I think he is much too sweet for the role, in a good way. It needs someone with the "I'm irresistible and I know it" vibes. Of course you never know what a good actor has up his sleeve.
But my first thought for Seonho would rather be the ML. Someone who seems a little uptight but is super nice, someone you can giggle with over the food that is ruined.
After having seen Gong-yoo in Squid game the evil sexy boss could be him, for example.

Right off the bat, before I check my bookwyrm list, I can think of Free Food for Millionaires, by the author of Pachinko. It features Korean-Americans in NYC, which would be great as is, but I think the story could easily be moved to Korea.

What does BTS say about it?

Well said @nessa

I too was shaken to my core when I saw that the coach who assaulted a student was still employed. Who wrote this? Anyway I need to stop complaining since I'm the one actively choosing to watch these episodes at ×3 speed, maybe I missed something

*regulators* and not “regular”

@cliosservant1846 That’s odd 🤔

I agree, technology isn’t a new thing anymore, yet legislation in cyber crime is still a VERY new thing, and depending on the place (country, city, etc.) it’s all different, and the people in power (government, police, regular, etc.) all handle it differently and the severity of the crime is also very different (tangent not related to cyber crime: It still blows my mind that legislation over drug crimes carry out heavier sentences than murder crimes in South Korea ugh).
People may laugh and poke fun at how much of a “Big Brother” country China is with all of its censorship and watchdog groups and activities, but as all the cyber crime committed—and the cyber crimes which continue to be committed—against people in showbiz have already proven, there are still things that can be improved upon in legislation, because people will always find loopholes to go through so that they don’t have to be held accountable, and even when they are held accountable—because the laws are relatively lax i.e. A measly apology letter and a very affordable monetary fine— the ones committing the crimes aren’t even going to take the consequences very seriously. It’s a sad thought , but for a country—such as China— that has a death penalty, I guess people view a
monetary fine and an insincere written apology worthless in comparison sigh

Meanwhile, those on the receiving end of the cyber crimes are still people who are hurting—and continue to be hurt— immensely. It also doesn’t help that those involved in the crimes— directly or indirectly— are fellow peers, acquaintances, and co-workers in showbiz. That is the cruelest part of it all, imho

Wait, so this is a real historical figure? I had assumed he was made up

Well, it's more about the shape of Carrot's physique than the actual colour of his hair. And, like you said, all innocence on top, but depth and intelligence if you bother to look.

I agree that they're going to have to tread carefully with the romance. I can already see a little of what they're trying to do in terms of re-setting the historical narrative (for example: the King is obviously a jerk for forcing all the women in the country to make themselves available to him, but it's not because he's a controlling, potentially violent misogynist but simply an extension of his playboy nature--the "Dude just really loves the ladies" defense). I'm willing to go along with some of that for a time, and I understand this is obviously a very fictionalized account of a real person. But there may be a point when it starts to feel like erasure or minimization of serious injustices rather than an enjoyable romp that's basically a wallpaper historical.

Yeah, well, I'm more with BTS on that one 😁

I have to say, I'm loving all of the discussion and differing viewpoints of the emotional conflicts in this drama so far! It gives me hope that there may be more to the story going forward on personal growth and mental health.

I think maybe Seongjae's leaving Jihyuk as he did wasn't so much being a bad friend as it was a bit of tough love.

He tried to reason with Jihyuk about jumping into such a marriage because of 1) no love connection, and 2) it was such a quick decision. Jihyuk basically laughed off his friend's well-meaning advice, hurting Seongjae.

Seongjae still cares for his friend, but feels like Jihyuk has to come to his own conclusions. After all, Jihyuk was still dismissive of Seongjae when they were eating.

Yep. Will they actually fall for each other? Perhaps they'll follow - successfully - in Jihyuk and BoA's footsteps...

Wow, I really liked it. The most fun premiere week I've seen in a while!

Actually I replied to the entire chain to both you and @joanna but it disappeared.

Short version: fans need to get a real life, because these fan cultures are toxic as all get out and runaway technology is compounding the toxicity.

PS the 2020 paper is only 6 pages long, a dry accounting in somewhat clumsy translation, but I think the gist of it is bad actors will misuse runaway technology and the upshot will warp any good will intended by fans to the detriment of entertainment figures wholly unprepared to defend themselves from the magnitude of harm even if they employ capable and sophisticated representation. It's going to take another decade before legal precedents catch up with internet abuse and a lot of people will be hurt, even crushed, in the absence of better enforcement.

Gothics would make great kdramas, given how well they do horror. I have a fondness for Barbara Michael's blend of suspense, humour and romance.

No problem 😉 @cliosservant1846

You may have missed this post because I forgot to tag 😱 Still in the midst of figuring out the mechanics to the changes on DB! 💪🏻

Yes! There are so many that would be great fun set in Joseon times. The Foundling, the Corinthian, Frederica, and many more.

@nessa @joanna I think I caught everyone on this thread?

After reading through these posts (some of which I missed) and reading the links and the 2020 paper on "interactive ritual chain" (mouthful) I've come away with the conclusion that millions of entertainment fans (not just in China) need to get a life. When I was a young person I was either studying my brains out AND working, then working my brains out, and was raising children (more working my brains out). Where in the world do people get the energy to be so hateful and/or so limited in their focus?

The internet is a scourge and a blessing. For these entertainment figures, that's magnified by this destructive fan culture which then becomes uncontrollable with untethered and runaway technology.

Ugh. Get a life. Go volunteer in an emergency room, or a library, or a vet clinic. Fan culture, be it entertainment or sports or anything else, has gotten toxic.