I don’t like making predictions because I suck at it. (Congratulations, Kansas City Chiefs!) So I’m letting @John L propose Switzerland as JungHyuk and Seri’s happily-ever-after.
What do you all think? Is this a good idea? Should our happy couple go Brexit Korexit or stay Remainers?
Production-wise, I don’t see the point of the actors and crew going all the to Switzerland just to shoot a handful of scenes which they then played as a flashback. Switzerland must have more significance to it than just a place of remembrance. And I like the idea of our couple raising a family with 2.5 kids there
This reminds me of “Goblin.” The director and the writer made such big fuss about connecting Quebec City to the kdrama that it made perfect sense that the final meeting place of Eun Tak and the Goblin was the hillside overlooking Chateau Frontenac. I believe I wrote about it somewhere in this blog….
Likewise, in this kdrama, it makes sense, thematically, that Seri and JH’s ending takes place in Switzerland where their story first began. The story has to come full circle.
There’s also a bit of idealization of Switzerland as this happy medium for North and South Koreans. North Korea is never an option for a Happily-Ever-After ending, given its repressive regime. But South Korea isn’t exactly a happy place for Seri, either, given her current family regime…errr…tensions. So Switzerland seems to be a sensible and healthy compromise for both of them.
My only reservation, @John L, is that living in Switzerland as expats is like an escapist dream. They’re running away from their troubles AND hoping that their troubles won’t catch up with them one day. But, as long as they can ensure that none of their loved ones will suffer for their decision to quit their respective countries and live abroad, it doesn’t really matter to me however and wherever they choose to pursue their happiness and a separate peace.
Let me know if I’m too far out of left-field on the ending to CLOY. SR & JH will be married & living in Switzerland at the end (maybe even pregnant).
Here is my reason:
(1) They met in Switzerland.
(2) JH & SR do not seem too fond of their respective countries. NK is NK so not a lot to explain there. SR’s family is in SK which is the source of her anguish. I can see her wanting to have a fresh start; away from her family. I’m sure she can work remotely and go back to SK whenever she wants.
(3) NK and Switzerland have had diplomatic relations since 1974. Kim Jong-un is believed to went to boarding school there. Switzerland has always taken the part of mediator involving conflicts in the Korean Peninsula. Switzerland is essentially neutral ground b/n the Koreas.
(4) JH started his piano career there and in Ep12 he wanted to start playing the piano again. Coincidentally, he stopped because he lost his beloved brother. Now that he found someone to love again, he wants to start doing it again.
(5) Her Brother’s always wanted her to be married and out of Korea so this kind of fits the script. Well, except she wants to leave to be w/ JH.
(6) CLOY always goes back to the Switzerland flashbacks so why not end it where it all started.
So we’ll have a robust discussions, the Korexit will be rewarded with 2 Kitkats, and the Remainers will awarded 10 Kitkats. 🙂
This is kinda fun! Here’s my attempt.
Based on a recent CNN report (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/south-korea-solo-travel-north-korea-intl-hnk/index.html), it seems likely that SR can visit NK, either directly (family reunion) or indirectly via China (bringing business to NK?).
I see JH and SR having three “homes.”
1. JH’s home in NK where SR visits periodically (the plot will need to be devised for SR to do so safely)
2. SR’s home in SK where she carries on her business (SR’s family issues need to be resolved satisfactorily so she can live there without so much heartaches).
3. A joint home in Switzerland where JH goes to continue his piano and SR goes to do her business.
*I just couldn’t figure out how JH visits SK…
Chinese have a saying: “a crafty rabbit has three burrows” (狡兔三窟). So this sort of fits the idiom. Ha.
I’m sure y’all have much better guesses.
Oooh. Good points, @kiko! 10 Cookies for you because you made up a combination.
You know what? When Dan and her mom went to look at the bridal gowns for Dan, the thought occurred to me that Seri could use Dan’s mom as her connection. She’s a trendsetter in fashion and Dan’s mom owns a department store. Seri would really expand her business if she were to be the first South Korean featured in a Pyongyang department store. The collaboration didn’t have to be a money-maker for Seri; she could view it as a branding or a cultural goodwill. Her family was originally from North Korea anyway.
But yes, she does have issues to resolve with her own family, doesn’t she?
I propose China (sans coronavirus) as an alternative nest. Beijing is a two hour flight away from Seoul. It has diplomatic relationship with both N and S Korea. JH’s dad could easily assign him a job as a diplomatic attaché in Beijing or JH could start a venture there. Seri can telecommute or spend weekdays in Seoul and meet up with JH on weekends. She can afford a private jet right. Hehe. But yeah my money is on Switzerland as where they ultimately end up. Beijing is more practical than romantic.
Ten cookies for you, too.
Why are you all so good with alternative endings?
Beijing is a possibility. JH could work as a diplomatic attaché to stop human traffickers using NK as a hideaway.
