See You in My 19th Life: Episodes 7-8
by DaebakGrits
Our leading man takes a giant step towards his reincarnated leading lady, but as soon as he does, we enter a minefield of plot bombs. Some inflict emotional or physical damage on our characters, but a few others are a welcome burst of happiness, like water balloons making skin contact on a scorching July day.
EPISODES 7-8
With only three weeks left to this drama (and prior knowledge of the webtoon), I shouldn’t be shocked with how much was revealed in our latest episodes, and yet, here I am — feeling a bit whiplashed from all the confessions, revelations, and tribulations. My bias for this story is still going strong, but — and it almost pains me to admit this — my enthusiasm for our OTP has cooled slightly as my concern for Seo-ha’s mental health increases.
Like, I want to toss aside logic and — for the sake of my own viewing pleasure — believe that love is a form of therapy that conquers all traumas, but when our boy does a dramatic face-plant into a swimming pool after a brief encounter with his (admittedly toxic) family, it’s kind of hard to swoon when Seo-ha’s heartbreaking need for comfort leads to a passionate kiss with Ji-eum. Although Seo-ha initiated the kiss, I can’t shake the feeling that Ji-eum was somehow taking advantage of the vulnerable, chlorine-drenched Seo-ha. I think, instead, this would have been a nice moment to see her step back from her characteristic aggressiveness and show some restraint.
Admittedly, Ji-eum — and, by extension, the audience — is in a rather unconventional position of knowing waaaay more than Seo-ha, and I find my opinion of the appropriateness of Ji-eum’s actions fluctuates depending on the context of the present moment. Sometimes I approve of her using her insider knowledge to cheer up Seo-ha and endear herself to him, but at other times, it just feels deceitful and wrong. Case in point, after she and Seo-ha retreat to his place so he can shower and change into dry clothes, she prepares a meal she’d served him in her past life.
On the surface, it seems fairly innocuous — just simple comfort food. But given Seo-ha’s emotional state, I can’t shake the feeling that Ji-eum’s dish selection has an undercurrent of manipulativeness, like she’s trying to groom him with subtle memories of their shared past before she swoops in and asks him to date her again. Thankfully, Seo-ha gently silences her and asks her to wait until he’s ready to be the one to confess to her. I was happy to see Seo-ha assert himself and be honest with Ji-eum. Yes, he likes her, but he’s not in the appropriate headspace for a relationship just yet — an understatement, but I’ll take it.
On the flip side, as my affection for the Seo-ha x Ji-eum pairing dims slightly, the romance between Cho-won and Do-yoon rises and shines. The two of them take turns getting drunk and almost kissing each other, which leads to Cho-won confronting Do-yoon about his feelings for her. Given his adorable intoxicated behavior that unquestionably demonstrated the extent of his affection (and made Cho-won’s heart flutter), there’s no point in denial now, so he confidently admits he likes her. But, of course, he still has a massive chip on his shoulder, and so even though he owns up to his feelings, he tells Cho-won that he won’t act on them or date her. (Oh, you poor, naive fool. If you think that’s going to stop Cho-won, you’re sorely mistaken, Do-yoon.)
At the moment, though, Do-yoon is a bit preoccupied with being Seo-ha’s guard dog. Unfortunately, as is the case with Do-yoon’s love life, he has his priorities all screwed up. When Seo-ha tells him that the car accident — you know, the one we keep flashing back to that Do-yoon’s father also died in — was an intentional act caused by someone within MI Group, Do-yoon is almost indifferent. Instead of teaming up with Seo-ha or cautioning him on the dangers of hunting down a killer, his hackles rise when he sees how unguarded — and flirtatious — Seo-ha has become with Ji-eum.
Then again, maybe Seo-ha and Ji-eum should tone it down at work. Romantic work scandals aside, there’s an unknown threat that lurks among them, and for all they know, the person who tried to kill Seo-ha when he was younger will go after him — or the people he cares about — again. And considering Seo-ah’s aggressive pursuit of the truth, his chances of becoming a target are increasing with each reckless step he takes. For example, when Ho-shik contacts Seo-ha and offers to sell him proof of the killer’s identity, Seo-ha would have gone to the meet-up alone had Ji-eum not insisted she join him.
The planned meet-up turns deadly after some hired goons arrive on the scene first and kill Ho-shik. Although the sight of Ho-shik’s dead body shocks Ji-eum, she’s more distracted by the lingering sense of déjà vu she experienced when she watched Seo-ha walk towards the abandoned building where Ho-shik was waiting for him.
Recently, Ji-eum learned that Min-ki and Han-na also remember their past lives, and Min-ki divulged that the secret to breaking the pattern is somehow connected to her very first life, which she only remembers in fragmented pieces. After touching Min-ki’s shaman bells a second time, Ji-eum sees enough of her first life that she feels confident that she and Seo-ha met in her first life and that it’s their destiny to meet again and close the circle.
However, if their reunion is the work of Destiny, she’s a cruel you-know-what. In a classic case of literally everything and everyone is connected, it turns out Ji-eum’s father was the driver of the Truck of Doom that killed Ju-won. Seo-ha is still reeling from this shocking news when an elated Ji-eum calls and waxes poetically about past lives, but he disagrees with the romanticism of them finding each other again because of some divine purposes.
Instead — and I absolutely loved this moment — Seo-ha says he hopes that their reunion has no grand purpose. If they did know each other in their first lives, he’d prefer it if they’re simply being given a chance to fall in love again — no strings attached. His words are an arrow to my heart because — past lives or none — the romance between Seo-ha and Ji-eum is anything but simple.
As Seo-ha grapples with his waring emotions, Ji-eum’s deadbeat father makes a reappearance, showing up in the hotel lobby and becoming a disgusting public nuisance that she personally escorts from the building with force. Seo-ha witnesses the encounter, and although he’s visibly shocked to see Ju-won’s killer (well, the real killer’s hired hand) in person, he steps forward to comfort Ji-eum and cook her a meal. He accepts Ji-eum despite the sins of her father and this is, in my opinion, the first time we truly see him acting on his love for Ji-eum rather than reacting to her resemblance to Ju-won.
Unfortunately, before he destroys the evidence that he obtained from Ho-shik’s lackey, Ji-eum finds it and uncovers the twisted joke Destiny has played on her and Seo-ha. She confronts her father, but he doesn’t know who paid off his debt and hired him to crash into Seo-ha’s car. So Ji-eum turns to the only other person with more knowledge of past lives and MI Group’s dirty secrets than her: Han-na, Seo-ha’s reincarnated mother!
At the top of Han-na’s list of suspects is JANG YEON-OK (Bae Hae-sun), Jung-hoon’s mistress, but — despite her conniving and distasteful behavior — Yeon-ok is not the mastermind. Instead, she cryptically alludes to the person in MI Group with the most to gain from Seo-ha’s death. At the exact same time, Seo-ha finds a cassette tape at the bottom of Ho-shik’s giant bag of evidence, and when he presses play, he’s shocked to hear his uncle’s familiar voice plotting the car accident that killed Ju-won and Do-yoon’s father.
The pain of knowing his uncle — someone who should love him and want to protect him — was the one who intended to cause him harm is too much for Seo-ha. When Ji-eum finds him, he’s curled in a ball on the floor; the guilt is crushing him. He asks her to leave him alone, but instead of walking away, she approaches Seo-ha’s piano and plays the song she composed in one of her past lives — a song known only to Seo-ha and Ju-won.
The cat is officially out of the bag, and I’m feeling conflicted over the timing of the reveal. On the one hand, so much death and betrayal has been unfairly heaped onto Seo-ha’s shoulders that, at this point, I think he kind of deserves the “easy” fix of knowing the person he feels the most guilt towards is alive — albeit in a new life — and doesn’t blame him for her death. At the same time, though, that’s a mighty large bomb to drop on someone already in the throes of an emotional crisis, and if he doesn’t believe her, Ji-eum’s confession could cause Seo-ha more pain. As much as I want to see Seo-ha bounce back quickly and be deliriously happy to have reunited with his first love, I sadly foresee another wave of angst before the clouds part and the sun shines on our OTP’s happiness.
