knows she wants him. He knows she just broke his friends heart. He knows his friend is angry with him. He knows he has been pining for her forever., What good is going to come out of her having this access.....NOTHING...oh....at least she saw the notes and left. I feel they would have had something intimate happen if she had stayed and he showed up. Emotions are high and there is aclhy involved. And that would have made me very upset with him. But I know her having this access information is going to come back and bite us later.
About to head into Episode 3.So far I love the pacing of this drama. It is steady and smooth. It is taking breaths…
Whew this is hitting me where it hurts...I have teared up twice, very unlike me. My last couple of shows have been disappointing. Maybe that is why I'm liking this so much. It is just such a stronger outing than what I've been watching and such a tonal change.
So far I love the pacing of this drama. It is steady and smooth. It is taking breaths and evolving naturally and breathing life into the characters on screen.
I like the music, I am a bit of a "classical" nut and so far this series has done a great job at realistically and believably showing these actors playing their instruments.
I like the cinematography. At first, I wasn't sure if it was too at home digital video like. But, the cool pallet against the wood walled rooms, black pianos, and rich browns of violins is a nice juxtaposition in visuals.
What I don't like is that our 2 main characters are, from the start, (So this isn't a spoiler) in love with their best friend's lovers. And when I say best friend, I mean honestly the only true friend that stands by them....for years, both of them. While I understand this might not be what the show will be about, it seems maybe its about them getting free from these attractions.
I get that we all can't control who we fall in love with, trust me I understand. But we can all make a decision on what we do with that love, how we handle it, and the choices we make regarding it. These are almost 30 year olds, not dumb high school kids.
The main 2 leads actions show that neither of them respect their friends enough to be honest with them. If this is true friendship, which so far their friends have shown nothing but true support and comradary, then they will understand and, though may be hurt, would understand distance needed to be created with no hard feelings, and that when they did see each other it needs to be in a twosome and not with the third party in attendance. It isn't ideal but that is the way the world works.
Instead both have already hurtfully lied to their friends in-order to cover-up questionable actions regarding these emotions and others. The 3rd parties seem to be fully aware that there are emotions and are manipulating them. And this is likely going to come to a head some point in the series.
Otherwise, the main characters are beautifully being given to us and are over-all very winning leads. No one is perfect, and I don't expect characters I love to be either.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!So I just paused the final episode, about 20 minutes in.....And I do not understand any of the…
This is a joke right? This last episode is a complete joke.
Director Seo's daughter is a running gag at this point. Always in the know of everything from there being an Android to Human Shin secretly waking up to being part of the plan to take over the Conglomerate from Human Shin, to knowing her fathers plans....to NOW JUST SHOWING UP AND SECRETLY SKULKING IN THE BACKGROUND. The camera always zooming in on her face as she says Oh no!
Mr. Ji is a laughing stock. Remember when I said he was an ineffectual character way back 13 episodes ago...Well golly jee wiz has that not changed. Hahaha, he got the company and fired the bad guy to handing it over to the bad guy. HAHAHAA
The Android is joke who has done nothing about anything except fall into emotionless love and is now willfully killing himself.
Director Seo, has risen to be an omnipotent power that can destroy and consume everything with a single 1-time phone tap. Hahha. Also, the actor playing him has just let go and become a cartoon. I used to be on the fence on if I thought he was doing a good job with playing evil but now its just uh. High brow rise,. laugh, and that mouth clicking sound that yes makes me want to punch him. God that is annoying.
I've now stopped the final episode twice and screamed out why am I watching this to my tv.
So I just paused the final episode, about 20 minutes in.....
And I do not understand any of the logic.
1) Human Shin calls Android Shin to a warehouse to activate the kill switch.
2) His fiancee, kidnapped by her father, knows his plan and calls their mom from a bugged room allowing the big bad of the series to find all this information out Directo Seo.
3) The mom runs into the warehouse....begs Human Shin to stop, and he spits in their face and activates the kill switch. Then turns and leaves.
4) She saves the day with an override, and then lurking Director Seo unleashes barrels on them to kill them. She dies.
5) Everyone blames Android Shin. The public because they are being lied to by Director Seo to take over the company. But then even Human Shin believes Director Seo and blames the Android. THE ANDROID BLAMES HIMSELF. Whhhat?
6) No one lays blame on Human Shin for anything. Mr. Ji is treating him with kid gloves and is now openly saying he will sign the company over to Human Shin. WHAAAT?????!!!! Human Shin is crying at the morgue and sitting alone in his bedroom in deep thought. And Android Shin is trying to get a hold of him to tell him the truth of their mother's Death.....because why?