@packmule3 – Thanks for making my Happily Ever Thought on your blog. If I can add onto that thought is maybe the ending was hiding in plain sight. Do you guys remember the scenes in the intro? SR & JH cross over through each’s respective sides to the other (NK | Switzerland? | SK). The end of the intro is them walking down a path near a river by themselves and it pans out so they were actually walking with each other (assuming that’s Switzerland). Were they telling us that barrier between them has been lifted and this is the place where happily ever after happens?
packmule3 – “My only reservation, @John L, is that living in Switzerland as expats is like an escapist dream. They’re running away from their troubles AND hoping that their troubles won’t catch up with them one day.”
My response: I don’t think they are running from their troubles. I think they are finding the best possible solution so they can be together. I just thought it made sense b/c they can be together as a NK/SK couple there and there wouldn’t be any repercussions for JH’s parents back in NK–among the other reasons I stated previously. The obvious things that needs to be sorted out is Jo Cheol-kang trying to grab SR. Other than I can’t wait to see how this plays out. It’s going to be bitter sweet when the last episode comes out.
Wow! Those cookies are justified with those alternative endings. Just tops! 🙂
Mine is only a simple one, it will be Switzerland because both of them already said that they cannot live in either North or South so for them to really start anew and live freely, it has to be somewhere where they don’t need to be aware of where they are. Their family and friends can always visit them there without any issues.
I’d second, third that motion of JH and Seri having twins. 🙂 That would be lovely.
I’m only finishing up on episode 11. I thought it wasn’t too bad, but all the side stories had to be there. It can’t be all about JH being GGW. Don’t roll your eyes ok. LOL! hehehehhe
@ Blue Galaxy – Good call on China. Remember in ep 12 that SR could understand and speak Chinese (her meeting w/ the Chinese gangsters). Since SR is in cosmetics, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that she speaks Chinese since her company probably does a lot of business with China. Remember, over 20 million sold; not 15!!
You guys are so good at proposing these endings!
My biggest concern is how JH had unsettled so many people in NK especially after CCG’s capture. He probably made a lot of enemies in the process who may want to take down their entire family (see JH’s parent’s argument over power and family), even if they’re all incarcerated and executed. JH mentioned how CCG has a network around the world; I hope Switzerland is not included.
I second @John L in the idea that Switzerland is probably a place for a new and hopefully peaceful beginning of family life – assuming the writer goes for a happy ending.
My bet is on Switzerland, because everything started there and I think the place is perfect for them to continue with their love story. No conflict, and they can live freely. Actually Im excited and terrified at the same time, on how this is gonna end, but I wish they will get the happy ending they deserve.
I think it will depend about what Seri wants. She has a big business and works everytime. She showed that she liked simple things in NK but is it really the life she wants. If it’s yes, she could live in Switzerland, if it’s no I think she needs a big city like Seoul.
For JH, it’s more about people. He likes his family and his ducklings. He won’t betray them. Switzerland won’t make him as traitor at least.
I’m more concerned as to what will happen to JH if he manages to return to NK. I’m not sure he will return unscathed, and the best possible scenario that I can think of where JH can avoid all suspicions is JH’s dad taking all the blame (hiding Seri, crossing border illegally). That way JH won’t receive punishments. Then JH will retire from being soldier and pursue piano once again in Switzerland , where he will meet SR there. I really hope for HEA ending, and my bet is in Switzerland cause as you all said, it is neutral ground.
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He can always justify his SK trip as a civic duty or a military operation.
You see, ChulGang was an escaped convict. It was a matter of national security to get him back.
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Plus, Switzerland has lots of mountains and rivers. She’d asked to be buried in any mountain or river. 🙂
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Hi! I’m new here. Just wanted to chip in and say.. as I was watching the intro, it kinda ends with North Korean villagers and ducklings on the left side, South Korean people (Seri’s family and employees) on the other side. The main couple is conspicuously missing and there’s an overlap of both of them walking and ends with them in Switzerland looking at each other. Hope that’s a happy foreshadowing of them ending up together!!!
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The writer Park Ji Eun is known for happy endings, e.g., Legend of the Deep Blue Sea and You Who Came From the Stars.
I don’t think she’ll copy the Hong Sisters’ act and keep the couple apart in the end.
Ok we’ve been talking about Seri and JH’s impending finale, But what about Seo Dan and Seung Jung’s story? I hope they also get a happy ending, their situation is also complicated. Your thoughts in this.
@Ennakin – I have no idea where Dan & SJ romance is going to go. I feel like they are starting their romance toward the end of the show. So there could potentially be no happy ending for them. And I think their perspectives on things are kind of opposite. SJ thought about returning the money he conned them from–“The greatest revenge is living a happy life.” While Dan says “If someone makes me cry. I will make sure they cry blood.” I am hoping that SJ new transition rubs off on Dan–and not the opposite. I am still not sure if SJ has become a new man or still a conman.