[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

Why do I think all this is getting a bit too random..? Suddenly Dong Baek is actively targetted? Like why?

 

And mom....?!

 

Anyway, just wondering aloud that perhaps... Perhaps Hyang Mi is still alive... And just pulling a vanishing act? To get away from the thugs and the death threats thrown her way every other second? The stray cat perhaps still has lives left... Though I know.. it's stretching it a bit...

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

On the subject of Kang Jeong-Ryeol, I just sigh in resignation. He wants control of his life and he misguidedly thinks he could have it if he could control his relationship with Pil-Gu and Dong-Baek as if he deserves it just because of a shared past and blood ties. He doesn't even bother trying to understand Pil-Gu's source of woes: I hurt because my mother is hurt because of me (and vice versa). His is not parenting, he is just "playing dad".  So, I don't want him anywhere near our Ongsan family. I want him to come back to his daughter and redeem himself by not abandoning her and her mom and not repeating his mistakes.

 

 

 

I like how the show informs us about the characters, gives bits and pieces here and there...
 

We kinda know way earlier who the victim already is... that as her life is revealed, her death just gets even more tragic. Even with the geranium bracelet, which had been thrown away, she it picked up -- not stolen -- as a memento from a loved one. She'd been able to survive a cruel world. Yet, when she's finally able to lower her guard and let another see her wounds and... as Gyu-Tae puts it, "live like a human..." her time is up? At least she finally knows and has got herself a home.

 

I've been thinking about Hyang-Mi, the stray cat -- cats have nine lives and she has expended hers. With that said, I have a hunch that Hyang-Mi isn't the Joker's victim. She's dumped far away, which isn't Joker's MO. Yet, with the way the show is structured, the murderer  has got to be the one caught in that last frame of episode 11, ie. the gangster.
 

And I just love how the show shows how family makes or breaks you... or both.

[[Drama 2019] When the Camellia Blooms, 동백꽃 필무렵]

58 minutes ago, 40somethingahjumma said:

I also got the impression from the episode that HM is running away from someone or something. It explains her outsider status. I suppose Copenhagen is as far away she can run from Korea to do that. It explains that odd choice to me in some way. I have to say though that when she's not thieving or scheming, she can almost be wisely perceptive. 

 

Also I thought the Copenhagen bit is a nod to the scandi noir genre as Hyang-Mi's story  is an entirely different genre to Dong-Baek's romcom. And to be honest, right now, I am more interested in Hyang-Mi's. "You are not stupid, are you..." that line, spoken with disgust and despair by Gyu-Tae was just perfect...

[[Drama 2023] Arthdal Chronicles 2, 아스달 연대기 2]

I have a feeling that casting Song Joong-Ki as The One is perhaps to allude that Tree With Deep Root's King Sejong is a descendant of Eun-Som. I'm expecting Han Suk-Gyu to cameo as older Eun-Som.

 

On 6/12/2019 at 9:20 AM, timpa pa said:

Feels more like Final Fantasy or RPG type story more than GOT.

 

I feel it too, like an RPG. And really, any of you who have been dabbling in RPGs will know that even GOT "borrows" a lot from (older) RPG lexicon. I guess this is why I am not bothered at all by the "unconventional" way the story play out: some are summarised and abridged, some are told in detail. I also think that there's an intended confusion as we try to learn and navigate through that world's folktales, fairytales, legends, and recent events, just as the characters do.

 

I do feel the "uneveness" of expositions, which are typical and sadly becoming a plague in saeguk, but here, I found them more tolerable (and hurray for inner monologues! ). So far, I am liking this for the very reason that this doesn't feel like the usual korean dramas. The director, especially, and writers aren't known for that typical k-drama/saeguk.

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

As I read previous pages, I realise the mood dropped because of the possibility of the ex rocking the boat (ship). I have no problem at all. Se-Hee is finally ready to confront his past and move on.

