The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
Okay....so I'm on the penultimate episode.
And well, the whole gourd thing out-of-the-blue as to why she won't break-up with him is very deux ex-machina. Given her personality, her strength (Which I've loved) and her previous ability to let him go as well as the large HEAPS of cardinal sins that you simply cannot do in a relationship that Woong has done one right after the other after the other...that Yumi ,and us as the audience, are still putting up with Woong and this relationship is beyond trying.
I have like 20 minutes left of this episode and I do not think the relationship between our leads will make it by its end. And good riddance. I'm not gunna lie and say the story didn't rope me back into their cuteness even though I wanted them to split ways forever ago. When they got into the groove of living together the relationship, for a bit, was very enjoyable to watch and I did honestly become happy for Yumi, and for a breif few epsiodes thought maybe I was too harsh...But that nagging feeling, of no, you called it right wouldn't leave....and then.....well then everything started comming undone. Watching it fall apart around Yumi has been quite heart breaking, but I honestly want better for her.
He isn't a good enough man.
Now Cardinal Sins
1) In your mid 30's, dating for over 2 years (Correction in the end it says only a year and change, I don't know how, but okay), and living together, you cannot ignore the marriage word, conversation, or question. Sorry. You aren't kids. This isn't new. And you all are already sharing your lives and spaces with each other. This was honestly the end of their relationship. The Emotion cell recognized this and felt dumped...and it really was what happened. That Yumi held on to him, and accepted this from him....made her stock drop.
2) Moving out. Sorry EVERY ONE KNOWS!!!! E V E R Y O N E K N O W S that once that step is made, it cannot be unmade except in very extreme circumstances that 99.9% of people will never deal with. Him turning around and saying hes moving out, and moving the relationship back to dating territory is SIMPLY A NO GO AND IMPOSSIBLE!!!! That he feels he can do this is absolutely astounding to watch. That Yumi accepts it.....well.....wiped out her entire market value, especially with him just turning her down on the marriage question. The self respect Yumi has had, her independence, and self sufficiency is just now gone. Its anger inducing.
3) The whole table thing. I get it on his side. Hes in crisis mode. He feels worthless. He feels like a failure. He feels not good enough. The list goes on. But she sternly, straight forwardly, repeatedly, and with no uncertain terms told him she would not allow this, did not want this, and would refuse for him to by a 1.4 mil won table. She let him know the anger she would have. And he said okay, then literally asked her on a date for the weekend..like he wasn't moving out from them seeing each other daily and THEN TURNS AROUND AND SEND HER THE MONEY. Lying to her face and going against her wishes. THAT YUMI DOESN"T KEEP HER WORD AND ACTUALLY GET ANGRY OR GIVE HIM ANY RAMIFICATIONS FOR THIS...makes the stock that was already wiped out...seem stupid of us to have awarded to her in the first place. Here she screws over her own credibility....
4) And now he is meeting with Seo Yi, I get it, shes offering him a job cause his business is failing and he destitute and now back to living on couches and others homes or the office....but he met with her in secret. He met with her behind Yumi's back. He met with her knowing what was in the water between him, her, and Yumi, after pulling all the stuff above on Yumi.....and they were still friendly with each other, she still acted as she always did, and he is likely going to take the job and work by her side again. Its all unforgivable. Its just simply the end of anything that could ever be for Yumi and Woong.
Again...that Yumi goes to this wedding, allows him to treat her the way he does, (I MEAN HE TREATS HER LIKE NOTHING AND THROW AWAY THE ENTIRE TIME. It was sickening to watch.) Shows that yes, when he left her apartment, he honestly left her, and knew that he was, and is planning his life without her. No matter what he is saying to her face and claiming. He has checked out of their relationship.
If people want to say hes doing this for pride...that's fine, but its a lie. Pride is part of it, I'll give you that. But all the other stuff that I've talked about here and all the above comments. Plus the long line of things hes doing now. His #1 is himself. And that selfishness has been with us this entire relationship. He wants to be free again. He wants his old life again. He no longer wants this responsibly. He still doesn't want o get married and this is already too much like a marriage. And yes, his pride is hurt over his business flopping and him going broke. But its just the straw that broke the camels back.
And boy is he hurting the hell out of her.
That she is still holding on now...after that day with him and after all this. I just, I can't. I really just can't. Let this end please.
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
I must be really unpopular....
But, I wanted them to break-up.
I was happy when the show did the fake 5-year future thing, and was interested to see where that was going to go. And actually got bummed when it turned out to be just in her head.
I was then given hope again in the hallway of Woong's office and the showdown, and him seeming to take sides with Sae Yi. When Yumi gave her final words to him and turned to get on the elevator......
I was filled with pride in her. It was hard, but she was being true to herself, strong, and honest even if it meant cutting him loose. I respected her.
But then....then.....then.....he stops the elevator, gets on, and chooses her.
Ya know, they are the leads, so I'm supposed to want them together. So this should be a happy point right...He chose her.
But there are 3 things with this.
1) For the second time in the series their relationship is saved by Yumi making the first move. Sure maybe he was going to her, we don't know, and yea he showed up with the cake on her birthday, but that was AFTER she got all the way home, had reached out to him multiple times (He left his phone) and then decided to go to him....In short, they are together because she keeps fixing the problems and taking the needed steps. He doesn't. And that is not good.
2) He still initially chose Sae Yi. In the hallway he never defends Yumi, he doesn't back her, and he even screams, scolds, and interrupts her. He only chooses her AFTER she comes to the understanding that their relationship is over and she has the ability to break-up with him and thus chooses too. When she gives him the ultimatum and he sees that she is really done and leaving him. He lets her go, and only at the last moment, chooses her. Not only does that reflect poorly on him, it also shows us that Yumi was also pushed to the point, and became okay with, leaving him. That is, she has seen a future without him and been okay with that, which doesn't bold well for their relationship moving forward.
3) He still hasn't apologized or admitted his wrong doing, as far as we know. Yes, he chooses Yumi (because he freaking had 2 women fighting over him) but that is after everything that has happened above, and with him still not showing or saying anything about his actions. Ironically, he does admit things to Seo Yi in a conversation after. He tell her he always knew he was her back-up. He always knew how she treated him and his lovers. And he knew the issues that existed between them, but pretended not to. Thus, he admits all the things that Yumi accuses him of, AND all the things that I was listing previously in my above posts. He admits this to US, as viewers, and to Seo Yi, BUT NOT TO YUMI, which shows HE HONESTLY WAS GASLIGHTING YUMI and was disrespectful to her feelings and role in his life. And he still gives Seo Yi the benefit of being friends like he always wanted...and of course, she chooses no and leaves. How would he have expected Yumi to put up with him keeping a relationship with Seo Yi? But he actually wanted this...so the only reason we aren't dealing with this ridiculousness is because the women around him choose not too.
In short just as many problems still exist between the leads, some new ones have surfaced, but yes they managed to stay together and lay some issues to rest. But it shows this is still a broken relationship and right now they have painted over the deeper problems that exist.