I don’t want to speculate too much on what’s about to happen and unintentionally spoil anything, though, so let’s focus on something unique to the drama: the cinematography. For some time now, I’ve been meaning to comment on the intentional use of blues and reds, which have been used to represent Seo-ha and Ji-eum respectively. Up until this point, I thought the color choice was simply a means of emphasizing the diametric hot and cold natures of our leads, but the flashbacks to Ji-eum’s first life — in which the reds and blues are intentionally vivid — suggest the color palette has an additional symbolic connection to the story’s narrative. I absolutely adore this attention to detail, and while I’m not fully on board with how the OTP romance has been translated for television, this is, without a doubt, some of the prettiest, most vibrant cinematography I’ve seen in a K-drama in a long while.
RELATED POSTS
- Premiere Watch: See You in My 19th Life
- Shin Hye-sun boasts an impressive resume in her 19th Life
- Shin Hye-sun reunites with Ahn Bo-hyun in her 19th Life
- Will Ahn Bo-hyun remember his love Shin Hye-sun in her 19th Life?
- Shin Hye-sun remembers her past in See You in My 19th Life
- tvN announces lineup for reincarnation romance See You in My 19th Life
- tvN piques interest in the rest of their 2023 drama lineup
- News bites: June 6, 2023
- News bites: June 3, 2023
- News bites: May 30, 2023
Tags: Ahn Bo-hyun, Ahn Dong-goo, Cha Chung-hwa, Ha Yoon-kyung, Lee Bo-young, See You in My 19th Life, Shin Hye-sun
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1 Unaspirated
July 11, 2023 at 5:14 AM
Right now this is a like, not a love, for me. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, because there’s nothing terribly wrong with it, and I really like lots of things about it. But I’m not laughing out loud or cheering for anyone (second couple possibly excluded) especially hard or crying at the sad bits. I’m pleasantly watching and am certainly not bored, but I think I was expecting a little more sparkle. Still. Lots of shows wish they could attain those heights, and I really feel like I have very little to complain about.
However, I might need someone to help me understand why Min-gi didn’t lead with, “and oh btw, you should stop telling people about your past life connections because it’s slowly killing them.” Surely this would be top of the PSA list? That aside, I’m glad he and Seo-ha’s reincarnated mother have entered the scene now - and not just because I’m always happy to see more of Lee Chae-min. I don’t want to see them saving up too much story now that we only have a few episodes left, so it’s nice to see some movement, on that front and others.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 5:52 AM
I really hate Min-gi in this drama, too. I had the same thought: stop being so judgy in silence! She doesn't know!
Also, Seo-ha's reincarnated mom DOES know and she's still doing it...
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darwi
July 11, 2023 at 10:40 AM
I'm frustrated by the lack of discussion/information with the other two serial-reincarnated. They seem to know things (how could they find her ?) but tell nothing.
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sakuradaydream
July 11, 2023 at 5:57 PM
OHMYGOD RIGHT?????????? Why did he not tell her about the consequences of revealing her reincarnation???????????????? We are down to 4 eps and they still want to withhold crucial information??
I understand Min-gi is a part of the manhwa (according to folks on twitter) but Han-na was not hence I'm not expecting much from her (why does she keep appearing in random scenes too lol) but I expected more from Min-gi tbh
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Xococo
July 12, 2023 at 12:23 PM
I haven’t read the manwha, but if he told Ji Eum about the risk of exposing your past identity, wouldn’t she thus want to know why he withheld that from her? It would force him to play his cards and expose their own connection and possibly put Ji Eum in danger. Right?
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2 Blue (@mayhemf)
July 11, 2023 at 5:31 AM
This show continues to be good! And I like how all characters (leads) are well written, how well it’s shot etc. Also, the tie back to her first life was definitely intriguing.
Not a big fan of the mother also coming back to life and remembering her past lives, as it seems too convenient.
I really felt for Seo-Ha as he was trying to break away from himself and his pain. His guilt, suffering was all consuming but he is trying little by little to be a little happy. That kiss was so emotional. Watching him smile makes me happy.
I was surprised that he chose to destroy the evidence. But thinking about it made sense. It’s something Seo Ha would do.
So the father knew!! He knew someone attempted to kill his own son. And he was ok with it? Who is this uncle btw? How is he related to the chairman?
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Rachel2
July 11, 2023 at 5:39 AM
Based on the Korean word, I believe the uncle is Seo-Ha's mother's brother. Speculating about motive, maybe the uncle would have inherited Seo-Ha's mother's money? But I don't understand why Seo-Ha's dad wanted to cover up the attempted murder.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
July 11, 2023 at 5:51 AM
Thanks for explaining. Ouch. Wonder if the company was indeed his mother’s family wealth and hence uncle still holds a lot of control on the shares. I can’t imagine why father would protect someone who chose to kill his son. And what exactly is a minor collision? if he didn’t want to kill what did he plan to achieve?. Let’s hope there is good reason for this.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
July 17, 2023 at 4:50 AM
Most likely those brakes were "fixed". Whether it was that uncle or someone else is yet to find out. But FL's dad certainly was cheated into killing someone instead of, as he thought, just doing the traffic equivalent to "roughing them up". And that made him an alcoholic - and ended up hurting the girl he killed, over and over again, when he became such a terrible father.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 5:59 AM
Oh, if he's his maternal uncle in the drama version then this story aspect may be closer to the webcomic than I was expecting. Although the webcomic explanation still doesn't quite line up with what the drama has shown.
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PYC
July 11, 2023 at 10:09 AM
All along, I thought the father ordered the killing but if that uncle is the maternal uncle, it makes sense.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
July 17, 2023 at 6:17 AM
Sometimes your enemy is reborn within your own family. Then you just need to get away.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
May 20, 2024 at 3:56 AM
In Goblin, they have waited long for everybody from their origin story to be back at the same time again, in bodies that look like those of that life - because that is when the Goblin can finally get free of his curse. So a whole handful of people being around at the same time doesn't have to be justified as coincidence. They are part of the same story that needs fixing.
I have heard that story too from someone I know who believes in reincarnation. (Not someone from a reincarnation culture, so you know, one of those millions of reincarnated people who all were pyramid architects 😉 ). But well, he said one of his friends had been one of his colleagues back then, too.
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3 welh
July 11, 2023 at 5:33 AM
The awkward confessions and Ji-Eum’s continued candid remarks set the theme but the murder mystery is clouding that plot. The part timer acknowledging he is also a past life rememberer, as well as Hanna, starts to overwhelm Ji-Eum as her past starts to cascade on her. The idea (or curse) that she remembers all her lives is because of the traumatic death in her first by an assassin who she loves now is a grand twist.
It appears past memories are the fuel for timeless revenge in the present. We know the players in the fatal accident and it is a complicated tale of time-skipping brutality. It seems there is a Ground Hog Day deja vu circular story about how past life incidents repeat in next lives. In her first life, she was a servant to a master (the part timer now). In her 18th, she took care of the master, Seo-Ha. Some would call it fate or bad karma, but the writer may be indicating that i old dead souls take their revenge even if it takes a thousand years.
Why has Seo-ha’s father’s right hand bandaged? Did I miss something? And why was Im at the loan shark’s demise if he was working for Seo-ha’s father and not uncle? It gets me to wonder if past life memory is genetic and the family was trying to end its own curse by getting rid of Seo-Ha just as they have erased his mother.
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PYC
July 11, 2023 at 10:12 AM
Very interesting theory.
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4 Rachel2
July 11, 2023 at 5:36 AM
I find this drama really compelling. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the story is fast-paced and twisty. What I can't get behind is the OTP romance, for all the reasons DaebakGrits listed above, but also because there was absolutely zero build-up. We never really see their feelings develop. There is no tension, no silent yearning. We're just supposed to accept that they should be together because of their childhood connection and fate. On the other hand, Do-Yoon and Cho-Won's romance has all the chemistry that is lacking in the main pairing.
