Crash Landing on You: Fan Fiction and Alternative Endings

For many viewers, to have closure at the end of the kdrama means to have a good wrap-up for all the characters. Since many/some/few of us are feeling dissatisfied with the Episode 16, here’s a chance for us to have our own version of the ending.

Go ahead and post your brief fanfic, your snippets of conversation, your alt-endings or your Happily-Ever-After wish here.

The cheesier, the better.

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I’m posting @Snow Flower’s short fanfic first.

A spring day in Pyongyang. Seo Dan walks carrying her cello, lost in her thoughts. She crosses the bridge and suddenly she sees Seung Jun standing in front of her.
Seo Dan: “I have been waiting for you. What took you so long?”
Seung Jun: “I had to take care of some unfinished business before coming back to you.”

Flashback: Seung Jun makes a dramatic appearance in SK and reveals the schemes of SeRi’s brother and sister-in-law. He returns the money he stole from SeRi’s family by donating it to the music foundation. He spends some time in prison.

Seo Dan: “Now that you are here, what do you plan to do?”
Seung Jun: “Well, I could be a shooting instructor. But I also got a master baker and a pastry chef certification while in prison. Don’t you think that the citizens of Pyongyang deserve to be introduced to some glorious sourdough and French pastries?”

I totally understand why people turn to fan fiction. This is my first lame attempt, but it made me feel better.

Meanwhile, I’m looking for an an old fanfic that I co-wrote with somebody to prove that even non-romance book readers, like me, know what romance is. I’ll edit it first to suit Seri and JungHyuk’s story, and then I’ll post it here…that is, if I can sum up the courage. lol.

Image result for cheesy gif

So put on your writing caps, and challenge yourselves. Extra points for @John L…just because he’s the designated male representative.

Edited to add a fanfic as promised. If you’ve read this before, it’s probably because you’ve seen this on the TaecGui blog. lol. All rights reserved. No rights reserved.

I’m sorry.

 

“Talk to me, Seri,” he said desperately. “You’ve got to tell me how you’re feeling.”

To his ears, his plea strangely echoed her past demands for him to open up to her. How many times had she complained that he kept everything to himself and pretended to be alright when he wasn’t? She’d always been worried about him.

Looking at her, he realized that she was a ghostly reflection of that girl he left in Seoul. Her expressionless face, her rigid shoulders, and clenched fists told him all that he needed to know. She hadn’t forgiven him.

“Please, Seri.” He wanted to howl the words, but they came out softly, like a prayer.

She forced a smile. “What else is there to say, JungHyuk-ssi? I’m fine. I’ve moved on like you said I should. Goodbye.” She turned and walked briskly toward the elevator.

He quickly followed her and held her elbow. “Wait. Please.”

“No, let go.” She tried to shake her elbow free, but he held on. He pulled her to a corner away from passersby.

“I didn’t mean it to sound that way, Seri. I just didn’t know how to…”

He felt her stiffened before she forcibly wrested her elbow from his grasp, nearly throwing him off-balanced. Smiling with gritted teeth, she said, “You didn’t know how to what? To look for a cellphone? To call hello? To text two letters: “H” and “I”? To look me up in the internet and search for me on Weibo? To send a message through back channels?”

She paused in her tirade to take a deep breath and squeeze her eyes shut. She was going to show how much his silence had hurt her then. But he knew her, and his arms strained to embrace her pain.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a solemn voice. “Just because I acted like I didn’t care doesn’t mean that I didn’t know how harsh my words were to you. I just didn’t know that keeping you by my side was the right thing to do. To tell you the truth, I didn’t understand myself well then either. I’m sorry. I know I hurt you.”

She sighed. She opened her eyes and regarded him silently for a long minute.

“It’s all in the past now. I have to go now,” she said with finality. “We’re shooting a commercial right now for the launch of my store. I have people waiting for me. I have Mr Hong waiting for me. I have director waiting for me.”

She darted past him to go to the elevator. He couldn’t believe she was walking away from him.

“Seri!” he shouted at her departing back, “You also have me waiting for you.”

“You?” Without breaking her stride or looking back at him, she fired back at him, “You ordered me to go, remember? You said, that to watch me cling to you and beg for you bothered you infinitely more than seeing the havoc on your once orderly life.”

She reached the elevator and began to jab the elevator’s down button. He reappeared by her side and stood in front of the elevator to face her. She averted her eyes. She’d be darned if she’d allow herself to feel sorry for him.

“I didn’t mean it, Seri. I thought pushing you away was the best answer so you wouldn’t get dragged into the mess I was in.”

She stopped jabbing at the elevator button and looked up at him suspiciously. “Why are you doing this to me? Why did you change your mind after all this time? Did you talk to my Father? Did he offer you a deal?”

Gently, he raised his hand to cup her cheek, “Because I love you. It took me a while to how much I love you, but I do know it now. Believe me when I say I missed you and I love you. If I could turn back time, I would have treated you better.”

She stood transfixed as he bent down to brush her forehead with a kiss. Then, tears welled up in her eyes and her lips began to tremble. He almost didn’t hear her quiet, choked words, “No, JungHyuk-ssi, don’t. I don’t think I can’t let myself believe in you again. I don’t know if I can allow myself to love you again.”

The elevator doors slid open.

She pushed him away to get on the elevator. He grasped her elbow to hold her still, and signaled the people inside the elevator to go on ahead. The doors closed again.

