I have not been so invested in a drama since Alchemy of Souls. I find many similarities between the main characters of AoS and LFiS: both Jang Uk and Baek Du are unaware of their own strengths and underestimated by others.

This show is perfection in many levels. Be it the chracters, or writing, the art direction, costumes, cinematography etc etc… It just comes together so beautifully.

Baek Du is the heart and soul of this show and I absolutely love him, and like missvictrix said in the earlier recaps, he is going to be my favorite ML of 2024. He is just so pure and kind, and has the most beautiful soul, you just want to protect him. The way he comforted the player from another team in the most Baek-Du way, the way he bawled so Du Shik can cry it out during school - this is just a pure and beautiful soul.

Every single side character is so well thought out and written. They all steal their scenes. His parents, siblings, the ssireum team, the town gossip ladies, the misfit husband, Jin Su, Coffee lady, bff ajhusmmas, the police guys, snowball.. I mean, every single one of them..

I also think the show is not going to do a love triangle. In fact it’s possible we might get a triangle with the second leads - assistant cop with an amazing bone structure, Jin Su and coffee lady.

Jin Su is again amazing. Their frenemy act is just so brilliant.

And, we got these two adorakable ones who just belong with each other. I laughed so hard at the eyeball reflection suggestion and Du Shik actually trying it out. Lol. I like that she is clearly affected by him and I love that. I mean, come on, who can resist him.

I'm tired of people like Du-Shik and Jin-su's mom smacking Baek-du around, (seriously, why is a grown man getting hit on the head, back, and face so often presented as high comedy?) but other than that, I have only praise for these two episodes. I love that this is a character- and not plot-driven story, and that the setting functions a protagonist almost as much as the actual protagonist.

Baek-du is a simple, straightforwardly good man, and his impulse to put others' feelings before his own is truly admirable. It's also, as Du-Shik pointed out, a problem: at a certain point, if he never puts himself first, he'll always be last. This is when their relationship works for me. Other times, even though I like their banter, friendship, and Baek-du's obvious (to everyone but himself) adoration for her, they seem more like squabbling siblings than potential lovers. Plus, Du-Shik is sometimes too blunt and insulting to Baek-du; I could deal with less of her calling him a moron and, as I said above, smacking him around.

Jin-su is hard for me to read; I can't tell if he is sincere and fair in his criticisms of Baek-du, or if it's all based in petty resentment. I also am waiting for a big reveal or movement in the cafe owner's story--I feel like we're circling around something that never quite happens. I'm also not sure why it's so important to figure out with whom the coach argued at the match. I don't mind the central mystery, but I keep losing track of the focus of the investigation.

If I liked Baek Du before, after this week, I love, love, love Baek Du. This week, I realized what makes Baek Du (and JDY's portrayal) so compelling and endearing--he is fully embodied. Baek Du is completely in his body so his heart and intentions all come through physically, even more than his words. So many of the great scenes were physical even when he was not wrestling--when he was avoiding Jin Su's mom, when he was eating, when he held up his arm straight up with energy to show he wanted to be in the upcoming match (as well as showing how he had wanted to be captain), when he ran all the way to Du Sik's house with his brother's phone. When someone who is fully embodied and comfortable in his own body (kudos to JDY who seems totally at ease in his heavier sirreum body in this show), it's incredibly attractive. His heart shows through his movements and actions. His EQ is high and it's also on a cellular level instead of an intellectual one, so it can't help but come through even if he doesn't verbally clearly express things. I think this is why Jin Su's mom said that it is impossible not to like Baek Du.

That all said, one verbal scene that was so touching and perfect was the exchange between Baek Du and Dong Seok about who won the match. Both knew that Dong Seek hit the floor first--Dong Seok knew that Baek Du knew through his body. When Baek Du said that referees were part of sirreum, it was so perfectly Baek Du--it was Baek Du acknowledging that he knew that he won the match while at the same time accepting how sirreum works. Honest and pure Baek Du.

It's great that Du Sik knows Baek Du's kind heart but also his love of sirreum and encouraged him to not only be kind to others but be kind to himself and go after what he wants. Watching how quirky yet so straightforward they are with one another is delight.