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emsel
July 11, 2023 at 5:43 AM
During the main leads' kiss, I was so out of it that I noticed a cat or a dog crossing the road behind them 😂 The actors were trying their best during the kiss scene, especially SHS (I think she used tonugue or my imagination), but their characters as a couple is not working at all.
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DaebakGrits
July 11, 2023 at 5:48 AM
I saw the random animal in the background, too! 😂😂😂
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Seon-ha
July 11, 2023 at 8:41 AM
HeartBeat crossover???
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 6:48 PM
It’s easy for me to confuse 19th Life w KTL what with all the similar details - but tonight I really, really wanted to teleport the Heartbeat character (In Hae) into 19th Life so she could carry on there about the ridiculousness of reincarnation, how she had enough trouble in her life now without thinking about past lives and being tied to one love over centuries 🤣 it was so funny!
Also saw the cat! 🐈⬛ and yelled “kiiiitty!” So much for a kiss you couldn’t look away from 😉
indyfan
July 12, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Yes! I'm game for anything that will improve Heartbeat's numbers.
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 11, 2023 at 10:53 AM
Me too! Something about the way it moved made me think "skunk!" but only the human variety are indigenous to Korea. 🤣 I don't blame disengagement from the kiss so much as my natural distractibility. Insects flying around the leads during conversations have made me miss dialogue in this show more than once. I guess that's one downside of filming in nice weather.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
May 20, 2024 at 4:25 AM
Squirrel!
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/CecilieDK/activity/1582915/#acomment-1582916
Blue (@mayhemf)
July 11, 2023 at 5:49 AM
Lol. I think I saw the black cat too 😅
But I liked the kiss. I saw it as an emotional moment rather than just a romantic kiss.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 6:03 AM
I do think that Do-yun and Cho-won are being carried mainly by the actors' chemistry, the writing is not really doing them any favors. And I say this when they were my absolute favorite part of the webcomic.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I just don't think Ahn Bo-yun works for this character. It's not his fault, he's doing a good job. Something about him as Seo-ha is just off for me. and he doesn't feel like the character is, IMO, supposed to feel.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 6:05 AM
I should learn not to try to spell Korean names when I've just woken up. I meant Ahn Bo-hyun!
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5 emsel
July 11, 2023 at 5:37 AM
Thank you @daebakgrits , but unlike you gradually falling out of love with the main OTP, I slowly started falling out of love with the whole story. I stuck to this drama because the plot, its execution, the characters were all refreshing and intriguing to watch, but with these two episodes the story has turned into another typical kdrama.
Since, they avoided the love triangle I was hoping that the show would surprise me, but the eye roll started with the connection between Ji Eum's dad and Seo Ha's accident, amplified during the star crossed lovers revealation and stayed till the end of Ji Eum's confession. Bleh!
Even Cho Won and Do Hyun romance, although cute is becoming draggy because of the fiddle faddle reasons that Do Hyun keeps spewing.
As I have already crossed 3/4 mark of the drama, I will watch till the end, but the only saving grace is Ae Gyeong who is continuing to pour her love without expecting anything in return. She is too precious to die.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 5:54 AM
I find it especially sad because the webcomic is like the complete opposite of the drama. The relationships are given way more focus in the webcomic with everything else being secondary, and it's also way more lighthearted, even funny. And the webcomic subverts many of the cliches that the drama seems to be embracing.
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emsel
July 11, 2023 at 6:20 AM
Looks like writer/director did not read the webcomic or thinks that certain plots will not be good onscreen and changed it. What's certain is no one gave them feedback on the drama. Seo Ha jumping into the pool after the accident reveal must send the message of hopelessness and tragedy but it came across as funny.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 6:24 AM
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the drama writers just liked the idea of the 19 lives and the setup for it, and then decided to make their own version of the story after that. I should have known this would happen after Kiss Sixth Sense (the first drama I've ever seen based on a webcomic I fully read), but I had such high hopes for this drama. The first few eps were almost spot on, and then it just went off the rails. I'm also surprised because, based on her social media posts, Lee Hye seemed really involved in the production. But I also dunno how much control, if any, she really had.
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 6:51 PM
😏 I did laugh.
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6 vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 5:51 AM
I am now of the opinion that, while this may not be a bad drama, it's not a good adaptation. It's like the writers just decided to use the webcomic as a jumping off point, which is disappointing to me because the webcomic had a very good story. Additionally, the changes the drama is making seem counter to the themes of the webcomic, and they're replacing everything that made it fresh and interesting with the same old cliches. The drama also just seems so unnecessarily dark and they're cramming in way too many subplots. Nothing is being given time to breathe, especially the relationships. And I feel like the drama just kind of forgot about the hotel revitalization, other than Cho-won landscaping? The editing seems to be getting worse, with very important scenes seemingly missing or just implied. As I've mentioned, I also think that the drama playing up the past lives more is negatively impacting the story and especially the main romance.
Speaking of, no one has been more impacted than my beloved second leads. I was so looking forward to the scene of Do-yun getting drunk, but it seemed to come out of nowhere. The webcomic had so many other scenes building up their relationship throughout the story, leading up to that scene, and they just got truncated. I am very sad because I love the actors playing the second leads. I also missed the specific thing that happened in the scene in the webcomic, the drama version was less satisfying to me.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 5:55 AM
A lot of Do-yun's and Cho-won's individual development is also missing, and that's so important to their relationship as well
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:22 AM
This may be why I am underwhelmed by their romance, even Do-yoon’s character. Whereas my friend who read the webtoon also loved them. Only Cho-won, and the sisterly bond, is working.
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DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 12:06 PM
Where did you read the webcomic?😊
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 11, 2023 at 2:06 PM
Webtoon it has most of the ones that I have read that will or have been turned into dramas.
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sakuradaydream
July 12, 2023 at 5:14 PM
"I am now of the opinion that, while this may not be a bad drama, it's not a good adaptation."
Very well said. I couldn't agree more!
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7 Kafiyah Bello
July 11, 2023 at 5:57 AM
I didn't love that moment for the kiss, I think it should have happened later. That being said Min Gi being her first love was unexpected. Why didn't he just tell her? She wouldn't care anyway, but at least she would know. I do like the twist on the first love though, Seo Ha being the reason she remembers her past lives and not for a good reason, is just the twist needed. There is so much plot left, how will they wrap it up. I'm excited to see.
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emsel
July 11, 2023 at 6:15 AM
I do not think Min Gi is Ji Eum's first love, but rather her brother or close friend and Seo Ha betrayed them both and killed Min Gi.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 11, 2023 at 8:33 PM
I also wondered if it may be a rurouni kenshin situation. Where she was in love with Min Gi, but Seo Ha kills him because it was his job and then somehow she falls in love with Seo-ha too. But I do wonder why she and Min Gi seemed to be the ones getting the punishment of remembering incarnations, but Seo-ha, who had blood on his sword from killing someone, is just a normal soul.
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8 Miss_elly
July 11, 2023 at 6:05 AM
What I took away is that she and mingi were lovers in their first life( he some sort of prince and she noble) and seo-ha was the one who killed them, Maybe a coupe to take over. So they have to right what ever happened, and need to meet each other to close the circle
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9 Mrs Buckwheat
July 11, 2023 at 6:42 AM
With so much happening these episodes, the characters and their respective families becoming more intertwined it's becoming very shakespeare-esque.
Although I love both the main characters, I'm starting to feel like you DaebakGrits and I don't necessarily think they need to end up together or their focus be about romance. As another beanie mentioned already, their kiss felt more emotional than romantic.
Seo-ha has so much to work through and although Ji-eum is helping him to move forward I feel she is being too selfish with her big reveal on top of all Seo-ha is dealing with. That was not the right time to tell him who she was and there are moments when her behavoiur does feel manipulative.
Poor Seo-ha can't catch a break, why do they keep shovelling more unnecessary trauma onto his character with no therapist in sight.
I'm glad he has made some boundaries with Ji-eum though but her character's personality doesn't bode well, she is too in your face and headstrong.
