thursdaynexxt

yep, I've got a mild case of SML syndrome! HJ x JK = ideal romcom pairing

but HJ x SY = DESTINY (cue 🎶 *you are my destiny~*💫🤣)

so - eojjeona 🤷‍♀️, what's a SML to do?!

is your current profile pic from KtL?! 😆

yeah, I've been watching more cdramas lately, but this show reminds me how great kdramas can be when they're good!

true!! I really like and respect that she separates reality from fantasy (she tells Shin Yu that she believes in curses but not miracles 😆) and is a very grounded person.

I also think she's smart to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble - but trouble is gonna find her anyway! 😂 and when it does, I want her to have all the allies she can get on her side! 💪

thanks for the rec!! I actually started KtL (love both the leads) anticipating a classic romcom romp, but the cliches got to me before the kisses did!

but i may go back to it if the smoochies are THAT good 😘😝

haha, thanks!! 😉💕

this is definitely my fave drama of both Rowoon and Jo Boa so far!!

she's the perfect combination of cute & sassy, and as for Shin Yu - I can't remember any ML quite like him in any other drama - and he's absolutely killing it!!!

Thank you~😊
Can't help gushing about this drama, it's giving me all the feels and making me lose my concentration, like Jang Shin Yu, hehe 🫶

He also respected and valued the FL's hardworking and generous nature, and despite avoiding social attachments, he uncharacteristically went out of his way to post praise on the online staff board, and was worried about her wellbeing even after he originally rejected her confession. He stepped up to confront the 2 office bully girls about spreading the malicious video and humiliating Hong Jo. They have a lot in common in terms of having tough family situations, and being loners.

And it's mutual. Hong Jo has always admired him from afar since she saw him volunteering at the dog shelter, and as they get closer, she finds his awkward robotic attempts at humour cute and endearing. If my ideal man moved into my building as the guy next door, of course I'd indulge in a few daydreams about destiny!

If it was any other drama, this would be the perfect pairing and romantic flow.

But when you have a guy like Shin Yu flexing all his influence to turn on all the street lights so you can walk home safely, obediently offering his greetings to your invisible dad, turning up to protect you when you're in danger, PLUS you've got a past lives + childhood connection, sorry but those are unbeatable drama odds!!

I think HJ's doing a pretty good job of trying to live her life as a model civil servant. She doesn't want luxury bags or diamond sunbursts or fancy marble halls - she's more interested in the samgyeopsal BBQ than the villa owner, lol. She just wants to live a normal life, to belong somewhere, and to fangirl over her crush. Initially, she's sublimely unaware of SY as a man, and is more interested in what JK thinks/says, much to SY's jealousy. She's a down-to-earth gal who's not interested in an arrogant prince like Shin Yu derailing her fantasies.

But with her predecessor Aeng-cho getting dismembered, and the shaman grandma seeing "blood" in her future, Hong Jo's gonna need all the help she can get!!

Have to say, I feel a teeny bit sorry for Jae Kyung at this point. +

tells his girl to her face that he wants to impress her, that he wants to hold her hand, that she looks so pretty in that dress, that he misses her so much he wants to meet her even in his dreams, that she can't just hit his right side, she has to hit his left side too! - I just find it too adorable! Even more cos he wouldn't normally abandon his dignity and logic for his feelings.

This time I could also see more clearly that even if the ML wasn't "in love" with the FL before the spell, she'd definitely piqued his interest and sympathy. He was literally willing to put his life in her hands by asking her to do the spell cure - even if he was under the influence of the love spell, she's the only person he's trusted to this extent - he didn't even trust his GF enough to tell her about his family disease.

Yes, for me it didn't really pick up until Ep 3, but by Ep 4 I was HOOKED!!! 💘💘

Am rewatching again (Ep 7 feels SOOOO far away) and enjoying it even more the second time around. The bickering comedy is pure gold and the chemistry is electric! I'm not usually a slapstick comedy person, but I lost it when he was even trying to put off the call of nature just to spend 1 second longer with her! That posture was PRICELESS 🤣🤣

As someone who's used to arguing both side of the story, I can totally relate to his one-man Jekyll/Hyde show where he's debating multiple conflicting issues at the same time, like a crazy person!