Ba Bi (Bobby) continuous popping up is eluding, of course, that our main leads are somewhat doomed and that these unresolved issues are going to ultimately consume the relationship. Not to mention Woong's inner turmoil over it all.
Hmmfff...I wish they would have just broken up. Now is not their time. I, as a viewer, haven't forgiven him for all the stuff he has done, not that he has asked us or Yumi for forgiveness. And I think Yumi hasn't honestly forgiven him either.
They sure can be cute to one another when they want to cant they....those damn movie theater scenes...
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
SO, I'm just using these comment boards as if it is a person I'm watching this show with....spilling out my thoughts, feeling, and frustrations as I go along.
Just finished the surprise visit episode....and my chest was tight as she walked around her house putting together the care package to surprise him because I knew what was building....we all did.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been, I thought she was gunna find Woong and Sae Yi like eating together or hanging out in his apartment, maybe in comfy clothes. Instead she ran into her on the way in the elevator.
The omission from earlier comes back with a vengeance, as I knew it would, and well everyone, I'm sorry, I'm sorta happy about it.
For me, Woong is out, I'm done.
This scene made his stock plummet, and I even had a hard time seeing his physical attractiveness at the end. Instead I saw the bad hair, awful soul patch, middle aged man unable to let go of looking and being a teenager.
When he flinched as Sae Yi talked about the house warming party and inviting Yumi, was the final straw.
It showed how much he understood the situation, understood his own actions, understood Sae yi intent with her words and actions, and understood how wrong he was being.
Even more, the whole work thing, dude, if you are working 7 days a week for 12-16 hours a day for entire month spans...then you do not need to be in a relationship. Yumi is self sufficient so she isn't some arm candy that is mooching off your billions and thus doesn't care about how much you work, as long as they have money to spend (Like Yumi's ex boyfriend or the common trophy wife).
Yumi is with you because she wants to be with you. She wants to see you and have time with you and be loved by you.
His leaving her alone and high and dry and not spending time with her is in itself a problem. Such as how hard she had to twist his arm about the wedding because he had to work. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE WORK....ALWAYS!!!!!! You have to make the time.
Why doesn't he just show up, like she did in this episode, to spend the night and wrap his arms around her or have some dinner etc, just so he can see her. He likes her, he really does, but he doesn't appreciate her or make her a priority.
Omitting serious pieces of information such as Sae Yi moving in his building . Helping someone he knows he has history with and there are feelings between them behind Yumi's back. Making Yumi wait for him so he can do things for this other girl and then not telling her. And in general spending any time he has to outside of work with a woman that (back to when he went into defensive bear mode) he knows will actively sabotage him and his relationships and will make moves on him.
And then MOST IMPORTANTLY, GASLIGHTING YUMI.....guys this is honest gaslighting. People throw it around constantly when it really isn't happening, misusing the word like crazy. But this is the actual definition of it in play.
With what I've said above added to his flinching and constant hiding of information shows HE KNOWS HE IS IN THE WRONG AND WHAT HE IS DOING IS HURTFUL. When he first opened that door and saw Yumi standing there his face was etched in guilt and fear of being caught. He is trying to hide it, but it showed crystal clear. And then once Sae Yi left and he puts on his blank face and keeps trying to get Yumi to come into his apartment like nothing is wrong.
This is a guy who feels caught, guilty, and knows Yumi is angry, but is actively playing as if nothing is wrong, he has done nothing, and that they should just have a great night togther....
I haven't seen with the next scene is going to go. I just ended the epi with them inside his apartment looking at her with that empty nothing to see here face that makes me want to punch him, and I am honeslty done with him.
But I want to see how bad he is going to be. Will he admit his wrongness? Will he ask for forgiveness? Will he make boundaries with Sae Yi? Will he use Yumi's "oldfashioness" conversation against her to make her feel she doesn't have the right to be angry? Will he promise and follow through on giving Yumi more time? Or will he play it all off and try to keep the status quo of their relationship and his life going as undisturbed as possible.....
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
He knows that the woman he works with is trying to get close to him. He knows that she likes him. He knows that she is a threat to his happiness and relationship. She has shown as much, and he has called her out on it previously.
And yet, he still goes along with her. He still chooses to play her games and do her bidding. And he still hides it all from Yumi because he knows that its wrong, hurtful, and will cause conflict or problems.
He likes Yumi, but he is not over and will not let go of Sae Yi. he is being very selfish, which is his #1 priority, and it is going to cost him...and MOST saddening, is it is going to cost Yumi.
Okay, going back to figure our the importance of her marathon training now....
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
Just made it to the hammer episode.....
And.,..uhh huh!
The very thing that I talked about in the spoilers above the was shown to us by what happened on the Bday episode is starting to grow its weeds. And one of our characters has already made the other one wait for them to give into the demands of a 3rd person and then hid the fact they did so, while also omitting a huge piece of information.....because said person knows they should not have done it, and that it would hurt the original person who sat in waiting.....
Whewww writing this so it doesn't spoil anything is hilarious and obnoxious.
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told…
Not happy with this conclusion.....
Why did she reach out? She was in the right, and yet reached out first.
His explanation was bull...and she lets it slide. I mean, he showed up. So some points there, but not enough for me to forgive. And the issues with the ex are far from explained away or resolved, and it shows quite clearly there are some unresolved feelings between him and this other woman. Feelings that are already disruptive to their relationship and bound to only get worse with how he defends his actions regarding them...
I would have to told him to leave, and that wed talk again soon...not tomorrow...soon so I could think about all this and also maybe give him some time to think and come back with some better explanations or see if he really wanted to keep me or keep this other woman happy.
This other woman is part of his daily life, (Not just a casual friend he sees on weekends, every now and then, or for after work drinks etc. but DAILY LIFE sitting next to him) and has more than shown she claims him, and he as shown that he will allow her to do so at the expense of me....err...I mean her.......um Freud shut-the-f*ck-up!
So I just started this last night, thus I am behind everyone here but (I'm in the West) so now its morning and…
The whole reason he owns his own business is so he gets to decide when he works. At least that is what he told Yumi when they first met. He is the boss and yet on her Birthday....Birthday goes into the office. Has her wait on a couch. That is f*cKing hell no. Forget the Yuzu.
The fact she was able to get up and leave with out him knowing speaks f*&king volumes. This is some red flag city on where he places her in his priorities....
Cherry on top that he used the ex, who he purposefully omitted about the Yuzu tea, to pick out the birthday gift.....
This is 1-2-3 strike inning all in 1 fateful night. Seriously, how could he get everything so wrong? How could he think going into work on her birthday IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR DATE, was anything close to being okay? Its not another day, its not just a date. It isn't the same as when her boss called her and she went to his house to finish something....the day matters.
Also she isn't a boss and can lose her job if she doesn't comply....not the case for him.....
Lost sooooo many points...Just like, I mean running on fumes for me.....especially this early into the relationship. Hes hot, and there is the whole hospital thing he did, and he can be down right equal parts adorable to sexy...but if I were Yumi, I'd feel pretty shitty and unimportant right now.
So I just started this last night, thus I am behind everyone here but (I'm in the West) so now its morning and apparently I went to bed at the right time.....
