Whoops! I forgot to post my notes on Episode 8 before the Episode 9 Flash Reaction, so here it is.
I hesitate to call this a recap or review because I’m neither summarizing the episode nor judging the show. I’m merely sharing with you how I view, construe and contextualize various elements of the kdrama. If this helps you, well and good. If not, move on. I’m not giving any final exams on this, so you don’t have to slog your guts out on my long posts. (Pssssttt… you don’t need to backread all my posts either. lol.)
I’m consolidating everything here.
1. Snow
Ahn: I like snow. I can touch it without getting a read and it doesn’t have painful memories. It doesn’t make me think complicated thoughts either. But the best thing is… I don’t have to ask for permission to touch it.
When you think about it, this is his third scene with snow.
First time was when he encountered Jaein outside the police headquarters.
Second time was when he found the abandoned dog, White Snow.
Ahn: You were thrown away too? Me too. Are you alone? Oh. Me too. Your name is Snow? Ah. You really look like snow. Sorry. (He had bloody knuckle so the dog’s fur became blood-stained, too.) Because I touched you. If I touch things, everyone leaves me. Do you want to go home with me?
In Episode 8, Jaein observed, “So it’s you, the dog he found when hit rock bottom.”
I also like the way Lee Ahn interacts with the dog. He also told the dog to watch after the house. “Just like last time, if someone strange comes in, just look at his face. Rather than getting into a fight you can’t win. Then I’ll pet you and identify the person. Got it?”
The dog really likes him and Jaein.
But the dog seems curiously to be indifferent to Sungmo, though. In Ep 3, he arrived home but the dog ignored him. lol, At least it didn’t bark at him like it did with the intruder.
This second time was also when his Hyung came back for him.
Third time was this scene in the park.
Significance of the snow? The four are alike: snow flurries, the dog, Sungmo, and Jaein. He can touch them without fear that they’ll reject and leave him.
2. Word confusion
It’s intriguing when he mixes up ordinary words (and I’m assuming idioms) but he has no problems with hard words like noradrenaline and alexithymia. This episode, Sungmo tells him to stop using words that he doesn’t know so he won’t look ignorant.
centimeter, instead of sentimental
turning leaves for turn into a new leaf
Gong Yoo the actor, instead sharing
reading question, for leading question
vein, instead of vain
I think there’s a reason for his condition but right now, I can’t get it. 🙂 Too bad that we don’t speak Korean; we would be much easier for us to catch a common thread in his word substitution, if we knew the language.
3. More mirrors
His reflection on the elevator mirror made him turn around and took to his stalker/dad who was spying on him.
I thought the mirror meant, “like father, like son.” Or as Lee Ahn wrote in his journal, “If a psychopath and a sociopath were to fight, who would win?”
Sungmo: I know that you’re watching me. The things you’ve done so far, and even the things you’re planning to do, all of it.
Stalker: That’s right. You would know. From the start, this was a fight that would only end with one of the two of us dead.
Sungmo: If that’s the only way to stop you, then that’s the way I’ll have to go.
4. Polar opposites
I subscribe to the rule that opposites attract.
Jaein: This is the polar opposite of Prosecutor Kang’s room. How could you not have a single book in your room?
Ahn: What do you mean there isn’t? There’s one here.
Awww. He doesn’t feel ashamed of not being book smart. This is one thing lovable about this character. He’s comfortable in his own skin… I mean in his mental skills.
Jaein: (looking at the tags on the dictionary) Aww. You studied. You even studied hard.
Ahn: (confessing) My brother studied with it.
Jaein: Ah! It’s Prosecutor Kang’s? He was a hardworking genius. I can relate to him now.
Implying that she couldn’t relate to him before.
But this is the second time “polar opposite” was mentioned. The other time was in Episode 3 when Jisoo mentioned it.
Jisoo: (admiring Jaein from the window) Whose daughter is that smart? (then looking at Ahn) She’s the polar opposite of someone else I know.
Ahn: Who? Me?
Jisoo: Yeah, you.
For me, although both Jaein and Sungmo are similar in many respects, this doesn’t mean that they’re linked romantically or that a romantic relationship between them is ideal. In fact, they need their polar opposite, Lee Ahn, in their lives.
5. Cacti
I like @nrllee’s and @agdr03’s interpretation of the cactus. Thank you, ladies.
This is @nrllee’s take on the cactus:
SM is prickly? 😂 Like a cactus? LA adores his Hyung but he’s not at all prickly so he would mimic him but not to the full extent? He already owns a dog so no need for a bird. Stabbing in the dark here.
This is @agdr03’s interpretation:
Seriously though, I looked up at what a cactus symbolizes and this is what it gave me – However, the cactus plant and in particular the yellow cactus flower symbolizes warmth, protection and endurance. The cactus flower is a symbol of maternal love because it can endure and thrive in harsh conditions and therefore symbolic of a mother’s unconditional love.
I’m just taking a stab here because of the cactus on the show but it doesn’t have the yellow flower there. But if it symbolizes a mother’s unconditional love then that’s how Sungmo connects to his Mother. He knows that whatever or wherever his Mom is, she loves him. Not sure about the connection to LA. .
My take was much simpler. The prickly plant meant that the two men had to live with a tough personalities to prevent people from knowing them. I thought SM’s live one meant that like a cactus, he has to endure and survive any death threats thrown at him by his stalker/dad. To me, the cactus drawings in LA’s room meant that he’s prickly exterior is a sham. People like his Hyung, Jisoo and Baedong know that it’s only an appearance or a simulation.