 

 

1 hour ago, wateryroseapple said:

HOPEFULLY he wouldnt act as a noble idiot here. That's the concept I hate the most in kdramas. But there is still a 1% of me that thinks since he doesn't want to hurt her (since that is the reason why he stopped his feelings in the first place) and her working with JM is equivalent to her reaching her dreams, he may back out of their relationship first before JH discovers that JM is his past girlfriend.

4

 

I think when we met Se-Hee for the first time, he was in his 'noble-idiocy' mode. Thank goodness, he's done with it circa week 5. As his personality has shown, once he has decided on something, like embracing this happiness, he won't back out. It's Ji-Ho inflicted with the noble-idiot virus that I'm worried about. Would there be a title "Because this is my first broken heart?"  Let's hope not.

 

 

44 minutes ago, camichi said:

My thoughts about SH ex

I haven’t watched with subs yet but I have the feeling that the ex saw them there.
Usually we use to go to the restroom in a restaurant when we are ready to go (at least me),  the ex was at the restroom before JH arrived.

If I were the ex and enter to a restaurant that reminds me things like that, that bring back those kind of feelings the first thing I would do is go to or look at that table.  

Maybe she recognized JH at the restroom and approached her on purpose to have a near look of the woman that was with SH.

6

 

This really made my day. I am sure Jeong-Min knows Se-Hee has got married and must be curious about his new wife. It would make the "beautiful" remark, when she helps with the other earing (symbolism? that Ji-Ho listens to both sides of the story?), take on a different meaning.

 

I don't think Jeong-Min is still resentful after 12 years. She seems mature and it looks like she treasures the memory. I hope time heals her as well.

 

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

25 minutes ago, 8mel said:

There's possibility that WS and HR's story somehow has certain degree of significant to SH and JM past, but i hope their ending will be different. Though it seems right now that WS and HR are better apart but i hope they can find ways back together.

6

 

Yes. I believe so. There are parallels and mirrors with each strand in this drama. 12 years ago, Se-Hee would have been Won-Seok's age. But I think Jeong-Min might have been the opposite of Ho-Rang.

 

I recalled Se-Hee's father's words when he assessed Ji-Ho (paraphrasing) "You've got good education, you're young, and you aspire to be a writer. Don't writers want to build career first?" Did Father speak also about past experience with the 'other writer' in his son's life who had left?

 

Jeong-Min and Se-Hee may have agreed to marry but they were still young and dependent on his parent's support.  Father, perhaps, put conditions that they may marry only if Jeong-Min stayed at home at the parent's house? Considering perhaps where she is now in life, a successful executive in a production company which suggests that she has been a very driven person, Jeong-Min may have refused. It would also explain why Se-Hee insists on having his own house (my house my rules) and treats Ji-Ho's Mum's wish (to let Ji-Ho write again) the way he does ('I won't stand in her way').

 

Which gives me hope for Ho-Rang. She speaks of the red-coat ahjumma as the one who is left out, yet she hasn't thought that perhaps the red-coat ahjumma is happy eventhough she's left out. Come on, girl! Wear that red coat again!

 

Didn't get the chance to respond earlier...  @yusefull, thanks for your Arsenal explanation.

 

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

12 minutes ago, yusefull said:

Arsenal is generally chosen because it's bland. You don't really have people who would criticized you for it.

1

 

I don't understand your statement. Care to elaborate?

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

1 hour ago, lclarakl said:

 Also, I don't know what "Slack" is that BM asked WS if he was using, even though he's been dating for 7 years.

 

 

I think it refers to Slack, a work/project collaboration app. Is this a PPL?

ETA: I thought Bo-Mi asks if he is familiar with Slackware (a linux distribution)?

 

 

 

Why Arsenal......contd (for I needed to consult my in-house gooner on this first... )

 

"They play beautiful games." That was the heyday or the "Highbury" days.

 

Any fans of Arsenal will acknowledge that Arsenal is currently in a slump (my in-house gooner describes the latest couple of seasons as worst 'evah). It's due to a combination of financial, managerial, and technical factors. It's been in debt for financing the new stadium, which in turn dictates how Arsenal buys and sells its players (buy cheap and sell high to make money to pay debts, but this causes high turnover of players), prices match tickets (the highest priced in Premier League), etc. The high turnover makes teamwork difficult, affects their games, and delivers poor results.  