Woke up to the Yuzu incident and blatant hiding of truth and now am in the midst of the Birthday episode.......HELLLL NOOO SON!!! Hell NO!!!
Later Edit: The following comments are my emotions and reactions as I went through the series and my feelings on plot points....
if you want a spoiler free overall review and my ending take on the series...that can be found here.
It definitely has some story surprises and veers off into some very interesting places while bringing up some thoughtful commentary. I wasn't expecting much more than a fun easy romance. This ended up being much more than I thought it would be.
While your opinion is definitely valid, I just need to clarify that the novel is character-driven and not plot-driven,…
Your editing of your original statements, adding clarifiers, and adding an additional paragraph of text, definitely changes the tone of your response, and gives leeway to some of my criticisms.
Why did you choose to alter your original text after my response to you?
While your opinion is definitely valid, I just need to clarify that the novel is character-driven and not plot-driven,…
Your response is puzzling.
I clearly state that I wish this was more character driven, but seems so far to be plot driven. Right now, what is driving the story are all the surrounding players. The parents warring, the friends warring, the trying to keep everyone away from each other, the misunderstanding of there being a girl across the hall, the school stating 1 more time and there will be hell to pay over fighting, the bullying of characters ...etc so forth and so on. These are all outside forces acting upon the characters which is the definition of plot driven storytelling.
So far both Pran and Pat have been completely controlled by their surroundings, and not by their individual wants, desires, actions, or choices. Which would make it character driven if it instead switched to this.
I also stated that the BEST parts of the episode and show are when we focus solely on them and their story. IE when the show becomes about the characters and what is actually happening between them. (So Character driven and NOT plot driven) And that my gripe is that this is the smaller portion of the show.
I also clearly said I wish the story was more 75% them and 25% everything else instead of its current inverse, which means right now the story is 75% about everything else and only 25% on them.
So if me being excited about next week because it looks like my hopes that the story changes to focus more on the characters and their journey and moving the relationship forward would mean I'm actually excited for what you claim the novel is. Thus, the change in storytelling would be a good thing.
So I am very very confused and puzzled by your remarks of me wanting a plot driven show and this not being the show for me....even though my opinion is valid.
It seems because I didn't say glowing remarks, you immediately discredited everything I had to say without actually reading what I was saying and then told me to go somewhere else because this wasn't the space for me. Which, I don't agree with at all.
The second episode was a let down. It didn't forge anywhere new after what episode 1 had already given us. It felt the show already made a "filler" episode in just its second outing, and the story stalled.
While I wasn't on board with the commenters that attacked the "violence" in episode 1 and it being toxic or unneeded etc., I do think its is dull and repetitive here in the second episode. Okay we got it, you are are warring College Majors (I'm too US, this is just not a thing in college and in all these shows seems so ridiculous.). Your friends don't get along. Okay. OKay. The box is checked. Now move on.
This episode did clearly paint Pat and especially Pat's friend group in a bad light. Not moving on from their constant bickering, warring, bullying, and yes harassment, veered from being simple slapstick comedy and stupid youthful machismo. Who you hang out with reflects on the values you hold. This isn't boding well for Pat, who also laughed along with them while they tormented Wei at his place of employment, even if in the end he looked uncomfortable about it. It really shows some deep character flaws.
Yes, I do agree that when Pat and Pran are alone and together is when the show is the strongest. And that is a good thing since it is supposed to be a romance. While there were some less stellar moments even here, the rooftop scene had an awkwardness and poor execution to it, overall the show jumps in quality when we are experiencing what is happening between them.
But a major problem, is that so far, their alone scenes are a very small portion of the show, and all the other scenes are average at best, monotonous and cliche at worst.
I'm staying tuned in, the commercial for next week seemed to elude to there being major forward movement in the plot and relationship between our leads and thus I am excited to watch it. I hope a lot of the trimmings are cut away and we get to spend a lot of time with meat and potatoes of the two main leads story. I understand, this is plot driven, so outside forces will never go away. But I want the episodes to be more 75% them and their relationship and 25% everything else instead of the current inverse.
One note, from episode 1 I commented that I thought this story might have a depression/mental health angle, and I still feel like that may be brewing. This episode did seem to elude that possibly the two of them were in a relationship or beginning a relationship with each other back in high school. The parents, seemed to maybe send Pran away on purpose to try and keep this from happening, and maybe even to try and get the gay out of him. I dunno. This is just some whiffs I'm smelling in the set-up here.
Sure, I'll start off with just the k-Dramas that I've watched in roughly the last week, and move backwards in time. I know I won't hit them all.
Two Cops = Prosecutor Jae Hee (Park Hoon) Good Manager = Seo Yool (Lee Jun Ho) BIG EXAMPLE Strongest Deliveryman = Jin Gyu (Kim Seon Ho) My Country = Seon Ho (Woo Do Hwun) Romance is a Bonus Book = Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk) Opened a discussion on the topic Romance is a Bonus Book = CEO Go (Kim Yoo Mi) Temperature of Love = Jung Woo (Kim Jae Wook) A Love So Beautiful = Cha Heon (Kim Yo Hon)
There are many more, this is off the top of my head and recent examples that are fresh in my mind. Yes, you can argue, but they really loved, or were forced to, or there was this reason or circumstance etc.....
The point is, these are characters who did a minimum of just horrible things along the way of the series to some committing multiple illegal crimes and they are all forgiven in a single scene, at the flip of a switch, or not held responsible for anything they did at all. None of the ones that did actual illegal transgressions go to prison or see the inside of courtrooms, and the Main Lead or Cast accepts them back into their social circle or ends up romantically entangled. I'm sure other's could add to the list if they wanted, and if I took the time to comb through my ratings and lists I'm sure I'd find more. Gunna put this in spoiler so I don't ruin anything for people who have not yet seen these dramas.
As much as I agree to all this. Choosing to do a BL and not to do it is totally their own choice. They can't be…
I agree with @TiagoFerreira and want to add, BL's, or gay stories, are NOT ALL THE SAME.
That is, as an actor you want to be try new waters, branch out on characters, bring different stories to life. You want to explore your craft your abilities and yourself. To say I won't do BL's is saying they are all ONE TYPE OF STORY and it is PLAYING ONE TYPE OF CHARACTER and that is simply GAY. Everything else about the role doesn't matter and how great it might be is moot simply because the GAY part TRUMPS everything else. The actor is stating that it doesn't matter the role, the story, or the scope of production, it is a gay story and they do not want to participate.
It in itself is homophobic, implies these stories are abnormal, and infers that straight stories are more desirable and better while lumping every BL or gay story together as a single genre and story type.
You are right, and I will go back and rework that sentence. I didn't mean that it was only k dramas that did this. However, I do think it is more prevalent and used extremely frequently in the Kdrama world versus other media. Though can be found world wide.
In short, what the premise of the show set-up and eluded to from the get go is the truth. Jung Woo's character…
Because yours idea doesn't have logical reasoning. Doesn't explain why if it was innocuous that it was deleted and removed from his social media. And lastly because it attacks someone on what there preference may or may not be. As you said once, you take people at their word and he hasn't said he is gay and thus claiming he is a gay and closet case is wrong.