I would be really interested in seeing more of Ji-eum's other past lives that we have only glimpsed. This seems such a lost opportunity and would of easily rounded out the show for 16 episodes.
Again, another round of applause for the cinematographer, this show is such a pleasure to watch. The opening scenes of episode 7 in the forest in the snow and then snow covered mountains. The spectacular scene inside of the circular abandoned building, rising up was stunning along with watching the ml walking through the tall, windswept swaying grasses.
I look forward to this show every week and I will be sad when it finishes.
Thanks for the recaps DaebakGrits.
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10 Scottie
July 11, 2023 at 6:51 AM
Agree about the fantastic cinematography and the colours. It is simply beautiful.
I was starting to get a little bored with the romance between Ji-eum and Seo-ha and especially Ji-eum revealing her incarnation all the time, but the first life murder suddenly raises the question if this romance is even appropriate. It very much looks as if first life Ji-eum was killed by first life Seo-ha - where does the present day romance go from there with the knowledge of this tragic connection?
It is still unclear to me who Min-gi was in the first life, but I am pleased that he is not the grim reaper.
Lucky for Seo-ha that he still owns a working Walkman! Not sure my kids even know what this is.
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drabea
April 5, 2024 at 1:13 AM
Scottie, "Lucky for Seo-ha that he still owns a working Walkman!" <- This isn't the first time that I've seen something like that in a Kdrama -- walkman, old cellphone, etc.
Here, I was annoyed that it still worked after what must be a few years, and the batteries still inside hadn't corroded and leaked all over.
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Healer’s
April 5, 2024 at 1:55 AM
Yes, the fact that they still keep a walkman or old cellphone doesn't bother me as much as that it still works flawlessly the moment it is needed.
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11 Kurama
July 11, 2023 at 6:57 AM
Hum with 12 episodes, I'm not sure the story needed a first life mystery in addition to 2 love stories and 2 murders.
I would prefer that gave more flashbacks or scenes between Cho-won and Do-yoo, because they barely spoke together and it's not really clear why they love each other. Even if they both are cute together.
I don't agree about the kiss scene. I really like it. He showed and said it aloud that he has feelings for her. Her showing up at this moment was just one more reason to like her. And I don't agree about the fact Ji-Eun is manipulating him. She always was pretty straightforward with her feelings and intention. He needed to be comforted, it was natural she cooked something he liked.
I don't understand his father... Why he's so passive?
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:11 AM
I’m with you in their moment together. He took the initiative and she responded (and then some, true). He really needed comfort and would have had none of not for her. On the other hand, I’ve felt from the beginning that while love is all well and good, that boy needs therapy much more.
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 6:56 PM
Good god almighty, let’s just declare Seo Ha the winner of the year-end category, Character Who Most Screams for Psychiatric Help 😵💫
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 11, 2023 at 7:26 PM
This really should be an official category!
@eazal #2023RoundUp
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Eazal
July 12, 2023 at 12:07 AM
Noted! I’m already thinking of new categories 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Mrs Buckwheat
July 12, 2023 at 12:14 AM
I think there are definitely a few characters in Delightfully Deceitful that would give him a run for his money. Infact the trauma is layed on so thick you'd need an excavator to start chipping away.
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bbstl 🧹
July 12, 2023 at 7:28 AM
Uh-oh! Ok, then we’ll just make Seo Ha a heavily-favored nominee 😉
Mrs Buckwheat
July 11, 2023 at 7:12 AM
The father has been under developed as a character sadly.
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LaurenSophie
July 11, 2023 at 7:18 AM
I agree about the kiss scene. Yes, Seo-ha was emotionally vulnerable, but he wanted and needed the comfort and distraction of a kiss in that moment, so I thought it made sense. He is in love with Ji-Eum, and couples in love do things like this.
I don't see Ji-Eum as manipulative, either. She's impatient and leads with her heart, but Seo-ha clearly reciprocates her feelings and wants the same things she does. And when she has pulled back a little, he ends up missing her and taking the lead for a time. I don't think this dynamic is unhealthy, and I'm glad now that he knows the truth.
She could be a little less demonstrative at work, though, lol.
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12 indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Am I one of the few watchers who is more interested in the drama now than before? I’ve had so many doubts already (still do) so my expectations were low, low, low. And So. Much. Happened. If nothing else, I’m just curious now about all these threads will tie up. And I won’t lie. I kinda just want to see more of ABH in a hanbok. Those visuals, the whole first life, was arresting.
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Mrs Buckwheat
July 11, 2023 at 7:10 AM
I'm assuming we will see more of the first life in the next few episodes. ABH does looks fine in a hanbok, it will be dissapointing if we dont see more.
I really wish the show had explored the other lives in greater detail as well, it's like a gold mine of material just waiting.
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:14 AM
I’m still holding out for more CJH (rickshaw boy).
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Mrs Buckwheat
July 11, 2023 at 7:20 AM
:) A definte wasted opportunity if they don't revisit his character, he is amazing and has conveyed so much in the short screen time he has been given.
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 6:59 PM
I would like to see more of the past lives, esp since they spent all the money on setting up the scenery/costumes/extras/etc. It’s too bad not to get to see more of it.
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LaurenSophie
July 11, 2023 at 7:14 AM
Like you, I was definitely impressed with the plot twists, turns, and reveals. I would guess that even the most jaded viewer who feels they can accurately predict everything kdramas writers will dish out was likely taken aback by at least one of the surprises. The story in this one is actually really interesting, even if the romance doesn't quite live up to expectations.
I agree about ABH in a hanbok. It's hard for me to imagine that with so few episodes left the writers will truly show him to have been a cold murderer in his first life, but I'm very curious to see what happens.
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Ah, you said it better. It was twisty and turny and completely unexpected. That alone is worth something. As is ABH in a hanbok. :)
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Anne18
July 11, 2023 at 7:43 AM
ABH in a hanbok! You just gave me a reason to continue following this drama, if not exactly watch it. I didn't have any expectations either, but now I do - it just has a negative value 😅. I would have continued watching, but the tone and pace are not doing anything to support my curiosity 😐. I'll come back for hanbok updates 🙋🏻♀️.
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:57 AM
LOL. Perhaps one of these gif whizzes will update their fanwall with ABH in a hanbok for you. Then you don’t have to bother with the rest.
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Anne18
July 11, 2023 at 8:02 AM
I hope they do! Perhaps make a meme out of it. That would be even better 😂.
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DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 10:04 PM
That blue hanbok choice was inspired. And, why is that pulled up hairstyle so attractive on some male actors? Curious minds want to know!!!😂
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Anne18
July 12, 2023 at 12:53 AM
I guess because get to see the brows 😁. Why hide them behind that mop? They define the whole face.
bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Hair up is definitely his best look! 👍🏼
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13 LaurenSophie
July 11, 2023 at 7:06 AM
As I mentioned before, I have zero knowledge of the webtoon, so although it saddens me that those who read it feel this drama is a poor adaptation, I think it's a well-written, well-done show. The story is complex and compelling, the cinematography is stunning, and I feel emotionally connected to all the characters, even that cat that photobombed Seo-ha and Ji-Eum's kiss on the road!
I am disappointed in the lack of clear motivation and development in Do-Yoon and Cho-Won's story. They have so much chemistry and the angst is right there under the surface, but so far, we've only been given the flimsiest of reasons why Do-Yoon won't just let himself love her. In contrast, the leads have a rich story together, but the chemistry isn't that strong--it's sweet and gentle, and I certainly buy their attachment to one another, but I don't feel overwhelmed with feelings when they're having romantic moments.
All that said, I loved the twist about Min-gi (although even with his many past lives, I still found it ridiculous that someone that young is an archeology professor). I don't think he's actually Ji-Eum's first love, as I can't see the drama ultimately going there, but I liked the suggestion that he might be as that turns the whole setup on its hand. Additionally, I appreciate how the same people keep showing up in Ji-Eum's lives. I'm not a spiritual or religious person by nature, but I like the idea of our current lives serving to help us work out past relationships and conflicts, even though based on this drama, it doesn't seem to work, lol.