6. The other posts
He’s Psychometric: Ignoring Death
He’s Psychometric: Sungmo’s Room
It was me that said recap last night. LOL! Sorry, it’s not a recap but your point of views and insights on any drama. That’s better right? 😀 Believe me when I say I would have been the first one out of here if you were going to give exams after each drama. 🤣 😜
Anyway, after watching episode 9 last night, I’m just scared for JaeIn. I hope too that the writer will go make Sungmo like her. I thought it was clear that it was not because he said to LA that ‘boyfriends should take care of their girlfriends’. LA was all embarrassed but OH SOOOO CUTE! That’s the second time he did that, first time was after he read the meaning of sharing, he was like ‘booyah’!. Oh I could pinch his cheek then and there for being so cute! 😊
1 – You’re right about the snow scenes. I didn’t noticed that.
2 – But didn’t you say before that maybe that was because of his trauma from the fall, that’s why he says things like that? It goes with his slow understanding of things too.
3 – I thought it that way too. Sungmo looking at his reflection but seeing his Father’s too.
4- Hopefully the writer will sustain the story and not make Hyung like JaeIn. I would be very disappointed if it happens.
5- I still don’t like cactus. LOL!
Anyway, after watching episode 9 last night, I’m just scared for JaeIn. I hope too that the writer will NOT make Sungmo like her.
I’m a mess after watching episode 10 😞 I can’t remember the last time I cried watching a drama. That walking away from JaeIn scene, talking to his parents scene and watching JaeIn from behind was heartbreaking 😩😩😩
🙂 I’m not done watching. Will continue when I get home from work tonight.
But I think I’ve figured some things out:
like, why Detective Nam is even in the story…lol. He’s a GOOD guy, @agdr03.
And what’s the relevance of the hanky that young LeeAhn dropped. 🙂 To me, that’s an important clue.
I wasn’t focused on the drama and tears about the separation. Misunderstandings have to happen just about now (ep 10 ~ 12) so the story can move on.
But yes, I’ve analyzed their separation, too. That’s why it’s taking me so long to finish the first 30 minutes of the show.
For instance, why did Lee Ahn look down at Jaien’s hand after he brushed it away in anger.
Why did he stop at that same bridge where Sungmo drove to, and question the heaven, “Why does this have to happen to me? Why? What do you want from me?”
Why the sunflowers prop and chrysanthemum tea when Jisoo invited the nurse to meet with her to talk about Sungmo’s mom? And the sunflower medallion hanging from the rear mirror of her car?
So many why’s and so little time to explain them all. The story’s moving along just fine.
Good night!!! Sweet dreams. Don’t worry about Lee Ahn walking away. He had to, so he’d realize how much she meant to him. I’d rather have the separation sooner than later.
“Why the sunflowers prop and chrysanthemum tea when Jisoo invited the nurse to meet with her to talk about Sungmo’s mom? And the sunflower medallion hanging from the rear mirror of her car?”
I found these tweets that explained the meaning behind the flowers. And the sunflower medallion has been hanging on her rearview mirror since ep1 so kudos to props and continuity.
https://twitter.com/phnxnght/status/1115629248021012487
https://twitter.com/phnxnght/status/1115629261015019520
Good afternoon! 😊
LA’s first psychometric read happened when he touched JaeIn’s Dad’s handkerchief. It started there that’s why he said he loathes her Dad the most.
Was LA scared that JaeIn might have an anxiety attack when he looked at her shaking hand? But because of his anger, he wouldn’t help her at that time? It took a lot for JaeIn to reach out to him 😞
Yes, Detective Nam is a good guy after saving So Hyeon from the horrible mother from child care.
That sunflower medallion means something yes but I don’t know it.
I’ll wait for your explanation. ☺️
Phew! I rushed through the explanation just for you, madam @agdr03!
Now, let me rustle up some dinner for me and my hubby.
Yes, Lt Nam is a very guy like Jaein’s Dad.
I know, right? The hanky was his first psychometric read. Not the shoes, grrr. Will be back with explanation, hopefully tonight.
Booyah! 🥰 Feeling shy here just like LA for rushing the explanation for me 🥰 Kumawo Chingu! 😘
I didn’t mind if you posted it later, even after your dinner with hubby. 🙂
I’ve never been called Madam before, think it doesn’t suit me 🤣
I don’t like how the writer didn’t write scenes where Jaein has flashback about what SHE said to Ahn. All of her flashback was how much HE hurt her. Whereas all Ahn thinks about is her pain, yet she also focused on her own pain and suffering, not for once about his pain. This is the same pattern throughout the whole drama. Whether it be Jaein or Seongmo. They always focus on their own wounds, pain and sufferings. They seem to never wonder and concern about how Ahn is doing. Yet he is also one of the biggest victims who actually was alone, lost everyone, including Seongmo growing up.
He was angry because of what she said, just because she THINKS her dad is not like that without any evidence is such ironic to Ahn, who saw the ugliest humanity every single day behind the nicest faces. He first listened to what she said then realized she only trusts him because of what kind of person her dad seems to be. In his mind, this person who killed his parents and ruined his life, she just blindly believe in him.
I think he looks at her hand because he felt uneasy that she took a lot of courage to reach out to him with that same hand but now he brush her hand away. But he also cannot forget how his parents were killed.
For instance, why did Lee Ahn look down at Jaien’s hand after he brushed it away in anger.
the last time he saw her hands trembling was when the math teacher attacked her, so this might indicates that Jaein is afraid. She’s afraid of what just happened and what will happen next. Its the first time she saw Ian that upset too, that too to her and about her dad. And ian knows this, thats why he was super sad of the fact that he turned away her hands like that.
ps: “ian” is how i write lee ahn bcs its easier, haha
👍 You got it! 💯