But even if he thinks his feelings of love for HJ are fake, the straightforward way he EXPRESSES his "love" is 100% REAL, and not a product of any spell.

This is the REAL Jang Shin Yu when he's in love. Forget the cool and unfathomable lawyer who's dating Na Yeon - he's a total cute mong mong 🐶 puppy who: (spoilers ahead) +

So true about just needing someone to ask if we're okay once in a while!! 🥰

Yes, I see HJ as someone who's had to become strong and self-reliant out of necessity, but she hasn't let that make her prickly or jaded.

She's still got a hopeful and optimistic outlook (without being TOO overly bright and bubbly, thank god), she can observe and appreciate even the small kind gestures and good points of people around her (like when she said the Protester Ahjussi wasn't someone who's likely to throw acid - it's probably just cider), and most impressively, she's able to show her vulnerable side to people who are open to seeing it.

I'm with Team #Protect Hongjo!! 💪😆

Totally agree!!

She's no pushover - you gotta have GRIT to be a civil servant - and she doesn't back down one single inch with Shin Yu!! (don't blame her - he left a VERY bad first impression. The least he could've done was call 911! plus she's got good reason to be suspicious of his character, given his choice of GF)

She also doesn't fall for Na Yeon's fake apology or tears, and she's not the slightest bit interested in compromising her self-respect to pander to Miss Rich Bitch to increase her own popularity or social standing, even when she's almost starving from loneliness.

She tries her best at her job, treats her (thankless) clients with sincerity, and doesn't even resent her co-workers for their petty attitude. She's got guts, integrity and principles.

However, after all her experiences, she's been conditioned to believe that's just how things are for her. But she's not bitter about it - she keeps trying and actively reaches out for new friends and chances. I think it's pretty brave of her to be so open about her feelings towards Jae Kyung, in the circumstances.

I wouldn't bet on it (about the spell being lifted) - none of her spells have gone according to plan so far! 🤣🤣

yes, he knows by social convention standards that the "goddess" is the luxury brand item ... but in his gut he can't help reacting to Hong-jo who's the real deal - even if no-one else realises it yet. Their connection goes way beyond the spell book, for sure.

Unfortunately, I feel like the SML is also involved in their past connection ...

I'm loving Rowoon's Jekyll/Hyde character here!! The contrast between his lofty lawyer persona and his defenseless cute puppy character is just too good!!!

I think the key point is that the eps show him having a reaction while driving WHEN she was casting the Love spell - BEFORE he even drank the potion next day at the office. That's why he drove into those flower pots 😆

So I think the story's pointing towards them having a destined connection that goes BEYOND the spell itself ... probably something to do with their intertwined past lives, and that's why the shaman lady sees blood in HJ's life ...

But even before the spell, Shin Yu's interest was definitely piqued by HJ's sassiness and persistence, and the fact that she found him annoying, not attractive!

I get your point. I'm enjoying the show, but I do have a slight problem with how much interest the ML had in the FL prior to the spell, and how quickly he changed his attitude.

But the eps show him having a reaction while driving WHEN she was casting the Love spell - BEFORE he even drank the potion next day at the office. That's why he drove into those flower pots 😆

So I think the story's pointing towards them having a destined connection that goes BEYOND the spell itself ... probably something to do with their intertwined past lives, and that's why the shaman lady sees blood in HJ's life ...

Yes, it's not mentioned in the synopsis, but in a way, the FL is also under a Curse.

No-one has ever really seen how sweet and beautiful a person she is, like the shaman said. They all judge her by her background, or her mistakes, or some other external factor. So no-one really knew how much she suffered from a young age, or how lonely she's been.

Shin Yu knows part of it, and that's why he's drawn to her. He thinks she's not his match in terms of specs, status, social standing etc, but in his gut he knows she's more genuine than anyone else he's met.

yep, and why HJ is the "Chosen One"

Yep. She called out HJ just to cry crocodile tears and tell her she "didn't realise" that she'd lost her dad? OH PUHLEEZ.
Truth is, she never even thought about it until she thought she could use HJ for something again!
Can't wait until her true character is exposed! (incl her past one, if any!)

Yeah, I'm also curious since it's disappeared lately. Guess we'll find out more when their past connection pops up and we find out more about the book of spells and the family curse.