And I thought that uncle was swarmy, but I did not expect him to be behind the accident, and I'm dying to know why.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 7:13 AM
Do-yun and Cho-won had a LOT cut from their story (in terms of both their individual motivations and their relationship development) so I think that's why you feel that way. The drama also made some changes to Cho-won's character that imo make Do-yun's reluctance to be with her seem less understandable.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 11, 2023 at 12:17 PM
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 11, 2023 at 12:18 PM
This is me! I'm enjoying the show, albeit not uncritically. It is gorgeous to look at; I'm in love with all the swimming pools and how they represent sunny moments of joy, the ML's immersion in his silent world of trauma, and his means of escape from it - not to mention an excuse for wet-haired kissing. Min-gi is every bit as credible as an archaeology professor as your average 23-year-old actor is as a top surgeon. 😆
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:06 PM
HA that’s a good point although like @laurensophie I thought, what? He’s way too young to be a professor!
But looking down on the mint-green circular floors of his office building are my favorite visual from this show! I hope koreandramaland will tell us what that building is.
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14 bewitched
July 11, 2023 at 7:15 AM
I think I jinxed it when I said episode 6 was good and I'm looking forward to growing fonder of the rest. It's a headache to follow these 2 episodes with so many revelations. It turns makjang pretty quickly. They probably should swap episodes number with KTL.
I feel like the actors portraying Min-gi and Seo-ha's Mom's reincarnation are bad. Now that we know they've had many past lives I expect more depth (probably difficult for such young actors). Ji-eum is basically omniscient until recently and she shows that confidently.
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Anne18
July 11, 2023 at 7:50 AM
I think we are together in jinxing this drama 🙌🏻. I stopped enjoying it after I said I am enjoying it 😂.
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15 Seon-ha
July 11, 2023 at 7:38 AM
I’ve been having trouble with the way our ML and 2ML have been acting (or not) on their emotions, whether love-directed or trauma-produced.
But in reading all of y’all’s and @daebakgrits’ excellent insights, I’ve come to realize one of the things that’s really bugging me about Ji-eum’s own motivations, and that is, to paraphrase another (less-well-loved) recent drama:
She’s in love with the memory of Seo-ha, when, really, love is the actual person standing in front of her.
Those memories may be 19-lives’-old, but her aloof, even condescending, tone suggests that she’s acting on them rather than on the situation she’s in presently, where there is indeed a man clearly struggling with his mental health.
I’m with those who are not convinced that being kissed is what he needs. He certainly states quite clearly that he’s not ready to commit to her because of his mental state.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 7:54 AM
Yes, and I think this goes back to the drama being SO focused on her past lives, including her 18th life, and how that's negatively impacting the romance.
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Unaspirated
July 11, 2023 at 8:19 AM
I'm really appreciating all your comments @vienibenmio. I'm interested in the differences from the source material and grateful you are pointing them out without giving things away. It makes me really want to read the original! (as someone entirely new to this storytelling medium - where/how does one begin?)
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 10:11 AM
I'm glad that you're finding my comments helpful and not annoying! I know that it can be aggravating when people who've read the source material are constantly comparing the adaptation it and complaining about changes, lol. I just feel very strongly that the changes the drama made are not only unnecessary but also completely undermine what made the webcomic great.
You can read it on Webtoon! Unfortunately it's Daily Pass so there are some limitations to how much you can read per day. One awesome thing about the drama adaptation is that the comic is getting some additional chapters (a cute little side story about the characters when they were kids in her 18th life) being released every week
https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/see-you-in-my-19th-life/list?title_no=1266&page=1
If you like this one, I REALLY recommend her other comic, A Good Day to be a Dog, which is actually my favorite. Especially because I am now pessimistic about its upcoming drama adaptation being a faithful representation of it.
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Unaspirated
July 11, 2023 at 11:10 AM
I can see how it could be annoying to some folks, but in this case it helps me figure out this feeling that I have while watching it. Almost like something is missing, but I'm not sure what it is? I think I will wait until the drama is done airing before diving into the original, but I'm really excited to - thanks!
Lixie
July 11, 2023 at 8:28 AM
It would have been interesting if this was explored in the drama. The fact he would have changed and she doesn't even care because she seems to be always the same. When she remembers the past she adopts the Old Personality and just goes with it. I did not mind the kiss because it seems she thinks he just needs reassurance and herself to get better.
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darwi
July 11, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Isn't it a bit gross to think that a old person (18 lives old) is so in love with an 11y old boy ?
And why didn't he have therapy ?
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 11:48 AM
It's especially frustrating for me as a PTSD therapist - we have some great treatments out there!
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Seon-ha
July 11, 2023 at 11:51 AM
I’m assuming they don’t involve kissing? Yeah, probably not.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 2:14 PM
Lol, they do not involve finding a new romance. Although we do try to increase social engagement!
Mrs Buckwheat
July 11, 2023 at 5:55 PM
I feel for you vienibenmio, all these heavily traumatised characters and no therapists in sight. Kdrama land loves the trauma.
It's ironic that when we do eventually have a therapist as in Delightfully Deceitful the character is underused and opportunities squandered.
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 7:56 PM
Oh, but do you remember KDW as a therapist from YAMS? I was so hoping for more of that.
vienibenmio
July 12, 2023 at 6:07 AM
Secretary Kim at least mentioned the existence of exposure therapy, but nothing was actually done. And whenever they are in therapy, they're always with psychiatrists who at least in the US don't do behavioral treatments that PTSD most benefits from. Lol
bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:10 PM
Right? Gaaaaaah, all the money in the world and no therapy after repeated childhood traumas?
*pounds head on table”
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DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 10:06 PM
And, constructive therapy and not just “therapy speak” at that!
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darwi
July 12, 2023 at 12:04 AM
Therapy should be in the chaebol cursius.
But then we'd have less dramas...
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 8:06 PM
I didn’t feel gross exactly (maybe as she inhabited a young body), but I just couldn’t buy why a character with 18 lives loved that little boy so much. Or at least I didn’t buy what the show tried to sell. It was so obsessive, stalkerish (to borrow Hearbeat’s takedown of the reincarnated love trope 😂).
I kinda feel now that the show heard me. They’ve been connected since their first life. And it’s perhaps why she remembers past lives? So she felt their connection even if she didn’t remember it in her 18th life. It’s very late in the game tho, perhaps too much so.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 11, 2023 at 8:57 PM
While her 18th life loved the little boy for the happy childhood memories after being tired of living, she may have fallen in love with/crushed him when she was a kid in her 19th life and he was a teen (ignoring that teen Seo-ha was played by Ahn Bo-hyun...) since they did meet before.
Sort of like how almost every young gal/woman over 10 crushed on Leo Dicaprio in 1997.
I just binged Heartbeat's first 6 episodes and that takedown on the reincarnated love trope was hilarious. Reincarnation stuff is for the comfortable and well-off. In kdramas, it's hardly ever the dirt-poor getting reincarnated. Like what about the enslaved who were unjustly killed by their masters?
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 11:23 PM
Oh yes. When Heartbeat's FL called it obsession not love, then said following up on it is stalking, I thought she was talking to JE. LOL.
vienibenmio
July 12, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Yeah, it's kinda awkward watching this drama and then Heartbeat, which is skewering the reincarnated love trope.
DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 10:16 PM
Not having read the webtoon and playing catch up with the eps, so far it is not clear to me at all why Seoha became so special beyond just becoming fond of him and forming a connection? Why did the obsession persist? It clearly has a more complex reason. What if she was drawn to his soul out of a sense of grief/loss/betrayal stemming from the first life and then unexpectedly found herself attracted to him? The age differences remain somewhat icky but could her recollection of past lives be because she didn’t avenge a loved one in her 1st so the enforced cycle of rebirth and demise continues. It would be tragic if she has to kill Seoha to end her journey.
