Short Episode Analysis

I actually wanted to wait for the last episode to drop before coming here in hopes that the last episode would be salvageable however I could not wait any longer and had to lament my disappointment with the director and the writer, not because I did not get the ending that I wanted but rather because the pacing was off for it to end in such way. There were also so many questions unanswered, and visual cues disregarded --- or perhaps intentionally added to divided the viewers thus focusing on the love story --- that further amplified my disappointment considering how I am a fan of their works, and how many missed opportunities for growth could have been there instead hence giving viewers actual life lessons that we could get. Nevertheless, I am thankful that I got to discover this analysis which contains lessons in regards to the art of film making in KDramas that I will take as a lesson when watching other shows. 

Thank you journeying with me :D

Episode 16, Final Thoughts:

So we have finally reached the end and I'd be lying if I said the ending was satisfying. However, I'd also be lying if I claimed it was downright unsalvagable or disappointing. I think the ending was okay. Could it have been better? Certainly. But honestly, it could've also been way worst.  

Perhaps the most problematic aspect here is not that Dal Mi decided to stay with Do San. Instead, the problem is how they got together (through a lie that was never properly dealt with), why they got together (Do San was still so focused on filling in the shoes of Dal Mi's first love --that's made clear when he refused to return the letters-- that we never got to see him really embrace his own identity, or even find it to begin with!) and what they aspire to be (wanting to be someone's trophy should never be a life goal!).

While the construction of the romance was problematic, the absence of consequences and the minimization of mistakes are marks of bad writing. Why have characters face problems if the writer will keep them safe from the consequences via cop-outs, plot armor, and/or having those consequences happen off-screen? Characters are supposed to face problems and make mistakes so they can learn, adapt, and grow.

Out of all the characters, Do San faced the most problems but had the least growth. The very fact that his identity crisis was never fully addressed and dealt with is perhaps the biggest disservice his character got.

I think the best thing this drama did was to showcase some beautiful family moments. It also gave us some beautifully written characters we got to enjoy whenever they stepped on-screen (Han Ji Pyeong, Grandma, and, to a lesser extent because she had little screentime, In Jae). I also absolutely enjoyed comparing and contrasting Do San with Ji Pyeong --not to see who was better, but to see how similar they were despite their differences. I hoped they would've established some sort of friendship after the halfway mark, but Do San never matured enough to make it happen.

I also think In Jae's reason for only waiting until now (Episode 16) to meet Grandma was beautiful. Too bad it happened so late, as I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing we'd get to see more bonding moments between those two.

Last but not least let's talk about Ji Pyeon and his ending. I was expecting something really sad with him because I read some of the comments before watching the last episode. I braced for the worst but was pleasantly surprised at his ending.

Yes, I agree that forcing him into the group via a semi-cop-out (his company wanting to invest in Dal Mi's) was not well executed. However, we got to see not only a sweet moment with Grandma basically saying that they are family (I wished she's come out and called him son, though), but then we get that scene with him investing in a GREAT cause. WHY, oh WHY did it not happen sooner?!

I would've loved to see HJP pouring some of his love and nourishment into a startup that aligned so much with his own life. One with whom he will resonate. I wanted to see him take some people under his wing, giving other orphans an opportunity similar to the one fate bestowed upon him when he met Grandma. I was so happy though that we get an open ending where we know he'll flourish and be fulfilled helping that startup change people's lives! Who knows, maybe we get a special episode with only him and that CEO?

I think Ji Pyeong encompasses and embraces the healthiest message I've seen in a K-Drama... love is selfless and kind. Love doesn't need other's acknowledgment, it just gives and expects nothing in return. And Ji Pyeong, alongside that CEO, will certainly plant a garden of nourishment and love. And for that alone, this drama is worth a watch.

My final rating: 8/10, Read my review here.

With that, thank you all for sharing your thoughts and discussing the drama with me. It was fun!

