On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…
Twelve ways this romcom is endearingly different from the others
Eleven chattering ladies
Ten spontaneous moments
Nine times he teased her (shucks! I’ve to limit myself to nine!)
Eight fashionista bags to drool over
Seven former male costars
Six references to YEH’s real life
Five words to text (“Merry Christmas, I love you”)
Four gifs of WH (and four of YJ, too)
Three parents-in-law
Two texting couple
And a fluttering love story.
12 things we appreciate

Today is the Baptism of the Lord, or the last day of Christmas in the Roman Catholic liturgical year. I extended the original 12 days of Christmas to a few more days. 😀

This post is inspired by my good friend Oli who followed this kdrama with us. In another kdrama we’re currently watching (if you must know, it’s Memories of the Alhambra), she had commented on the gift the hero gave the girl on her birthday. She wrote, “Why would JinWoo give her those earrings? It’s worse if I think of the thoughtful gifts given in Fluttering Alert for example. Sure this couple doesn’t compare and their circumstances too are not ideal for a normal relationship but JinWoo could have still done better than Swarovski.”

After that I revised my original list and focused instead on what made this romcom different from other kdramas. Despite its shortcomings, this romcom is going on my short list of kdramas to rewatch when I want something warm and comfy, with a timeless appeal.

12 ways this drama is unique:

1. The non-aggressive WooHyun

It’s an anomaly in kdramas to have a leading male character who isn’t aggressive. Take for instance the saeguk I’m watching right now. It’s only the second episode but the lead character is already asking to be taught “how to step on people mercilessly and crush them to death.”

Although revenge could have been a prime motivation in “Fluttering Heart,” WooHyun’s threat to avenge the abuses he and YooJung suffered remained just that: a threat. His moves were defensive and protective.  Time and time again, he confronted Wanabe Wife and his father to warn them that he wouldn’t rein in his anger any longer. But time and time again, he didn’t do anything aggressive or retaliatory. He didn’t want to destroy them; he just wanted them to stop hurting his loved one.

His nonaggression was certainly frustrating while I was watching the show. But afterwards, I was able to see the bigger picture. He didn’t stoop to their level; he didn’t lose his inner goodness.

For what good would it do him to fight against the bad people if he had to resort to being bad like them himself?

2. The “fool-me-once” YooJung

Most female characters in kdramas are doormats. Thank goodness, YooJung quickly learned her lesson. She forgave her Ex-BF and even recommended him for a new musical, but she took away her “welcome mat” so he couldn’t step on her again.

One important thing, too. Although she set up a healthy boundary to protect herself, she didn’t seek to destroy her ex-BF either. Just like WooHyun, she wasn’t vindictive.

YJ: The director was my classmate from college, so I was looking over the script for him. The role seemed fun and would suit you.
Ex: That’s it.
YJ: Yes, I hate Hwang Jaemin the person. I hate you to death. But I acknowledge you as an actor. It would be a waste. When I recommended you as my partner for our movie and drama together back then, it wasn’t because of personal intentions. Instead of giving up, I thought it would be good if you could start over. That’s why I recommended you. Don’t misunderstand.

3. Chun Jung Myung’s smiley face

His smiling face really does look like he’s a man in love.

And even when he had a tissue plugged up his nose to stop his bloody nose, he looked cute.

But generally speaking, a face like his is stressful to women like me because the more I age, the younger he looks. I did the hypothetical math for you. Just imagine: you marry him when you’re both 35 years old. After 15 years of marriage, he’ll still look young enough to pass off as a guy in his 20s but you’ll look like a haggard at 50.

pwahahaha

4. It’s a “healing” drama for YEH

If you read between the lines, you know the incident the script is alluding to here.

YJ: You’ve never experienced anything like that, have you? People whose names or faces I don’t eve know don’t know anything about the truth and curse me without a thought and make me out to be a bad person.
WH: People wouldn’t know what it’s like to be the subject of a witch hunt unless they’ve experienced it before, how awful it is.

I’ve seen kdramas make an inside joke about their actors or include a personal trait or two in the script, but this is the first time I’ve seen a drama incorporate the actor’s struggles and strengths in the plot.

5. The old-fashionedness of WooHyun

lol. Who can forget these heart-fluttering moments when he:

Warned the Ex-BFF that she was his person.

Was worrying about their first kiss (hahaha. This was the “amnesia” trope in this kdrama but at least it didn’t last longer than 24 hours!).

Protested her staying over at his apartment because he’s a man and she’s a woman.

Told BFF that he’s the boyfriend (and YJ was tickled pink just remember it).

Visited her father right away to ask for his consent to their marriage

And there are more of course but I don’t want to overload this post with pictures. (lol) Feel free to add yours.

6. Memorial Tree

In many kdramas, a visit to the gravesite or the columbarium is a trope to show that couple have bonded enough to pay respect to the dead parent. But in this romcom, YooJung’s Tree Mother is treated like another character, not a prop.

And I think that’s very touching.