Slowly, as if tending a frightened animal, he wrapped her in his arms. She resisted for a moment, but he calmed her down with rhythmic pats on her back.

He tucked her head under his chin and said, “It’s okay, Seri. It’s okay. Until you learn to love me again, I’ll love you enough for both of us.”

82 Comments On “Crash Landing on You: Fan Fiction and Alternative Endings”

  1. I forgot to mention that Dan and Seung Jun open a bakery and a restaurant, but not in Pyongyang. Instead, they move back to the village. The restaurant is where the local orphans hang out. Dan’s mom ends up with Captain Chi Soo, of course!

    Oh, the things that kdramas make me do!

    They motivate me to practice the piano.
    They make me sing Korean songs in the shower.
    They unleash my inner writer.

    I wonder what will be next?

  2. Pyo Chi Su with Dan’s mom. He can her sarangkun. Plus she is his closest thing to SK lifestyle.

  3. Plus, they already had a bonding experience that involved alcohol.

  4. Yayy !! Peoples please please… Go for it! I’m cheering from the stands !

    @JohnL extra cheers for you!

    @Mae ooohh yes! They’ll be hilarious together. What more do you need than a good laugh as a seed to love?

    @packmule3 you excel at whatever you write. Please do post. I’ll be waiting!

    There is a famous poem in my mother tongue which I’ll translate below in the context of politics and wars stealing stories and happy endings.

    “The birds, the winds and the rivers,
    None were ever stopped by the borders you drew,
    But alas for you and I
    Who are humans,
    Oh beloved, tell me, was it any good to be born as one?”

  5. “ Children are God’s gifts!” In my opinion, an alternative ending would consist of Mr. Ri became a music professor while Seri becomes a business consultant focusing on fashion start-ups.

    Both would have similar work schedule where they can start a family when the children do come..twins or not twins.

    There would be work-life-balance and Switzerland offers all that and more!

  6. I think they should have done a POV from JH too. Being the son of Director of Political Bureau, he would have access to news from outside world, particularly SK. He would know about her attempts to ‘communicate’ with him. Plus Daddy knows people in the South.

    I saw the lavender cardigan shots and I thought it was lovely. Even I don’t think I look half as in love as H̶y̶u̶n̶̶B̶i̶n̶ RJH and S̶o̶n̶ ̶Y̶e̶ ̶J̶i̶n̶ YSR in my wedding pics. I would like to see them not just at the picnic but also progress on to getting pregnant together, having twins (technically once Daddy Ri passed on, he is quite old anyway, Mama Ri and JH could have defected).

    I would thought scented candles might make a prominent feature in their Swiss home.

  7. True. Scented candles and something to remind JungHyuk (a picture perhaps?) of the 10 words that he liked.

    Sea.
    Sunlight.
    Azalea.
    Dewdrop.
    Fleecy cloud.
    Calico cat.
    Rose.
    Breeze.
    First snow.
    Piano.

  8. Done! I posted my fanfic.

    Okay, now it’s your turn. Where are your fanfics, alt-endings, and dialogues? If I can write sappy stuff, you can, too. 🙂

  9. Oohh pretty good too and emotional. I’m still thinking of my one but it’ll be about having the twins. 😊 I was disappointed that they didn’t make it.

    I’m not as good as you and the others in writing so give me time. 😆

  10. Ha! I don’t believe you. I know you write well, agdr03. Okay, write a story about having twins since you love babies. One of each?
    Thanks.

  11. I’m not, believe me. But for Seri and JH, I’ll try. ☺️

  12. For anyone needing some post CLOY entertainment, please look at the BTS of their Switzerland paragliding scene. (So much so that they’re back to vehemently denying that they’re dating. Okay. Close friends it is.)

    The BTS is far better than the broadcast. Mostly because she’s having a lot of fun trying to wreck his back and he’s humouring her 😄

  13. For anyone needing some post CLOY entertainment, please look at the BTS of their Switzerland paragliding scene. (So much so that they’re back to vehemently denying that they’re dating. Okay. Close friends it is.)

    The BTS is far better than the broadcast. Mostly because she’s having a lot of fun trying to wreck his back and he’s humouring her 😄

  14. My ending would be pretty simple, and desperately unrealistic. JH’s family schedules a “vacation abroad”, and inspired by Thae Yong-Ho’s story, will defect to SK. JH may have been blacklisted because of what happened in Seoul prior, but that could be remedied in exchange for becoming an SK informant. I’d take Pyo with them too, as some sort of bodyguard, considering he himself said he had nothing to lose. JH parents settle down outside Seoul while their son gets his HEA with Se-Ri with the twins in tomato onesies. But I’d rather have them move to a new family home rather than Seri’s apartment. You can raise kids with those concrete benches pretending to be sofas. Ladtly, SJ wouldn’t die. He’d live, and bring Dan with him to Europe. I’d rather they had the Swiss connection. They could even go to Russia where Dan will be assigned a cultural minister for in an NK embassy.

    Oh and yes, Mr. Hong is promoted as VP of Seri’s Choice.

  15. @arihsi I saw the BTS too, and chuckled at them practicing their embrace. This means they shot the ending first. Makes me question my earlier thoughts about political correctness influencing the ending. Or maybe some details and elements were affected….