 ST3C4N:

Ademas de lo que has dicho de NDS que estoy de acuerdo, NUNCA me gusto que si SDM le hubiera dicho o se hubiera enterado de que la abuela tenia CANCER estoy seguro que NDS también hubiera encontrado la cura contra en cancer,

Hahahaha no puedo, que bueno que no estaba tomando mi café cuando leí eso. Aunque me da mucha risa tu comentario, estoy de acuerdo. Creo que quisieron poner a Do San al principio muy losersillo para darnos a un hombre principal que sobresale por estar definido por su falta de éxito (algo super raro en Kdramas). Sin embargo, cuando nos movemos a la segunda mitad, solo vemos éxito tras éxito. Como si fuera poco, el script nos recuerda por medio de comentarios entre personajes que Do San es SUPER inteligente. 

Siento que la regaron sobre todo con el personaje de Do San. Quisieron hacer algo diferente al principio pero luego nos dieron el cookie-cutter ML. Completo con sus escenas en donde llega y rescata a la doncella. 

Porque, así como decidieron hacer a Do San el típico ML, también cambiaron a una FL interesante por una muchacha que necesita a Do San para funcionar... :/

 ST3C4N:

Otra cosa que me molesto en el capitulo 10 con las cartas es que cuando SDM descubre la verdad y en eso estoy de acuerdo contigo, ella necesita TIEMPO Y ESPACIO (algo que NDS ni el escritor le dio). Yo queria ver CONSECUENCIAS pero obviamente no es lo que yo quiero sino lo que el escritor me dio.

Fijate que lamentablemente esta no es la primera vez en donde un escritor de Kdramas introduce un SUPER buen mensaje (llenisimo de sentido) y despuésito se contradice, lo minimiza o lo nulifica con acciónes que no concuerdan con ese mensaje. Me recordó mucho a Itaewon Class. En donde el ML le pide a la FL que lo deje de molestar con constantes confesiones durante tiempo de trabajo, puesto que lo incomodan. Y como no... eso es akin a sexual harassment casi. Pero ese mensaje lo nulifican al siguiente capitulo, en donde el ML se da cuenta que en verdad si la quiere hahaha.

 ST3C4N:

Tampoco me gustan las contradicciones constantes que vemos en 16 capítulos (lo que NDS le dice a su padre de su relación y lo que le dice SDM sobre su TROFEO) EN muchas ocasiones le gritaba al tv (ajajja)

Para serte honesta, hubo muchas escenas entre SDM y NDS (que solo eran montajes "sweet") que las adelante hahaha. Las vi en cachitos porque es un romance al que no me pude suscribir.

Y es que, otra vez volvemos al personaje más mal escrito --Do San. Porque al principio hasta nos hace hincapie en que el no se siente cómodo con trajes. Que a el le gusta vestirse con sus camisas de cuadritos. Oye, pues eso esta perfecto... Pero luego del time-skip me lo traes vestido como Steve Jobs y me dices que ese es su verdadero "el"? 

Hay gente a la que no le gustan los trajes. Y cuando son programadores, menos se visten así. Mejor nos hubieran dicho que a Do San SI LE GUSTAN los trajes. Pero que el quiere vestirse con un traje que el haya trabajado en comprarse. Y entonces, ah, ya tiene sentido. 

A lo que voy es que no fuiste el único que se estreso con las inconsistencias. 

 ST3C4N:

bueno creo que has sido demasiado amable con el 8 de historia yo le daría un 5, nunca entendí que me quiso contar el escritor a lo largo de 16 capítulos, ciertamente estoy decepcionado.

Posiblemente si. Y es que como quiera el personaje de HJP se me hizo tan maravilloso, que fue por el y como lo escribieron que no puedo darle menos de 8. La abuela también la escribieron super bien. La más grande falla fue el romance. 

Creo que si la escritora hubiera hecho que HJP se volviese pinche contra los principales; o petty, pues. Bueno pues ahí si le hubiera bajado bastante puntos. Al final creo que las fallas de Do San fueron también bien pensada, pero no explico porque nunca maduró como personaje o cambio para bien. A mi me encantan los personajes con fallas, pero tiene que haber algo redimible y una aceptación de esas fallas que ciertamente no ocurrió con Do San.

PD: También estoy viendo KAIROS y hasta ahorita me esta gustando. Pero aún más me esta gustando "Uncanny Counter".