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Seon-ha
July 11, 2023 at 11:11 PM
It might be that I’m not in the spirit of this drama anymore, @dncingemma, but I don’t think it will matter to me anymore how these two are/were connected. For the actual situations I’m watching these characters enact in the present, they’re often reacting to things “not happening now.”
Which is, I know, the human condition of suffering.
Oh wait, that’s why I’m so irritated. This is samsara, and I just don’t want to be reminded.
indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 11:35 PM
I agree. It's definitely connected to their first life so at least it will be interesting how they weave it into their present life and ending the cycle.
However, the script hasn't gotten it quite right, but I am having difficulty articulating why. Should the connection have been made sooner? Which mystery should we be focusing on? Do the cutesy present life elements and epic past mesh well together. I have to think a bit more about it, plus the jury is still out.
darwi
July 12, 2023 at 12:02 AM
I believe that he was special because he made her feel like a child again.
Young chaebol isolation is a good substitute for insouciance. Wait, it is insouciance for the child (as long as he is unaware of the politic and power plays). So we are back to square one, no explicit reason linked to him personnaly.
16 Lixie
July 11, 2023 at 7:54 AM
ep 7 - Another boring episode. If it wasn't for that first ep I'd have already dropped this because not even ABH's pretty face can save this drama.
Anyway. That second lead couple does not have chemistry, story, dialogue or anything, so drama used the laziest plot device and had them both fall drunk into each others arms to give some feels. I'm so tired of all the heavy gratuitous drinking, cultural products don't have to educate but it would be great if they were not used as a means to romanticize dangerous behavior.
The only good thing from this ep is that we finally know why HDY is a jerk sometimes and the reason actually has logic. If he was hired as a spy long ago, he does have reason to have some sort of inferiority complex and all kinds of conflicted feelings about the relationship with SH and motive to think cute, charming CW, is way above him.
The main couple is becoming weird. This guy is too messed up and she feels more like an friend than a girlfriend, maybe because she is so calm and collected, that manic energy has gone down and nobody questions her sanity anymore.
I can't believe drama had her tell the truth to secretary. Why would she do that?
The mystery woman was SH's mother? What is this? Crazy Coincidence? If she knows she shouldn't get together with people from her past why is she telling it to JW? Where is the conversation after that hug???
Shaman guy also did not explain anything to her, just gave her some homework. We should forget she has been curious about others like her for centuries.
I can't believe this webtoon is that bad. It must be some adaptation lunacy.
ep 8 - The even eps are always better. It wasn't nicely done but at least it advanced the plot in many ways.
The kid love story turned into a First Love thing? Again? There is a chance it was actually a plot twist right? Her love was Shaman Guy and SH was an enemy who turned lover by some sort of cosmic irony. Make it happen drama! It's so much better than wher you have been going before.
Speaking of irony, she just reincarnated as the daughter of her killer for no reason??? So he could also pester her childhood? This drama won't even try to say anything about the reasons for so many coincidences, will it? And nobody will care, will they? kkkk
Anyway why would SH's mom bother with evil stepmom?
Of course SH would "send her upstairs" to find those papers. So she could better enjoy that empty house kkkk.
The uncle tried to kill the boy and his father is coverung it up? I know he's evil but that's just stupid, but at least THAT will get some sort of explanation later. Maybe they were enemies from another life too. I'm joking. What is it about potentially good dramas that turn crazy that sometimes makes me write so much?
Nice cliffhanger! Might as well tell him, at least it will distract him from the unjustified guilt trip. He would just dive into that pool again.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 10:07 AM
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 10:20 AM
Lol, to be fair like 90% of the second leads' couple happens with the involvement of alcohol even in the webcomic, so I can't blame the drama for that one.
A lot of what you're complaining about how changes made from the webtoon. I don't want to spoil anything, but after this drama finishes airing, I'll make a list of what's different in the comic vs. the drama.
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Lixie
July 11, 2023 at 10:37 AM
Yes, thanks, I always appreciate when people who know the source material tell us about the differences and you have been great at telling it without giving away any of the original plot of the webtoon.
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:14 PM
>Maybe they were enemies from another life too. I'm joking.
Thanks for that, I laughed quite hard 🤣!
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17 OldLawyer
July 11, 2023 at 7:59 AM
We love this show. It is living up to its promise.
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18 hacja
July 11, 2023 at 8:02 AM
First, I want to thank @vienibenmio, whose comments based on her love for the webtoon have helped clarify a few things for me. I've never been enamored of this show, but I certainly see how I could have been--two romances, no love triangle, and an interesting reincarnation twist on destiny and entwined lives.
But, after these episodes, I've given up on the romances, simply because of the male leads. I thought maybe Seo Ha, after realizing his love, would brighten up a bit. A nice, passionate kiss and an unexpected backhug might have alleviated his burdens, and refreshed him more than a long session at the bottom of the pool. But no--he's soggier than ever, with all the appeal of a damp baked potato. Then there is Do-yoon. He's not only a cold fish, he's really kind of a jerk as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he took the flower ring Cho-won gave him and crushed it in his clenched fist of resentment.
I'm more favorably disposed to the way the reincarnation side of the story has developed--it is interesting that Seo-ha is the likely murderer of whoever Ji-eum was in her past life. So here, I guess the theme will be eternal forgiveness, or something like that. It is striking to me that in a story that has romance as a central theme, the drama has leaned heavily into the deaths, traumas and anguish of past lives. Of course, there certainly has, is, and will be a lot of those in human history, so the show is justified in showing desperately crying children, anguished mothers fleeing, bloody swords, and white trucks barreling into other cars over and over again. But, because I watch kdramas somewhat to escape reality, like in imagining reincarnation as in how I would try to be a better person, I think the show could have occasionally nodded toward the fun and amusing, especially if the FL remembered everything about her past life.
I realize I'm being unfair, and probably this story is dark, tragic, and unfunny throughout so that whatever redemption or forgiveness that comes at the end will feel earned. I probably was a malcontented sourpuss in my past life.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 10:14 AM
I'm glad that you and others are finding my comments helpful! Also, although I love Do-yun I literally laughed out loud at the image of him crushing the flower ring in his "clenched fist of resentment." That phrasing is incredible.
It is very sad for me to think of what this drama could have been. Lee Hye's webcomics are basically structured like dramas. I know no one wants a scene-for-scene replication, and I wouldn't want that either... but honestly they could have done that and it still would have been good. Especially with the great cast and amazing cinematography.
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Lelly19
July 13, 2023 at 3:12 AM
This!! While reading the webtoon I thought multiple times about how it felt like "reading" a drama!! xD
I thought it would be fairly easy to adapt well, and yet, they still messed up somehow ><
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Gikata
July 11, 2023 at 12:30 PM
The finest of kdrama eternal classics)))
Agree on wanting more romance here. I'm one the few people who likes OTP together and more interested in them getting there as a couple than them getting a therapy separately, yet drama does not exactly give me that for now... And with how the things are moving, we probably won't see much of them dating anyway, probably closing on The Third Confession or so (plus 5-seconds timeskip epilogue if writers are extra generous). Watch this, it's about love healing, second chances and miraculous reunions, they said... *groans*
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DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 4:47 PM
But this is hardly unusual. Epic love stories as they are intended even if they miss the mark cannot avoid loss, sorrow, yearning and grief. That’s part of their DNA whether in RL or fiction. Otherwise, it is not compelling and no legends or myths arise from them.
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Gikata
July 11, 2023 at 5:44 PM
It's all about the balance between the two. Here I'm afraid that the percentage of the good stuff is not enough compared to the percentage of angst/drama/grief/celestial doom, in this life of hers at least. I'd understand if there was no additional drama/mystery so that OTP becoming official was the main event and plot goal, but we've got quite a lot of other things moving the story forward so no need to held leads back from properly dating for this long other than to artificially stretch things out. I almost fell off my chair when Jieum was like "fine, you're not ready to date me rn, but can we still kiss?" and he was all up to it somehow - lol, how FAR you two can go with that mindset, realistically speaking? If it wasn't a kdrama... Anyway, ridiculous. This is like trying to sit on two chairs at the same time with just one butt))) I'm not feeling this pacing, unfortunately. Everything else is passable, but not the unsatisfying romance progression. I feel like I'm getting the scraps when I was promised a full meal, and it's not like I'm in the need of any dieting...