I don't compute. Logic is where? Why does no one hold ill will towards Human Shin for stealing the kill switch? Why does no one hold him responsible for luring people to an abandoned warehouse? Why does no one hold him responsible for activating the kill switch with his mother there (Considering its apparently supposed to cause the Android to explode). Why is everyone now acting like Human Shin is a decent human being and being supportive of him?
"Stop this now while I'm still being nice"Is said to every bad guy (there ain't just 1) by the "good guys" or…
While all of the comments I've written under spoiler tags do have spoilers in them, this one is probably the biggest spoiler comment, so don't read if you want to experience this without knowing end-game plot points.
So, you are a powerful AI robot who just was made head of a conglomerate corporation and "outed" yourself to world. You designer (mom) then informs you that she made a kill switch. Something half the cast has known for half the series and more but no one bothered to tell him until now.
Now what do you do. As the robot you go and get the kill switch so you have control over yourself. That part makes sense. But then you openly in public walk it back to your girlfriend's house and put it in her bedroom. Just on the floor next to/almost behind the couch. And your girlfriend, knowing what it is as well, is okay with this. Well, I mean she has shown repeatedly she isn't the smartest or can do anything effectively soo.....Then, everyone just goes about their lives as if it isn't there.
I mean the whole series there has been this kill switch and our super smart AI Android has it for maybe 1 day and it falls in the hands of the enemy.
Yay, again writers and plot.
I'm not even going to touch on Director Seo and where we are here and the ineptitude of everyone evolved that he is just walking around with his goons, assistant, like its nothing.
I lied, the mom finally got redemption in this episode...but the cost for it was as high as it could be, and was honestly, In suppose, the only way I would have redeemed her, because until this point I still hated her.
The deux-ex-machina of the anti kill switch was annoying tho.
Mr. Ji, (Hoon), you actually got some respect from me. I still do not like you as a character, and I think the show is breezing over your role in the lives of these people and how you have a massive amount of fault on your shoulders. But at least you earned my respect. I still would have nothing to do with you if we met on the street, and I won't miss you once this show is done.
Do I really have to forgive human Shin in the last episode? I feel that is where this is going. I really want him to rot. These kdramas never let the bad guys rot in the end. Well Vincenzo did, so maybe I should give that one more credit.
Um....So Mr. Ji (Hoon) really is the most despicable character on the show. I am really happy I called this all the way back in the beginning. He allows the human Shin to go on a date and emotional torment the female lead. He is the one that supports and pushes for the manual mode of the Android (I new that was the whole reason they brought this plot device into the story, To make our Android evil by being controlled). And when Shin breaks is 1 rule to not use the Android to hurt anyone, he does not hold to his word. Not only does Shin physically hurt the female lead but Mr. Ji is as much responsible. I also like how he allows human Shin to constantly berate and degrade the female lead. He just listens to it, and when it gets really bad thanks the female lead for helping him regardless...As if that matters or is worth anything. God I hate this man.
Our female lead is still a disappointment. She is controlled, like the android in manual mode, by the plot. Once again, just as with the kill switch, she goes around asking the people using Android Shin to stop. Turn him back to normal....etc....Why would they do that? In what world would people who are killing, hurting, and manipulating everyone around them using the robot just stop because she asks. It is annoying that I have to sit through these scenes. Especially since one she literally goes and punches his face while he is holding the manual controller and does not bother to break it, go for it, or do anything...except again ask him to stop. Its absurd.
The real Shin is problematic character whose back story and character creation do not match his actions. While I like the twist that he is the one that controls the robot and makes it evil (While I new the plot line was coming I had a few others on who I suspected would do the controlling.) I am over his character and do not understand his motivations. He is now just a villain. He may be emotional, and traumatized, that is fine there are plenty of people in prison and mandated to psychiatric care who also are this. But he is acting of his own free will, with a bevy of people telling him to stop, and that he is wrong, and with an entire backstory of him being subjected to monsters that are doing exactly what he is doing now. Thus, he is just a villain, and I'm disappointing this is the story they decided.
Of course, I am guessing they are going to do redemption arcs for both Human Shin and Mr. Ji now. They are already doing it with the horrible mom. And they have to draw a line between Mr. ji/Shin and the Chairman/Director Seo which are the actual true blue villains. So I know its coming....