 

'Why is Se-Hee a fan of Arsenal?' That was one of my first questions. For someone so logical and rational, I thought he'd pick more cerebral sports (although football is one of the sports that contributes to the advancement of Robotics and AI). Does Se-Hee empathise with this struggling football club? Does he see himself in the same state Arsenal is in? Burdened by debt and expectations? High turnover of tenants until Ji-Ho comes along?

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

1 hour ago, mywebfoot said:

Before Facebook, an early prototype by Zuckerberg and his partners was a website that allowed guys to rate and find the hot girls on campus (it was called thefacebook.com and it was 2004).

 

Sounds familiar? It's the same as little backstory that Sang Gu told Se Hee about why he was hiring Won Seok's talents. The writer seems to be saying that Won Seok literally has the potential of Mark Zuckerberg (though 2007 was already wayyyy too late for Won Seok's idea). That Ho Rang also compares him to Zuckerberg either means that she is aware of his potential, or she isn't, but is just pulling up a well known entrepreneur's name. If she is aware of his potential, hmm.... it seems to make her far more calculative, somehow. 

3

 

It's really easy to sneer at Ho-Rang but I find her the saddest character in this show.

 

Won-Seok was once lauded as genius. He got into college earlier for he is two years younger than his peers. But then he got caught up in romance (more physical attraction) with Ho-Rang. I think she has ruined Won-Seok's potential by her forcing her vision in his life under the guise of love and I don't think she is even aware of it. Being genius is useless unless he's got the chance to nurture it.  Sadly, I know people like Won-Seok in real life as well.

 

Not that I want them to, but I can only see them falling apart in the end. Once Won-Seok gets a taste of appreciation and satisfaction for doing what he does best (that Maslow thing), he'll realise he wants a different future. Or, he'd lead a double life (having affairs on the side and Ho-Rang knows but turns a blind eye because, hey, that's what wives of successful men have got to endure).

 

Or, he does love Ho-Rang and, no matter what, love trumps all.

 

2 hours ago, camichi said:

In Soccer strategy a team that play defending during 90 minutes only has two option, lost or tie the game and when the strategy is to attack only can have two results lost or win the game.

 

"Are you an Arsenal fan?"

 

Is this another dig at other show, Dear Writer? Because, unlike ‘do you like Messi?’, this is not a pick-up or chat-up line although ironically it works as such. It is a genuine question that draws a genuine answer. Yoon Ji-Ho and Nam Se-Hee learn that they’ve got something in common: they are genuine fans of Arsenal.

 

And why Arsenal....

 

In its heyday, Arsenal transformed the face of English football by adopting the Total Football approach, with the arrival of many dutch players. Total Football demands versatility as "no outfield player is fixed in a predetermined role; anyone can successively play as an attacker, a midfielder and a defender." (Wikipedia). Thus, Ji-Ho's speech about moving position from defending to attacking.

 

The South Korean football team rose to prominence and world stage under the influence of 'Total Football' for  Guus Hiddink, who brought the nation to 2002 WC semi-final, comes from this school of football.

 

This 'Total Football'' idea of versatility, (no) pre-determined roles, and assuming many roles seems apt in this drama. There are various (traditional and non-traditional) 'female' roles that are touched upon and taken on by Ji-Ho.

 

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

On 11/1/2017 at 3:22 PM, allegramente said:

So far, my complaints are about him being too touchy feely "friendly" towards a colleague whom he likes, not bothering to check if she is okay with it (because Ji-Ho is obviously uncomfortable just as Soo-Ji is with her co-workers), disregarding the fact that she is married. But is he a dangerous stalker?

