I will not write a screed on the final week of Beauty and Mr. Romantic. I will not.
I would instead like to close out the last 25 weeks of my life (+ a few more for the break during the Olympics) with a little dignity. Look at this delightful scene.
It was the type of show, though, that usually decided that showing blood flying through the air in slow-motion was what we wanted to see.
It was the type of show, see below (or here) that could not even hire voice actors who spoke English well.
Whereas Bad Memory Eraser was a kind of bad that seemed unreasonable to exist–almost, even, inexplicable–Beauty and Mr. Romantic ended in what might be best described as a kind of bad that was intentionally hurtful.
I have decided that the writer, who cannot POSSIBLY have been the only person responsible for the way this show fell apart into a quagmire of traditional values and a type of plot-point-soup I’ve never seen before (EVER), was using Do-ra’s paralysis as a metaphor:
We, the audience, are Pil-seung. And she, paralyzed, by the producers/investors in this drama, wanted us to get as far away from her as possible.
It’s a deal. I’m sorry that this happened to you, but it’s time for us to part ways.
I don’t think I’ve seen a Weekender that doesn’t eventually collapse under the weight of its own creaking conservatism but this was somehow worse because of its early subversive critiques of exactly that.
I’m still reeling a little from this episode’s subtext that violent howling mobs are fine as long as they’re going after people you don’t like rather than yourself.
Episode 50 a complete shit-show of half-baked ideas about “right and wrong.” I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but I’m still mystified by Jin-dan’s father and mother, trying to convince Jin-dan of some form of filial piety, in prison??
And, super-spoiler (so sorry–but I hope you’ll forgive me), part of me thinks that the writer refused to have our lead couple get married out of spite for what’s happened to this drama. No happily ever after for them–they’ll never get married because Do-ra can never be seen to be unavailable.
I find it hard to believe that a Weekender had two people produce babies without a wedding band but I outright laughed at the reinforcement of the new conservative obsession with women having babies.
Sorta. That’s their engagement party before they both up and moved to the US-of-A. Do-jun out of nowhere won a big-deal architecture prize despite never really being given the opportunity to, you know, do any architectural practice or have a degree in architecture…so he’s moving back to the States to, uh, learn how to be an architect.
🤦♀️
On the other hand, that seems to be a true happyend for them – they are together, Dojun doing what he wanted… and most importantly, they are far far away from theose awful families!
Seon-ha
September 22, 2024 at 11:39 AM
I will not write a screed on the final week of Beauty and Mr. Romantic. I will not.
I would instead like to close out the last 25 weeks of my life (+ a few more for the break during the Olympics) with a little dignity. Look at this delightful scene.
It was the type of show, though, that usually decided that showing blood flying through the air in slow-motion was what we wanted to see.
It was the type of show, see below (or here) that could not even hire voice actors who spoke English well.
Whereas Bad Memory Eraser was a kind of bad that seemed unreasonable to exist–almost, even, inexplicable–Beauty and Mr. Romantic ended in what might be best described as a kind of bad that was intentionally hurtful.
I have decided that the writer, who cannot POSSIBLY have been the only person responsible for the way this show fell apart into a quagmire of traditional values and a type of plot-point-soup I’ve never seen before (EVER), was using Do-ra’s paralysis as a metaphor:
It’s a deal. I’m sorry that this happened to you, but it’s time for us to part ways.
vienibenmio
September 22, 2024 at 11:55 AM
This is how I felt after the first and only weekender I’ve ever watched
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
September 22, 2024 at 1:40 PM
I don’t think I’ve seen a Weekender that doesn’t eventually collapse under the weight of its own creaking conservatism but this was somehow worse because of its early subversive critiques of exactly that.
I’m still reeling a little from this episode’s subtext that violent howling mobs are fine as long as they’re going after people you don’t like rather than yourself.
Seon-ha
September 22, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Episode 50 a complete shit-show of half-baked ideas about “right and wrong.” I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but I’m still mystified by Jin-dan’s father and mother, trying to convince Jin-dan of some form of filial piety, in prison??
And, super-spoiler (so sorry–but I hope you’ll forgive me), part of me thinks that the writer refused to have our lead couple get married out of spite for what’s happened to this drama. No happily ever after for them–they’ll never get married because Do-ra can never be seen to be unavailable.
Seon-ha
September 23, 2024 at 9:45 AM
OH MY LORD There was an epilogue I didn’t see before after the first set of still images on set.
It made everything much, much worse. Ma-ri still doesn’t know how children are made? Do-jun is encouraged with a “Fighting??”
I’m now absolutely furious.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
September 23, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Conservatism is gross, we all know this.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
September 23, 2024 at 12:33 PM
I find it hard to believe that a Weekender had two people produce babies without a wedding band but I outright laughed at the reinforcement of the new conservative obsession with women having babies.
Twins for me, twins for you, twins for everyone!
Dorotka
September 22, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Oh, but I see there was that one wedding we all wished for! 🎊
Seon-ha
September 22, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Sorta. That’s their engagement party before they both up and moved to the US-of-A. Do-jun out of nowhere won a big-deal architecture prize despite never really being given the opportunity to, you know, do any architectural practice or have a degree in architecture…so he’s moving back to the States to, uh, learn how to be an architect.
Dorotka
September 22, 2024 at 3:41 PM
🤦♀️
On the other hand, that seems to be a true happyend for them – they are together, Dojun doing what he wanted… and most importantly, they are far far away from theose awful families!
bbstl 🧹
September 23, 2024 at 8:58 AM
omg “a kind of bad that was intentionally hurtful”, Wowie. 😆