liddi

Still unable to let go, so visiting scenes from the BTSes, only to find myself tearing up just the same. Likewise, was just fine, when "Over the Moon" starts playing on my playlist, and my heart is a shattered mess once more as I relive the heartbreaking journey that we have taken with Seon Ho and his family, despite knowing that the dark clouds have passed. Miss them already.

Finally all the pieces come together in this final episode, tying up loose ends, clearing up unanswered questions - some better than others, but ultimately, what a satisfying, satisfying watch that leaves me with so much hope and happiness even as we have to say goodbye to this family and universe that has drawn me in and kept me firmly invested. If Ep15 belonged to Seon Ho, the finale gives us, at long last, JS' hour of redemption from the long, dark journey that he had been walking - first with misguided arrogance, then the crushing guilt derailed by irresponsible adults, and the final straw, knowing the truth of Da Hee's assault. His turning point at the rooftop of Seon Ho's apartment building moved me to tears, when he is redeemed from the edge by the person who should have hurled blame but offers him encouragement, support and counsel instead, pulling him back and holding him in warm, safe arms. JS' anguished outbursts too finally show a shift in his attitude towards his mother who has tried misguidedly to shield him from responsibility - worrying what would happen to her, a small step towards healing between mother and son. The steady stream of books sent to him by the friend he wronged, culminating in the elusive book, restored back to Seon Ho, and given to JS as a parting gift - the very telling emphasis that it is merely a loan and he expects JS to give it back, indirectly indicating that their friendship, while fractured, is not at an end, extending the hand of forgiveness and the hope that they would see each other again. Beautiful. Similarly, Da Hee's healing comes from KIH's extended hand of comfort, enabling her to finally find the courage to reveal the truth that has imprisoned her all this time. While the victim, she is indeed culpable in false accusations, first at JS, then Seon Ho. Nonetheless, the extenuating circumstances surrounding her ordeal since that fateful day, see her find forgiveness from those she wronged, and in time, she will hopefully rise above it and put the past behind her. If I have any complaints about the finale, it would be the way OJP's arc was wrapped up. Too conveniently, every conceivable crime is laid at his door, including Da Hee's assault. It also makes no sense why Seon Ho's book would have been kept by him in the first place, containing as it were, no incriminating evidence against him or his son at all. Ultimately, it is just a plot device to maintain an air of mystery over the missing book, and a contrived link between Seon Ho's accident and his machinations. It feels shoddy and rushed, just to finally put this despicable man behind bars, and the one gripe I have in an otherwise outstanding drama. The Park family is one that is held up as an ideal, a family that holds fast together in the face of adversity, never giving up hope - on each other or in good itself. And among them, more than anyone else, I feel that PMJ is the unassuming hero I love most, whose shining example and life shaped his children, and restored others back to the right path - his relationship with his wife and children, his heart for those who are hurting, giving of himself beyond any call of duty, simply because it comes from the wellspring of the good that is in him. Beautiful World is a shining example which showcases how unwavering love, trust and steadfastness triumph over the darkest of adversities in an anguish-filled journey; when kindness and hope is indeed greater than injustice, cruelty and evil. A message of hope that is all too rare today, so aptly footnoted by that inspirational poem "Becoming a Person who Creates Hope" . A stellar combination of a script that is filled with so much heart, delivered perfectly by excellent performances all around spearheaded by PHS and CJH, carving an indelible place in my heart among other all-time beloved dramas. BRAVO. This universe will be sorely missed...

@ktcjdrama There is only one reason I can think of that Da Hee would tell Seon Ho that JS was to blame for what happened to her. It is possible that she was sexually assaulted on her birthday after all, which could have happened after she was stood up and was all alone. That would explain why she was so traumatised since that day, and her blaming JS - calling him a bad person, saying it was all his fault, that he did it. In her mind, she could have felt that she would not have been a victim of sexual assault if JS had not lied about meeting her, then standing her up. That would explain why JS, after finally confronting Da Hee, was so stunned that he would turn himself in, and confess to everything that happened, both to Seon Ho and Da Hee. Nonetheless, there is no excuse for Da Hee to accuse Seon Ho of the same crime, unless she felt Seon Ho was indirectly also to blame for what happened, since JS would never have toyed with her if it had not been to get back at Seon Ho. My 2 cents... To be honest, the blackmail seems a little contrived, coming in at the 11th hour, which I guess could serve as OJP moving to rid his blackmailer, and being caught in the process, since Ki Deuk Cheol is already on the police's wanted list all this time. We'll see. Ultimately, I hope the last episode will give much needed healing to all who have suffered so terribly, allowing them a sliver of hope to finally embrace a Beautiful World.