 

I am reminded of the first misunderstanding of our leads' gender. Se-Hee thinks Ji-Ho is a man because Se-Hee "stalks" (really, with social media these days, stalking comes easily...) the sns of a different Ji-Ho.  Could similar misunderstanding befall Bok-Nam? Could the stalking complaints point to a different bloke, who happens to share a name (or steal his foto/identity)?

2

 

I feel bad about quoting myself... but... Yatta! Yatta! Yatta!

 

Don't know if this has been shared here, from Signal thread..

Spoiler

On 3/17/2017 at 5:52 PM, allegramente said:

Remember Kim Min-Gyu playing Hwang Ui-Gyeong, the cold case team's maknae with .5 voting count?

He's got some voice in "I Can See Your Voice 4"... I almost screamed when his Signal appearance was shown... Hope he'll get good projects to fill in his resume.

 

 

 

 

 

Moving on. A possible ex who is possibly the love of his life? If this were any other drama, I would just stop watching and wait for Shin-PD's 'Wise Prison Life'. But I'm hooked by the way the writer reasserts famous generic kdrama elements and then upends it. So, bring it on...

 

I've been listening to the instrumental part of the OST "Sarangha gu..." by MeloMance all week and got such a productive week. A good sign that this drama is 'therapeutic' despite the heavier theme. Anyone knows the morose yet funny song by brass/big band that is playing whenever Se-Hee gets in trouble?

 

 

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

Enjoying the convo about Bok-Nam.

 

Am I falling for  The Beauty Bias (via

Here’s More Evidence That Good-Looking People Can Get Away With Anything) trap? For thinking and wishing he's probably not that bad? For making excuses for these damning facts?

There are too many coincidences. Him on a bus? In real life I frequently share buses and subway journeys with strangers enough to make out their pattern and extrapolate their life.

 

There are allegations and Bo-Mi reinforces those with the information  that Bok-Nam uses spanner to inflict harm. That what propels Se-Hee to solve that rubik cube, connecting all the information he has so far, and take a stand. But a guy with big bike carrying spanners feels normal to me, like a photographer carying three different cameras and twenty different lenses. He certainly loves his bike and must know the how-to to maintain it and thus has the tools.

 

His own words cast shadow about him, "would your so called husband come for you if anything happens to you?" But would he inflict harm in such public space? Come on. She can scream.

 

So far, my complaints are about him being too touchy feely "friendly" towards a colleague whom he likes, not bothering to check if she is okay with it (because Ji-Ho is obviously uncomfortable just as Soo-Ji is with her co-workers), disregarding the fact that she is married. But is he a dangerous stalker?

 

I am reminded of the first misunderstanding of our leads' gender. Se-Hee thinks Ji-Ho is a man because Se-Hee "stalks" (really, with social media these days, stalking comes easily...) the sns of a different Ji-Ho.  Could similar misunderstanding befall Bok-Nam? Could the stalking complaints point to a different bloke, who happens to share a name (or steal his foto/identity)?

 

One thing for sure, I'd like to know why Bok-Nam seems to be too hostile towards Se-Hee. Due to philosophical dissent in defining YOLO? Because everyone in this drama has their own interpretation of YOLO, including Se-Hee.

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

9 minutes ago, rembrandtz_5e20 said:

 Under another PD or actor, SH could have become a caricature character, but LMK's SH is not just funny and badass, he's so complex in emotion and so sensitive and gentle when it comes to JH

 

I agree.  What I like, among other things, about Se-Hee character is that he is gentle not just to JH. He is gentle and shows concerns towards his mother, Bo-Mi, Ji-Ho's mother.  And his cat. I've watched Lee Min-Ki since Evasive Inquiry Agency (another gem of kdramas). He always projects "sincerity" in his characters. In Se-Hee,  Ji-Ho feels and gets his sincerity from the beginning even though he is weird. And I think the writer has a good grasp on what "introverts" are. They are not emotionless, they just express differently, like Se-Hee and Ji-Ho (they are both introverts).