I also am telling you all I won;t buy it. I've been done with Mr Ji since episode 6 (11-12 in the 30 min version) and he has done nothing to change this and only added to it. And I have not spent enough time with nor care enough for human Shin to be bothered in forgiving him. Also, what I do know of him shows me that he should have every reason NOT to be complete asshole who has decided to be a sociopath attempted murder. Sorry, plot and writers, you just aren't that good.
However, I did really like our female leads line to Mr Ji, as I 100% agree and have always felt this way. "You know who is worse than a criminal. Those that hide and help criminals." And Mr Ji has been helping criminals is whole life and that hasn't changed now, its just a different criminal.
So, So Bong really is maybe the worst.Yes, she is the only one standing by the Android.She is the only one that…
Well.....
The real Shin wakes up and is an asshole. I'm sorta surprised. We met him trying to escape his family, and trying to find his mom. The flashbacks of him while he was in a coma made him seem victimized and trying to get out of this life and away from these people.
I thought, there was going to be a level of outward assholishness because he had to protect himself in the world he was a part and to put distance between him and all those around him. But I thought he would have a soft heart under it all and be a kind good person that wished for a different life and knew all the people around him were evil "inhuman" beings.
But no, the fact his father was "killed" and he was taken from his mother and he grew up hating all these people means nothing. He still became like them, and even when alone is a duplicitous jerk who manipulates and uses people like trash and carries the rich arrogant views of all the evil people in Korean shows, looking down on those without money as being below him.
How boring, cliche, and disappointing.
And So Bong, who hates him and has no ties to him, bids his commands. He tells her to come to his room, she comes. He tells her to bring the robot version of him, she brings him. She has gotten as-far-as-we-know the kill switch and thus there is nothing being held over her head. Yet, here she comes following the orders of everyone around her.
Why?
And still no one tells him there is a kill switch inside of him. Why?
This has surprised me in its unfolding. I still have a lot of episodes left, just finished 12 (23-24 of 30 minute version) so there is room for some of the stuff I expected to still happen. But so far its been very anti-climactic in its story delivery. Lots of time on the "love" side....so many generic soft rock music ballads playing over scenes in the background with very little given to the larger scheme of Director Seo, Chairman, evil rich people vs Android. Oh well, at least Hoon (Mr Ji) has virtually disappeared from the story. So I haven't had to put up with hating him.
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https://kisskh.at/profile/soundinfinite/reviews/176415
While you can read my step by step reactions in the comment section below as the plot unfolded, be warned that is filled with spoilers and emotional reactions...the review is a more holistic concise overview that will not spoil the tale for those that have not yet seen it, while maybe giving those that have something to think about or agree/disagree with.
Right now its sad.....
But I'm okay with that...because the story has progressed so naturally. And I still have 2 episodes for it to turn around...
Maybe its just my mood, or I dunno what, but I am very invested in these characters and story. So many people say its slow, and compared to a romantic comedy it is slow. But this is a drama, an actual romance. and it has huge doses or reality. Thus its not a fast paced fun romp .
There has been no trip and fall in slow motion or 18 minute long staring contests or kisses in slow mo from 25 different angles.....
But what is here is beautiful, honest, touching, and for me, I can't stop....I have now been up almost 24 hours....watching this........straight through.
And its been great.
Joon, though still weak on the friend front, and as of my pausing is still doing the concert with Jung Kyung.... BUT he has stepped up and addressed almost every issue that I found him lacking against our main female lead Song Ah. He is fully supporting her and they have spoken earnestly about many of the hanging issues. And he is backing it up with actions.
Now, Song Ah is annoying me to no end. Why the hell would she accept a phone call from the agent guy? Why? I just don't understand her at this point. I get the whole school rumor mill and her being inadequacy there....but the whole thing with the manager is going to be her fault. It makes no sense for her to respond to him.
I am also annoyed with her over the whole professor thing. But I guess she has to have one on her side to get into grad school...so its playing the system.
Well finished this episode and now this is just no way she can continue with this professor right. Just none.
And everything is about to implode. And while our male lead is not blameless...it is mostly actually going to be Song Ah's fault.....self sabotage.....our male lead has made strides to recover...but still...has left Jung Kyung on the board and that is his fatal mistake.
He said nothing....nothing.......nada
I was so happy with this show. And It really is quite strong, and when I write a review for it...unless they just completely throw in the towel in the last 5 episodes that is almost guaranteed to get high marks from me at this point.
