Let the curse of Taekwondo be Free, at last.

I have never been happier to see someone find their peace and happiness after enduring so much pain in the past. The overwhelming joy that the character redemptions in this episode bring is beyond words. Hyeonho’s journey to find the closure he deserves, being able to confess his feelings and articulate how he has truly felt for Dohae all these years, is portrayed in a way that evokes empathy. Although I was initially annoyed by his presence, understanding all he has done for Dohae—remaining by his side and expressing love in the way he knows best—feels very authentic and makes perfect sense. I do wish for him to treat himself with kindness moving forward, and I hope he finds the love and care he deserves as well.This episode strikes me as exceedingly sweet and endearing, as the main character and the male lead have acknowledged and addressed all their issues. They’ve made the right choices and corrected their mistakes like any decent human being would, breaking the cycle of generational trauma in the best ways they can. Even if it means starting over or facing consequences, it’s heartwarming to see that when they begin anew, their love and care for each other feel even sweeter and happier this time. I’m thrilled that after confronting all these problems, they’ve managed to get back on track and have another chance at love. This time, they can love each other more freely and even dare to dream bigger.And of course, what is a creation by Hwang Daseul without a character discovering the love they’ve missed while running away? The way Dohae was reading the blogs and questions posted by Juyeong from back then serves as a beautiful reminder that he has indeed found his person. Juyeong has sincerely loved him all along, finding ways to express that love—from the MP3 music to listen to while studying, to creating fake snow, and simply making someone happy—Juyeong has been genuine and caring for him. I’m so glad he found Dohae, and I sincerely hope they can continue to love each other for as long as possible.

Read More

And if I didn't become the best version of me, would you still love me?

It left me quite puzzled when Juyeong sought out Dohae last time, just to apologize and mend things between them. I realize that Juyeong is the one who would do anything to ensure their reconciliation, but he truly went above and beyond this time. He even tried his best to conceal that he was already aware of Dohae's lies. I was touched when Juyeong said, "Whoever you are, whatever version of yourself it may be, or whoever you've become, I like them all." That sentiment is such a powerful testament to his love for Dohae, and I find it incredibly beautiful. Juyeong is such a kind-hearted person; despite being abandoned throughout his life, he knows only how to love sincerely. I genuinely admire him—despite the harshness of life, he has grown up to be kind and loving, which is no easy feat, yet he has managed to overcome it. I’m so proud of him, and because of him, I truly believe that love and kindness exist.The reason for Dohae's disappearance for over a decade sparked a lot of discussions; people were eager to understand why he left and what could justify it. In this episode, his reason was so realistic and beautifully articulated that I found it hard to be angry with him. He dreamed of a peaceful life, wanting to be different from his father and the environment he grew up in, but ultimately, he struggled to pass the college entrance exam after several attempts. Throughout his youth, he endured violence from his father and bullying at school while harboring big dreams. He longed for success, but in the end, he felt like he failed, even resorting to faking his credentials and living a lie. After everything, how could he face Juyeong or anyone from his past? He created a version of himself that was accepted and loved in the lies he spun, which felt like the dream life he had always wanted, even if it wasn't entirely real. However, I can understand the embarrassment and guilt that must have weighed on Dohae. Juyeong endured so much pain at the hands of his father, only for it to culminate in Dohae faking his achievements. Juyeong suffered through those years only to find that success eluded Dohae. I get it; I truly do. At first, I thought Dohae just wanted to bury his painful past, but this added layer is heartbreaking. I just want to give him a comforting hug. Even though he made misguided choices, he has been through so much and didn’t deserve any of it.Lastly, I want to highlight how Juyeong approached the situation. Instead of questioning Dohae, he simply wanted him to know that he would stand by him no matter what. Juyeong believes in and trusts Dohae, promising to be there for him regardless of the circumstances. In the end, Juyeong remained selfless, embodying love and care. In moments like these, what matters most is that Dohae allows him to be by his side, for that’s the true essence of love. Thanks to Juyeong's genuine love, the obstacles and challenges facing Dohae become clearer, allowing his big dreams and aspirations for a better life to suddenly make sense. With Juyeong's support, Dohae can confront his issues and his past, addressing the nightmares and troubles that have been holding him back. I truly believe that this prepares him to embrace love fully and reciprocate Juyeong's feelings in a meaningful way this time.

Read More

Loving someone also means you have to love the new version of them

This episode is a painful reminder of how one person can move past their trauma, choosing to leave everything behind and become their best self, while the other is left waiting for answers, unable to move on. I can see that Dohae is trying to move forward, giving hints to Juyeong, but it feels like they’re no longer on the same page. And then there’s Hyeonho, whose presence adds even more complexity to their situation. They haven’t even resolved their past issues, yet they already have another one to confront. I need to know more about why Hyeonho is still part of the picture, but it seems this will be addressed in future episodes.This episode is bittersweet—like trying to fix something without fully understanding what’s broken. And that bed scene...it was one of the saddest I’ve ever seen. I never imagined an intimate scene could feel so devastating and heartbreaking. I hope they both find the closure they need to finally move forward.

Read More

Learning about your own sexuality is a painful journey

The show’s setting in a time when homosexuality is still taboo deeply shapes Yumeno's journey. While people gossip about others' lives, some go to great lengths to hide their true selves for the sake of social acceptance. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating to think about how many have concealed themselves just to be accepted. The fact that the fear of social rejection can overpower someone’s desire to love is profoundly sad. Society’s standards influence Yumeno’s dreams of love, and facing reality is daunting. Growing up with these restrictions means that defying them requires immense courage—a courage he may not yet have at his age.I wanted so much to comfort Mishima; he deserves unwavering love and freedom from doubt. He deserves certainty, though I know that’s not easy. Thankfully, he has Kirino, and I hope the future brings them both happiness.

Read More

What if the person you're waiting for changed so much?

After 12 years of waiting for Dohae, Juyeong has many questions and concerns that need answers. They were separated on what should have been their most joyful, hopeful day—a day meant to bring them together but tore them apart, leaving each to wonder how that fateful moment might have shattered the other's life.While I understand Dohae’s desire to leave the past behind and move on as if nothing happened, I also see how essential it is for Juyeong to receive the explanation he deserves. Yet from this perspective, I can’t help but feel empathy for Dohae. A past haunts him, he’s desperate to escape, having grown up in a household where love and success came through relentless violence from his father. I understand why he’d want to avoid anything that brings back those painful memories; for some, moving forward and burying the past is easier than confronting it. I hope Dohae finds the peace he deserves. After everything he endured in his youth, he should be surrounded by people who love him genuinely. While this will require patience, I believe Juyeong will find the strength to reconnect and be there for him.At the same time, I hope Dohae realizes that Juyeong needs and deserves answers. I hope he comes to see that with Juyeong, he’s safe—that he can be vulnerable, and together, they can address the things he’s been running from. Only then can Juyeong love him the way he deserves and, in return, allow himself to love Juyeong fully too.

Read More