Recovery and redemption are the themes for this penultimate episode, and it is like a deep, refreshing gasp of fresh air after a long, arduous journey of anguish - for Seon Ho, those who love him, and us as viewers who have been rooting for this family. The hour seems way too short, and I, for one, wish we have more moments of joy with them. The reveal of what truly transpired that night on the rooftop was one that I had been hoping to be true, which makes everything that happened after that incident all the more tragic. Once more, it looks to be heading down the road of "He said, he said" - now with both parties stating different versions of the incident. Perhaps this time, there is hope that those who have been suffering under such emotional torment behind a callous, nonchalant mask will see the true strength of kindness and forgiveness, and find their own path to redemption. What happened to Da Hee remains a mystery for now, but unless I am wrong, she might end up being revealed as one who had been hurling false accusations all along. If she was truly lying all this while out of the inability to handle being toyed with and spurned by JS, she is the one who inadvertently lit the fire and brought about this whole tragedy, and is just as culpable for character assassination, first of JS, then of Seon Ho. And she may likely end up as the most unsympathetic character out of all, just ahead of OJP. There is still no clue as to what happened to Seon Ho's diary. Does it contain the truth that would prove or disprove all the lies that have been going around - whether through self-preservation or self-recriminations? Yet what truth could it contain since Seon Ho himself, up to that moment on the rooftop, may have been equally misled? Or perhaps it contains words of encouragement and forgiveness to those who had bullied him, and his hope that his once-best friend would finally tap into the good that is dormant within himself? And the reveal of it might possibly be the trigger that sets JS and the other boys, back on the path to becoming a better person? Why is it the finale already?

Rewatching C-subbed, this time with my family, and having my heart shattered all over again, before even properly recovering from it the first time round - reliving the Park family's pain from the moment their world came crashing down around them, through their debilitating guilt as they combed through each moment in self-recriminations, wishing that they had acted differently, listened more closely, responded immediately. The significance of the energy bar in Dong Hee's hand now takes on new meaning with hindsight, and just the sight of it pains me so much, knowing how Seon Ho continued to reach out and encourage others, even when he himself is flailing and struggling inside

@mtoenlob Welcome! So good to see more fans of this way too underrated, understated drama. Love how you described it, how it draws the viewer in, invariably evoking reactions and keeping one emotionally invested through it all. Children of Nobody is the first work I've watched of any of the four leads, so I had no preconceived notions about them going in. All of them, as well as the strong supporting cast, particularly the child actors, far exceeded my expectations - delivering pitch perfect performances of their respective fractured psyches, and I cannot imagine anyone else as them. The script, the soundtrack, the cinematography - they all came together as a cohesive whole, creating an unforgettable viewing experience that continues to haunt me now, and leaves me hoping that we will see a sequel reuniting the original cast and crew in the future.

@mrsj3n I may be wrong but I believe it started off with JS' bullying of Dong Hee. When Seon Ho started defending her instead of supporting his actions, JS turned on him by making him an outcast among them, stringing Da Hee along, leading to the Avengers game (luring him in by threatening to bring Dong Hee if he did not comply, and keeping him quiet by saying Soo Ho would be next if he didn't). I am not sure if the Avengers "game" happened before or after Da Hee's birthday (when JS dumped her after she broke her movie date with Seon Ho), but my guess is it is probably after. Nonetheless, definitely it all came to a head when Seon Ho visited Da Hee with the flowers, heard from her that she was assaulted from JS, leading to the confrontation and tragic outcome at Laputa.

@joccu I think the guy watching Da Hee at the playground is under OJP's employ to keep tabs on Da Hee and her family after OJP heard the recording about the assault that JS supposedly committed.This is to ensure that he is in the know any moment Da Hee or her family decides to press charges or reveal the incident to a 3rd party. My 2 cents. And no... while appalled and alternating between fear of and for JS, I don't hate him either but really hope that he and those involved, directly or otherwise, will find redemption within themselves while not escaping the repercussions of the law.

