Oh, I’m already a bit besotted (is this even possible)? I love JDY in this. So much. I suspected for a while that I was having a Pavolvian reaction upon hearing his name but to cut a long story short, I’ve realised I’m just discerning. So most def not just a preconditioning to like his roles!😂
He just infuses Baekdu and this drama with his sweet but lost and conflicted persona. And that saturi. I can’t get enough of it.
Don’t fuck it up drama!

In the drama's genre tag I see "Human" and that best describes our protagonist. Portraying Baek Du like an ordinary guy rather than a larger than life character, makes it easy to connect to him. @missvictrix So, you are right in saying, already Jang Dong-yoon has won me over with this performance, with all the fidgets and emotions made visible as he walks.

It is also good plot point to have Baek Du be in a slump because it provides a chance to narrate the ssireum sport through action than through words. I liked the directing with the first match because it looked like a real match amd they made it thrilling to watch.

Compared to another recent village setting drama, the ajusshis and ajhummas here are fun to watch. I don't know what to make of our FL, but the cafe girl played by Kim Bora already won me over.

Applause for Jang Dong Yoon dedication to his profession, but I dislike the comments in other places calling him chubby and pot bellied and undoing his physique from "Tale of Nokdu" 🙄🙄 He looks fit and better than the overrated 6 pack abs.

I like Jang Dong Yoon but I can't see the difference in his last roles. I have the feeling to see the same role with minor differences like the satoori for this role.

How they always choose the actress the less credible to make a sport as lead? Lee Sung-Kyung as a weightlifter, Kim So-Hye as a boxer and now Lee Joo-Myoung for ssireum who really gives the vibe she would prefer to be at home than getting out 😅

But after 25-21, I'm happy to see her back.

I'm really impatient to learn more about this sport.

I could have done without the corpse in the tank and its mystery.

1. I like how this show is about a regular guy that happens to be a wrestler. It isn't about the "number 1". He was a child prodigy, he has talent and he likes what he does, but he isn't "the" winner. I like that. It's not a show about "that genius", it feels like a show for simple mortals like me.
And I'm really glad the show didn't go for the cliché were the dad was number 1, so he puts all the pressure of the world on his son, and wants to make him continue his legacy or something like that. I like that his parents let him be.

2. I like how everyone a supportive of Baek Du. Even if everything they say about Baek Du isn't positive, they all say it because they care. His friend, the oppa of the coffee shop's lady. He keeps bothering Baek Du but it's because he's worried about him and he sees his potential. He was proud of his friend after the match, and wanted to say "you did a good job". He didn't because tsundere, but it's obvious he has good intentions.

This is my type of show (I think I liked episode 2 even more).
I hope you can continue recapping the show, missvictrix. Let's have fun together!

Thank you, @missvictrix, for your weecap and insight! I have just started the first episode (unfinished as of this writing) and I'm trying to get an idea of whether I will continue or not. With your review, I'll give it another try.

I am on the fence about this one. It was boring to me but I can feel the emotions.

I liked the first episode a lot.

I loved the small town feel, all the characters and especially JDY was so good here. In all those silent moments we could feel his pain.
The camera work is gorgeous.

JDY looked like a wrestler. His accent was delightful. I know nothing about wrestling and yet I was glued to the screen during the competition.

After having watch episode 2 I liked it more !!

So are we getting recaps missvictrix 😇

Episode 1 was interesting--nice cinematography, good acting, especially JDY and Jang Young Nam as son and mother, and charming little touches, e.g, cafe owner and umbrella. I am not sure I fully like it yet, but it seems promising.

So far, Baek Du is both a sympathetic and unsettling character. On on hand, his twitches, his clumsiness like at the store, the way he eats (it seems like he is eating both to maintain/gain weight for competition but also to frantically and obsessively fill some void) all show a deep unease, and yet, at the same time, he seems like a walking zombie--the pervasive numbness with which he is carrying himself is heartbreaking. JDY is doing an excellent job portraying this duality of a bundle of nerves and an overarching deadness. I am interested to see his spirit freed from whatever is crushing his soul from the inside and out.

Side Note: I too wish they could have had a FL who was physically more in keeping with someone who could actually be a sirreum phenom. It reminds me of the old X-Man days when Yoon Eun Hye would beat men in the sirreum game--back then, a running theme on that show was a criticism of her weight even though she was a perfectly healthy weight, thin even by most standards except in comparison to the uber thin Korean celebrities.

It is one of strangest feelings watching this drama, because it feels like a period piece but it is set in 2023. Maybe because nothing feels exaggerated. That being said, it didn't wow me, but I liked it enough to continue watching. I love learning about sports I am unfamiliar with, so this should be fun.