    Are kdramas really like this? There are so many people surrounding the actors at the shoot. I can’t imagine acting with a crew of more than 50 surrounding me every time, especially for skinship scenes. I’d be mortified.

  16. @themanwashere , I like your comments especially the one about doing intimate scenes where lots of people are watching you. That’s why I have to admire those actresses and actors who does the job without a care in the world. 😁 They are very professional indeed.

    True too, it’s really like that in kdramas, they usually do group photos and the wrap up parties. ☺️ It’s like having a big family at work.

  17. My fanfic. Don’t question me about the twins names please ok. It’s fiction and just my imagination. It’s only a simple one. Thanks @pm3 😊

    The graduation ceremony for the music scholarship started already. JH comes in now and sits next to her. They smiled at each other. Another 2 minutes and they started to hold hands while the music was still playing.

    The ceremony finished around 11pm and they’re at home already. Seri’s leaning her back at JH, his cuddling her very close, scented candles lit and smelling lovely around them. Seri said ‘I’m so tired but that was a great send off to our scholars isn’t it? Oh how was your flight by the way?’

    JH replied, ‘Same as usual. I thought it was a great night too but something’s missing.’ ‘What’s missing?, Seri asked. ‘Me, dancing with you.’ 😊 JH stood up and took her hand and started dancing with her. ‘Since when did you know how to dance?’ ‘ Oh I asked Joo-muk and he gave me some tips.’ 😉 Seri just smiled at him and hugged him tightly. It’s another trip of being together and so they just slowly danced the night away.

    Morning came and they were still in bed when Seri suddenly bolted out of it and headed to the bathroom, vomiting. JH was worried. ‘Are you ok? This is unusual for you. I noticed you didn’t really have any appetite last night.’ ‘I don’t know why too but I’m fine now. Don’t worry ok. I’ll get breakfast ready,’ Seri said while smiling.

    They had a late picnic lunch and while they were finishing up, Seri started to upchuck again. ‘Right, we’re going to get you checked, now,’ JH said.

    JH and Seri were still in the car parked in their driveway and both of them were quiet and in deep thought. Then all of a sudden ‘We’re pregnant!’. Both exclaimed at the same time. They looked at each other and started laughing and hugging each other. Seri said, ‘you really made sure that we’re having twins didn’t you?.’ 😆 ‘Don’t look at me, I just said I’d like twins. Besides who kept hugging me in the middle of the night anyway?.’ 😉 ‘Ya! You’re so cheeky!.’ 😄

    They’re sooo happy and it’s not that they were not planning it at all, it’s just that they didn’t finalised their home till last year. In between SK and NK for them, they’re managing fine, better than before. Now it’s definitely the start of a big family as their expecting twins!

    A year later, it’s the twins 1st birthday party. The garden was filled with little stuff toys of animals and lots of blue and pink balloons.

    ‘Ji-Hun looks so much like his Dad and Hye-Jin looks so much like you,’ Seri’s Mom said.
    ‘I’m blessed that we got our mini-me’s of us Omma. Thank you so much for helping me with the company when I took my leave to have the twins. JH and I really appreciate it,’ Seri said.

    JH suddenly hugs her from behind and says to Seri’s Mom, ‘Ommoni, let’s sing happy birthday to the twins before they get ready for their afternoon nap.’ He took Seri’s hand and they walked towards her Dad, who was playing with the twins, dressed up in their little tomato onesies. 😊

  18. Here’s mine, with a nod to Cary Grant.

    Revised paragliding/reunion scene.

    Seri lands in a tangle.

    JH was in the yellow paraglider above and behind her. He lands with a big-ears epic spot landing seconds later.

    JH, aloud: Damn good thing there are no trees here. Why couldn’t you keep bloody still so I can find you?

    Se-ri’s shocked face appears from under the wing: Jeong-hyuksshi!

    JH: I missed you so much.

    (Much gentle face touching and XXOOXXOOXX)

    Later, when they can talk he helps her fold her wing, properly, then

    Se-ri: Where are you staying?

    JH: Are you expecting visitors?

    Se-ri: No. … Do you have any new scars?

    Fade

  19. Love it, @agdr03. Your fanfic made me smile. I can actually imagine JH being clueless about morning sickness and being adamant that she’d go to the hospital for a check-up.

    The tomato onesies were a special touch!!! JungHyuk certainly “cultivated” his garden, if you know what I mean. hahaha. Good one.

    Thanks, agdr03.

  20. Thank you, Fern! That was fun to read. Short and sweet.

    That would be so Seri, too — Checking for any new scars of JH’s face since his face is “her type.”

  21. The tomato onesies were a special touch!!! JungHyuk certainly “cultivated” his garden, if you know what I mean. hahaha.

    Oh my goodness! I didn’t even think of it that way. 😂 I read those tomato onesies here and thought it was special. 😊 You’re welcome! 😉

  22. lol. I can spot sexual innuendos.

  23. But I thought I can too. 😂 Maybe not. 😱😂

  24. I bet the twins have piano onesies too.

  25. Write more, Snow Flower. 🙂

  26. @packmule3, Se-ri wasn’t thinking about scars on his face.
    It was a bit glib, but I’m giddy because I’ve actually seen the sun come out (between showers).

    Haha. Didn’t pick up on tomato onesies. Dear oh dear. I love these posts. This was especially good, thank you: ‘Slowly, as if tending a frightened animal, he wrapped her in his arms.’