@cinnyangel Thank you for your kind words. I don't think Seon Ho's family is perfect - like everyone else, they each have their own faults. However, as a family unit, they are exemplary, and individually, their generosity of spirit is beautiful to see. I have nothing against KIH yelling or crying, and I can definitely empathise with her frustration and sorrow. My only issue is when the same yelling and crying is seen across 14 episodes, which really wears me down. And yes, definitely an IH is better than an EJ any day. I don't doubt Seon Ho was perhaps hoping to open up to his family. Nonetheless, the fact remains that he did not say anything except try to find excuses not to go to school on that fateful day, and tiptoeing around it. Why not just come right out and tell them he has an issue and needed to talk? That really frustrates me because it is exactly what I fear my own children will do - refuse to confide until it is too late. Actually, I find Seon Ho's unwillingness to believe JS to be a highly justified reaction given JS' behaviour up to that moment in terms of how he views and treats others. JS' dismay due to Seon Ho's belief that he would do something so terrible, is merely another nail in the coffin that pushes him to the edge as it drives the belief that in the eyes of others, he is capable of such evil. Rather when I spoke of Seon Ho as being portrayed as overly ideal, it has to do with the fact that he does not appear to have any fault to begin with - sweet, kind, generous, courageous, self-sacrificing, gracious. Perhaps the last two episodes will finally give us some minor kink in his shiny armour

@dzareth Thank you for your kind words. You're right. The Parks are gracious and giving with their love, care and warmth, within their own family and outflowing to others, because they bask in the surety of the love that is so much a part of their lives. With such role models, it is no wonder Seon Ho takes after them, and becomes a protector in his own right, defending, protecting and saving Dong Hee in her hour of need; fighting JS for Da Hee after her shock revelation. On the other hand, any love the Ohs have is always conditional and twisted into either a form of control or clinging dependency, smothering the possibility of any true affection and confidence that comes from knowing one loves and is loved for oneself.

This scene makes me ache for what might have been...

Okay. Finally caught up with Ep14. What a disturbing commentary on a reality that is playing out way too frequently in schools, mirroring, if not mimicking the ugliness that permeates the adult world. It took me a while to get past the first few episodes - oppressive, painful, frightening and all too real, with barely any room for air, and I had to step away for several days before I could continue the rest. From here on, there is some form of reprieve. Even as the barriers are slowly chipped away to reveal more and more of the truth, what makes the journey bearable is seeing unlikely allies forming - the once dismissive Detective Park; Reporter Choi whose initial personal motives became secondary as he comes to care for the boy and his family; DS and DH who found warmth and support from the Park family, ending up being a bedrock of support to them as well; the class teacher Lee who stood up against the injustices in the school as they pander to the will of OJP... the list goes on. Several main themes thread throughout the journey thus far. Nurture Parental or adult guidance is given prominence here, starkly contrasted in the lives of the victim and assailants. On the one hand, we see Seon Ho and Soo Ho whose family thrives on a foundation of love, tolerance, kindness and warmth - their parents becoming examples in how they live their lives, spilling over to an outward expression of their beings, touching those around them. Then we have the parents of the other boys - most of whom are self-serving, snide and arrogant, believing themselves to be superior to others, encouraging their children to be likewise, and deliberately helping them shirk their moral responsibility when it does not serve them to do so. Intentionally or not, the characters of the children are molded in the face of less than exemplary role models. Abuse There is no lack of abuse throughout the narrative. The scene that intercuts KIH's memories of loving, protecting Seon Ho from babyhood to now, with the flashes of his physical abuse at the hands of those who were once his friends, was one of the hardest scenes to watch - each physical blow an equally devastating emotional blow to her heart. Apart from the physical and even more shattering verbal abuse that tears down the soul, we see it too in the domestic abuse that is prevalent in the Oh family, with OJP's iron-clad control over his wife and son, reducing them into nothing but shells of what they could have been, mere puppets molded into what he determines their place to be. The abuse of authority is also evident, as people bow and scrape to cater to the wishes of those in power, disregarding their conscience and casting a blind eye to the downtrodden. Courage The drama gives us example after example of courage in the unlikeliest of places. We see it in spades with the Parks - their indomitable will to see the truth come to light, and justice for their son, even when all avenues are closed and their cause shut down at every turn. It is there when Seon Ho stood up for Dong Hee against his best friend, and took her place in the abuse that ensued. We see it in Soo Ho who chooses to rein herself in when every fibre of her being wanted to attack JS for what he did to her brother. It is there again when Detective Park, listening to his conscience, goes against his superiors to reinvestigate Seon Ho's case; and Dong Hee who finds the moral fibre and courage to stand up and tell the truth, whatever the potential cost to herself. Trust The question of trust is brought up again and again. Does one trust blindly, when evidence seems to point to the contrary? Or does one trust what one knows of a person, and in turn, trust that person not to betray it? We see it in the Parks, when the accusation of Da Hee's assault is hurled in their faces. It is interesting to see how differently both parents react to that shocking revelation - PMJ choosing steadfastly to believe in his son who cannot defend himself; KIH blindly terrified of the possibility and lashing out, afraid that it is true, until reminded by Soo Ho who her son is, what he is like. I am glad to have seen that part of KIH though... as until that moment, she has been the perfect avenging angel for her son, so it is good to see that put in the same shoes, she is fallible as well, but protected by a family who holds each other tightly in love even when the odds are against them. On the other hand, we see distrust pushing JS to the brink - Seon Ho's belief that he assaulted Da Hee despite him repeatedly denying it; in his mother's actions who immediately assumes that he pushed his friend off the roof, and later her suspicions about his role in Da Hee's assault. The lack of trust erodes him as a person, and I believe pushes him to the other extreme, to be the one that everyone obviously assumes he is. Would he be different if someone held out their hand, appealing to the good that is within him, believing there is good in him? We see stirrings of that when PMJ spoke to him in the car. Will we see him be able to turn his life around, and become a better man in the end? Being a parent myself, one of the things that frustrate me the most is the fact that Seon Ho chose not to confide in his parents about what was going down in his life. Why? There is no lack of love in the family, and his parents, while busy and sometimes distracted, would never have trivialised what he was facing, if he had only told them. Did he think that he could handle it on his own? Did he not want to be a burden to them? Did he not trust them to weigh the situation, guide and support him as only parents can, and face it with him as a family should? His very secrecy in itself, is evident of a lack of trust on his part as well. It is not a perfectly executed drama. Pacing was a bit of an issue for me - dragging in some parts, repetitive and annoying in others, but the overall script, delivery and performances continue to keep me invested. I am unsure if it is the intent of the direction, but KIH's screaming and tears are beginning to wear thin which sometimes make me far less sympathetic than I should be. However, the saving grace comes from PHS' far muted but no less powerful portrayal of PMJ's grief, overcoming his guilt and innate non-confrontational nature to stand up for what is right and just - and it is the combination of the two polar opposites that make this couple one that I root so desperately for and long to see this family heal and find happiness once more. Multi-faceted characterisations, particularly among the younger characters, are well depicted - Soo Ho, forced to grow up a lot sooner but learning to temper her impetuous tendencies while forging her own way to fight for her brother is the product of the best of both parents. On the other spectrum, JS whose stifling existence in a family that is bereft of true warmth and affection, views life with a skewed moral compass, exacerbated by the example and guidance set by his parents. DS and DH whose underprivileged existence should plunge them into despair, find the strength and help to face a better future with dignity, and the courage to speak up for what is right. I think the one that is too perfect, at least for me, is Seon Ho. Despite repeated aspersions cast on his character, he is vindicated again and again as the truth is slowly revealed through one avenue or another. Much as I love him and root for him, I find that he has been too idealised thus far, which makes him a far less believable character than he should have been. Now it remains to see how the last two episodes play out. Da Hee remains a mystery, and while her lipstick is in JS' possession, I am inclined to believe his denials, which then makes me wonder why she, after keeping silent, chose to accuse the one person who defended her as her assailant. Was it because with Seon Ho in a coma, he was a convenient scapegoat, rather than admitting her shame at being toyed with by JS? Or is there another more insidious reason. In any case, I should stop rambling. Suffice to say I go in to the finale, praying that it will continue to be strong and well-scripted to the end.