It also does not move any conversation forward. Painting someone who has taken on gay roles as gay is the most tired exchange in all of social media and is exactly why so many actors and actresses refuse such roles. All it does is shame them and make it harder to garner support.
So thanks for setting us back 30 years in progression when it comes to gay straight alliances and attempted main stream gay story acceptance.
But hey you managed to come of flippant, rude, and unhelpful so I'm sure you're happy with your results.
Alice in Borderlands for me, hands down. Watched it twice already and counting down to season 2.
I do not agree in Emotion being given to Squid Game (It is a straight opposite for me) or your Character Categories being a tie (Alice explores its side characters much more than Squid Game and also offers you characters to root for even when being anti-heroes vs Squid Game)
While I do agree with the packaged marketing concept of pastel colors and child games being more internet buzz-y and giving the win to Squid Game (Clearly). You do not give credit to Alice in Borderlands. It is also a play on children iconography. 1) Alice in Wonderland, 2) Video Games.
CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA:
The Alice in Wonderland references throughout, are INCREDIBLE in Alice in Borderlands. From The Mad Hatter to the White Rabbit and the evil Queen of Hearts, versions of this classic British fantasy are everywhere. Let alone "The Beach" and everything that happens there in the 2nd Half of the series is a survivalist take on the Poem of the "Walrus and Carpenter" from Alice in Wonderland. This takes place on the beach and the starving Walrus and Carpenter trick the child clams to follow them. Eventually the two fall out with each other and one eats all of the clams. This is the story of what happens at "The Beach," the calms being all the scantily clad dressed youth and players taking refuge here under the leadership of two friends who become enemies.
It was the Marketing and Sales team's fault in not packaging what was Available in Alice in Borderlands. Creating bloody or horrific images of the childhood Alice iconography and classic characters vs their actor counterparts in the series. Creating instantly recognizable images tied to the series. Etc. Instead you do have the playing cards but they are only used because they themselves are used on the Alice in Wonderland story.
EMOTIONS AND CHARACTERS:
I am writing these points together because they are linked. Having characters that I am connected to and root for is what causes my emotional attachment and investment. So these are intrinsically linked categories.
Sorry, I was attached to multiple characters in this Alice both from the original team up and the 2nd half team up. I feel we get more time with more characters backstories in Alice that allowed me to become attached to new characters as they surfaced. Some of the death of these characters were much more shocking and unexpected and there were certain characters that I simply did not want to see die in the end. One of the people I re-watched the series with said that if x character is killed off they are done with show and can't take it anymore...
I cannot say the same for Squid Games. I wasn't struck, nor was anyone I've watched it with, or tied to the survival of anyone. None of us cried. And all the games were less intense to watch because I was less connected with those on screen. The cop and the Pakistani Immigrant are the strongest contenders of being victims of their circumstances. But the cop still kills in cold blood execution style, cop or not, victim bad guy or not. So ehh, whatever. The character's choose to be here and choose to put themselves in harms way and choose to kill others. It wasn't forced upon them. Thus, whatever happens to them is because of their own greed and decisions. They are morally responsible for all the deaths they cause and their own demise. All of them are bad people grabbing at blood money and are just as morally bankrupt as the makers of the game itself. Let em all die. I don't care.
SUBPLOT POINTLESSNESS
Squid Game also suffers from unneeded subplots that add nothing to the story. The organ harvesting? Where did that lead us? What was the point?
The Cop sneaking into the games, hiding amongst the game runners, in the end what did he accomplish and what did we learn from his journey?
Did we learn who the people were that wore the masks and how they got their rank of circle, square, or triangle? No.
Did we learn how the games came to be, how they are devised and designed, how they go unnoticed, and who created them? No, not from his journey. Some of this is told to us in the last episode by a character reveal as an info dump instead of us learning this through his sneaking around.
Does he help any of those involved, change any of the outcomes, or stop anyone from being harmed or killed? No, in fact he causes extra deaths and kills people on his own.
His brother is the game runner...So what difference does that make or not to the whole scheme of the show or the games or any other character in the series? Nope, you could have taken the cop out and changed nothing. Knowing he is the brother means nothing.
Even more did he manage to stop the games? Did he let the world know what was happening? Did he save himself or anyone else? Nope, nope, and no. In his last scene there was "openness" on if he really died or if the information in his phone was delivered...I'd thought, nice, season two threads so the payoff of this character will come later....
But then (Like so many Korean Dramas) the last episode does a year time jump, and the cop apparently really died as there is no coverage of him and the games are still happening, and his brother is roaming free. So, apparently the information he gathered didn't get out either.
So he was just a whole character on the side that wasn't connected to anyone in the main plot and affected nothing of the story. Why did we bother spending time here? And why did so many people like him? (His hot looks?)
This isn't found in AIB. Every character we spend time with has point to the overall story. All subplots lead to and meet up and impact the main story. Every single one. If something is happening somewhere there is a reason for it. This is simply better writing and better storytelling.
SNAPSHOT SIDE BY SIDE OF OTHER POINTS THAT MAKE ALICE WIN>
Squid Games = Homophobic sub story-line. Alice In Borderlands = LGBTQ+ inclusive with transgendered character and subplot.
Squid Games = Anti-Climatic with the final game being underwhelming and more a plot device. Alice In Borderlands = The highest body count and bloodiest game so far is the final free for all that paints the savageness of the human survivalist. Creates a clear cut line on right from wrong and is arguably one of the most complicated games so far seen.
Squid Games = Message = Money is corrupt and those with the most money, the most corrupt and those without money are willing to be corrupted for it. Capitalism has destroyed us. Alice in Borderlands = Message = We choose to be corrupt or choose to be heroes. In an equal situation of survival how we choose to play and by what rules we govern ourselves decides who we are. A world or game cannot make us monsters. We choose to become them or not.
There is by far much more....but this is likely too long already.
Alice for the win and winner of Character and Emotion vs Squid Games solo win of Recognized symbols. Ill give the tie for Concept though the win to Alice for Message, story, and plot points.
I think Squid Game became more popular because it turned the deathgame concept on its head, at least the concept…
Hehe, you and me today...hahaha.
This is the actual reason I did not like Squid Game as much. I do not empathize with the characters. They know what will be asked of them and what the games will be. They know they will likely have to choose their life over others, and they do it anyway. It makes me instantly have no respect for them, and also hold them responsible for every death they cause and their own deaths in the end. The players are no better than the designers of the game and active participants in the slaughtering. This made it hard for me to care about any of them. The North Korean Thief and the Illegal immigrant the only two that managed any type of emotional attachment to me. I was fine seeing everyone else die. And thus do not agree with the original post of them being tied in character or Squid Game being the winner in Emotions category. Both of those I give to Alice hands down.
Ill make my own comment about the other things I did and did not like comparing the two. I do think Squid Games had more catchy packaging and marketing and thus is why it succeeded. Kdrama already have higher appeal and broader fan base than JDramas. But in all other aspect Alice in Borderlands all the way. ALL THE WAY!