I raise my arm straight up for this show. I am in.

"Baek-du out Baek-du’s himself." Ah, @missvictrix I thoroughly enjoyed your recap, almost as much as I am delighted by the drama.
If anyone deserves to have their name turned into a verb it is Baek-Du; in a lot of ways he reminds me of the other lovable doofus in dramaland: Ko Dong Man (FfMW). But he is also distinctly his own personality with overflowing empathy that we see time and again, most powerfully in the scene with Lim Dong Soek .

The one criticism I might have is this so-called "undercover" investigation because it seems aimless and hasn't been very productive: Hyun Wook has learned more about Du Shik than the actual case. Then, I have to remind myself that probably investigations drag this slowly in real life and I am too used to dramaland police investigations that are, you must admit, probably over dramatic.

Is anyone else getting bad premonitions about Baek Du's father? I am beginning to think he is/was involved or even the Big Bad, but I hope not!

This drama is so precious because the characters are precious. There is an underlying theme of love in all of the characters interactions. When Baek Du lent the former coach his savings, he gave it with his whole being. When his frenemy Jin Su yells at him and makes him train hard, it is because he knows Baek Du can do it. Du Shik's absolute affection and belief in Baek Du is matched by Baek du obvious love for her. I can't wait until they tell each other. Such a great drama even with the murder plot.

This is shaping up to be one of my favorite shows. These characters and the acting is so engaging.

I started ep 1 yesterday and finished ep 6 today. Once I hit play I couldn't stop watching.
I love these characters. I am really curious to know what happened between Baek-du and Jinsu. How their friendship became distant. Also, I want our kids to know their boss is back in town. I wonder if it will hurt some feelings when it's out that she has been there.
I love the dad. So much with just a look or expression.
How they are doing the murder mystery is interesting. It is almost all happening in the background or on the fringes, which I guess is how it would seem to us if we lived in the town. It would be a part of the days gossip, but life and the town would keep going on.

I like that two different sets of cops are working on it and it might be Snowball that solves it.

I was prepared for Baek Du outdoing himself. His comforting scene with Dong Seok was still wonderful.

I love Baek Du (lol whoops, I said this in the previous recap!). We've gotten to know his easy-going, considerate soul. There have been plenty examples of his selflessness so when he spoke up and was finally selfish for himself, that was a big turning point. I loved it when he changed his steady walk to a sprint. The circle of sunlight was shining on him. Nice camerawork.

Another great cliffhanger. His most powerful and heartfelt speech yet! Jang Dong Yoon is killing it in this role, but gosh, his lines and actions - pausing, catching his breath, hyping himself - during this particular scene were all so good.

Jin Su is hard to read, but he doesn't seem that bad. His rare compliment about Baek Du was a sweet surprise.

The investigation is not super secure and is sort of drawn out. I don't mind though. I was slightly nervous when Baek Du was shouting Doo Shik's name at the gym (after hours..but still) and that the townspeople will find out her identity. This will likely happen anyway. I think Baek Du's father will recognize her.

I like that Hyun Wook is smarter than I assumed. He has been observant and picked up clues. The teamwork hasn't been all there with the investigation so maybe things will move forward better now that the secret's out.

The running (heh ;]) joke with Snowball is funny! I love it. And seeing the cute dog! It was also cool that there was a hint gained from her part in the story. :P

I am really enjoying this show. Baek-du is one of my favorite ML's I've seen recently. Like others, I loved his misdirection when he went to see Deon-sook saying he was worrying about his teeth when he fact he wanted to assure his opponent that he didn't think the match was thrown. It was a wonderful moment--and speaking in sports terms, a real model of sportsmanship.

But all the characters are likeable --the brothers are great. Even the detective who I think should have been given a rationale for investigating Du Sik is good. (I'm sure her Dad's story will be connected with the gambling ring, but still the detective gave no hint that he knew this, and that's what was needed to justify the time spent on the investigation for me.)