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:19 PM
omg, “trying to sit on two chairs with one butt”, that is one for the ages 🤭
Gikata
July 12, 2023 at 8:24 AM
@bbstl, that's a common folk wisdom out here, I'm in no way claiming the credit)))
bbstl 🧹
July 12, 2023 at 10:52 AM
@gikata you’re killing me, “depression fertilizer”, such a useful phrase! Wow 👏🏽😆
Gikata
July 12, 2023 at 11:03 AM
@bbstl, this one is 100% mine, but feel free to use it, I like to spread my troll agenda around)))
Lelly19
July 13, 2023 at 10:26 AM
Them liking each other but holding back from properly dating would have made more sense if they'd flashed out the characters better...Seoha feels like he can't commit because he's still thinking of Joowon, and Jieum doesn't make it any easier (obviously xD), but they hardly addressed this in the drama, have they?
I'm usually not a fan of longer dramas, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but this show could have worked with 20 episodes too, probably, there was enough story for that 👀
Gikata
July 13, 2023 at 11:30 AM
@cubely, I guess writer tried to explain away "dating ban" not by Seoha's lingering feelings for JW, but this whole messy ordeal with car crash and his complicated family situation. Which is, honestly, very stupid - I am no romance expert, but isn't the whole point of dating to face life challenges together and supporting each other while at it? If everyone waited for a 100% problemless moment to start a relationship, then we all would've been forever single))) Good thing she literally can wait multiple lifetimes for him to be finally ready to date her, I guess...
indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 6:12 PM
Oh, no wonder my interest perked up. I love epic love stories with all their drama (what else is all that anguish, loss and yearning). But I do usually like more than four episodes for them to play out.
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Gikata
July 12, 2023 at 8:33 AM
I've long fulfilled my yearly dose of epic love
depression fertilizerdrama already so 19th LIFE was not it for me, esp after all webtoon readers promises that it is not super heavy or messily complicated... Joke's on me once again, of course. NEVER trust an adaptation, they are all traps.indyfan
July 12, 2023 at 9:38 AM
@gikata So I won't be seeing you in the My Dearest recaps then? :)
But yeah, it is annoying when a drama doesn't deliver what it promised.
Gikata
July 12, 2023 at 10:42 AM
@indyfan, honestly, I don't know yet. It looks good and a solid sageuk has been long overdue in my watchlist, but 30 rumored episodes of a war-time angst? That would be a pure masochism. Then again, it's an original script, I believe, and everything about it SCREAMS doom from the start so maybe, JUST MAYBE I can try it with zero hopes... and end up swimming in my tears face down Seoha-style)))
We'll see, there's still a few weeks left for me to collect at least some of my pain tolerance back. And historical info on the period as well, this fits just right into my recent self-studies.
19 korfan
July 11, 2023 at 9:32 AM
I'm wondering if Jang Yeon-ok's son is actually Seo-ha's uncle's son and not Jung-hoon's. This may be why the uncle wanted Seo-ha dead, so that any inheritance wouldn't be divided up between the two sons.
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20 captainlaika
July 11, 2023 at 9:37 AM
I'm still enjoying this show, but I do agree with most of the criticisms here. Even with 4 episodes left I'm wondering how everything's going to wrap up. Normally 12 episode shows are the perfect length for me but I'm wondering if 19th life couldn't have benefited from some extra episodes and time to let some plot and romance elements breathe and have their own space
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21 skirt
July 11, 2023 at 10:16 AM
I'm still very much enjoying the show. The kiss feels right to me. Seo-ha was comforted by her kindness and gravitated toward her, and he did confess to Do-hyun previously that he likes her. I can understand how emotional and comforted he was by her presence at that moment.
Perhaps I am very accepting of all Ji-Eum's actions because of her mental age. I keep thinking how will I behave if I have lived for 1000 years? I think I would be very indifferent to things, relationships, and people around me. In that sense, I was amazed by her monologue at the beginning of episode 7, which I think explained all her nosiness and kindness toward Seo-ha. Because there are many instances in the story in which she kind of mothering him. I supposed living for that long means you have to find a purpose in your life.
Because this is a fantasy drama, I kinda resign to accepting that she loves Seo-ha because he is the love of her lifetimes. However, the twist of him being her lover who betrayed her in her first life is perhaps a better explanation, just like the killer in her previous life is her father in her present life. For some reason, the reincarnation roulette really messes with her.
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22 Bunny Sonaki
July 11, 2023 at 10:58 AM
A few episodes ago I commented on how I want Seo-ha to fall for Ji-eum for herself. But though she sensed firsthand how hard he had it because of the car accident, she keeps somewhat deliberately reminding him of Joo-won. Which is starting to be annoying. Like @daebakgrits I wished she took a step back instead of kissing him in that state.
Actually, I can't care less about the main OTP. I am just curious about the karma from their first lives. Were they lovers or enemies?
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23 Lostpanda is celebrating My Ajusshi 💔
July 11, 2023 at 11:58 AM
I love this show. I feel like I'm in the minority here.
I love the cat walking in the background.
I love the non-stop hints Ban Ji-Eum gives to to Seo-Ha and the tease of him getting closer but never getting it.
I love the way Ji-Eum enunciates "Seo-Ha" in the most tender and longing manner.
I love Shin Hye-Sun's protrayal of Ji-Eum. Shin Hye-Sun has reached that point for me where she can do no wrong.
I love the cinematography and the color palette.
I absolutely love the relationship between Ji-Eum and Ae-Gyeong.
I love the healthy Ji-Eum and Cho-Won relationship and the emotional whallop the sister admission had. It kinds like "Luke, I am your father" replaced with "Cho-Won, look at me. Look at your sister"
Maybe it's because I haven't read the webtoon and I had zero expectations going in, but I love this show. For 2023, it's ranking right up there with Call it Love.
I hate the fact that it's only 12 episodes and I'm dreading it's end.
I also think that Seo-Ha should gotten a concussion multiple times by now: from falling out of that wheelbarrow to the faceplant in the pool. That dude has a thick head.
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vienibenmio
July 11, 2023 at 12:19 PM
I almost wish I hadn't read the webcomic so I could know how I'd have felt about this with no preconceived ideas going in.
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indyfan
July 11, 2023 at 6:22 PM
It’s not there with Call It Love for me (still my 2023 fave). But as the thread with @dncingemma pointed out, with their first lives reveal, their relationship suddenly becomes epic instead of inexplicable (for me), filled with sorrow, yearning, and loss. Kinda like…Call It Love. I get that the late reveal is part of the mystery but I wish it’d at least been hinted at earlier. It needs 16 episodes to play out now.
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24 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 11, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Warning: I'm going to be more blunt than I have been previously. If the drama doesn't stand on its own, that's a drama problem, not an adaptation problem. Continually complaining about or commenting on a factor that has nothing to do with most people's experience of the show not only doesn't contribute to the conversation about the drama itself, it distracts from it, and it's frankly unfair to those who have not read the webtoon for whatever reason. This is not a request to avoid talking about what webtoon readers think - all takes welcome, and there's plenty of room for discussion of the specific adaptation-related issues on fanwalls. But please consider this me *begging* folks to take the primary focus on the adaptation and the specifics of the webtoon to their fanwalls. Maybe DB staff could put up a separate "Hot Takes" thread for that topic after the show as they've done for other shows, as there's clearly some interest in that discussion.
I mean, I know I should just give up on the comment threads at this point, but I still have some hope that there's a way we can all participate here.
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bbstl 🧹
July 11, 2023 at 7:31 PM
I’m with you on this, @elinor. A drama must stand on its own or not. It makes me think of the Kiera Knightley “Pride and Prejudice”, I detest what they did to the book but a lot of people loved the film because it stands as an effective sweeping romance.