 

I really hope the whole debacle with Bok-Nam is just misunderstanding; that he is not a psycho. But if he is indeed as the GLAM team finds him to be...  Is it to raise awareness on those who use their charms and physicalities to their advantage? Look at idol fandom. We often do give those with such advantages free passes, like Soo-Ji and Ho-Rang excusing Bok-Nam's creepiness and dismissing Ji-Ho's concerns when they find him handsome in episode 7...

 

[[Drama 2017] Because This Is My First Life 이번 생은 처음이라]

Having a bit of jet lag with the more polished forum... My, my. Time flies.

 

I like it that they don't make light of marriage, unlike many "cohabitation/contract marriage" dramas. They go with their eyes wide open with a refreshing "let's make this work" mentality.

 

I like the mother-daughter "showdown" between Ji-Ho and Mum. Ji-Ho thinks they only need her father's blessing and put aside Mum's feeling on the matter. Unconsciously, she behaves like the "patriarchal" system she despises. While Se-Hee, an only child whose mother is constantly on the edge trying to appease this father-son and their tempers, seems to understand Mum better (and he does take his mother's words seriously, thus the marriage).

 

I have been holding back with this drama, waiting to see it passing the first quarter mark, first four episodes. Oh well. After episode five, I am in. For it ups the stakes for all involved in an unassuming manner.

 

So, hello fellow viewers in this thread!

 

 

[[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner]

1 hour ago, aine7 said:

There is something that strikes me watching the last two episodes: the symbolism of water.

Time travel associated with water. Go Ha Jin drown and “reborn” as Hae Soo (actually emerging out of water directly into trouble… but that’s her path to overcome all sorts of obstacles). There always a transformation associated with water.

 

 

I read a comment about the dichotomy Wook – So in expressing their feelings. Cave vs. beach, restrained vs. open.

Including the association of water/body of water, Wook’s feeling will always carve through him without plainly emerging to the surface. So’s feelings unrestrained, opened, raw.

There’s a second manifestation of water through rain: Rain ritual: time for So’s transformation – to overcome his fears, build confidence. There’s a sense of growth, nurturing, cleansing

Rain in break-up scene: Wook’s transformation – resigned, resentful. Bleak, cold, heavy atmosphere, like a corroding factor  

 

 

 

@aine7, I like your observation a lot. And I really like the way they use rain in that last scene. As you pointed out it symbolises different things for each one of them. So is standing in the rain for it is been established that, for him, it's the sign of the heaven's approval... while Wook is walking away for "blood is thicker than water..."

What being noble means, the qualities or the rank? What protecting loved ones means?

This is where their upbringing shows, So being honed in rough battles in the open and actively making life and death choices--yes, So would not leave his people behind, and Wook being relatively sheltered, confined in the palace and marriage, observing and reluctantly playing the intricate schemes  of politics for higher power play--Wook unwillingly chose to leave Soo for "a greater good" (his family's survival).

Actually, I enjoy Wook's arc, not the romance with Soo but of him walking "the noble ground" and slipping...., and Yeon-Hwa's the most in this drama, aside from So-Soo's journey. 

 

 

[[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner]

Good gracious! This thread moves at intimidating speed! I was about to respond to a post and half an hour later, it's seven pages away now...

First of all, I like this show. I like the colours I see and the sounds I hear. There is something elemental about them, primal, earthly and alive. They fit the "will to live/survive" theme here.

Second, I decided to de-lurk because of the kiss. I really like it in the context of the story and narrative. We're getting a lot of skinship, kisses and romance for the sake of romance in other you-know-what dramas, yet here, it is used to drive home important points. It drew the right responses from me as I think it should: disgust, anger, and sadness. I was disgusted because So had to resort to such act to communicate his desperation and assert authority over Soo, angered because, as many had pointed way waaay back then, it marked a communication breakdown between So and Soo, and saddened because they both needed some sort of comfort (So, from his family, and Soo from her frightening visions) and are unable to find it in one another at the moment  (damn "cliffhanger"!).

Third, I'd like to applaud whoever said pages ago that man, who count trees as his friend and raise them, is a keeper. So true.