In short, what the premise of the show set-up and eluded to from the get go is the truth. Jung Woo's character…
He didn't say "gay stuff". It wasn't all awful, that is my word usage. He just responded to a fellow guy "friend" saying "Seriously another one?" regarding being in another gay story when he was marketing My Sweet Dear on his social media. He responded. "HAHAHA, yeah probably my last one." So it wasn't out and out homophobic slander or anything.
He just eluded to the fact he was done with gay stories and characters, and has in interviews said that his friends wont watch his shows because they are gay storylines. And he has remained friends with them anyway and is now going to refrain from more gay content.
This has all been deleted from his accounts after some fan backlash, and no official response from him or his agency has been given.
Its not like super bad, but it does show that he views gay content as less than straight storytelling. Also that all of the characters and stories are the same no matter how different the roles are. In the end, its just a gay story and he doesn't want to do them anymore. So it's just a closed minded view point and homophobic "light."
Vincenzo is where I met him, and it made me a fan. He was my favorite character of the show, and the only part of it that garnered any liking from me or emotion. Overall I was very disappointed in that series. He was the take away that made me happy I watched it.
1 
2 
And well, the whole gourd thing out-of-the-blue as to why she won't break-up with him is very deux ex-machina. Given her personality, her strength (Which I've loved) and her previous ability to let him go as well as the large HEAPS of cardinal sins that you simply cannot do in a relationship that Woong has done one right after the other after the other...that Yumi ,and us as the audience, are still putting up with Woong and this relationship is beyond trying.
I have like 20 minutes left of this episode and I do not think the relationship between our leads will make it by its end. And good riddance. I'm not gunna lie and say the story didn't rope me back into their cuteness even though I wanted them to split ways forever ago. When they got into the groove of living together the relationship, for a bit, was very enjoyable to watch and I did honestly become happy for Yumi, and for a breif few epsiodes thought maybe I was too harsh...But that nagging feeling, of no, you called it right wouldn't leave....and then.....well then everything started comming undone. Watching it fall apart around Yumi has been quite heart breaking, but I honestly want better for her.
He isn't a good enough man.
Now Cardinal Sins
1) In your mid 30's, dating for over 2 years (Correction in the end it says only a year and change, I don't know how, but okay), and living together, you cannot ignore the marriage word, conversation, or question. Sorry. You aren't kids. This isn't new. And you all are already sharing your lives and spaces with each other. This was honestly the end of their relationship. The Emotion cell recognized this and felt dumped...and it really was what happened. That Yumi held on to him, and accepted this from him....made her stock drop.
2) Moving out. Sorry EVERY ONE KNOWS!!!! E V E R Y O N E K N O W S that once that step is made, it cannot be unmade except in very extreme circumstances that 99.9% of people will never deal with. Him turning around and saying hes moving out, and moving the relationship back to dating territory is SIMPLY A NO GO AND IMPOSSIBLE!!!! That he feels he can do this is absolutely astounding to watch. That Yumi accepts it.....well.....wiped out her entire market value, especially with him just turning her down on the marriage question. The self respect Yumi has had, her independence, and self sufficiency is just now gone. Its anger inducing.
3) The whole table thing. I get it on his side. Hes in crisis mode. He feels worthless. He feels like a failure. He feels not good enough. The list goes on. But she sternly, straight forwardly, repeatedly, and with no uncertain terms told him she would not allow this, did not want this, and would refuse for him to by a 1.4 mil won table. She let him know the anger she would have. And he said okay, then literally asked her on a date for the weekend..like he wasn't moving out from them seeing each other daily and THEN TURNS AROUND AND SEND HER THE MONEY. Lying to her face and going against her wishes. THAT YUMI DOESN"T KEEP HER WORD AND ACTUALLY GET ANGRY OR GIVE HIM ANY RAMIFICATIONS FOR THIS...makes the stock that was already wiped out...seem stupid of us to have awarded to her in the first place. Here she screws over her own credibility....
4) And now he is meeting with Seo Yi, I get it, shes offering him a job cause his business is failing and he destitute and now back to living on couches and others homes or the office....but he met with her in secret. He met with her behind Yumi's back. He met with her knowing what was in the water between him, her, and Yumi, after pulling all the stuff above on Yumi.....and they were still friendly with each other, she still acted as she always did, and he is likely going to take the job and work by her side again. Its all unforgivable. Its just simply the end of anything that could ever be for Yumi and Woong.
Again...that Yumi goes to this wedding, allows him to treat her the way he does, (I MEAN HE TREATS HER LIKE NOTHING AND THROW AWAY THE ENTIRE TIME. It was sickening to watch.) Shows that yes, when he left her apartment, he honestly left her, and knew that he was, and is planning his life without her. No matter what he is saying to her face and claiming. He has checked out of their relationship.
If people want to say hes doing this for pride...that's fine, but its a lie. Pride is part of it, I'll give you that. But all the other stuff that I've talked about here and all the above comments. Plus the long line of things hes doing now. His #1 is himself. And that selfishness has been with us this entire relationship. He wants to be free again. He wants his old life again. He no longer wants this responsibly. He still doesn't want o get married and this is already too much like a marriage. And yes, his pride is hurt over his business flopping and him going broke. But its just the straw that broke the camels back.
And boy is he hurting the hell out of her.
That she is still holding on now...after that day with him and after all this. I just, I can't. I really just can't. Let this end please.
But, I wanted them to break-up.
I was happy when the show did the fake 5-year future thing, and was interested to see where that was going to go. And actually got bummed when it turned out to be just in her head.
I was then given hope again in the hallway of Woong's office and the showdown, and him seeming to take sides with Sae Yi. When Yumi gave her final words to him and turned to get on the elevator......
I was filled with pride in her. It was hard, but she was being true to herself, strong, and honest even if it meant cutting him loose. I respected her.
But then....then.....then.....he stops the elevator, gets on, and chooses her.
Ya know, they are the leads, so I'm supposed to want them together. So this should be a happy point right...He chose her.
But there are 3 things with this.
1) For the second time in the series their relationship is saved by Yumi making the first move. Sure maybe he was going to her, we don't know, and yea he showed up with the cake on her birthday, but that was AFTER she got all the way home, had reached out to him multiple times (He left his phone) and then decided to go to him....In short, they are together because she keeps fixing the problems and taking the needed steps. He doesn't. And that is not good.
2) He still initially chose Sae Yi. In the hallway he never defends Yumi, he doesn't back her, and he even screams, scolds, and interrupts her. He only chooses her AFTER she comes to the understanding that their relationship is over and she has the ability to break-up with him and thus chooses too. When she gives him the ultimatum and he sees that she is really done and leaving him. He lets her go, and only at the last moment, chooses her. Not only does that reflect poorly on him, it also shows us that Yumi was also pushed to the point, and became okay with, leaving him. That is, she has seen a future without him and been okay with that, which doesn't bold well for their relationship moving forward.