And I would like to discuss this drama on its own merits, not in terms of its prior context.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
July 12, 2023 at 3:29 AM
On first watch I didn’t enjoy the movie as much. I was clouded by the book and my own expectations. But on a rewatch I loved what they did. And has become one of my favorite movies.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
July 12, 2023 at 3:28 AM
Agreed. I literally skip the recap
Comments because of this. They chose to adapt the story for this medium and I don’t care what the original was about.
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vienibenmio
July 12, 2023 at 6:32 AM
I tried to go to my fan wall but found the text limit too restrictive. If there would be another space in which to share my thoughts in this specific area, or if I'm just not really understanding how the fan wall works (probably quite likely), I'm happy to take my thoughts elsewhere. I was actually thinking about how AV Club used to have two different reviews and comment sections for GoT, for "experts" who had read the books and for "newbies" who hadn't. It'd be really wonderful if DB could do something like that for adaptations of the more popular webcomics, although I don't know if that would be too labor intensive. Another issue is that I haven't really found any spaces to discuss the drama in the webtoon fandom. The drama fandom is much better organized.
Anyway, point taken, I will stop making comparisons to the webcomic in this comment section. I'm sorry if my comments detracted from anyone's experience and made them not want to participate here. I have this tendency to get VERY frustrated when adaptations deviate from their source material in a way that I feel is disrespectful (you should have seen me with the 2022 Persuasion adaptation on Netflix). I will learn to tolerate my distress more effectively.
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bbstl 🧹
July 12, 2023 at 7:32 AM
That’s a good example, after reading a couple of reviews I decided I was better off not seeing that Persuasion 😬
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 13, 2023 at 12:16 PM
If you write offline do all the editing there and then paste it into the fan wall comments box you can fit a LOT in see @darkcc fan wall of how much singing and dancing you can do on there. You can add replies to your post if you run out of space and they fit a lot in them.
If you paste it in the original fanwall comment box and notice a typo do not edit it from there go back to the offline source and then re paste it otherwise it reverts to the 200 characters again.
You will get mixed responses to webtoon spoilers/comments in the comments section but bear in mind that DB do flag up spoiler warning messages regularly and I am not sure if they have done it here or if it was another recent drama but I think the only reason they haven’t done it every week is because beanies have been doing it for them.
The other place on the site to discuss dramas where spoilers are allowed is the Friday Open thread and people can just avoid that post of they don't want to risk seeing anything.
Your respectful acknowledgement and explanation are much appreciated. You have a following so hopefully you will find a suitable place to offload. I know how it feels I was that person who was raging about the film version of Captain Corelli’s mandolin.
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vienibenmio
July 13, 2023 at 2:10 PM
Thank you, that is very helpful! I will be sure to post on my fan wall for future episodes (and other future adaptations of webcomics I love).
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DaebakGrits
July 12, 2023 at 6:46 AM
As someone who has read the webtoon, I agree with you. Maybe I'm able to see the drama as its own entity because I have the memory of a goldfish and only remember key plot points from the webtoon (which I've done my best to avoid in my recaps), but I haven't been in the habit of making a lot of comparisons -- even in my head and off DB. I really like this drama as a whole, and my biggest hold up with it, as I said in my recap, is how affected I am by Seo-ha's mental health and the impact that's had on my ability to swoon over the romance. Did I have the same issue with the webtoon? No, but I don't think it's because the webtoon is superior. Instead, I lean towards this being more of a "me problem," in that I'm able to sympathize more with actors than cartoon drawings.
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25 Gikata
July 11, 2023 at 1:17 PM
If anything, that was a very nice kiss))) And I'm pretty sure it served its purpose well - both at giving a good fanservice to us and an equally good distraction for Seoha. No way in hell he did NOT forget entirely about his family drama and stress related to it while the moment lasted^^ Why people seem so judgemental over skinship stress relief anyway? It's no worse than chocolate in that regard, and kissing also does not rise your blood sugar (or calories) level while at it. I did LOL hard when Jieum teased him with "should I stay overnight?" and he literally ran away from her flustered - so cute.
Generally this week was both better and worse than last - worse because I now fully believe we won't get full-bloom romance on screen, only hints of that, and better because there was actually some progress finally! Seoha in particular impressed me with his mature response to various challenges, only stumbling at the very end of Ep8 where he had it so hard I couldn't really fault him for rising mushrooms in his emo corner like all MLs with TRAUMA always do. The fact that he only needed one day being somewhat cooler - never even mean! - to Jieum after revelation of her father's crime before making up his mind and deciding he's not holding this against her and won't let it ruin their blooming relationship was WOW. Not many kdrama leads can rise up to such bar. Not sure how I feel about him burning the evidence tho - he may be ok with moving on, but it's not only about him, right? There are JW's family, DY's one and loan shark that was - probably deserving but still unjustly - killed... And I'm glad JE finally came clean. Deep down he already suspected it, good timing.
Now onto the main mystery - the one of 1st life I mean. Imo, past!Seoha was both - past!Jieum's lover/crush AND the one that hurt her deeply, probably murdering someone dear to her. Past!part-timer (prince or noble) may have had one-sided feelings too, which would explain his weird expressions. This would make it some sort of karmic reparations, just like with JW's killer becoming JE's father - damn, dude was given a chance to repay his victim directly by being a good dad and he literally wasted it away *facepalm* Seoha tried his best in 18th life tho - before it was cut short by an "accident", and now they have to do it all over again... He certainly should put more effort then - poor JE still naively believes it's HER who should love/protect him))) So it was great when he made some moves himself and promised even more.
P.S. What does Chowon owes Doyoon in their past lives? Only that would explain it to me at this point!
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26 Lalla32
July 11, 2023 at 2:06 PM
God, am I tired of being excited about the first eps of a drama only to be then absolutely disappointed a few episodes later. This has happened too many times this year.
The drama has some spectacular cinematography and Shin Hye Sun is as usual VERY good in every scene... and then the lovely Cha Chung Hwa! But there is really not much else. In the last two eps I have rolled my eyes way too many times.
First of all I find the male characters absolutely boring and useless. It's all about their trauma. Okay, Ha Do Yun has so little space that one cannot really say much against him. But Seo Ah has no life in him. It doesn't help that in every single scene Ji Eum is popping up and doing her crazy act. Seriously girl... enough! I can't stand her talking to him like he is still a little kid. It is not romantic and not helpful at all. Cho Won I can't stad her either. She has little space too so she is just supposed to be cute... but she is not. Both females leads are irritatingly persistent. Back down a little, girls. Imagine a guy being like that. We would call them stalkers. I won't comment on the usual drunk stupor because enough has been said in other comments.
But the real problem here for me is the poor dialogue. Characters are thrown together and they exchange some weird dialogues that make no sense. Why are they saying such private stuff when they don't know eachother? Why they are talking about secrets when they have never met before? And so on. Random stuff, randomly cut, happening for random reasons.
And seriously, am I supposed to feel anything about the plot twist with the uncle being the murderer? He has been in something like two scenes.
I could go on but I'll stop here. I'm going to finish this just because it's only 12 episodes. Gah... such disappointment!
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27 DancingEmma
July 11, 2023 at 4:43 PM
I love reading all of your comments. They have persuaded me to try watching this again. I’ve gone back to watching it again even though despite my liking for SSK, I don’t like aspects of her portrayal but have loved Park Soyi as Jieum’s younger version. So so much. I also love watching Ha YoonKyung, Ahn Donggoo (he has some range. To my disappointment, I didn’t immediately realise he was Oong’s manager in “Our Beloved Summer” !🥰) and of course the always wonderful Cha Chunghwa. And, an honourable mention goes to the ever-adorable Ki Soyoo!
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Lostpanda is celebrating My Ajusshi 💔
July 11, 2023 at 6:37 PM
Wait, What? Ahn Don-Goo was Ung's manager in "Our Beloved Summer"??? Thanks for pointing that out. I totally missed that. How could I have missed that? Bad me.
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DancingEmma