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Hm, I haven't thought deeply about this, so these are ill-formed thoughts, but!

I don't see how Lita liking Gorya would change the first 3 points even a little. If Lita liked Gorya, she still wouldn't be afraid of confronting Thyme, would still have everything Thyme's mother values, and would have EVEN MORE to relate to Thyme about lol.

As for Part 4? I don't know whether it actually needs to be a Lita-likes-Thyme setup for Gorya to see how she and Thyme have different lives that don't seem to mesh.

A big big reason I would love this twist is because I don't really want Gorya to doubt her "worthiness" anymore. Episode 8 was a fantastic, beautiful completion of this emotional struggle in Gorya and I'd rather future drama dealt with the reality of their situations, not Gorya feeling less-than. In fact, the more I write this out, the more I hope they don't drag her back into that kind of emotional state.

In my opinion, Lita should always be a monkey wrench thrown into their midst. But the kind of chaos she creates can be her own and if she simply likes Thyme, I won't feel betrayed or anything.

That said, I could absolutely see an amazing arc where Gorya has to struggle with feelings of liking Lita as a friend (because she's nice and cool and who wouldn't?), being jealous of her, and also needing to wrestle with what it means to have those feelings for someone who likes her and navigating how to act around that person.

I've been mulling over a post I want to write about Gorya smacking at Thyme because, to be honest, I think it needs to be acknowledged.

Thyme's violence is unequivocally seen as a bad thing. It is something that needs to and will be overcome. So put that aside

With Gorya, there have been meaningful moments of violence (kicking Thyme with her broken shoe, pushing Ren after he pushed her, dropping Telsa like the trash he is) but they have much overdone her playful smacking of Thyme. Especially in episode 8.

For me, I grew up thinking it was okay for girls to hit boys as a form of flirting. I saw it in media, in the way my friends acted, and how I acted too. It took many years to unlearn this, and so watching Gorya be so cute as she smacks Thyme around (while it does elicit chuckles) makes me slightly uncomfortable.

The 'school as a prison' idea is interesting but I don't see it holding up.

Gorya is not held hostage (emotionally) as she has an amazing system of support with her family and friends.

Gorya doesn't ever fall for Thyme's skewed values and worldview (key component of Stockholm Syndrome as I undersand it).... she affects them. His growth and change of character stems from her pushing back against his perceived values.

If you get to episode 8, you might understand what i mean with the last part a little better.... there is a particularly good scene contrasting Thyme in the first few episodes ("how much to buy your apology?") with the Thyme after he's been influenced by Gorya.

I stand by my comment, but would like to point out that there's no ill will attached to it. If your instinctive reaction is defensiveness, then there isn't much point to continuing a discussion, although I do find your comment about the way you see it differently at different points in time interesting.

Hm. It might be worth interrogating HOW you're watching the show, because you seem to be watching quite shallowly.

Without question, if this situation existed in real life, run. But this set-up is fantasy (four ridiculously attractive, powerful teen boys who rule a school etc.) that has allowed for amazing social commentary and beautiful story-arcs for each character.

Here's a link to one of my favorite discussions (from ep 5) showing the depth of these characters and the storytelling, to help you see what I mean:

https://twitter.com/subway_dates/status/1485132857135669248?t=eh-FgaJzBw4PFysiSIsjBg&s=19

This is by the F4 director, right? Did you watch it before F4?

Oh funny. I was watching Snow Sword Stride and then started F4 and completely dropped it. And then I heard there's going to be a second season so it made me less inclined to go back yet. (Still waiting for that same ML to finish Joy of Life!)

For me, I'd probably have to say either Love and Redemption (sweeping epic Xianxia) or Shining Inheritance (fully a guilty pleasure lol)

Haha, this was also a sneak question to get recommendations and that one looks right up my alley! Adding this one to my list lol thx

Nice! I'm also watching it (and loving it almost too much tbh). Based on your comment above, I thought you might really enjoy the discussions over on the F4 Thailand forum page and I wanted to recommend it to you.

Though, if you aren't caught up in the episodes, be warned that it's full of spoilers! > <

If F4T maintains even 70% of its quality through the final half, it's definitely one of the most worthwhile dramas (quality, intentions, storytelling, etc) that I've ever seen, and one that has me wrapped around its finger. I keep thinking about the show, "what the heck! how did they make HYD into Shakespeare?"

I remember you mentioning The Smile Has Left Your Eyes weeks ago but I didn't realize it was a top 3 for you! (obvs the Korean version lolol)

This question is for people who are LOVING F4 (not just simply enjoying it but week-to-week obsessed with each episode).

What first comes to your mind when asked: if you had to pick 1 favorite drama, what would it be?

Not necessarily a drama you recommend to others, either. Or even your for-sure favorite. Just the drama that first popped into your mind.

I know picking just 1 is hard, so if 2 came to mind, say both!

I'd like to see how similar/dissimilar all our interests are lol

Lol no need to say sorry imo. Objectively you are corect. Though, subjectively people can still like it.

Just wondering, have you watched F4 Thailand?

It is a weird feeling when I think about it, no lie.

I've never been so attached to an airing drama. I've been in this thread since episode 2 and my obsession is still going strong. I wonder how I'll feel about the show at the end. I'm so curious! But enjoying the ride so much too

Lol this is a cute comment.

There absolutely are people out there who love as wholeheartedly as Thyme, though remember it won't always look the same way. :)

I also like how dignified they are too. Even though they are being treated like pawns by Thyme's mom (ruining their business before "negotiating"), they don't come across as a chess piece being knocked down. They've recognized that they are in an even tougher financial spot, and so they go farm. Just like that.

And we get a little reprise of Bright's mid-show ad for the same detergent lol

I almost hate how well integrated into the plot it is. So subversive. I hate advertising and feel very very strongly that it is a hugely negative/problematic aspect of media, yet, credit where it's due, this show is just too creative and smart so that even the PPL makes my jaw drop.

Haha, that scene was perfect! It was just a quick cut to them surrounded by Samsung products joking about a bride price/dowry or whatever. A+ humor. Ridiculously good PPL.

Thyme isn't pursuing Gorya to get her to like him. He knows she likes him. She knows she likes him. This was made pretty obvious in episode 7. More than anything, I think Thyme just wants to show her what kind of a person he is (or, is trying to be). He isn't pressuring her to do more than just count down to his birthday so he can celebrate the moment he gets older with her.

Just because she likes him doesn't mean that she's ready to be in a relationship with him, or that they even *should* be in a relationship together yet, and he's just trying to stay close to her and care for her while she figures her own life out.