Shy

It's this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f-UFSbG2MQ&ab_channel=%EB%93%9C%EB%9D%BC%EB%A7%88%EC%A4%91%EB%8F%85Dramaaddiction

It's in one of the comments which brought up the idea of 'external' influence affecting a drama's outcome. There are loads of comments there now though. lol. But roughly everyone in the comments share the same sentiments that the drama have become weird. haha

I don't really want to speculate but...
I think that SZ & NJH is a package deal (the perks of being under the same agency) that's why their agency is trying to push their coupling really hard. Thus the bts, promo materials, extra video contents and even selfies that involves only the 2 of them. Basically doing a rather 'in-your-face' type of PR marketing to promote them as a 'couple'.
But of course this is just a speculation as I have no idea about the entertainment industry and how it works behind the scenes. But I have read something before about package deals somewhere a long time ago involving one well-known agency which meant that the agency basically have influence behind the production... Is that the reason why the story ended up not making sense in the latter half because of said 'influence'? Don't mind me because I just happened to see a video made by a Korean reviewer who talked briefly about it. Just thought its interesting and wonder if there's anyone with knowledge about the industry whether the speculation is a possibility. lol

Just dropping this article link here that basically sums up what I feel about DS-DM vs JP-DM.
https://thoughtcatalog.com/nikita-mor/2017/04/dont-settle-for-superficial-love-find-someone-who-loves-you-with-depth/

It would not make sense for him to tell Dosan that Dalmi is having a bad day because that was exactly what Dalmi do not want. Seeing Dosan's personality (and characterization), he would not be the type to just sit down and back off when the person he cares for is having a bad day. Giving someone space is unfortunately not his forte. lol. Not that that's a bad thing though. It shows that he's affectionate and caring to a fault. Jipyeong has two options. One is to disregard Dalmi's feelings and the other is to protect Dalmi's feeling and disregard Dosan's. And of course he chose the former because for him, Dalmi's feeling triumphs over Dosan's.

It has been highlighted over and over again that Jipyeong is not a perfect character. He's flawed. Just like everyone else. That's what makes him human after all. Sure there is a bit of self-interest (putting himself in a more favourable position) there when he insinuated a relationship with Dalmi but the essence or root of that encounter was to protect Dalmi's interests. But that does not make him a bad person and selfish. That makes him human. I've been petty multiple times in my life but does that make me a bad person? I don't think so. It just means that I'm flawed, just like everybody else. If we were to hate on anyone that has minor flaws, that would mean hating on everyone in this world.

You may ask why the heck do I like a flawed person like Jipyeong (who as you or some others have claimed to be selfish and manipulative while failing to see that the other characters are pretty much the same way as well), it's because he's someone I wish I could be. Funny, right? But see it this way. How easy can you find someone who can freely admit his faults and flaws and lay it on the table so people can judge him however they want? Not often. He's flawed but he recognized his flaws and actually makes an effort to fix it. . Which is something I wish I could easily do but honestly that's not easy at all. Because your ego and pride would have to take a backseat for that to happen. Thus I envy him and admire him at the same time. As much as some haters may hate people glorifying his 'good boy' nickname but I believe is completely well-deserved because that's the essence of his character. He makes mistakes like any normal people would but at the end of the day, he's a good person.

I bet it's also the same reason why you like Dosan, no? Because you see yourself in him and naturally gravitates towards rooting for his character. Often times we see ourselves in the characters we root for. Sometimes it's because you wish you could be the character or sometimes you could relate to the character so much that you want the best for them so that you could share the same encouragement as well. Any reasons as to liking a character is absolutely valid and should not be invalidated just because you don't share the same sentiments.

This is the reason why I hate it that whenever someone compliments a character like Jipyeong, for example, there would always be that one sensitive person that would try to invalidate that. So what if he's not perfect like what you said? I like him for who he is and nothing you could say can change that. & it's vice versa for Dosan supporters. You could like Dosan for who he is. Nothing any of the Jipyeong supporters say could invalidate that.

If we were to pinpoint all the flaws of the characters, then they would all be at the same par. No one is better than the other. My original comment was also to discuss on the fact that Jipyeong has always lied for others and not purely for himself. It was not meant to be a comment to discuss who's better than who. So I kinda hate how this thread has turned that way -___-

So here is my concluding words. While I agree that there is a bit of self-interest in there but it does not encompass the main reason and purpose of the lie for it to be wholly considered self-centered.

