John Smith

We have gotten a few scenes showing how much the FL means to him and what he does to care for her. I hope that in the remaining episodes, we see some moments from the FL that show how much he means to her. I think because they are both strong and stubborn people who seem to thrive on keeping things to themselves, actions will speak louder than words in how their relationship blossoms.

The article, his statement, and just about everything surrounding the situation is missing not just some stuff, but a lot of stuff. You can just read the comment section to know that you are not the only one who missed some stuff. We are given a small piece of information, so all we are really capable of is giving hot takes, not really informed opinions. That is what articles on such topics seem to encourage. This is a site for lovers of Asian drama. I do not expect much more than that.

I definitely can understand how the FL looks when she says and does things that hurt the ML. I think if she knew how close the ML and her grandmother were and how close they are from childhood, I think it would not have been that bad. I think she was hurt by the sudden death and by the secrets kept, which is why she reacted so strongly. She still interacted with him. She went to meet a friend and business partner. She shut the "more than friends" door to her ex clearly. I know I might be in the minority that feel the FL is reacting about as well as you could expect in the circumstances. I do think that once he shares more with her, that is when we will see the payoff of them as a couple. Maybe a few more hurdles, but if the previous two episodes are any indication, we are on our way to a happy ending and some sweet moments to make all the previous bittersweet ones more palatable.

I think that is not what he was apologizing for. He explained his version of events that happened, but seemed to apologize more for the events of the previous year where he denied what happened. That is how I read it.

Why does she need to feel guilty as if she is doing something wrong? Having secrets creates distrust even amongst the closest of people. He also constantly makes decisions for her and rarely explains his actions in a way she can understand. In the episode where she blamed him for the kidnapping, that was pretty short. If you have seen the most recent episodes (21 and 22), you will see that he still has the habit of trying to force decisions on her. He is also learning she is tougher than he thinks. When he shares their burden (like in these episodes), their relationship and interactions are much better, maybe borderline sweet.

I have completed episode 20, and while the ex-boyfriend came back, he wanted to get back, and he helped her in his own way, she is firm in her stance that they are over and can just be friends or business partners. I think she has accepted the ML pretty early since she has not gotten a divorce. There are scenes sprinkled though the drama that makes it clear she likes the ML. It is also clear that she has problems with his secrets. I think the whole thing is done in a way that does not drag the drama overall.
There is no twenty-one year old scuba diving, Olympic fencing champion CEO who bullies board members three times his age, nor is there a clumsy, cute girl who before meeting said CEO never had a boyfriend and now is swarmed by five guys who thinks she is the most beautiful angel ever. No fluff so far, and I do not expect too much in the remaining episodes.

I think because viewers can see the whole chessboard, some might find it hard to empathize with the feelings of the FL. I have commented before that the ML really sets himself up for this type of treatment, and yet he does nothing to alleviate the problems. He has his own issues to work through too, and maybe in this last third of the drama, they can both come together and heal.

There is romance between the leads, just not the romantic comedy drama type that you might see in the 24 episode dramas. No fluff and swoon here, unless it is over the adorable cat.

In theory, he (or his team) could have done that to get ahead of any future situation. You notice he mentioned that it was a mixture of allegations that were not true, and things that he did. He never went into any real detail about the incident, just events surrounding it. He could hide any future truth under misunderstandings that might only see the light of day if there were forced out in the open again. I read it more as a crafted work that was as general as possible while saying as little as possible. It was speckled with enough details to make it seem like he was addressing the situation. I do think that statement was meant for everyone but the victim. I hope they can remedy the situation between them in a way that is beneficial for all involved. In my court (of my private public opinion), I am sending this to arbitration in hopes of a settlement unless new information comes to light.

I also think another important point to note is that he denied it, having his lawyer make a statement about his innocence. Then admitting to that particular incident a year after.

I wish he would pick a side. Selfish or noble. I suppose that is why things did not work out in the first place with the FL.

I think that fans tend to think that actors are perfect and that even if they make mistakes, there was a reason behind it, or that they took care of it the right way. Regardless of what happened, it serves to show that everyone is human, even actors. As in most situations, I hope that everything can be resolved in a way that is positive and beneficial to both parties, and that everyone else can accept that.

I do think his secrets and misunderstandings are actually pointless to some extent. If the FL had no clue about her grandmother's declining health, I could understand keeping it a secret so that she could enjoy her time with her grandmother without obsessing over her health. She knows something is wrong and when she finds out, it will not be good for the ML. The same thing goes for his past and becoming her bodyguard. She has already been kidnapped and attacked, so it seems she is in more danger from not knowing then the problems that would arise from her actually knowing what is going on. It is a drama, so if everyone behaved as adults, did the right thing, and you know... communicated, a good 10 episodes might have been taken off. Too many dramas attempt to make drama by having one lead (usually the ML) treat the other (FL) as if they cannot chew bubble gum and walk at the same time. In this drama, has there been any indication that the FL cannot handle two things at once? She is a CEO in her 30s, not some naive teen. I think she can cope and deal with serious issues.

He does seem to go out of his way to keep secrets and let misunderstanding linger regardless of his intentions. I am not saying he deserves all the blame, but he surely does not go out of his way to avoid it.

Variety is the spice of life. I like having different dramas to watch depending on what I have already seen and my current mood. I am enjoying this drama, but also like those fluffy ones as well.

I have seen My Dear Guardian, and really liked the main couple. I liked the drama overall. I think My Dear Guardian suffered from trying to be too ambitious, whereas The Lion's Secret is succeeding in telling a grand story while maintaining its cozy feel.

There is a big difference between dramas like this one with leads in their mid-30s versus the 24 episode romantic comedies populated by leads in their 20s. I am not saying one is better than the other, just appreciating all the ways dramas can portray romance.

I am not quite sure how this drama will avoid that, but I also hope for a path where the leads can stay together.

I do think that all the characters have some work to do on their actions and behavior, and one of the good things so far is that all the characters are developing. I think the familiar tropes that are present in this drama are done much better than other dramas. This is one drama where I hope they can delay the actual romance for awhile longer. Some dramas bring the leads together only to immediately put them at odds again. I would prefer once they decide to hold hands that they never let go.

I think the SFL can be difficult to understand at times, but it seems she is getting better the further along the story goes. I think the ML is probably very happy with the FL, and realized pretty early on that they both have issues to work though. The ML (and SML) probably get most of the praise, but to say the ML is too good for the FL is a bit far-fetched. She is beautiful (that should be obvious), smart (CEO of the company), rich (butler, dietician, big car and house), tolerant (she has not kicked him out), understanding (she lets him do his thing even when she does not know what it is)... need I go on? It is not like the ML does not have faults, but they have been shown in a more heroic (if that makes sense) way.
I am happy that we are halfway through, and the story is still moving pretty smooth. I do think that with somewhat stubborn female leads and heroic/noble male leads, there is always a potential for angst and noble idiocy. The drama has done pretty well in dealing with the usual tropes (it is a drama) that have dragged down other dramas I have seen, and I hope this is the case the rest of the way.