I was really happy that they gave a male lead that wasn't chauvinistic, sexist, or toxic. He instead is very layered, kind, good natured, but imperfect. He is very flawed, closed off, and lost.
But the last few episodes....I swear.......he keeps losing so many points.
How is he so ineffectual? I suppose that is his story to learn not be so passive. Being aggressive all the time is horrible, but equally is being always passive.
He didn't fight against the manager issue. He made one or two phone calls and that was all. He just lets him take control and now if he does the Tchaikovsky competition and wins it will be under the new management. He is going to have his personal life displayed for all. He is going to give a future to yet another horrible human being and be complicit in screwing over those that helped him.
And this monster goes to his girlfriend and basically tells her to quit being a violinist, that her dreams wont happen, that she is not good enough, does not have the talent, or the years.....
And Joon, worried the guy said something mean, doesn't argue this. He takes her hand and sits in silence. HE AGREES.....and all my respect for him just melted.
Whether it is true, he can still give her hope. He can take the time and try to coach her, to make her better. He can support her decisions. He can tell her no matter what to try and not give up....THERE WAS SO MUCH he could have done......
But instead...just silence.
Not only this, but he is willfully playing the same piece as she is trying to perform with someone else. His life long love. And then says to her he wishes he could help......
He doesn't see her struggling, her life, her [problems....
To be fair she doesn't tell him either....its annoying as hell but it isn't all his fault...
But some things, some things are obvious. That he can't see how much she needs him, how he doesn't support her, and how he is actively hurting her with his actions....is beyond me......
But he is just as much a passenger in his life as she is in hers...neither of them driving to where they want to be.....so I suppose it is the blind leading the blind here.
The female lead is driving me crazy with the professor and the audition. She is being willfully blind. She is ripping off students to keep sucking up. She is not getting feedback, and to think that this professor has any interest in her future is a joke. But she keeps doing it.....
But its her personality and she is only hurting herself....so I don't judge it as hard as how he is hurting her......
So,
What was Joon expecting from Hyun?
We all know how I felt about the not being honest with your friends story-line and it blew up on both our leads....as I thought it would.
But now, he has entered the fray of them competing for a job.
1) Joon secretly coveted your best friends girl for over a decade.
2) Joon and her kisses each other and though it didn't go further you all lied to hide it from Hyun
3) When Jung Kyung breaks up with Hyun it is over her being in-love with Joon.
4) Now because Joon instead ignores his feelings and stuffs them away, like he does his keepsakes in his suitcase, he claims he is "friends" with Jung Kyung and that his how he can play with her.
(A) You don't treat friends the way you are treating Jung Kyung. That is how you treat people you do not like or you like and are trying to keep at a distance...
(B) In what world can you turn 10 years of unrequited feelings on and off. Yesterday she as the love if his life, today she is nothing. It is all lies and not real.
(C) Him hiding the keepsakes is him showing that he is holding on to Jung Kyung and what was there between them. He is not getting rid of it. He is not cleansing it from his self. Just like the handkerchief it was in his pocket, to his drawer, and then to the suitcase, but only because he realized Song Ha saw it. All these feeling are still there and hes just hiding.
5) HE IS NOW COMPETING FOR A JOB AGAINST HIS FRIEND!!!! Why is everyone acting like this is normal? Joon should be NOWHERE, and I do mean NOWHERE near this if he honestly had any true feelings of regret and wanting to repair anything with Hyun. SERIOSULY!!!!
Joon is helping a wealthy socialite who is trying to woo him from his girlfriend and he has been in love with for the past 10 years against his so-called BEST friend who is poor with no future prospects and was just dumped from this 10 year relationship over Joon.
And then Joon has the nerve to go up to him and try to be his friend cause he missed him?
Hyun reacted perfectly and on-point. And I like that he has kept away from them. I really do not know how this competition will go. It seems that they will win and Jung Kyung will get the position, unless the grandmother rally does rig it. And thus Hyun future looks pale.
Also again, how does no one see how wrong them pairing up was and is.
At least Song Ah just witnessed what she allowed to happen.
This relationship is doomed isn't it? That is why this has an 8.1 as of me watching right....
I may be wrong. This show has built a few things up, that made me very stressed, and then just solved them with a conversation.....or very anticlimactically. Which has been disappointing.
No one tell me......
Her turning him down I admire. It is the right move here.
Not sitting well.
Okay, just finished episode 8.....
And, well, I am a wreck over this. I um, guys....don't hate......but um
I'm angry about that kiss. I'm sorry, he has had her waiting in the balance, which I have issues with. But it is more than that.....