 

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

On 2/2/2016 at 0:30 AM, Meliere said:

(Ep. 9's very important suntaek baduk championship took place in Guangzhou, a city by the sea. All his other China matches are Beijing or Shanghai ... and tbh, I don't think Guangzhou is traditionally a typical host for Baduk competitions, so the location choice for ep. 9 seems very intentional.)

 

Probably unrelated, on Guangzhou... from History of Guangzhou

"Like any city with a sense of history, Guangzhou has its very own foundation myth. Legend has it that five gods descended from heaven astride goats, bringing with them five ears of corn to save the local population from starvation. Whatever the truth in this tale, it at least helps to explain one of the old names for the city: "Goat Town.""

*rerunning episode 9  with Goat Bleat Sonata, rondo capriccioso  in g major as background music*

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

On 12/30/2015 at 9:42 AM, syaiira said:

Hey guys! Remember that love percentage/name compatibility game Deoksun played in one of the earlier episode? Well I was bored so I decided to play that game for Deoksun. hahaha

It's based on this chart right here: https://lh3.ggpht.com/KYUNvduUhAyD7gxfVsQG8kzjLG90CR9sZ42JOg6pqM7qrrE5-QyaP01AGPP3Rx_of_A=h900

I played it using this online generator: http://www.simsimhe.com/bbs/?bo_table=test&wr_id=5

I used both her name, Sung Deoksun, and her other name, Sung Sooyeon and tried to match it up with both Taek and Junghwan.

So here are the results I got:

Sung Deoksun & Choi Taek

Sung Deoksun and Kim Junghwan

Sung Sooyeon and Choi Taek

Sung Sooyeon and Kim Junghwan

and the most Daebak of all....

 

 

  Hide contents

 

Choi Taek and Sung Deoksun

kekekeke 

 

 

 

This is just for fun, by the way. Enjoy!

 

 

@st4rdust on the name-love percentage game, @syaiira did something amazing back then...

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

2 hours ago, st4rdust said:

 

I LOVE YOU MEL!! I need to figure out how we can present this timeline .... hmmmmmm ♥♥♥

 

Before I dash and forget... https://timeline.knightlab.com

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

1 hour ago, __jesse said:

If you remember, we saw DS peering into the fridge. The fact that Shin PD had specially set up two cameras inside the fridge for this DS found the juice immediately, but she mumbled to herself, “Where is it?” The chocolate bar she had left in the fridge was missing. She looked around and found the other chocolate bar - the one that belonged to JB. She then proceeded to sneak JB’s chocolate bar into SW’s bag.

So, when JH told DS not to eat JB’s sausage in the fridge, the writer was actually referring to JB’s chocolate in the fridge.

<truncated>

There. Any thoughts, ladies?

 

@__jesse This reminds me of that cassette-tapes-on-the-fridge swap debacle that ruined Ra Miran's audition. Recalling from a faulty memory, was the other tape for egg-vendor?

On egg, when the gang had their ramyun "Kim-house" style in episode 8, the boys picked out sausages (*blush*) and raddish(?) while DS picked whole-egg (*double-blush* naughty PD).  

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

1 hour ago, __jesse said:

What this means is, even in DS' heart, Taek was a 6-dan and JH an amateur. He had an advantage because he had always been special to DS.

 

I kept getting back to episode 4, when Taek and Deokseon sat face to face with the baduk board between them, and then the many face to face sessions they had.

I begin to suspect that on the "baduk-imbued" narrative, Taek is playing against Deokseon, not Junghwan, which makes sense if Taek was handicapped for 6 episodes... since JH's romantic arc "started" at episode 3 while DS's started from the beginning. It's DS's moves all along: the "operation Sunwoo" and then the "operation JH".

 

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

Interesting theories. I once thought of Emma and Mr. Knightley for Deokseon and Taek. He's always there in her heart, a steady presence from the beginning. She just hasn't realised her feelings yet.

 

13 hours ago, packmule3 said:

 

Don't  fight me on this _jesse.

I'm not the one who's insisting. Me? I said I only read the script. You should too. 

