Do writers have contracts for a set number of scripts? Are we coming to the end of any good will he earned from…
@adalia—I'm actually worried that they'll cut the episodes. It's the worst when directors are forced to salvage the show with whatever they've already shot. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If the ratings force an early end, I hope the characters (and cast) are allowed a dignified and coherent end!
For me, JUNG YU-JIN is Mac ’n Cheese served on fine china. He is Joo-in’s comfort food—her childhood favorite.…
OTP: One True Pair. I've noticed Chinese netizens also using the term CP when discussing couple chemistry.
As a User Experience Designer/Researcher, I've observed that highest levels of satisfaction are relative. My 100 might be your 90. I do like the notion that there should be room for growth and change.
If her old friend is like a beloved, comfortable sweater, perhaps Joo-in's looking for something that makes her feel equally cozy but challenged at the same time.
I also like your point about the honeymoon phase. Do you find the majority of dramas focusing on the honeymoon phase of love? It's either the beginning or the meltdown. I should try to find more programs about long-term couples navigating the challenges of life and sticking together. One of my college friends has a father who has married/divorced 9 or 10 times. (Her mom was marriage #2.) She said of her father, "He loves falling in love but he can't sustain the work."
Re. the preview, I'll be ready for the tears! Even though this show is going off the rails, the writing for the mothers is consistently good. Those actresses are really bringing it!
Do writers have contracts for a set number of scripts? Are we coming to the end of any good will he earned from…
Agreed, the cast deserves our pity.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's been some script interference too. Perhaps too many cooks stirring the stew, desperate to jack up the ratings. But I'll bet a dollar it's mostly writer-nim who's lost his mojo.
I think the Bi Soo's birth secret was hinted at in an earlier episode, although I misinterpreted it as him having…
@thanhpi—Thanks for checking!
I'm curious how it's all connected. Bi-soo's parents have been together 40 years (Ep. 5, 25:24). It looks like their status was always "complicated." I think Bi-soo around 33. The record store owner met 18-year-old Bi-soo who was distraught after discovering dad's infidelity (Ep. 7, 11:06). In an earlier episode, did Mom mention 15 years of estrangement?
This drama sure love creating problems out of nowhere. One episode he's saying he'll like her forever and the…
Do you dare make any predictions for next week?
If anyone had predicted a birth secret, I would have protested the absurdity. "Nah, too much."
After Ep. 9, I wonder if is this meant to be satire. If so, writer-nim needs to lean into it harder. With the exception of certain scenes, writer-nim comes across as being too lazy and too indifferent to care.
What is wrong with the writer? What are you doing with the show? I'm so frustrated. I was thinking that things…
Do writers have contracts for a set number of scripts? Are we coming to the end of any good will he earned from penning the 2014 remake FATED TO LOVE YOU? (That was directed one of the best directors in dramaland, Kim Hee Won. She's now directing VINCENZO!)
The reviews for 2020's LONELY ENOUGH TO LOVE suggest that using ALL the tropes are his specialty. I imagine this script is discouraging for the director too. It's her first solo PD show. How much control does a PD have over fixing scripts? Or is she making it worse?
Episode 8! I'm beginning to doubt my sanity for sticking with this show. I'm not even sure if this counts as good…
For me, JUNG YU-JIN is Mac ’n Cheese served on fine china. He is Joo-in’s comfort food—her childhood favorite. He’s affectionate but overly polished and cringe-inducingly obsessed with the past. As Joo-in later remarked to her road manager, “I’d give Yu-jin a score of 100. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the best score … There’s nothing I can add to it. No surprises.” (41:52)
BI-SOO represents new love, one that’s both cozy and heart-fluttering. He is the woodland daffodil to Yu-jin’s cliché roses. As someone who vacillates between uptight and low-key, Bi-soo still manages to be utterly charming and genuinely delight her. Even if she doesn’t choose him, he’ll respect her choice and be grateful that she makes him “look forward to tomorrow.” (51:46). The next morning,Joo-in hasn't had time to articulate her evaluation of Bi-soo, but her secret thoughts are scored with the syncopated groove that plays only for the OTP (53:02).
Many of us have lamented the whole 2ML arc. I theorized yesterday that Yu-jin might still be a potential partner but he’s not the right man for the moment. His current role is to support Joo-in.