  27. It was the twins’ first birthday. The whole family (minus Se Hyung, who was still in prison) was gathered around the table in the elegant dining room of SeRi’s Swiss villa.
    Everyone was curious and excited about the choice the twins would make during the doljabi ceremony.
    “I hope Ji Hun will choose the piano”, Jung Hyuk said.”I want to teach my son how to play my favorite instrument.”
    “And Hye Jin will choose something related to fashion,” Se Ri added. “Since she looks so cute in her tomato onesie. SeRi’s choice new baby line is such a success because of our Hye Jin’s modeling skills!”

    Suddenly a car honked outside.
    “That’s Dan and Seung Jun! I did not think they could make it. Dan has been very busy with concerts since she won the International Cello Competition a year ago,” Jung Hyuk said.

    “She indeed is busy, but her husband is the best manager a performing artist could ask for,” SeRi replied.

    “We have special gifts for the twins”, Seung Jun announced. “Dan’s mom asked us to deliver these piano onesies.”
    “She designed and made them herself,” Dan added.

    “It is time for the doljabi,” Se Ri’s mother said. “Let us see what Ji Hun and Hye Jin will choose.”

    To be continued

  28. Doljabi Part 2

    “Ji Hun, let your noona choose first, since she is 5 minutes older!” Se Ri’s mother said.
    Hye Jin looked at the items artfully arranged on the table in front of her. She ignored all of them and walked towards the grand piano. She pressed a key and smiled happily.
    “We have another musician in the family!” Jung Hyuk smiled. “Your turn now, Ji Hun.”
    Ji Hun also ignored the table. He reached and grabbed a pink party balloon, and then handed it to Dan.
    “Oh, he likes you!” Se Ri said. Dan did not respond. She smiled awkwardly, but accepted the balloon from Ji Hun’s hands. Only Seung Jun saw the tears in her eyes.

    Half an hour later he found her in the garden, sobbing under the rose bush.
    “I am sorry, honey. After what the doctor said last year, I know it upsets you being near babies. But you said that you really wanted to go to the doljabi…”
    “I am pregnant”, Dan interrupted.
    Seung Jun was speechless. For the first time in his life he could not find words. “But..the doctor…really?” was all he could say.
    Dan continued: “I found out 2 weeks ago, but I was afraid to tell anyone. I thought that it was a dream. I was afraid that if I shared my dream with anyone, it will disappear. But when Ji Hun gave me the balloon, I knew it was real. Forgive me for not telling you sooner.”
    “There is nothing to forgive, honey. I came here looking for you, because Jung Hyuk wants to say something to all guests. Let’s go.”

    Jung Hyuk was sitting at the piano, with Hye Jin right next to him. Se Ri was holding Ji Hun in her arms.
    “I have composed a new piano piece, a lullaby. This is a birthday gift to my children.”
    He started playing. Everyone was enchanted by the beautiful melody. The scent of roses filled the room. The snow-covered mountains glistened in the twilight.
    “I bet our Seol Hwa likes the lullaby too.” Seung Jun whispered to Dan.
    “Snow Flower? How do you know the baby is a girl?” Dan whispered back.
    “I just know.”
    She smiled and held his hand.

  29. 👍👍👍💯
    We’re giving Alberto and Dan their happily-ever-after here. Thanks, Snow flower.

  30. I thought they deserved it.

  31. They sure do.

  32. @SnowFlower: Please become a writer! I cried but happy tears -:)

    @agdr03: Thank YOU!

  33. Heyyyy, you write one, too! Not fair! 🙂

    @agdr03 tried her hand at it. (I’m still chuckling at her tomato onesies. She should trademark that idea.) You can, too.

  34. @packmule3: I did -:). JH becomes a music professor in Switzerland and Se-ri becomes a part time fashion consultant with a focus on start-ups only so there would be work-life balance when the twin comes -:).

    I’m still over the moon with the happy ending so I kept my story short and simple -:).

    Nevertheless, I truly appreciate you the most for created this the platform! I come from a big family where all of the females are K-drama lovers since 20 years ago with the Hallyu Wave and I finally joined them! This was my very FIRST K-drama and loving it!!

  35. Oh, brava, @Snow Flower!

  36. Awwww! I love it @Snow Flower ! I love that Dan and SJ got their HEA too with a baby girl, Seol Hwa. 😍 Thank you!

  37. @SnowFlower I loved you’re ending! I could even imagine the melody of the lullaby. There’s something familiar about the ending you’ve envisioned, almost as if I’m there too with the characters.

  38. Oli,

    Your objection is noted. 🙂

    Now, I’m moving your comment to the Ep 16, Open Thread, to reserve this space for fanfics.

  39. @Snow flower did well, didn’t she? She’s trying her hand at creative writing. I like that she made Dan and Antonio have their own HEA too.

    And did you read @welmaris post on the possibility of Antonio being alive in…Russia? 🙂

    Now where’s yours, themanwasthere? Write your fanfic. 🙂 Come on now. I know you write.

  40. Hi there, shyly coming out of the shadow to share a nascent idea of a fanfic. (Before I get there, I wanted to thank everyone for your wonderful insights and analyses of CLOY, it made watching all the more enriching and enjoyable!)