3) He still hasn't apologized or admitted his wrong doing, as far as we know. Yes, he chooses Yumi (because he freaking had 2 women fighting over him) but that is after everything that has happened above, and with him still not showing or saying anything about his actions. Ironically, he does admit things to Seo Yi in a conversation after. He tell her he always knew he was her back-up. He always knew how she treated him and his lovers. And he knew the issues that existed between them, but pretended not to. Thus, he admits all the things that Yumi accuses him of, AND all the things that I was listing previously in my above posts. He admits this to US, as viewers, and to Seo Yi, BUT NOT TO YUMI, which shows HE HONESTLY WAS GASLIGHTING YUMI and was disrespectful to her feelings and role in his life. And he still gives Seo Yi the benefit of being friends like he always wanted...and of course, she chooses no and leaves. How would he have expected Yumi to put up with him keeping a relationship with Seo Yi? But he actually wanted this...so the only reason we aren't dealing with this ridiculousness is because the women around him choose not too.
In short just as many problems still exist between the leads, some new ones have surfaced, but yes they managed to stay together and lay some issues to rest. But it shows this is still a broken relationship and right now they have painted over the deeper problems that exist.
Ba Bi (Bobby) continuous popping up is eluding, of course, that our main leads are somewhat doomed and that these unresolved issues are going to ultimately consume the relationship. Not to mention Woong's inner turmoil over it all.
Hmmfff...I wish they would have just broken up. Now is not their time. I, as a viewer, haven't forgiven him for all the stuff he has done, not that he has asked us or Yumi for forgiveness. And I think Yumi hasn't honestly forgiven him either.
They sure can be cute to one another when they want to cant they....those damn movie theater scenes...
Onward we go!
Just finished the surprise visit episode....and my chest was tight as she walked around her house putting together the care package to surprise him because I knew what was building....we all did.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been, I thought she was gunna find Woong and Sae Yi like eating together or hanging out in his apartment, maybe in comfy clothes. Instead she ran into her on the way in the elevator.
The omission from earlier comes back with a vengeance, as I knew it would, and well everyone, I'm sorry, I'm sorta happy about it.
For me, Woong is out, I'm done.
This scene made his stock plummet, and I even had a hard time seeing his physical attractiveness at the end. Instead I saw the bad hair, awful soul patch, middle aged man unable to let go of looking and being a teenager.
When he flinched as Sae Yi talked about the house warming party and inviting Yumi, was the final straw.
It showed how much he understood the situation, understood his own actions, understood Sae yi intent with her words and actions, and understood how wrong he was being.
Even more, the whole work thing, dude, if you are working 7 days a week for 12-16 hours a day for entire month spans...then you do not need to be in a relationship. Yumi is self sufficient so she isn't some arm candy that is mooching off your billions and thus doesn't care about how much you work, as long as they have money to spend (Like Yumi's ex boyfriend or the common trophy wife).
Yumi is with you because she wants to be with you. She wants to see you and have time with you and be loved by you.
His leaving her alone and high and dry and not spending time with her is in itself a problem. Such as how hard she had to twist his arm about the wedding because he had to work. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE WORK....ALWAYS!!!!!! You have to make the time.
Why doesn't he just show up, like she did in this episode, to spend the night and wrap his arms around her or have some dinner etc, just so he can see her. He likes her, he really does, but he doesn't appreciate her or make her a priority.
Omitting serious pieces of information such as Sae Yi moving in his building . Helping someone he knows he has history with and there are feelings between them behind Yumi's back. Making Yumi wait for him so he can do things for this other girl and then not telling her. And in general spending any time he has to outside of work with a woman that (back to when he went into defensive bear mode) he knows will actively sabotage him and his relationships and will make moves on him.
And then MOST IMPORTANTLY, GASLIGHTING YUMI.....guys this is honest gaslighting. People throw it around constantly when it really isn't happening, misusing the word like crazy. But this is the actual definition of it in play.
With what I've said above added to his flinching and constant hiding of information shows HE KNOWS HE IS IN THE WRONG AND WHAT HE IS DOING IS HURTFUL. When he first opened that door and saw Yumi standing there his face was etched in guilt and fear of being caught. He is trying to hide it, but it showed crystal clear. And then once Sae Yi left and he puts on his blank face and keeps trying to get Yumi to come into his apartment like nothing is wrong.
This is a guy who feels caught, guilty, and knows Yumi is angry, but is actively playing as if nothing is wrong, he has done nothing, and that they should just have a great night togther....
I haven't seen with the next scene is going to go. I just ended the epi with them inside his apartment looking at her with that empty nothing to see here face that makes me want to punch him, and I am honeslty done with him.
But I want to see how bad he is going to be. Will he admit his wrongness? Will he ask for forgiveness? Will he make boundaries with Sae Yi? Will he use Yumi's "oldfashioness" conversation against her to make her feel she doesn't have the right to be angry? Will he promise and follow through on giving Yumi more time? Or will he play it all off and try to keep the status quo of their relationship and his life going as undisturbed as possible.....
I don't like him.
And yet, he still goes along with her. He still chooses to play her games and do her bidding. And he still hides it all from Yumi because he knows that its wrong, hurtful, and will cause conflict or problems.
He likes Yumi, but he is not over and will not let go of Sae Yi. he is being very selfish, which is his #1 priority, and it is going to cost him...and MOST saddening, is it is going to cost Yumi.
Okay, going back to figure our the importance of her marathon training now....
And.,..uhh huh!
The very thing that I talked about in the spoilers above the was shown to us by what happened on the Bday episode is starting to grow its weeds. And one of our characters has already made the other one wait for them to give into the demands of a 3rd person and then hid the fact they did so, while also omitting a huge piece of information.....because said person knows they should not have done it, and that it would hurt the original person who sat in waiting.....
Whewww writing this so it doesn't spoil anything is hilarious and obnoxious.
Why did she reach out? She was in the right, and yet reached out first.
His explanation was bull...and she lets it slide. I mean, he showed up. So some points there, but not enough for me to forgive. And the issues with the ex are far from explained away or resolved, and it shows quite clearly there are some unresolved feelings between him and this other woman. Feelings that are already disruptive to their relationship and bound to only get worse with how he defends his actions regarding them...
I would have to told him to leave, and that wed talk again soon...not tomorrow...soon so I could think about all this and also maybe give him some time to think and come back with some better explanations or see if he really wanted to keep me or keep this other woman happy.
This other woman is part of his daily life, (Not just a casual friend he sees on weekends, every now and then, or for after work drinks etc. but DAILY LIFE sitting next to him) and has more than shown she claims him, and he as shown that he will allow her to do so at the expense of me....err...I mean her.......um Freud shut-the-f*ck-up!
Sorry not sorry about it.
The fact she was able to get up and leave with out him knowing speaks f*&king volumes. This is some red flag city on where he places her in his priorities....
Cherry on top that he used the ex, who he purposefully omitted about the Yuzu tea, to pick out the birthday gift.....
This is 1-2-3 strike inning all in 1 fateful night. Seriously, how could he get everything so wrong? How could he think going into work on her birthday IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR DATE, was anything close to being okay? Its not another day, its not just a date. It isn't the same as when her boss called her and she went to his house to finish something....the day matters.
