starlit-dramas

Couple Of Mirrors is a historical (1920'sish) Chinese psychological thriller GL (though highly censored, still obvious), about a lovely feminist author and the domesticated assassin who keeps on implicating her for crimes, which I personally loved.

Highly sexual (in case that's an issue), but there's also the historical Korean film "The Handmaiden" about Korean a woman who intends on swindling a wealthy Japanese woman mid-occupation until it all goes disastrously wrong, which I also loved to pieces.

I wish there were more modern-day set GL psychological thrillers (and more in general), though. :(

I couldn't agree more. I've been largely impressed with the scriptwork up until this point, finding a surprising amount of depth in a story that could so easily come off as shallow – and though I'm far from swearing the writer or drama off, I feel like so many of the creative decisions made in the past episode or so have seemed, as you say, like a meaningless whirlwind of clichés that feel like they're there just because they can, because it's a Kdrama, it's easy, and it's expected.

I really do hope it picks itself back up and that a lot of the issues wrap up quickly, so we can get back to a drama that feels more in-line with what we've come to expect from the tone, themes and characterisations.

I'll have to check out the webtoon sometime! Thank you for the recommendation.

I understand that (though I don't believe they're portrayed as being the exact same as they were before, I know that it can be very easy to fall back into habits informed by trauma, even when progress is being made), which is why I don't believe it would be out of character, necessarily, for them to have had conflict. It was the way it was done that I took issue with – not the fact that there was some.

I feel the exact same way.

To be honest, especially with this couple, I wouldn't exactly expect smooth sailing when conflict arises. They both have a lot of trauma, her with relationships and trust – trusting herself and her own judgement as much as trusting another person, and her death. His death, and his default mode of repression and self-denial. Even under more ordinary circumstances, I think it would only be natural to struggle with such deep-seated relational trauma.

HOWEVER, my problem isn't necessarily with the fact that there's conflict between them now, but how it's been done. With their characters being older, and having more experience in relationships, and otherwise demonstrating an ability to communicate more effectively, I think it's a shame to encounter the noble idiocy trope to the extent it was there in this episode.

For example, I don't know if there was some mistranslation, but her reasoning of not believing in one-sided breakups, I feel goes against the nature of the drama – in which her goal is to break up both with her abusive boyfriend and her abusive best friend, even when they don't want to let her go so easily. He's supported her through every stage of her correcting her mistakes – but she can't do the same when he's going through a similar process? Not only does the logic feel thin, but I feel like it makes her a hypocrite – and not in a way that feels intentional.

If I were to change it, and include the same plot-line, I probably would have made it so that there was a buildup of information being sent out first, so there was a mystery of who it was – then had his ex turn up on the doorstep, having done all of her research of Ji-Won, pretending to be together with him. I would have made it press her buttons enough for her to need some space to think – but ultimately decide to trust him, especially once she saw for herself what the ex is like. Then they can work on the problem together, showing growth in her capacity to trust before the white truck moment hits (which I also believe could be meaningful to his development and his traumas, if handled well).

But perhaps I wouldn't have even had such an issue with where it's already gone, if it felt like they weren't trying to toss in every Kdrama element under the sun with it too, without giving proper justification in-story as to why. The back-to-back scenes of obvious PPL, the evil ex, the evil mother and the white truck of doom too, as WELL as the noble idiocy? It felt like a lot, while also feeling underwhelming for its predictability.

I've very very much enjoyed the rest of the drama – and I'm loving the scenes of the villains being villainous to each other. There's no way I'm not seeing through to the finish line at this point. It's still a little disappointing, but I have hope it will come right.

I feel like it's an interesting critique you're making – but not one I agree with, necessarily, because I see both of the villains as abusers, and I don't see the story in as much of a binary morality.

I don't think it's supposed to be seen as "victim setting up another victim up to be abused", but more of a "what if both of this woman's worst abusers got together instead". They both manipulate her, verbally put her down, gaslight her, and have both been shown to get physically violent with her at this point – I don't find it hard to call them both abusers, and pretty equally so. If they turn that on each other, do you think either one of them would "deserve" each others' toxicity if you see them as more or less equal? Do you think they "deserve" pity if they don't see what's coming? I think those are some interesting questions to get into.

While I agree that abuse isn't exclusive to nice people in real life (in my own life, I know some abusive family members who have been abused even worse for most of their lives), I don't think it's entirely fair to see the female villain as some sacrificial lamb in the context of this story, and I don't think the FL is making so much the "good" or ethically pure choices as you're presenting (she's very clearly depicted as struggling to keep on going with it, even if she's doing it in part out of vengeance – which I don't think she would if it was all about which apple she wanted to eat in the morning), so much as the most interesting one for the revenge story being told.

I'm in love with this drama so far. Everything's coming together so satisfactorily – a lot of the episodes people here have seen as "slow", I've seen as necessary buildup and character development to the midpoint where she realised getting them to hook up wasn't enough, and the second half we're already getting a taste of now. I'm glad the emotional toll of pulling off something that so goes against her personality and morals is being explored – it's been for her survival, but now it's for her happiness too. I'm really looking forward to what's to come. ♡

I feel like the scenes you're describing were so impactful and important to our understanding of Ji-Won as a character; I think it's already been shown, time and time over, that if she didn't know what was going to happen, she would have already been likely to cave at multiple points. She's not manipulative or cruel like them by nature – in fact, it breaks her heart, and it costs her even now to even stand up for or assert herself in any way – but she has to learn to play by their mind-games for the sake of her own survival. There's such a strong psychological journey unfolding in her character already, and I feel so excited to see what it becomes.