    So here goes:
    – With Man Bok and family moving to Pyongyang, U Pil* gets a start in a new school and we discover that he a keen ear for music (a chip off the old block), and a piano prodigy
    – He becomes NK’s first scholarship recipient of the Queen’s-Seri’s Choice Swiss Music Foundation under the tutelage of a certain famed national pianist (RJH, duh) with the NK National Orchestra
    – RJH chaperones U Pil and his family to Switzerland for his first public performance under the scholarship
    – Where Man Bok records not just his son’s performance but the sounds of a joyful reunion between our leads (for the F4’s ears only of course)

    *U Pil – as subbed by Netflix. I know it’s romanised as Woo Pil elsewhere.

    ** I thought it was poignant that U Pil (being the one who found the watch was Man Bok’s son, and helped redeem his father’s debt to RJH in someway), so thought it would be adequately poignant to have him play a small role in the reunion between SR and RJH eventually.

    *** Thanks in advance for entertaining me! This is my first post ever on any drama forum 😛 (CLOY what have you done to me?!)

  41. Thank you!

  42. My first ever attempt at fanfic.

    The coffee shop was quiet, for once. It had been busy since morning, but now Muri could catch up with cleaning. As she set the last of the dirty dishes in the sink, she heard the bell jingle as the door opened. She turned, and watched as a man walked in. Once he was standing in front of her at the counter, she noticed he had remnants of stage makeup around his eyes. Recognition dawned on her.

    “I enjoyed your performance last night.”

    “Thank you. I’m glad to hear. Electronica isn’t for everyone. My mom calls it squeaky barn door music. But how would she know? She grew up a spoiled city brat.”

    “What city?”

    “Pyongyang.”

    Muri felt a jolt. He misinterpreted the shock showing on her face.

    “Hey, it wasn’t all gloom and doom back then. My halmeoni was a department store bigwig, so they lived in luxury for that time and place.”

    “Did you grow up in Pyongyang as well?”

    “No, I was raised mostly in the UK by my dad. He’s head of a men’s fashion brand based there.”

    “Oh, I’m sorry to learn your parents are divorced.”

    “No, my parents are very much in love still, but they never married and pursue their own careers. My mom is a professional cellist, and travels frequently. We meet up with her in various parts of the world whenever we can. When she and my dad first got together, their getting married would have been illegal because of North Korea’s strict rules.”

    “This is all such a coincidence! My dad is also is from Pyongyang, and is also a professional musician. He’s a concert pianist. My twin sister takes after him, but at our doljabi I bypassed everything that had been artfully spread on the table before me and instead grabbed my dad’s old drip coffee maker. My mom laughs about it, and claims my wanting to own a coffee shop is all her fault because she loves the way my dad makes coffee and didn’t want to wait until after the ceremony to get her fix. My mom says one of the reasons she fell in love with my dad was a cup of delicious coffee he made her after they met.”

    “So now it’s my turn to ask you: did you grow up in Pyongyang?”

    “No, I split my time between Seoul and Switzerland. My mom’s company is headquartered in Seoul. Have you heard of Seri’s Choice? She founded it before she met my dad. Our house in Switzerland is where we gather as a family whenever my dad’s performance schedule allows. It was the same for my folks as for yours, that North Korea would have punished my dad—and likely his family and friends—if he and my mom went public with their relationship. Oh, I’m sorry! I haven’t yet taken your order. What can I get you? It’ll be my treat.”

    “I suppose I’ll have a cup of the hand drip, since you mentioned it.”

    “I learned from my dad, so I promise you it’ll be good!”

    “I see from your nametag you have an unusual name. Muri. I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”

    “It is pronounced Moo Ri, not Murray. It’s a nickname created from my dad’s surname and part of his oppa’s name. My uncle was killed long before I was born, and my dad misses him to this day. My dad doesn’t talk about it, but I think was a car accident or something like that. Go ahead and have a seat, and I’ll bring your coffee to you when it’s ready.”

    Muri made his coffee with a practiced hand, brought it to his table, then took the seat across from him when he signaled for her to do so with a nod of his head.
    After a slightly awkward pause, Muri said, “Mianhae. I only know the name of your band and your stage name. How would you prefer I address you?”

    “Like you, I mostly go by my nickname. When I was in boarding school, almost every weekend my dad would come pick me up to go trap shooting. He loves that sport and is very good at it. My friends began calling me Trap, and it stuck. I sometimes wonder if even my mom and dad forget the name they gave me: that is, until I do something bad, and my mom calls me by my full name while giving me a glare that freezes my blood. She’s can be such a badass! Opposites attract, I suppose, because my dad is easy-going and charming. He’s one of the few people in this world who can make my mom laugh, especially when he spontaneously serenades her. When my mom is in public, she’s emotionally guarded. I can see it in her face. The public just sees her as beautiful and arrogant. But when she and my dad are together, her face softens.”

    “My mom also has her way of giving me That Look. If she speaks to me in a deliberate, soft voice with her eyes narrowed, I know I’m in trouble! I’m much more afraid of her when she’s like that than I am of my father, and he used to be a captain in the North Korean Army’s Special Forces!”

    “Aigoo! I was thinking of asking you to go on a date, but I’m not so sure after hearing that.”

    “Oh, don’t worry about my dad. He’s a big softie when it comes to my mom, my sister, and me. I will admit he IS very protective of us; however, once someone has earned his trust, he’s very loyal to them, and they to him from what I’ve seen. He’s got dear friends from way back when he was in the military. He’s done what he can to stay in touch with them, even when communication has been difficult because they live in North Korea. If any of them needs help, he’ll find a way to supply it. I think he considers himself their oppa. And he’s told me these friends stepped up for him and my mom, although I don’t know the details of that story. It seems that neither he nor my mom want to talk about some of their experiences after they met. They get quiet, start to look sad, then change the subject.”