1) He refuses to play with her.
Now, this is because so many people are in his head. I get that. I do. BUT, he has also been told NOT to play with Jung Kyung as well, and yet he is going to, or at least try...the whole management thing I'll get to.
He does this because he is told it will diminish who he plays with and people will think any success is because of him. So he thinks he is protecting our female lead. Yet, she is trying to do a concert for grad school, and Kyung is doing a concert for a job at the said school. And he values breaking this rule for Kung and NOT our female lead.
I have issues with this. Strong issues.
2) He tells her this to her face in what is a very noble act. Hurtful, but noble. And then they proceed to have a small argument (since they are both so passive is a really short one but emotional all the same) and then when she is gathering her things to leave, he starts repeating, "I like you, I like you, I like you , I like you." spins her around and kisses her.
Now he has just devastated her. She is in tears. There is so much going on inside her right now both mentally (over the whole chair seated, realizing her professor thinks she isn't good enough, him not willing to play with her, him willing to play with Kyung) and emotionally (the guy she has wanted for years just confessed to her after sleeping with her best friend. Joon running her emotions dry, asking her to wait, and now breaking her heart with Kyung, feelings of inadequacy) just so much.
For him to kiss her like this. It was just not the right time, the right move, the right anything. And I didn't enjoy watching it, I actually had to look away.
The music didn't help. This is a kdrama moment and one of my gripes about the medium. The constant use of ballads in the background to signify romance and love. This scene needed silence, or a slow soft solo violin filled with emotion. Not a swelling rock ballad tackily roaring suddenly in my ears....it deflated the scene's emotion and resonance.
3) There are far too many unresolved feeling and emotions dealing with those around them. Their situation hasn't changed at all from when our female lead admitted her feelings three episodes ago. Thus, all the weight and problems are going to persist and there is no way this relationship will last.
That our main lead thinks he can spend time preparing music with Kyung (his secret love of 10 years) while starting a relationship with our female lead is incredibly out of character for him and impossible. The long practicing, long nights, emotion and connection of the music, and Kyung actively trying to woo him now.....this is a recipe for utter disaster. It was what we wanted to bring the main lead and him together, this very practicing and preparing. Instead it will rip them apart as he does it with Kyung.
And outside of my 3 bullet points.....his best friend. His best friend is vying for the same job and him pairing with Kyung against his best friend......this is wrong. It was wrong of her to ask this of him. It was wrong for him to accept. He doesn't know about the friend right now, but will he stop once he does? We already know the answer is no.
I hope this story doesn't do the stupid time jump in the end like so many Kdrama's. I hope his friend walks away from them and doesn't forgive them even though that is what the audience wants for a happy ending. Our main lead is being horrible to him.....
And the whole management company situation.
Why would the company pull him from a huge foundation into a start-up run by the person badmouthing the foundation? How does this make sense and how do they not see the back-stabbing and amoral behavior?
Why is our main lead going along with it? I get he is under contract and has to do the performances and such that they force him. But he gets to choose who he works with. While he may not be able to stay with the foundation, he sure as hell can keep from working with the backstabber. He should have just punched him there at the meeting. Let that get back to Chris that the start punched the guy and refuses to work with him.
I get our main character is subdued and kind....but this is a flaw at this point. He is actively participating in backstabbing people who have stood up and support him and been by his side, for someone who is openly being disgusting and treating him like filth. And he is staying silent........where is that second convo with Chris he said he would have?
I disliked the guy they all worked with, but I didn't know he would be turned into an out and out villain. Could kinda do without this, there is enough other things happening that it isn't needed, and its just painting the male lead into and even worse light.
I still LOVE this drama, and almost all the characters. The main lead keeps losing points though, and as I stated in the beginning, right now, I don't want them together.
Now, he does turn her down, as I suspected, but he does it in the healthiest and most shocking way. By spilling out all the things bottled up, by actually communicating, and letting her know why he is saying no......
It was such a healthy and unexpected plot development....sad that I didn't expect it.
However, I am not sure how I feel about him asking her to wait for him. That seems pretty selfish. I like you, but I can't be with you because I am actually in-love with someone else, but wait for me so I can get over them. Ehhhhhhh
But then they kinda act like they are dating. Which confused me. He shows up in the cafeteria, they go on ice-cream meetings. Text and and giggle. And I'm just like wait, you said no. So why you all doing this?