This is the lady who's insisting that SHE gave the chocolates to Taec. And according to her diaries, she wrote this: "My heart towards you does not want to rest or sleep.  One said people are wired to express.  Thus, today, I gathered up my courage and gave him chocolate."    

[image deleted]

And she was RIGHT. Moreover, I can PROVE that her memory of that fateful day was NOT faulty.  

Hint: It has something to do with Tom Cruise, funnily enough.

But I don't want to go over this with YOU right now because I'm too tired to argue with YOU. As far as I'm concerned, you can choose whatever you want to believe in. You don't have to convince me of anything. 

Just know that I highlighted in purple that only part in your post that I agreed with. Thanks. 

 

On the chocolate thing, I prefer the simplest explanation. If Deokseon really wanted to give it to Taek, she could just leave it in his room.

Highlighted in blue, and this is in the script:  this is also the lady who insists to "lie"  to preserve image in regards to "first kiss" time line.

Also factored in her insisting on giving it to Taek when the chocolate question was brought up (episode 2), and husband was in bad mood, is that she didn't know that husband actually knew about her being rejected by SW and first snow incident (episode 6).

That is why, I think, the PD included a footage that served as unbiased (eye witness) account for the chocolate.  Deokseon was  in the middle of "operation Sunwoo" (she wrote about it in her diary and sent postcards: one was read by LMS on first snow, another was returned and read by JH) and the footage was recording her putting the alleged chocolate on Sunwoo's bag/jacket.

And there was Jinjoo who has been established as the accidental "messenger" in the previous episode (with funny ghostbuster theme) who put cigarette pack in SW's room. Jinjoo could reprise her role as accidental messenger and somehow put the chocolate, intended for Sunwoo, in Jungbong's room/pocket. 

I just like the theory from someone here posited in earlier pages waaay back when the show was still running weekly that chocolates are for "crushes" and  coffees for lovers.   

By the way, @packmule3, JH's confession does start  with a "Deokseon-ah..." 

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

5 hours ago, nearsea said:

On the topic of prettiness,[I'm sure you guys know this already,]but I remember this from episode 1 & 2,lol.The girl was basically vying for attention all these time,hoping someone would consider her pretty.How many time these happened?

-images deleted-

However she never asked this guy..

But he could be always telling her what she wanted to hear lol.

From ep 9:

Damn it... I don't look pretty today.

- You look pretty.
- Really?

Sorry for the throwback guys!

P.S: Sung dad would be the other one who was always generously telling his daughter how pretty she is though.

 

Great discussion girls... Wish I could join the rerun at this thread's pace...

Just want to throw in my opinion on Dad and Taek's "pretty" remarks.

To the other boys, DS asked "how do I look?" and they commented on that. But for Dad and Taek, it's not "you look pretty". It's "you are pretty".

Dad and Taek comment on her qualities not  just her looks. Dad always knew but probably realised she needed to feel appreciated by acknowledging her putting her other family members first before herself. And once again, in the Olympics, DS proved that she managed to hold her own.  Taek has just realised the length to which she had gone  to make sure his stay was comfortable, invisibly.  Both Dad and Taek see her beautiful character.

 

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

29 minutes ago, Raphelancia said:

Seeing the progress of MT these days, i think some people purposefully coming there posting negative stuff just to ruin the mood of the drama end, which i really don't like. Though i think i can stop caring about them now.

 

I am quoting Dumbledore from memory here, "people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right."

Glad this thread is still alive and kicking though I might not be able to join the conversation as often as I'd like to.  Life happens *sigh*. But I am having fun reading fellow shipmates' posts.

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

I often think DR serves as the greek chorus in this piece of work.

And I find it funny and curious that Dongryong (bless him, the #1 honorary Taektanic shipmate) repeatedly says, "and why does anyone ever lose to you (in Baduk) at all? How come?"  He even says it in episode 20 to Taek, in the event that he has been oblivious to Sunwoo's affection for Bora and them dating, breaking, and making up all these years.