    “My folks do that too! My dad has a scar on the left side of his abdomen and another on his right shoulder. When I asked him, and then my mom, about it, neither gave me much of an answer. It’s ‘just something that happened a long time ago and nothing to worry about’.

    “What is it with all these coincidences between us? Both of my parents have scars on their torsos. I’ve seen them when we’re in our swimsuits. My dad used to encourage my mom to wear a bikini even if she felt self-conscious of the scar on her right side: from what, I don’t know. He said if she was lucky enough to not get stretch marks from having my sister and me, she should flaunt it—but only when he’s looking! If other men are around, he’ll hand her a cover-up. My dad’s got a couple big scars on his back and one on his left shoulder. He claims one on his back he got from a sword. Yeah, right! I think I heard that the other one on his back was from an accident during a military training exercise, something to do with a metal stake. But he won’t speak a word about the scar on his shoulder, and neither will my mom.”

    “Curiouser and curiouser. You’d think our parents led parallel lives. I wonder if they ever crossed paths when younger. And perhaps it was our fate to meet!”

  43. My favorite part of the drama was the 4 comrades and I was upset that they didn’t get to met seri again so here’s a little reunion (plus extra – there are multiple flashbacks! ) sorry I wrote this really fast and on my phone so the dialogue may be confusing!

    All these is 5 years after most of the main events of the drama (last episode had a weird time gap)

    Pyo chilsoo couldnt sleep once again. He tossed and turned in ri jeong hyuk’s old bed, thinking about seri and his adventures in korea. Across the room, the so called awards that seri had given them when she first met them were framed and hung on the wall. Eundong and jumeok insisted that they be hung. Since chisoo didnt get an award from that bastard, he framed and hung the goodbye letter that he had read to her at the picnic. Beneath them were the suits that seri had customed for them back in south korea. Through Seri’s mom, the NIS agents , and Jeonghyuk’s dad, they managed to get their so called belongings back – mostly clothes that they had bought with seri’s card. But they also got items that they cherished too. For jumeok it was the photo with the actress choi jiwoo; for eundong it was the animal hat. ChIsoo also surprisingly got something back as well. in his arms was the penguin doll that he had gotten for seri on her birthday. chisoo smiled as he thought of the day. When seri, the strong lad who didnt even flinch when he threatened her, cried openly. And how she looked happy when they sang her happy birthday. How she had told them to make a wish after the candles blew out. Chi soo hadn’t made a wish since he was a kid. But that night he made a wish that everyone in the room would be happy and safe. He also made a promise that he would do anything to protect seri, as well as eundong and jumeok. They were the siblings that he never had, and was beyond grateful for them. Hugging the doll tighter, He smiled at the thought, and closed his eyes. He imagined how seri sounded when she had sung at the picnic, and he started to close his eyes. Just as he was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on his door. A house check? At this hour? Chi soo jumped off his bed, and made sure that everything was explainable if caught. He ran to the door, to see who it was. What was said next surprised him.

    This is sort of based on the character description in korean. It said that gwangbom deeply respected Jeong hyuk and that he was the one Jeong hyuk trusted the most. Also remember how seri sewed a heart into ri Jeong huk s army uniform? Well….

    Gwangbom was on dawn patrol, on the outskirts of the village. Once again, he was thinking about seri and how she was doing. Before joining the army he never had friends. There was one tjme when he went mute for one year. But that changed when he met eundong. Then chil soo. Then ju meok. But the person he respected the most was ri Jeong hyuk, who was most kindest person he had met. In some ways, the captain was similar to his own personality. They were both quiet and soft spoken, and not much to say. The only difference was that jeonghyuk still gave orders and took control of situations, and was able to lead. Gwangbom was too introverted to be able to do things like that. But there was an unspoken bond between them. In return, the former captain trusted him the most out of the 4. Seri also changed the way gwangbom was too. She was bright and cheer, like eundong, but more mature. Definitely more mature than pil soo. She was also smart, and like captain ri, she took control over situations quickly. Plus she mentioned that he was the most handsome.( she even gave him 2 finger hearts!!). He smiled at the memory. But the true moment when gwangbom decided to trust her was when captain Ri was shot. She risked everything, driving like a mad woman. Gwangbom was the best driver in their whole division, but she definitely out did him that ride. She had time to go to the airport, but she stayed, and even gave him her blood. She had wanted to escape so badly but she stayed behind so the captain wouldn’t die. Gwangbom was so moved by her decision. That wasn’t all., while they were in the hospital, seri also came to see him. She had asked him what his favorite color was. Gwangbom was confused, but he told her that the his favorite color was dark blue. She smiled at him. The next day, seri brought him his uniform, folded neatly. She told him that she had cleaned his uniform, and sewed the hole the gun had left. After she left, gwangbom unfolded the pants. On the knee where he had gotten shot, there was a dark blue star sewed on. As time went by the rest of the squad noticed but they never said anything. Even now, 5 years later, gwangbom unconsciously touched his knee and felt the threads that were sewed on. He smiled. Because of seri, he smiled a lot more. He cherished the times he had with his friends more too. Do you have a lover? The soldier who was patrolling with him asked. You keep smiling, and you keep touching that sewed star. Gwangbom smiled and shook his head no, while crossing his finger. This was sewed by my sister. I miss her. Before the soldier could reply, a lieutenant walked towards them. Soldier gwangbom, you are to – did gwangbom just heard it right? Ye-yes sir! Gwangbom saluted.