Also she isn't a boss and can lose her job if she doesn't comply....not the case for him.....
Lost sooooo many points...Just like, I mean running on fumes for me.....especially this early into the relationship. Hes hot, and there is the whole hospital thing he did, and he can be down right equal parts adorable to sexy...but if I were Yumi, I'd feel pretty shitty and unimportant right now.
Gunna go and finish the episode now.
Woke up to the Yuzu incident and blatant hiding of truth and now am in the midst of the Birthday episode.......HELLLL NOOO SON!!! Hell NO!!!
Later Edit: The following comments are my emotions and reactions as I went through the series and my feelings on plot points....
if you want a spoiler free overall review and my ending take on the series...that can be found here.
https://kisskh.at/profile/soundinfinite/reviews/175109
Oops...forgot to add the easy link, adding it now.
https://kisskh.at/profile/soundinfinite/reviews/174805
It definitely has some story surprises and veers off into some very interesting places while bringing up some thoughtful commentary. I wasn't expecting much more than a fun easy romance. This ended up being much more than I thought it would be.
Why did you choose to alter your original text after my response to you?
I clearly state that I wish this was more character driven, but seems so far to be plot driven. Right now, what is driving the story are all the surrounding players. The parents warring, the friends warring, the trying to keep everyone away from each other, the misunderstanding of there being a girl across the hall, the school stating 1 more time and there will be hell to pay over fighting, the bullying of characters ...etc so forth and so on. These are all outside forces acting upon the characters which is the definition of plot driven storytelling.
So far both Pran and Pat have been completely controlled by their surroundings, and not by their individual wants, desires, actions, or choices. Which would make it character driven if it instead switched to this.
I also stated that the BEST parts of the episode and show are when we focus solely on them and their story. IE when the show becomes about the characters and what is actually happening between them. (So Character driven and NOT plot driven) And that my gripe is that this is the smaller portion of the show.
I also clearly said I wish the story was more 75% them and 25% everything else instead of its current inverse, which means right now the story is 75% about everything else and only 25% on them.
So if me being excited about next week because it looks like my hopes that the story changes to focus more on the characters and their journey and moving the relationship forward would mean I'm actually excited for what you claim the novel is. Thus, the change in storytelling would be a good thing.
So I am very very confused and puzzled by your remarks of me wanting a plot driven show and this not being the show for me....even though my opinion is valid.
It seems because I didn't say glowing remarks, you immediately discredited everything I had to say without actually reading what I was saying and then told me to go somewhere else because this wasn't the space for me. Which, I don't agree with at all.
The second episode was a let down. It didn't forge anywhere new after what episode 1 had already given us. It felt the show already made a "filler" episode in just its second outing, and the story stalled.
While I wasn't on board with the commenters that attacked the "violence" in episode 1 and it being toxic or unneeded etc., I do think its is dull and repetitive here in the second episode. Okay we got it, you are are warring College Majors (I'm too US, this is just not a thing in college and in all these shows seems so ridiculous.). Your friends don't get along. Okay. OKay. The box is checked. Now move on.
This episode did clearly paint Pat and especially Pat's friend group in a bad light. Not moving on from their constant bickering, warring, bullying, and yes harassment, veered from being simple slapstick comedy and stupid youthful machismo. Who you hang out with reflects on the values you hold. This isn't boding well for Pat, who also laughed along with them while they tormented Wei at his place of employment, even if in the end he looked uncomfortable about it. It really shows some deep character flaws.
Yes, I do agree that when Pat and Pran are alone and together is when the show is the strongest. And that is a good thing since it is supposed to be a romance. While there were some less stellar moments even here, the rooftop scene had an awkwardness and poor execution to it, overall the show jumps in quality when we are experiencing what is happening between them.
But a major problem, is that so far, their alone scenes are a very small portion of the show, and all the other scenes are average at best, monotonous and cliche at worst.
I'm staying tuned in, the commercial for next week seemed to elude to there being major forward movement in the plot and relationship between our leads and thus I am excited to watch it. I hope a lot of the trimmings are cut away and we get to spend a lot of time with meat and potatoes of the two main leads story. I understand, this is plot driven, so outside forces will never go away. But I want the episodes to be more 75% them and their relationship and 25% everything else instead of the current inverse.
One note, from episode 1 I commented that I thought this story might have a depression/mental health angle, and I still feel like that may be brewing. This episode did seem to elude that possibly the two of them were in a relationship or beginning a relationship with each other back in high school. The parents, seemed to maybe send Pran away on purpose to try and keep this from happening, and maybe even to try and get the gay out of him. I dunno. This is just some whiffs I'm smelling in the set-up here.
Two Cops = Prosecutor Jae Hee (Park Hoon)
Good Manager = Seo Yool (Lee Jun Ho) BIG EXAMPLE
Strongest Deliveryman = Jin Gyu (Kim Seon Ho)
My Country = Seon Ho (Woo Do Hwun)
Romance is a Bonus Book = Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk) Opened a discussion on the topic
Romance is a Bonus Book = CEO Go (Kim Yoo Mi)
Temperature of Love = Jung Woo (Kim Jae Wook)
A Love So Beautiful = Cha Heon (Kim Yo Hon)
There are many more, this is off the top of my head and recent examples that are fresh in my mind. Yes, you can argue, but they really loved, or were forced to, or there was this reason or circumstance etc.....
The point is, these are characters who did a minimum of just horrible things along the way of the series to some committing multiple illegal crimes and they are all forgiven in a single scene, at the flip of a switch, or not held responsible for anything they did at all. None of the ones that did actual illegal transgressions go to prison or see the inside of courtrooms, and the Main Lead or Cast accepts them back into their social circle or ends up romantically entangled. I'm sure other's could add to the list if they wanted, and if I took the time to comb through my ratings and lists I'm sure I'd find more. Gunna put this in spoiler so I don't ruin anything for people who have not yet seen these dramas.
That is, as an actor you want to be try new waters, branch out on characters, bring different stories to life. You want to explore your craft your abilities and yourself. To say I won't do BL's is saying they are all ONE TYPE OF STORY and it is PLAYING ONE TYPE OF CHARACTER and that is simply GAY. Everything else about the role doesn't matter and how great it might be is moot simply because the GAY part TRUMPS everything else. The actor is stating that it doesn't matter the role, the story, or the scope of production, it is a gay story and they do not want to participate.
It in itself is homophobic, implies these stories are abnormal, and infers that straight stories are more desirable and better while lumping every BL or gay story together as a single genre and story type.
Its hurtful and sad.
Doesn't explain why if it was innocuous that it was deleted and removed from his social media.
And lastly because it attacks someone on what there preference may or may not be. As you said once, you take people at their word and he hasn't said he is gay and thus claiming he is a gay and closet case is wrong.
It also does not move any conversation forward. Painting someone who has taken on gay roles as gay is the most tired exchange in all of social media and is exactly why so many actors and actresses refuse such roles. All it does is shame them and make it harder to garner support.