The other important purpose of supporting characters is to CONTRAST the lead characters. Living with Joo-in has transformed Bi-soo’s writing, revealing a funnier, romantic side. (8:49) Her old friend, on the other hand, just pined away in Paris for 14 years, commemorating his first love through his art. He had no dreams beyond “having” Joo-in. (38:27) Fourteen years in Paris and all has to show for it is handful of pictures? *forehead slap*
Looking ahead to Ep. 9 (and that—oh FFS—damn trope), I have no f*ing idea where this show is going. At the very least, I hope Bi-soo takes a key lesson from the moms: Don’t push your friends away!
Episode 8! I'm beginning to doubt my sanity for sticking with this show. I'm not even sure if this counts as good trash. At least I'm still enjoying Nana and LMK together on screen so far. And the moms are still interesting and complicated.
The WORST: Another f*ng trope shoehorned right at the very end. Should we add a SATIRE tag?
The BEST: The halo of light behind Bi-soo’s head while he pasted flowers on the door and the camping date. Most importantly, her suitors reveal key differences:
Less than 10 episodes left and its hard to continue watching. The storyline is getting boring in the way it presents…
@SUNNY—Cryptic English translations is right! Last week, I submitted a couple subtitle changes via iQIYI's interface. I was tired of seeing the prince's name as "Benefit" instead of Zhao Shouyi. Then I gave up. Although occasionally hilarious, the sifting through machine translation is exhausting.
Is iQIYI cleaning up the transcripts or is it the audience? For example, Ep. 44 (14:10) was originally: "Canadian dollar service starting on auspicious day of the month." Today, that line is "This is bestowed on you on this day of happiness."
What supernatural element? I've watched all the episodes released. Did I miss something?
Indeed! It felt random for the longest time because the story just dropped it! Ep. 7 was only the third time we see the Man in White (Ep. 7, 18:36 opposite side of the street.).
My current theory is that Bi-soo and Joo-in both have to learn from their mothers: -Love deeply -Lean on your friends -There's more to life than work. -Be open to new love, even after you've lost a great love.
@jjonghaos — Agreed. It's absolutely possible to like or even two or people at the same time. There's no denying…
Yes! You might be right on the gender discrepancy! The frustration towards Joo-in might be a combination of irritation at the 2-lovers trope AND her liking them both. IRL, I have male and female friends who've experienced this dilemma. I don't envy them.
Like many of you, I'm frustrated by the love geometry. But, I have a theory about the SML’s true role here and…
My half-baked theory at the moment is that the two moms represent different aspects of the ML, FL, and SML.
HAN BI-SOO After discovering his father’s betrayal, Bi-soo has thrown himself into his work. He has no room for close friendships outside of his professional network and doesn’t pursue romantic love—even in his dramas.
What does he need to learn from his mother? * Work isn’t everything. Love and friendships are equally important. * Open your heart to love. After losing her fiancé in an accident, Mom accepted a loveless marriage with Bi-soo’s dad. * Lean on your friends. Bi-soo’s mom irrationally cut off her friendship after losing her love. She didn’t ask for support and she wasn’t there for her friend when Joo-in’s dad died. (Coincidentally, she did help the family by buying the house.)
What can he learn from Joo-in’s mother? * Love deeply. We never know how long love can last but a great love is worth the loss. * Live in the moment. Despite her Alzheimer's, Joo-in's mother retains her dignity and agency. If we take Bi-soo’s visions at face value, he’s living under the Sword of Damocles. The Man in White has told him some version of, “I’m here to save your life. You are going to die.” (See Ep. 1, 16:21 after TOD; Ep. 2, 15:14 in the lobby; Ep. 7, 18:36 glimpsed across the street/flashback.)
OH JOO-IN Joo-in is talented and has focused entirely on work and caring for her mother. She finally bought back her family home and is now ready for new acting challenges. This being an extra tropey drama, she’s also suddenly presented with two romantic options: a beloved old friend and an intriguing new man who really gets her.
What can she learn from her own mom? * Love deeply. * Live in the moment.
What can she learn from Bi-soo’s mom? * Don’t cut off your friendships in time of need. If she chooses Bi-soo (and the Man in White is right), she’ll need the support of her friends. * If you lose your love, be open to loving again. Don’t make the mistake of choosing security over love.
JUNG YU-JIN Yu-jin’s close friendship with Joo-in mirrors the one between the two moms (with romantic desire.) The writer has taken pains to show the SML’s kindness and life-long devotion to Joo-in. I think his lessons come from observing what NOT to do. He is the key to “fixing” the mistakes the older generation made.
Do the opposite of what the moms did: * Support your friends * Don’t settle for a loveless relationship
Perhaps he does have a future with Joo-in. Only, he’s not the man for the moment. Maybe his time will come LATER, after Joon-in and Bi-soo have their time together.