But actually, let me confess that when comes to the murders and the investigation, I don't really care about the resolution. I agree with others that there will a townsperson at the center--I don't think the Dad, but rather maybe a minor character like the sarangbang owner played by Woo Hyun, or maybe someone else -- who falsely implicated Du-shik's Dad and that's why he had to flee, and who is still running the operation with help from Seoul gangsters. (It COULD be the Dad, but I don't think that's been indicated enough yet.) The coffee shop owner will be someone's daughter who was also affected, or maybe someone Baek-du helped when he was younger something like that. But regardless of the details, that I'm not worried about too much. Snowball will solve it anyway, and ease all past conflicts--he's like Gandhi after all!

Nor, I have to say, does the wrestling concern me, except as it affects the development of Baek-Du. As always with the Korean sports side of it, there are certain aspects I'm a little hazy about, and its pretty hard to find out about it with a quick google search. How much money is there is pro ssireum? Are there multiple local pro teams, that are supported by investors? Are there enough tournaments and gambling money around it to justify a major match fixing ring? (I know that people gamble on anything, so maybe the fact that its a small time sport actually increases the chances of it being fixed.)

What I AM pretty invested in the relationship between Baek-Du and Du-sik, and I sure hope that works out. I'm a little concerned about that ending in the completely happy romantic way I want it to though, unless there is some time-skip or something.

Baek-Du is the sweetheart Cinnamon Roll ML we have all been waiting for.

And Jang Dong-Yoon is so adorable playing this role that even though I have no interest in the sport of wrestling, I'm watching this drama just to get the warm fuzzies watching Baek-Du.

Also the first drama where I've realised that Jang Dong-Yoon is actually such a handsome oppa and an excellent actor to boot!

I really liked these episodes because the balance in their relationship was better.

I understand Du-Shik's frustration to see Baek-Du unable to protect himself and just being a punching ball by absorbing every punch or word people hit him with. His big heart is his strength and his weakness in the same time.

It's funny that it's the people who look the least interested in him Du-Shik and Jin-Su who actually the ones who know him the best and try to help him.

Du-Shik should tell the truth to her colleague. What the point to lie? They need to work together. She couldn't deceive any of them at the end...

Mi-Ran seems to have a secret reason to be there.

I love Yun Jong-Seok in this role, he's so charming! I wish to see him in more scenes. I like Jang Dong-Yoon too but I'm used to see him, using an accent, being a little bit pushover, etc, but he did great to embrace the physicality of his role.

Obviously, I'm part of the Baek Du fan club too. He's just so genuine and pure and kind... I feel like just breathing the same air as him could give people strength and energy. LOL I love this kid.

Du Sik... She's the type that would say "I'm the only one who can speak ill of my family". She's always scolding Baek Du and acting all tsundere-ish, but the second someone else hurts Baek Du in any way she's ready to fight. She's first in line to defend and protect our boy. I love her.

I want to see how Baek Du and Jin Su's relationship develops from now on. It seems like something has been holding Baek Du from speaking freely to him all this time. I think he's ready to let that go, and I hope that means they can start getting closer like the besties they used to be.
I want to see the whole gang in one scene together. We have a really interesting group here.

Baek Du x Dong Seok was my favorite moment of the week. It reminded me of the first episode and how much DS seemed to like BD. So I'm glad we saw that bond again.
All alone, being criticized by everyone, and feeling guilty... aigoo. I'm really glad uri DuDu couple made that trip. Baek Du gave him the comfort he needed.

Anyway, I can't wait to see more of our sunshine wrestler, our gang leader and the most wholesome neighborhood of Geosan.

@missvictrix, thanks for the recap !
Once The Matchmakers ended, I was in search of another quality show.
Voila ! Yay Sand Flower ! So many good scenes this week.
The eye reflection, the tunnel scene, Baek-Du scornfully scoffing at the use of the word Honey ! Honey❗️😡😂
The body count mounts due to the scandalous death back in the day.
Wonderful cast too

I do have to say, Jin Su is a lousy coach and a lousy friend if he knows Baek Du’s level of talent and doesn’t try at all to help him realize it. Just putting him down and getting in his way is unlikely to produce an epiphany in which Baek Du suddenly bursts forth in all his glory, duh 😡

A question for beanies who know Korean: Which province is the Geosan dialect from?