I'm into this so far, and think the second episode is even better than the first. The atmosphere is what initially drew me in, as it's charming but not cloying, and the show feels more authentic than a lot of other kdrama depictions of small, seaside towns. The only thing I'd add to the recap is that I think how Baek-du lost his (perhaps but probably not) final match is significant. Having it come down to a judge's call as to whose body hit the mat first without us seeing the video they supposedly watch to make that determination made me think there might be a match fixing subplot that ties into the mysterious drowning. Or maybe I still have "My Lovely Boxer" on the brain.

Regardless, I'm definitely intrigued by all the different plots and relationships, and the fact that the supposed blockhead Baek-du appears to be the only one who recognizes Du-shik (I like when characters others dismiss as dumb are the only ones who have the basic smarts to see the truth). The writing is sharp but gives the story and characters room to breath. As a result, although wrestling and boxing are probably my two least favorite sports, as with "Boxer," I find myself caught up in the lives of those who pursue them.

Please watch “Like Flowers in Sand” Beanies so that we can have recaps! Pretty please?

My father was a fan of U.S. collegiate wrestling and so got me into it as a spectator sport, and I like Olympic wrestling as well. (As most of you know, in the U.S. there are no competitively legitimate professional wrestling matches--pro wrestlers are amazing athletes, but they are entertainers, of the type I don't care for at all).

In relation to the kind of wrestling I am used to, Ssireum seems like a lesser spectator experience, since both the grappling and the quick finish are pretty one dimensional, even if technical and not just strength based. Its hard to see how, in this day and age, a professional ssireum club would be maintained, even if it has a long tradition in Korea.

However, like all sports dramas, it really doesn't matter what happens in the actual ring--its the metaphorical arena that counts, and this show has set up the idea of the athlete coming to terms with not only his athletic failure but his going nowhere life really well. As @missvictrix says, Jang Dang yoon has so far created a character who is really relatable on several levels. I'm not so sure about the female lead--I guess it depends on what her mystery is--but it too could be an effective story of finding a new direction. I'm really liking the setup of this, and only hope it doesn't get too melodramatic.

Opening credits with sand art were so beautiful, wow. I did not think about this idea beforehand, but it's so brilliant given the theme and title.

Damn, JDY really got that wrestler physique, doesn't he? Respect. On the contrary, I couldn't help but think that his arch rival looked more like a model swimmer or something))) Don't quite understand yet what's the problem with BD never winning even once during his pretty long career - he seems to have the talent, technique, no mention of serious injuries, coach and most teammates seem supportive of him and so on... Anxiety? Lack of aggressive fighting spirit? There were indeed some comments thrown about him being "too kind", which can be a bad thing in sport. In a scene where he gave out advice to other guys I thought that perhaps he's simply more suited for coaching than competing himself. But then again, I'm not sure an athlete without any flashy awards under his belt would be able to find a job as a coach, no matter how skilled he actually is.

Oh, the murder mystery in a supposedly non-crime drama, long time no see! *rolls eyes* Not a fan of how hard show tried to sell this subplot being important (we don't even know who's the victim, right?) + the whole thing about FL (umbrella walk was anime level of ridiculous), her sudden "return" (if she really is who BD thinks she is) and possible connection to the murder... Characters randomly popping out of nowhere with little to no introduction was a little weird too, esp cafe owner girl - the way she kept talking to FL who just SAT THERE IN DEAD SILENCE, then got up and left lol. I rarely complain about the length of drama episodes - who cares about time when you're really having a good time? - but this one felt kinda slow for 1hour+, not quite sure why. Perhaps I couldn't connect to anyone other than our hero yet, everyone else was just... there and that's it.

Also picked up the match's winner - team's current golden boy apparently - looking anything but victorious after winning. The way this scene went made me think of a foul play... but I also agree that BD was the first one to touch the ground, so that can't be it. What's the deal then?

P.S. Baekdu and Jiri wordplay was hilarious)))

Ooh good first impression. The tone was strong yet subtle. The color palette was subdued much like the male lead. Excited to see Jang Dong Yoon in this and Jang Young-nam & Choi Moo-sung as his parents? WOW.

I like that the local cop was a smart one, already noticing details that others would brush off.

I'm in the mood for a slower-paced, atmospheric drama.
Glad this is being recapped!! :]

I started this one and was about to add it to the list of dramas to continue watching when it registered; random body and lots of cops talking in the first part of episode one, this is going to be an ongoing theme. It reminded me of When the Camilla blooms which I walked away from early for the same reason. The curse of the sweet and salty popcorn drama. (I am a purist it’s cinema style sweet popcorn all the way particularly if it is enhanced with a caramel coating so mixing it with a savoury version is an unwanted option). I decided to save myself by walking part way through episode one which is a real shame because it looks like this has the potential to be a very well told story.