And then there is the fateful incident with our male leads friend trio and the drama there. Which goes up to level 7 here, and well deserved to for as long as it has been simmering. Unfortunately our female lead witnesses it and gets very hurt.
Now this is what I don't understand. He already said no to them being together. Asked her to wait for him. And then told her the entire history going on here. Why is everyone so hurt? And I didn't understand her question to him that actually made them sort of break-up (From the fake dating I talked about above.)
"Is there space for me between the 10 years of you and her?"
He stares long and hard, doesn't answer, and then drops his head.
What is my take away from this?
NO. There isn't room for you.
If that was what he couldn't vocalize then it means our female lead doesn't have a chance. So why did he ask her to wait for him? Why does he seem to have conflicting emotions? Why does he think about her and want to see her? Why does she make him happy when he's sad?
Isn't that space that exists in him for her between all of this. Isn't this what can foster and grow and is why he asked her to wait?
Am I not understanding the question? Because I am most definitely not understanding the response to the question. And why was this the straw that broke her away from him? Or kinda. Because all throughout the rest of the episode they avoid each other and have stopped talking. But then at the very end they have a conversation, and our female lead mentions how she is waiting for him. So, is this still a thing? Is she still open and waiting to date him, be with him, for him to actually come and say "I'm ready?"
I guess I will just have to find this all out. Anyway.
Side Note: Loved how his guy friend called him out in the fight.
"You loved her. How could you? How could you love her watching us for 10 years?"
This is a serious question. And it hits our male lead like it should. This goes back to my first comment on this series and the 1 complaint I had about the two main characters. But that I loved them anyway. You have to be honest and respectful even if you can't control with whom you fall in love. Our male lead is in the wrong here and should have been honest with his friend long ago.
Anyway. Here is to another episode!
I am a fan of this show. So far it has been wonderful. It is heart breaking and wonderfully acted, and the story is unfolding delicately. The underlying tension of outside forces that that have nothing to do with romance is stressing me out. There is not a single character so far that I do not like in some way, even when they do hurtful things.
But, I don't like how she confessed her liking at the end. I don't want her to be with him, at least right now. He is too involved elsewhere. I have a feeling he will reject her next episode since we are on a cliff hanger. That will allow me to respect him, because he should not say yes. He likes her sure, but he has so many unresolved issues and feelings floating around, it would be so unfair and the relationship would buckle and break under the weight of it all.
But this is going to hurt her. Hurt her dearly and it is going to be so hard to watch. But it is really what needs to happen.....
I am disappointed in him sending the other girl his room number and access code. He knows she wants him. He knows she just broke his friends heart. He knows his friend is angry with him. He knows he has been pining for her forever., What good is going to come out of her having this access.....NOTHING...oh....at least she saw the notes and left. I feel they would have had something intimate happen if she had stayed and he showed up. Emotions are high and there is aclhy involved. And that would have made me very upset with him. But I know her having this access information is going to come back and bite us later.
Okay off to episode 7.
So far I love the pacing of this drama. It is steady and smooth. It is taking breaths and evolving naturally and breathing life into the characters on screen.
I like the music, I am a bit of a "classical" nut and so far this series has done a great job at realistically and believably showing these actors playing their instruments.
I like the cinematography. At first, I wasn't sure if it was too at home digital video like. But, the cool pallet against the wood walled rooms, black pianos, and rich browns of violins is a nice juxtaposition in visuals.
What I don't like is that our 2 main characters are, from the start, (So this isn't a spoiler) in love with their best friend's lovers. And when I say best friend, I mean honestly the only true friend that stands by them....for years, both of them. While I understand this might not be what the show will be about, it seems maybe its about them getting free from these attractions.
I get that we all can't control who we fall in love with, trust me I understand. But we can all make a decision on what we do with that love, how we handle it, and the choices we make regarding it. These are almost 30 year olds, not dumb high school kids.
The main 2 leads actions show that neither of them respect their friends enough to be honest with them. If this is true friendship, which so far their friends have shown nothing but true support and comradary, then they will understand and, though may be hurt, would understand distance needed to be created with no hard feelings, and that when they did see each other it needs to be in a twosome and not with the third party in attendance. It isn't ideal but that is the way the world works.
Instead both have already hurtfully lied to their friends in-order to cover-up questionable actions regarding these emotions and others. The 3rd parties seem to be fully aware that there are emotions and are manipulating them. And this is likely going to come to a head some point in the series.