While I think your interpretation of that particular scene is valid, let me just counter that interpretation for a bit. In my opinion, I think you failed to view it on the context of the situation while also disregarding the established personality of the character. It has been proven time and time again (from the writer's part, might I add) that Jipyeong has never been a selfish character. There was a reason why the writer does this. It is to emphasize on the character's traits. Just like how the writer emphasizes Dosan constantly comparing himself to the 'letter' Dosan. It was to highlight his insecurity and insinuate his upcoming character growth. Characterization in writing is very important and it is something that we should not ignore because every character's motives and actions are always based on their characterization. Second of all, there was a setup and foreshadow before that particular scene happened. In particular, Dalmi told Jipyeong to keep the secret and not let anyone else know that she cried. This isn't just written in by the writer casually. She has purpose. And that purpose is to the suggest or foreshadow that someone might come and see her cry. Hence, the sudden appearance of her two colleagues after that statement but that's not the only thing that the statement suggested because it can also suggest that Dosan will be the next one to appear which is someone she do not want for him to see her in the current state that she's in the most (this is further highlighted in the conversation when she said why did Dosan have to come when she's in the worst possible situation and that she's humiliated). I don't know how you would interpret that statement but for me, I see that as Dalmi not wanting others to see her in that state because it's humiliating for her especially if Dosan were to see her because she wanted to appear strong in front of him. I believe Jipyeong interpreted her words the same way as well. Hence, Jipyeong suggested for her to calm down and have her own time by literally closing the blinds for her and asking her the close the door so that no one could disturb her alone time. So when he saw Dosan, his first thought would be on Dalmi and not on himself because it makes more sense narratively. The scenario was set up by the writer with the purpose of Jipyeong helping Dalmi because that's essentially his characterization. He's selfless. He'd help anyone he cares for even if it made him look bad for their sake. That's just how it is. You are free to interpret the scene any way you want. But personally, I think its important to take into account of the writer's intent. & we can see her intent from established characterizations of all these characters. If a character is to deviate from his/her established characterization then that is is pure bad writing and I don't think that Park Hyeryun is that horrible of a writer even if this is her most substandard work.

I know that some Jipyeong haters (especially the illogical ones on Twitter) are having a field day picking on literal crumbs just to hate on the character. For example, the lie that prevented Dosan from going to Dalmi. But honestly, that further proves to me that how selfless he is because, while yes lies are bad, but his lies are always for the sake of someone else which in this case, it is to protect Dalmi's pride(which she, herself, requested btw) . It has always been that way since the very beginning. In contrast to Dosan's lies which are mostly for his own benefit. Though I do have to say that I don't really mind this 'new' Dosan though. He feels a lot calmer now and more emotionally stable? In comparison to the overly emotionally-driven him of 3 years ago.

Edit: I do like how Jipyeong did not outright lie though. He only insinuated with very vague words. The interpretation of it was all Dosan. Lol

I said in this show, Robert.
Do you not read?

Han Jipyeong, the most selfless character in this show. Period.
Now that he'll be the one to push Dosan and Dalmi together next ep (based on the preview), my wish is for him to have his happy ending as well (which he deserves).

I don't know. From what I see at this point, JP isn't even being friend-zoned... he's being 'acquaintance'-zoned. o___O

*Sigh* Park Hyeryun writer-nim. This is so disappointing.

Anyone else screamed when DM was about to call JP and DS 'ever-so-conveniently' called her at that same time? LOL. The writer really knows what she's doing. She's really doing it on purpose. hahaha

So are they trying to make Jipyeong the 'bad guy' now?
Sigh.

& the writer really think that it would be a good idea to have Jipyeong suffer from a one-sided love for 3 whole years and not do anything for those 3 years? how is that logical? & when he decided to finally make a move, Dosan is back? how convenient. lol

So disappointed with the writing and direction. They should've ended the love triangle. Why the need to drag it anymore when we all know what the outcome will be

*praying for a good and likeable female lead*

Thank goodness for the skip button then because I don't think I can digest anymore of their scenes together. hahaha

The way I'm most curious about Jipyeong's ending as well as Injae's. Don't really care about Dosan and Dalmi's ending because theirs is pretty predictable.
I'mma riot if we don't get a satisfactory ending for the second leads just so that the main leads can get the most screentime for their supposed 'fairytale-like' ending. I've had enough. lol

ok but the poster is so pretty! my kind of aesthetic.

Oooh. Apparently they'll be releasing new OSTs for this week and next week eps. Now just watch all the OST cover pics and mv be DoDal. LOL ☠

seriously, is it really that hard to have an OST cover pic/mv that's about Jipyeong or Injae for a change? They are the main characters too, you know...

I lost the link to that particular post but you can explore this forum category that is specifically for Start Up related posts in Korean: https://theqoo.net/index.php?mid=dyb&group_srl=1308256163&page=1

They have posted quite a number of theories here as well that I've come across but right now they are mostly posting AUs to heal their upcoming heartaches XD

Daddy-long-legs is about a mysterious benefactor that has silently helped and supported the main character throughout her struggles while growing up and they communicated with each other through letters as well. I guess that's the similarity the OP had in mind. As for the little mermaid reference, I've explained it above. haha

I think it's because in the original tale of the little mermaid, the mermaid fell in love with the prince from afar and was the one to save him from drowning. But the prince mistook his savior as someone else and fell in love with that person instead.
Like how Dalmi mistook the original writer of the letters as Dosan when its actually Jipyeong.

Saw this in a Korean forum. Someone said that Jipyeong is an all-in-one embodiment of Daddy-Long-Legs, Little Mermaid and Cyrano de Bergerac.