Imagine… He, the sage, who knows everything in Ssangmun-dong,  is the last to know about Sunwoo and Bora. What a blow...

Don't you think the writer is poking fun at the fandom (and our sister ship) via DR's ignorance? Their reading the writer/PD's work through their glasses has been off all this time.  Yup, blame the glasses! not the work, the writer, or the production team...

I know, I know…baduk etiquette…

[Park Bo Gum ❤ Girl's Day Hyeri aka REPLY 1988 TAEK x DEOKSUN]

 

Finally, joining the "post mortem".  Still reeling from the last episode, but what a journey "Answer Me 1988" has been… thanks and much love to @kilaalaa for the english translations.
 

Spoiler

 

Though it's felt rushed (too much "exposition" instead of actual scenes) I think I like the way it ends. As much as I love watching Taek and Deokseon's love life unfolds, it's a part of the family picture "Answer Me 1988" has portrayed. This is about the parents's "parenthood" journey and struggles as well. It is befitting that we see closure in them. Their acceptance that the kids will no longer be dependent on them and start their own family. The first step in that direction is Sunwoo and Bora's wedding. The rest will follow.

The last episode also pays tribute to Appa and Omma Sung. Their story is often eclipsed by the hilarious Kims and the sweet sunset romance story of Sunwoo's Mum and Papa Bear.  It ties nicely to episode one, to Appa Sung's worries that he is learning by doing on becoming a dad, so there might be hiccups. Yet, what a great job they have done in raising these strong daughters and son. How great to have Deokseon recognised it, that should she go back in time, she would love to meet, not just their friends, but also the parents of their youth again. These kids have learned to live and love by watching their parents doing it.

At the end of episode 1, Older Deokseon narrates, "In the end, what helps you overcome obstacles isn't your own smart but someone who'll take your hand and won't let you go... In the end it's family..." So yes, episode 20 is… holding-hand galore!

I love that Taek and Deokseon settle down and are happily living in the moment. The memory of their youth will stay on even though the physical Ssangmun-dong slowly whithers. Life goes on as so well told by this drama.

And the last scenes of our beloved Ssangmun-dong F5 in Taek's room... *still drying my tears..*

 

 

Now… on to the husband-hunting game. I read comments that even Taektanic is so named because its proponents expected the ship to sink, the 1% journey to 100%, the I-wish-it's-going-to-be-Taek-but-I-think-it's-Junghwan excuses which implies a weak narrative and storytelling on Taek and Deokseon's relationship. And in another comments I read that T/DS moments are nothing compared to JH/DS.

Oh Hello! That Ain't So!
 

Spoiler

 

As much as I love reading the deep analyses on symbolism, foreshadowing, colour and trolling dolls theories, I won't say Taek is the husband because he is green, or he is the troll doll #3 in scene #53, or his name in Kanji means "husband" (yup, I knew that. I translated weird mangas in previous life). I'd always return to the "first degree" reading of a casual viewer: the things shown and not shown on screen.

I will sound as arrogant and pompous as I want for this. I see, and I think a lot of people do too, Taek and Deokseon coming from episode two. Don't you think it's fishy that in the episode in which the husband first appears, it's narrating Taek? Don't you think it's fishy that in episode 6, the PD went to a great length to give impression of Baduk as extreme sport, and gave Taek a grand fanfare when he entered that epic battles of 5 versus 1? Don't you think it's fishy that Deokseon's eyes lit up whenever she saw him? Taek's relationship with Deokseon has been unique right from the start. As @mangachickava mentioned  a few pages back, sometimes, they are their own island: the no-worries attitude when marooned on the beach, the cursing lessons, baduk and rubics for concentration sessions, and many more.

Detective stories are often the simplest: it's a matter of asking the right questions (to weed out the smoke and mirrors) and don't make it personal. Making it personal is what Watsons and Hastings often fall for. And making it personal is the trick the writer and PD have played on us. 

 

 

Thank you all, dearest shipmates, for the wonderful company in this joyful ride.