Otherwise, the main characters are beautifully being given to us and are over-all very winning leads. No one is perfect, and I don't expect characters I love to be either.
I am loving this so far.....
Director Seo's daughter is a running gag at this point. Always in the know of everything from there being an Android to Human Shin secretly waking up to being part of the plan to take over the Conglomerate from Human Shin, to knowing her fathers plans....to NOW JUST SHOWING UP AND SECRETLY SKULKING IN THE BACKGROUND. The camera always zooming in on her face as she says Oh no!
Mr. Ji is a laughing stock. Remember when I said he was an ineffectual character way back 13 episodes ago...Well golly jee wiz has that not changed. Hahaha, he got the company and fired the bad guy to handing it over to the bad guy. HAHAHAA
The Android is joke who has done nothing about anything except fall into emotionless love and is now willfully killing himself.
Director Seo, has risen to be an omnipotent power that can destroy and consume everything with a single 1-time phone tap. Hahha. Also, the actor playing him has just let go and become a cartoon. I used to be on the fence on if I thought he was doing a good job with playing evil but now its just uh. High brow rise,. laugh, and that mouth clicking sound that yes makes me want to punch him. God that is annoying.
I've now stopped the final episode twice and screamed out why am I watching this to my tv.
So I just paused the final episode, about 20 minutes in.....
And I do not understand any of the logic.
1) Human Shin calls Android Shin to a warehouse to activate the kill switch.
2) His fiancee, kidnapped by her father, knows his plan and calls their mom from a bugged room allowing the big bad of the series to find all this information out Directo Seo.
3) The mom runs into the warehouse....begs Human Shin to stop, and he spits in their face and activates the kill switch. Then turns and leaves.
4) She saves the day with an override, and then lurking Director Seo unleashes barrels on them to kill them. She dies.
5) Everyone blames Android Shin. The public because they are being lied to by Director Seo to take over the company. But then even Human Shin believes Director Seo and blames the Android. THE ANDROID BLAMES HIMSELF. Whhhat?
6) No one lays blame on Human Shin for anything. Mr. Ji is treating him with kid gloves and is now openly saying he will sign the company over to Human Shin. WHAAAT?????!!!! Human Shin is crying at the morgue and sitting alone in his bedroom in deep thought. And Android Shin is trying to get a hold of him to tell him the truth of their mother's Death.....because why?
I don't compute. Logic is where? Why does no one hold ill will towards Human Shin for stealing the kill switch? Why does no one hold him responsible for luring people to an abandoned warehouse? Why does no one hold him responsible for activating the kill switch with his mother there (Considering its apparently supposed to cause the Android to explode). Why is everyone now acting like Human Shin is a decent human being and being supportive of him?
This has made no sense to me at all.
So, you are a powerful AI robot who just was made head of a conglomerate corporation and "outed" yourself to world. You designer (mom) then informs you that she made a kill switch. Something half the cast has known for half the series and more but no one bothered to tell him until now.
Now what do you do. As the robot you go and get the kill switch so you have control over yourself. That part makes sense. But then you openly in public walk it back to your girlfriend's house and put it in her bedroom. Just on the floor next to/almost behind the couch. And your girlfriend, knowing what it is as well, is okay with this. Well, I mean she has shown repeatedly she isn't the smartest or can do anything effectively soo.....Then, everyone just goes about their lives as if it isn't there.
I mean the whole series there has been this kill switch and our super smart AI Android has it for maybe 1 day and it falls in the hands of the enemy.
Yay, again writers and plot.
I'm not even going to touch on Director Seo and where we are here and the ineptitude of everyone evolved that he is just walking around with his goons, assistant, like its nothing.
I lied, the mom finally got redemption in this episode...but the cost for it was as high as it could be, and was honestly, In suppose, the only way I would have redeemed her, because until this point I still hated her.
The deux-ex-machina of the anti kill switch was annoying tho.
Mr. Ji, (Hoon), you actually got some respect from me. I still do not like you as a character, and I think the show is breezing over your role in the lives of these people and how you have a massive amount of fault on your shoulders. But at least you earned my respect. I still would have nothing to do with you if we met on the street, and I won't miss you once this show is done.
Do I really have to forgive human Shin in the last episode? I feel that is where this is going. I really want him to rot. These kdramas never let the bad guys rot in the end. Well Vincenzo did, so maybe I should give that one more credit.
Is said to every bad guy (there ain't just 1) by the "good guys" or quasi "good guys" every other episode.
And guess what everyone. The bad guys chuckle and don't stop.