His role is to be the friend she needs. To love and cherish Joo-in without expectation and to help her find love again.
If Bi-soo’s time is limited, we’ll probably have a TIME SKIP (gawd, I hate those) and get a glimpse of Joo-in opening her heart to her best friend.
This is just a guess. The show doesn’t want to be a simple romance so I’m imagining a different framework for understanding why writer-mini is forcing the 2ML—beyond being shill for product placement.
Like many of you, I'm frustrated by the love geometry. But, I have a theory about the SML’s true role here and how the mothers’ experiences foreshadow possible futures for all three romantic partners.
[Spoilers for past episodes and delusional guesses about what might come next:]
I've wondered if I'm missing something culturally relevant about the dynamics and joys of "it's raining MEN!!!"…
As others have lamented, there's A LOT going on here. In addition to the love triangle, we've got the moms (who I love), and the mysterious TOD man in white. Aish ... I fear writer-nim has given our boy a blood clot ready to go at just the right time!
I could say I'm disappointed, but in the end she said she likes Bi Soo and she showed it too :) I think she's…
The mothers story lines are exceptionally compelling—somehow my eyes always end up extra shiny during their scenes. I have so much respect for Bi-soo's mom divorcing her husband and I'm also puzzled about what she knows or doesn't know.
I've thought a lot about when reconciliation (or even just telling the truth) is worth it vs. just "moving on." Bi-soo has spent 15 years (almost half of his life!) despising his father. The day he discovered his father's infidelity is the day he met the record store owner. It's like he switched out a shitty father for a kinder, less-demanding father figure.
I'll continue to watch with curiosity how (or if) the father confesses his sins. Personally, I don't think he needs to do it for his wife. (They're divorced now, at this point.) But it might be cathartic and healing for him to apologize to Bi-soo and acknowledge his shortcomings.
As a User Experience Designer/Researcher, I've observed that highest levels of satisfaction are relative. My 100 might be your 90. I do like the notion that there should be room for growth and change.
If her old friend is like a beloved, comfortable sweater, perhaps Joo-in's looking for something that makes her feel equally cozy but challenged at the same time.
I also like your point about the honeymoon phase. Do you find the majority of dramas focusing on the honeymoon phase of love? It's either the beginning or the meltdown. I should try to find more programs about long-term couples navigating the challenges of life and sticking together. One of my college friends has a father who has married/divorced 9 or 10 times. (Her mom was marriage #2.) She said of her father, "He loves falling in love but he can't sustain the work."
Re. the preview, I'll be ready for the tears! Even though this show is going off the rails, the writing for the mothers is consistently good. Those actresses are really bringing it!
I wouldn't be surprised if there's been some script interference too. Perhaps too many cooks stirring the stew, desperate to jack up the ratings. But I'll bet a dollar it's mostly writer-nim who's lost his mojo.
I'm curious how it's all connected. Bi-soo's parents have been together 40 years (Ep. 5, 25:24). It looks like their status was always "complicated." I think Bi-soo around 33. The record store owner met 18-year-old Bi-soo who was distraught after discovering dad's infidelity (Ep. 7, 11:06). In an earlier episode, did Mom mention 15 years of estrangement?
If anyone had predicted a birth secret, I would have protested the absurdity. "Nah, too much."
After Ep. 9, I wonder if is this meant to be satire. If so, writer-nim needs to lean into it harder. With the exception of certain scenes, writer-nim comes across as being too lazy and too indifferent to care.
The reviews for 2020's LONELY ENOUGH TO LOVE suggest that using ALL the tropes are his specialty. I imagine this script is discouraging for the director too. It's her first solo PD show. How much control does a PD have over fixing scripts? Or is she making it worse?
BI-SOO represents new love, one that’s both cozy and heart-fluttering. He is the woodland daffodil to Yu-jin’s cliché roses. As someone who vacillates between uptight and low-key, Bi-soo still manages to be utterly charming and genuinely delight her. Even if she doesn’t choose him, he’ll respect her choice and be grateful that she makes him “look forward to tomorrow.” (51:46). The next morning,Joo-in hasn't had time to articulate her evaluation of Bi-soo, but her secret thoughts are scored with the syncopated groove that plays only for the OTP (53:02).
Many of us have lamented the whole 2ML arc. I theorized yesterday that Yu-jin might still be a potential partner but he’s not the right man for the moment. His current role is to support Joo-in.