Her mother was central to her upbringing and when she passed away, her fond memories continues to be a great influence in YooJung’s outlook. The dead mother, as represented by the tree, is very much part of her relationship with Woohyun, just like her father is.

7. A healthy perspective at chaebol families

Go ahead, make my day. After that nut rage incident involving Heather Cho, the daughter of the Korean Air CEO, everytime I fly first class on Korean Air, I eye any female Korean demanding special service from the cabin crew suspiciously. hahaha. I’ve become a chaebol-vigilante!

It doesn’t help that in most kdramas, chaebol families are depicted as dysfunctional and scheming. I’m glad that this writer eschewed that trope and went with the more realistic message at the end, that chaebols just like normal people also treasure families. Woohyun’s father wanted him to join the company were to bring him back into the family and to make amends for the past before his health failed. I thought it was touching when he was so happy that Woohyun finally called him “father.”

Also, I like WooHyun’s attempt to downplay his newfound status. On paper, he might run a foundation, but to YooJung, he describes himself as a man who volunteers and does welfare work. I like YJ’s acceptance. She tells him that she views him as “a man who wagers his life on something so meaningful. A man of convictions. That’s good, of course.”

8. The expressions of YEH’s faith

It was strange to see religious props, like the rosary, statue of Mary, and a throw pillow with the word “Hallelujah” emblazoned on it. But I welcomed it. If YEH’s faith means that much to her and she wants it known, then I’m glad that she has enough clout and support in the industry to do it her way.

9. Drinking in moderation

This is one of the tropes I dislike in kdramas: that the lead characters don’t know their alcohol limit and drink irresponsibly. Thank goodness that in this romcom, after her embarrassing moment when she barged in his apartment and vomited on him, she didn’t go past the tipsy stage again. (Tipsy level: becomes animated and talkative. Inhibitions begin to decline but is still cogent.)

I like that WooHyun teased about her about it in his wedding vow.

WH: My wife is fond of alcohol even though she can’t drink it well. Even if she comes home late, fully drunk, I will not change the front door passcode. I will take good care of her and put her to sleep comfortably. And the next morning, I will make sure to make her hangover soup.

10. Falling in love, not falling in lust

I realized the title “Fluttering Alert” alludes to the sweet “butterflies in your stomach” kind of romance.

Holding hands is fluttery. Wrist grabbing isn’t.
Beach scenes are fluttery. Bed scenes aren’t.
Calling her “his person” is fluttery. Calling him “oppa” isn’t.
Showing jealousy is fluttery. Showing off isn’t.
Smiling at her from across the room is fluttery. Getting naked isn’t.
Front hugs are “fluttery.” Lips hugging isn’t.

There’s a deliberate choice to make WooHyun and YooJung’s love story a clean and wholesome romance. It’s highly unusual given what we’ve come to expect with contemporary love stories. But hey, it worked for me.

11. Conversations

Our couple TALK with each other. I seriously believe that this was the major reason that viewers complained about the pace of this kdrama. The show seemed slow to them because there was more talking and less action going on between our couple. But that’s why I love this kdrama anyway.

Our couple talk as they stroll. They talk while they’re in the car. They talk as they eat.

They talk on the phone before going to bed. They talk as they watch the sunrise. They talk when they jog. They talk when they dance. And when they can’t talk to each other, they write and text.

At the end of the romcom, I feel like they still haven’t run out of things to talk about. Isn’t that lovely? To have somebody at your side you’ll never get bored with.

12. Lastly, my inspiration from Oli: Thoughtful gifts

Until Oli mentioned it, I didn’t realize that none of the gifts our couple exchanged were product placements (PPL) like a Swarovksi jewelry or Royce chocolate (ha! I’m looking at you, “Strong Woman Do Boong Soon” writer!)

WooHyun and YooJung gave personalized and handmade gifts, like the scarf, handwritten notes, the sagwa box, the chair he made and etched with “To a Thoughtful Person,” and the painting she inscribed with the poem, and the tree that he bought to keep her Mother Tree company. Their gifts were non-extravagant but they came off as heart-felt and sincere.

YJ: Mom, WooHYun brought a gift for you. (he puts it on the table) How did you come up with an ideal like this?
WH: If we put our tree next to your mom, the two of them won’t be lonely.
YJ: Thank you, really. This is a special even I’ll never forget. Mom, you like your present too, right? Do you know that hawthorns were my mom’s favorite tree. Did you know there are meanings for trees, too? Hawthorns means one and only love.
WH: That’s why I chose a hawthorn as our tree.
YJ: Mom, I met a really good guy, right?

And I like to think that the show’s choice NOT to use PPLs is deliberate. By going back to simple gifts, our romcom is sending a powerful message that sincere love is already the best gift ever. The gift of oneself to another person is priceless.

So there you go, my friends, the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge for our “Fluttering Alert.”  I really enjoyed having you all here and I hope to see you again soon. Don’t be a stranger! Just pop in and post any time.

Don’t worry about being out-of-topic. I rarely stay on topic anyway….