I have been prepared for any eventuality since our girl's dating news came out in 2014. It's been 6 years since I first became a SoGonger - and I never regretted a single moment. As you said, @euleuh, they have given us the best memories, and for me, this SoGonger family has been the most precious bond that came out of our common love for them. While as a couple, they will always have a special place in my heart that cannot be replaced, I am truly truly happy for him that he has found love. It was actually painful for me to read his letter, to see him feel that he actually has to fear or apologise for being happy. I pray too that our incredibly special, beautiful GHJ will also be blessed with every possible happiness life has to offer. They both deserve the best, be it together or apart. I will always wish them well.

@ktcjdrama Thank you for the shoutout. Have not been watching any new kdramas of late... just revisiting older, much loved ones. Do I need to prepare my heart to be trampled over like in Children of Nobody? Are you selling glue / giving them out for free here too? In any case, since you're recommending it, I will definitely give it a try and see how I go, though it looks like I have much to catch up on (12 eps!) Park Hee Soon and Nam Da Reum have impressed me with their performances in the past so that is definitely a plus going in.

Heartiest congratulations to scriptwriter Park Hae Young for being awarded best script for My Mister, the amazing My Mister team for winning Best Drama, and the talented Lee Ji Eun for being nominated for Best Actress and winning Top Popularity Actress (TV category) in the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards! Truly well deserved! And so awesome to see this drama nominated in so many categories - a testament to the overall excellence of this production. Bravo!