The other important purpose of supporting characters is to CONTRAST the lead characters. Living with Joo-in has transformed Bi-soo’s writing, revealing a funnier, romantic side. (8:49) Her old friend, on the other hand, just pined away in Paris for 14 years, commemorating his first love through his art. He had no dreams beyond “having” Joo-in. (38:27) Fourteen years in Paris and all has to show for it is handful of pictures? *forehead slap*
Looking ahead to Ep. 9 (and that—oh FFS—damn trope), I have no f*ing idea where this show is going. At the very least, I hope Bi-soo takes a key lesson from the moms: Don’t push your friends away!
The WORST: Another f*ng trope shoehorned right at the very end. Should we add a SATIRE tag?
The BEST: The halo of light behind Bi-soo’s head while he pasted flowers on the door and the camping date. Most importantly, her suitors reveal key differences:
Is iQIYI cleaning up the transcripts or is it the audience? For example, Ep. 44 (14:10) was originally: "Canadian dollar service starting on auspicious day of the month." Today, that line is "This is bestowed on you on this day of happiness."
My current theory is that Bi-soo and Joo-in both have to learn from their mothers:
-Love deeply
-Lean on your friends
-There's more to life than work.
-Be open to new love, even after you've lost a great love.
HAN BI-SOO
After discovering his father’s betrayal, Bi-soo has thrown himself into his work. He has no room for close friendships outside of his professional network and doesn’t pursue romantic love—even in his dramas.
What does he need to learn from his mother?
* Work isn’t everything. Love and friendships are equally important.
* Open your heart to love. After losing her fiancé in an accident, Mom accepted a loveless marriage with Bi-soo’s dad.
* Lean on your friends. Bi-soo’s mom irrationally cut off her friendship after losing her love. She didn’t ask for support and she wasn’t there for her friend when Joo-in’s dad died. (Coincidentally, she did help the family by buying the house.)
What can he learn from Joo-in’s mother?
* Love deeply. We never know how long love can last but a great love is worth the loss.
* Live in the moment. Despite her Alzheimer's, Joo-in's mother retains her dignity and agency. If we take Bi-soo’s visions at face value, he’s living under the Sword of Damocles. The Man in White has told him some version of, “I’m here to save your life. You are going to die.” (See Ep. 1, 16:21 after TOD; Ep. 2, 15:14 in the lobby; Ep. 7, 18:36 glimpsed across the street/flashback.)
OH JOO-IN
Joo-in is talented and has focused entirely on work and caring for her mother. She finally bought back her family home and is now ready for new acting challenges. This being an extra tropey drama, she’s also suddenly presented with two romantic options: a beloved old friend and an intriguing new man who really gets her.
What can she learn from her own mom?
* Love deeply.
* Live in the moment.
What can she learn from Bi-soo’s mom?
* Don’t cut off your friendships in time of need. If she chooses Bi-soo (and the Man in White is right), she’ll need the support of her friends.
* If you lose your love, be open to loving again. Don’t make the mistake of choosing security over love.
JUNG YU-JIN
Yu-jin’s close friendship with Joo-in mirrors the one between the two moms (with romantic desire.) The writer has taken pains to show the SML’s kindness and life-long devotion to Joo-in. I think his lessons come from observing what NOT to do. He is the key to “fixing” the mistakes the older generation made.
Do the opposite of what the moms did:
* Support your friends
* Don’t settle for a loveless relationship
Perhaps he does have a future with Joo-in. Only, he’s not the man for the moment. Maybe his time will come LATER, after Joon-in and Bi-soo have their time together.
His role is to be the friend she needs. To love and cherish Joo-in without expectation and to help her find love again.
If Bi-soo’s time is limited, we’ll probably have a TIME SKIP (gawd, I hate those) and get a glimpse of Joo-in opening her heart to her best friend.
This is just a guess. The show doesn’t want to be a simple romance so I’m imagining a different framework for understanding why writer-mini is forcing the 2ML—beyond being shill for product placement.
[Spoilers for past episodes and delusional guesses about what might come next:]
I'll continue watching for now.
I've thought a lot about when reconciliation (or even just telling the truth) is worth it vs. just "moving on." Bi-soo has spent 15 years (almost half of his life!) despising his father. The day he discovered his father's infidelity is the day he met the record store owner. It's like he switched out a shitty father for a kinder, less-demanding father figure.
I'll continue to watch with curiosity how (or if) the father confesses his sins. Personally, I don't think he needs to do it for his wife. (They're divorced now, at this point.) But it might be cathartic and healing for him to apologize to Bi-soo and acknowledge his shortcomings.