    Okay so like jumeok and eundong get their fanfic in South Korea 🙂

    Jumeok and eundong were watching a korean drama called memories of Alahaba when chi soo and gwangbom burst the door open. Ju meok quickly closed the file while eundong clumsily saluted. Were you guys watching a drama again? Chi soo exclaimed. Sorry – captain eundong stuttered. But something was off. Gwangbom looked excited. Gwangbom never showed emotions, not like this. Captain pyo was smiling too. Go back to the units and get ready. Get ready for what, ju meok asked. We’re going down to the south, gwangbom explained, with his eyes shining. Wait what??? Chi soo nodded. Captain ri s father is sending us down to the south for the military games again. But this time no mission. We get to stay for 2weeks and do anything we want, but we have to get on the bus on the day they leave. And not only that, at the end of the 2 weeks, we will see captain ri again too. The national orchestra is performing for the ending ceremony. Really?? Eundong asked. Really. Gwangbom answered. Jumeok started laugh while cry and so did chi soo. Gwangbom grinned, and eundong was still exclaiming really. He gets to see his sister again!

    And so part two will be uploaded tomorrow!

  44. Thank you. Looking forward to it.

  45. @Welmaris, are you sure you don’t write fiction for a living? This is SO charming. I want the rest of the story.

  46. Aww. Thanks for this, swiss_postscripts.

    I agree. It would be splendid to have Manbok’s son see Seri again. She was the one who stood up for him when he was being bullied right?

    And it would be nice too if U-Pil’s family could get him a piano of his own. Like JH’s old piano and Seri could get JH a new grand piano.

    That’s funny to me, you know, because I play the piano. I don’t know how JH could have tolerated practicing on an upright when he was a concert pianist. That honky-tonk piano would have driven me nuts. 😂

    You see there’s a big difference between playing on an upright and a grand concert piano. The “touch” is different. You have more control with grand piano and when you’re a concert pianist, you need the texture of the sounds to come out. Having an instrument that’s attuned to your touch makes a difference between playing a melody merely soft and playing the melody tenderly.

  47. VipMulti!

    I love your details! I love the blue star patch for GwangBum! (Lol. He did get two finger hearts, didn’t he?)

    And somehow I can imagine ChiSoo with that blue penguin doll. 😂 He would have to hide it during the spot inspections or say that it came from his noona Seri too.

    Thanks for writing. Will wait for your next installment.

  48. This is beautiful, Welmaris! I love the idea that somehow, sometime, somewhere their children will meet and connect.

    And by your descriptions alone, we can tell who the parents are. I like that you didn’t have to expose the parents’ names. But the halmeoni’s department store clued me in.

    I like the name joke. MURRAY for Muri. 😂 Yes. I’d mangle her name.

  49. Thank you, Welmaris and VipMulti!

  50. Packmule3 wrote, “That honky-tonk piano would have driven me nuts.” I’m not a musician, but the pianos being out of tune made me cringe. For JH, who had extensive musical training, playing on an inferior instrument and hearing sub-par results must’ve taken a lot of resolve to continue. I get that there would be an upright in JH’s childhood bedroom. Seri once bragged she could play Fur Elise, so the upright in Seri’s apartment that JH used to record Oppa’s melody could’ve been Seri’s childhood piano. Both had been long out of use. They were awakened from their long neglect with such tender love that the discordant sound was tolerated. Love conquers all?

  51. Again sorry for the format!! Also idk what the manager’s name was, but the one I am referring to is the one who is always next to seri when she was in South Korea. The slightly chubby one.
    Also idk if I wrote this well so comment if I like it please 🙂
    Oh and also here is the ost always played in the drama when seri had sad/happy moments with the 4 comrades.

    https://youtu.be/wFm8LuMXjV4

    All four of them looked up at the huge building in front of them. This is it, isn’t it, eundong asked. Yea, it’s her company’s building. Jumeok whispered. Let’s go inside, pi soo ordered. Isn’t it better to go to her apartment? Remember last time we were not able to get past the security,, gwangbom questioned. It’s day time silly. She would be at work, not at home, chi soo countered. Let’s go in. Eundong and jumeok obediently followed chi soo. Gwangbeom sighed and shook his head, but followed behind them. After the entrance, again there was security and Ids . Chi soo looked panicked but before gwangbeom opened his mouth to say I told you so, someone called them. Hey! Hey you! All four of them were about to bolt and run, but pi soo stopped. Hey you! You guys were with CEO’s bodyguard, and you guys visited her when she was at the hospital! Chibsoo nodded. He met eye contact with seri’s manager. We need to see her, eundong exclaimed. Usually you can’t see the ceo without an appointment… but I know that you guys are special. I’ll let you in. The manager said. She is in a meeting right now, but she will be done in 30 minutes. I’ll take you to the office.
    THANK YOU jumeok sobbed. Thank you so much.. huh. You remind me of someone I know… the manager muttered. (*refering to the man who was in charge of seri’s insurance)
    See? Chi soo said as they got in the elevator. Easy peasy! Gwangbeom rolled his eyes, but smiled. After all they were about to see seri either way.