And the good guys do nothing about any of it. Its the most laughable and empty threat in any show I have ever had to hear.....on repeat.
Its just a repetitive cycle over and over and over again.
So I just finished episode 15.
Um....So Mr. Ji (Hoon) really is the most despicable character on the show. I am really happy I called this all the way back in the beginning. He allows the human Shin to go on a date and emotional torment the female lead. He is the one that supports and pushes for the manual mode of the Android (I new that was the whole reason they brought this plot device into the story, To make our Android evil by being controlled). And when Shin breaks is 1 rule to not use the Android to hurt anyone, he does not hold to his word. Not only does Shin physically hurt the female lead but Mr. Ji is as much responsible. I also like how he allows human Shin to constantly berate and degrade the female lead. He just listens to it, and when it gets really bad thanks the female lead for helping him regardless...As if that matters or is worth anything. God I hate this man.
Our female lead is still a disappointment. She is controlled, like the android in manual mode, by the plot. Once again, just as with the kill switch, she goes around asking the people using Android Shin to stop. Turn him back to normal....etc....Why would they do that? In what world would people who are killing, hurting, and manipulating everyone around them using the robot just stop because she asks. It is annoying that I have to sit through these scenes. Especially since one she literally goes and punches his face while he is holding the manual controller and does not bother to break it, go for it, or do anything...except again ask him to stop. Its absurd.
The real Shin is problematic character whose back story and character creation do not match his actions. While I like the twist that he is the one that controls the robot and makes it evil (While I new the plot line was coming I had a few others on who I suspected would do the controlling.) I am over his character and do not understand his motivations. He is now just a villain. He may be emotional, and traumatized, that is fine there are plenty of people in prison and mandated to psychiatric care who also are this. But he is acting of his own free will, with a bevy of people telling him to stop, and that he is wrong, and with an entire backstory of him being subjected to monsters that are doing exactly what he is doing now. Thus, he is just a villain, and I'm disappointing this is the story they decided.
Of course, I am guessing they are going to do redemption arcs for both Human Shin and Mr. Ji now. They are already doing it with the horrible mom. And they have to draw a line between Mr. ji/Shin and the Chairman/Director Seo which are the actual true blue villains. So I know its coming....
I also am telling you all I won;t buy it. I've been done with Mr Ji since episode 6 (11-12 in the 30 min version) and he has done nothing to change this and only added to it. And I have not spent enough time with nor care enough for human Shin to be bothered in forgiving him. Also, what I do know of him shows me that he should have every reason NOT to be complete asshole who has decided to be a sociopath attempted murder. Sorry, plot and writers, you just aren't that good.
However, I did really like our female leads line to Mr Ji, as I 100% agree and have always felt this way.
"You know who is worse than a criminal. Those that hide and help criminals." And Mr Ji has been helping criminals is whole life and that hasn't changed now, its just a different criminal.
The real Shin wakes up and is an asshole. I'm sorta surprised. We met him trying to escape his family, and trying to find his mom. The flashbacks of him while he was in a coma made him seem victimized and trying to get out of this life and away from these people.
I thought, there was going to be a level of outward assholishness because he had to protect himself in the world he was a part and to put distance between him and all those around him. But I thought he would have a soft heart under it all and be a kind good person that wished for a different life and knew all the people around him were evil "inhuman" beings.
But no, the fact his father was "killed" and he was taken from his mother and he grew up hating all these people means nothing. He still became like them, and even when alone is a duplicitous jerk who manipulates and uses people like trash and carries the rich arrogant views of all the evil people in Korean shows, looking down on those without money as being below him.
How boring, cliche, and disappointing.
And So Bong, who hates him and has no ties to him, bids his commands. He tells her to come to his room, she comes. He tells her to bring the robot version of him, she brings him. She has gotten as-far-as-we-know the kill switch and thus there is nothing being held over her head. Yet, here she comes following the orders of everyone around her.
Why?
And still no one tells him there is a kill switch inside of him. Why?
This has surprised me in its unfolding. I still have a lot of episodes left, just finished 12 (23-24 of 30 minute version) so there is room for some of the stuff I expected to still happen. But so far its been very anti-climactic in its story delivery. Lots of time on the "love" side....so many generic soft rock music ballads playing over scenes in the background with very little given to the larger scheme of Director Seo, Chairman, evil rich people vs Android. Oh well, at least Hoon (Mr Ji) has virtually disappeared from the story. So I haven't had to put up with hating him.