So thanks for setting us back 30 years in progression when it comes to gay straight alliances and attempted main stream gay story acceptance.
But hey you managed to come of flippant, rude, and unhelpful so I'm sure you're happy with your results.
I do not agree in Emotion being given to Squid Game (It is a straight opposite for me) or your Character Categories being a tie (Alice explores its side characters much more than Squid Game and also offers you characters to root for even when being anti-heroes vs Squid Game)
While I do agree with the packaged marketing concept of pastel colors and child games being more internet buzz-y and giving the win to Squid Game (Clearly). You do not give credit to Alice in Borderlands. It is also a play on children iconography. 1) Alice in Wonderland, 2) Video Games.
CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA:
The Alice in Wonderland references throughout, are INCREDIBLE in Alice in Borderlands. From The Mad Hatter to the White Rabbit and the evil Queen of Hearts, versions of this classic British fantasy are everywhere. Let alone "The Beach" and everything that happens there in the 2nd Half of the series is a survivalist take on the Poem of the "Walrus and Carpenter" from Alice in Wonderland. This takes place on the beach and the starving Walrus and Carpenter trick the child clams to follow them. Eventually the two fall out with each other and one eats all of the clams. This is the story of what happens at "The Beach," the calms being all the scantily clad dressed youth and players taking refuge here under the leadership of two friends who become enemies.
It was the Marketing and Sales team's fault in not packaging what was Available in Alice in Borderlands. Creating bloody or horrific images of the childhood Alice iconography and classic characters vs their actor counterparts in the series. Creating instantly recognizable images tied to the series. Etc. Instead you do have the playing cards but they are only used because they themselves are used on the Alice in Wonderland story.
EMOTIONS AND CHARACTERS:
I am writing these points together because they are linked. Having characters that I am connected to and root for is what causes my emotional attachment and investment. So these are intrinsically linked categories.
Sorry, I was attached to multiple characters in this Alice both from the original team up and the 2nd half team up. I feel we get more time with more characters backstories in Alice that allowed me to become attached to new characters as they surfaced. Some of the death of these characters were much more shocking and unexpected and there were certain characters that I simply did not want to see die in the end. One of the people I re-watched the series with said that if x character is killed off they are done with show and can't take it anymore...
I cannot say the same for Squid Games. I wasn't struck, nor was anyone I've watched it with, or tied to the survival of anyone. None of us cried. And all the games were less intense to watch because I was less connected with those on screen. The cop and the Pakistani Immigrant are the strongest contenders of being victims of their circumstances. But the cop still kills in cold blood execution style, cop or not, victim bad guy or not. So ehh, whatever. The character's choose to be here and choose to put themselves in harms way and choose to kill others. It wasn't forced upon them. Thus, whatever happens to them is because of their own greed and decisions. They are morally responsible for all the deaths they cause and their own demise. All of them are bad people grabbing at blood money and are just as morally bankrupt as the makers of the game itself. Let em all die. I don't care.
SUBPLOT POINTLESSNESS
Squid Game also suffers from unneeded subplots that add nothing to the story. The organ harvesting? Where did that lead us? What was the point?
The Cop sneaking into the games, hiding amongst the game runners, in the end what did he accomplish and what did we learn from his journey?
Did we learn who the people were that wore the masks and how they got their rank of circle, square, or triangle? No.
Did we learn how the games came to be, how they are devised and designed, how they go unnoticed, and who created them? No, not from his journey. Some of this is told to us in the last episode by a character reveal as an info dump instead of us learning this through his sneaking around.
Does he help any of those involved, change any of the outcomes, or stop anyone from being harmed or killed? No, in fact he causes extra deaths and kills people on his own.
His brother is the game runner...So what difference does that make or not to the whole scheme of the show or the games or any other character in the series? Nope, you could have taken the cop out and changed nothing. Knowing he is the brother means nothing.
Even more did he manage to stop the games? Did he let the world know what was happening? Did he save himself or anyone else? Nope, nope, and no. In his last scene there was "openness" on if he really died or if the information in his phone was delivered...I'd thought, nice, season two threads so the payoff of this character will come later....
But then (Like so many Korean Dramas) the last episode does a year time jump, and the cop apparently really died as there is no coverage of him and the games are still happening, and his brother is roaming free. So, apparently the information he gathered didn't get out either.
So he was just a whole character on the side that wasn't connected to anyone in the main plot and affected nothing of the story. Why did we bother spending time here? And why did so many people like him? (His hot looks?)
This isn't found in AIB. Every character we spend time with has point to the overall story. All subplots lead to and meet up and impact the main story. Every single one. If something is happening somewhere there is a reason for it. This is simply better writing and better storytelling.
SNAPSHOT SIDE BY SIDE OF OTHER POINTS THAT MAKE ALICE WIN>
Squid Games = Homophobic sub story-line.
Alice In Borderlands = LGBTQ+ inclusive with transgendered character and subplot.
Squid Games = Anti-Climatic with the final game being underwhelming and more a plot device.
Alice In Borderlands = The highest body count and bloodiest game so far is the final free for all that paints the savageness of the human survivalist. Creates a clear cut line on right from wrong and is arguably one of the most complicated games so far seen.
Squid Games = Message = Money is corrupt and those with the most money, the most corrupt and those without money are willing to be corrupted for it. Capitalism has destroyed us.
Alice in Borderlands = Message = We choose to be corrupt or choose to be heroes. In an equal situation of survival how we choose to play and by what rules we govern ourselves decides who we are. A world or game cannot make us monsters. We choose to become them or not.
There is by far much more....but this is likely too long already.
Alice for the win and winner of Character and Emotion vs Squid Games solo win of Recognized symbols. Ill give the tie for Concept though the win to Alice for Message, story, and plot points.
This is the actual reason I did not like Squid Game as much. I do not empathize with the characters. They know what will be asked of them and what the games will be. They know they will likely have to choose their life over others, and they do it anyway. It makes me instantly have no respect for them, and also hold them responsible for every death they cause and their own deaths in the end. The players are no better than the designers of the game and active participants in the slaughtering. This made it hard for me to care about any of them. The North Korean Thief and the Illegal immigrant the only two that managed any type of emotional attachment to me. I was fine seeing everyone else die. And thus do not agree with the original post of them being tied in character or Squid Game being the winner in Emotions category. Both of those I give to Alice hands down.
Ill make my own comment about the other things I did and did not like comparing the two. I do think Squid Games had more catchy packaging and marketing and thus is why it succeeded. Kdrama already have higher appeal and broader fan base than JDramas. But in all other aspect Alice in Borderlands all the way. ALL THE WAY!
He just eluded to the fact he was done with gay stories and characters, and has in interviews said that his friends wont watch his shows because they are gay storylines. And he has remained friends with them anyway and is now going to refrain from more gay content.
This has all been deleted from his accounts after some fan backlash, and no official response from him or his agency has been given.
Its not like super bad, but it does show that he views gay content as less than straight storytelling. Also that all of the characters and stories are the same no matter how different the roles are. In the end, its just a gay story and he doesn't want to do them anymore. So it's just a closed minded view point and homophobic "light."