You're not alone in how you feel. It takes a lot to get through, and it takes a lot more still to heal, but in believing that you can break the wheel, you're the one who gives yourself that fighting chance. I have every faith in you. ♡

I feel like this drama's done a really good job at portraying abuse, and especially abuse tied as it ties into self-worth in this drama.

There are so many people (especially women), friends and family, I've known, who have with all their hearts believed they should be tied to somebody who gives them nothing or less, because either "I can fix them!", they believe it's their burden / fate to carry in life – or because they've either been abused, abandoned, neglected (or been the victim of misogyny, or some other bigotry) in their past or present by parents, friends or partners; they have been raised with such a low self esteem, they don't believe they're worth anything better.

I know there are many factors that can be unchangeable in our lives – but there's also so much that we can get when we shift the narratives we tell about our lives. When "I can fix them!" becomes "Where does the time and energy I put into them go?", or "This is my burden / fate." becomes "What opportunities do I have right now?", there is so much more freedom to be had.

The abuse and mistreatment "It was your fault.", "Did I do that?", "Why are you doing this to me?", "How could you think of breaking up with me?", the insults, the financial leverage – are in the same scenes as "I love you.", "You're my other half.", and "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you.". The good times are mixed in with the bad. The actors have had previously lovable, or comedic roles, and even this is played with a comedic note, so even the audience can be lulled in (I've already seen many comments like "I just can't see them as the villain! They looked so adorable. in [x] role!" or "They have such a cute face! I can't hate them.", which ironically mirrors how Ji-Won herself saw them too) – but they're still playing abusers, backstabbers and manipulators, no matter what face they wear. Just like in real life.

I genuinely feel, for this reason, that this story could already be so important. It's vital to be honest about ourselves and our life circumstances while not condemning ourselves to misery, and I feel like that's exactly what this drama is trying to get across from underneath.

Right?? I feel like the writing on this drama's really getting into the psychology of the characters. There's a great surface-level action for those who want to enjoy a fun little revenge plot with romance – but there's a lot there in terms of the deeper life lessons for those who want to see them, so far especially in what it truly means to value yourself, and how a lack of (or gain in) fundamental self-worth can show up in the people we let into our lives, too.

I'm so hooked on this drama. I can't wait until next week. ♡

I really loved this drama; while I found some parts nearer the end were drawn out a little too long for my personal taste, I still found it a beautiful, and incredibly moving piece.

***SPOILER TALK***

Her growth was well concluded, I felt, when she opened up to her mother, and was met with that response. Emotional honesty that went beyond a surface level communication was something I felt like she would have struggled with even without the language barrier, which both improved it (as they were forced to communicate openly on one level) and drastically worsened the emotional scar that was already there. She was so afraid of all of the love going away if she expressed herself, but the truth – and the bravery it took to say it out loud – instead set her free.

His arc was beautifully met at the end, too, I found. For so long hidden away, unconsciously pushing others away to not be a burden, but really hiding himself from the pain of shame, rejection and loss (think of how he responded to the prospect of being in a relationship nearer the start, as well as how he left the first time they met) – he came to her world – he made the first steps, and demonstrated he was going to leave the door open, that he wouldn't be captive to his past anymore, this time through his actions.

***END OF SPOILER TALK***

To any who may be hesitant to watch, I would ignore the comments that of personal opinions like universal fact, and I would highly, highly recommend experiencing this drama for yourself before you make up your mind.

How about we be mindful of the fact that not everybody's going to have the same opinion as you? To me, this good and entertaining drama is easily one of my favourites, if not of all time, then certainly of this year; if I want to rate it as such, that's my choice – as much as it's yours on what you may rate it. If you personally found it mediocre, then that's fine. But this world is (quite thankfully) not just limited to the opinions of one person.

I doubt this one site has as much influence on the Korean entertainment industry as you might claim –the fact that the use time of Disney+ in South Korea apparently increased by 145% while airing, however, I feel might have more of a hand – so I personally have some high hopes they'll be producing more of this kind of "mediocrity".

My dog hated this film. Spent the whole time with his eyes glued to the screen, quivering in my arms (very clearly NOT a zombie fan), but I really loved it!

It's such an emotionally poignant story, amidst all the action – the action sequences were interesting to me because of my emotional attachment to the characters, as well as the fact that (except for military use) guns aren't legal in South Korea, and military training is mandatory for men – which made it plausible why more ordinary civilians would be able to fend off so long against zombies.

I loved the way that "consumerism" / corporate greed and the selfish side to individualism was tied into the theme of the literal consumerist zombies. The way that characters quickly bonded together to survive felt very realistic to me, and the little communities of strangers that formed really made the heart of the story.

An easy 10/10.

I've written more about this in my review; but I really, truly loved this Kdrama. Such brilliant, evocative characters that will be sure to stay with me for a long time, with an incredible set of writing, directing, acting, and musical talent. A rare gory, action-packed story (with some very, very well done action) where neither will be what stands out to me about it.

I remember going into a little more detail at the time I left a review on this, but I still feel like it missed a critical opportunity to do justice to the Webtoon's story as an adaptation. So many elements of it were changed, or swapped out for (in my opinion), a much less interesting and dynamic story – there were certain things that they changed I feel like lessened the relationships that existed between the characters in the Webtoon. They made it into more of a clichéd romance while, I felt, somehow de-emphasising the actual romance that existed at the core of the original story.

I'm grateful for being introduced to it through the drama, and I still stand by the quality of the earlier episodes – but I still feel disappointed months later, when I really, sorely wish I didn't. This was a drama I really wanted to like. 💔

I'm deciding to go by my own personal superhero genre rule of thumb on this one: No body shown? I don't believe they're permanently dead. Body shown? I'm 50% convinced they're not permanently dead.

I think your interpretation sounds right!