    Seri was not having a good day. It has been months since she saw ri Jeong hyuk, and she was supposed to meet him in 2 weeks, but it seemed so long. The meeting was boring, and her mind was on the military games. She remembered how her 4 friends and manbok managed to get to her because of the games. She missed them dearly, and she didn’t hear as much about them from jeonghyuk because he wasn’t their captain anymore. She snorted to herself. Pyo chi soo. As their captain. She found it hilarious. Umm excuse me? Mam? Seri snapped back into reality. What do you want to do with our stocks CEO? I’ll decide later seri replied. I’m ending the meeting early. You guys go too. She grabbed her things and walked out the door, ignoring the mutters of her employees. At the hallway, she met her manager. Umm CEO… What, seri snapped. She regretted it. What is it, she said gently this time, as she got on the elevator. Well you have some unexpected guests, the manager muttered. Unexpected guests? Seri questioned as the elevator door opened to her private office. Seri dong mu!!! Seri couldn’t believe her ears, nor her eyes. In front of her were her 4 true family members, in the suits that she had customized for them years ago. I’m dreaming right? Seri asked. Dreaming? Phhft. Chi soo snorted. Seri dongmu !! Eundong ran towards her and hugged her tightly. The warmth of the hug made seri realize that it was real. How did you… she started to sob happily as she hugged the maknae back. Eundong ah you grew so much! Seri exclaimed. Are you healthy? Eundong nodded in answer but was also crying. I missed you so much noona. I missed you too seri cried. Seri dong mu ! Ju meok leaned towards her. She let go of eundong briefly and hugged ju meok too. And somehow gwangbeom was in her arms too. Both of you, You’re more handsome than I last saw you seri started. Eh, what about me then, chi soo exclaimed. Did I get more handsome? Ya pyo Chi soo are you crying? Seri laughed. Me?? Cr-cry? Chi soo stuttered. Letting go of gwangbom and jumeok, she hugged chi soo. Seri smiled at his scent. He was definitely using the shampoo that she had made while thinking about him. I – I missed you, bastard. Chi soo said. I missed you too. Seri replied. I’m still waiting to be buried next to a river. Chi soo laughed as he hugged her tightly. And then somehow all 4 of them were surrounding her. And hugging her. All 5 of them were crying. And their voices overlapped each other, all asking how each other were, and how happy they were to see each other. CLICK! All 5 of them stopped and looked at the manager who had his phone out. So-Sorry you guys looked so happy that I took a picture- the manager started crying. . Why are YOU crying, manager? Seri laughed. You guys look so happy, he sniffed. He handed the phone to seri. Wow the picture came out great seri exclaimed. No it didn’t…. chi soo muttered. Ignoring him, seri handed the phone back to the manager. Send me that photo, and also have it be printed in 7 copies. 7? Chi soo asked. One for each of you, one for ri jeonghyuk. One for my office here and one for my home. Ya happy chi soo? Chi soo grinned in answer. Ye-yes Mam, the manger replied. But can I ask who are these people?they were there when you got hospitalized too. Chi soo opened his mouth to answer, but seri got to it first. These 4 people? They are my true family.
    As the manager started to leave, he muttered to him self. Yoon CEO has gone crazy. He glanced at the 5 of them laughing through the door. But as long as she’s happy, it’s all good. He took one last picture, and left them to have their renunion.

  52. I will have
    Jumeok, eundong , as well as to jeonghyuk mini stories up by later fody or tomorrow!

  53. Soompi published photos taken at the CLoY wrap party with two of the child actors and various cast members.

    https://www.soompi.com/article/1383505wpp/crash-landing-on-you-child-actors-share-shots-with-cast-from-wrap-party

    They all give me the warm fuzzies, but particularly the ones taken with the actor who played Chi Soo. He looks like he’s either a dad, or should be a dad. I’m inspired to write something for Chi Soo to make it so.

  54. Thank you, @Welmaris. Such lovely photos! Chi Soo definitely looks the most natural with the children.
    It may be just me, but I think the little girl looks like she could play Seo Ji Hye’s younger self or daughter as well.

  55. Here’s the fanfic I promised giving Chi Soo his happily every after.

    Chi Soo placed the lid back on the salt jar and turned to go back into the house with the beef he would grill later. The sound of his gate opening made him look over his shoulder, and he smiled when he saw it was Cha Chung Hwa.

    “Good afternoon! Did you close your beauty shop early today?”

    “I only stepped away for a bit to bring these side dishes for tonight’s dinner.”

    “You’re so nice to me!”

    “Yes, but the nicest thing I did for you was introduce you to my little sister. Where is she now?”

    “She went to the market. The children are with her.”

    Chi Soo’s wife was the apple of his eye. To him she was the prettiest woman alive, and certainly had a better disposition than That Woman. He smiled to himself at the thought. He was startled out of his reverie when the telephone in his house rang.

    “Yeoboseyo. This is Captain Pyo. Yes. Two girls? Is everyone healthy? Kamsahamnida.”

    Hanging up after his brief conversation, Chi Soo again smiled. He could count on Man Bok to get news to him when no one else could. Man Bok’s connections could be relied on to be safe and accurate. Chi Soo mumbled to himself, “Aigoo! That woman was right: Captain Ri is such a copycat. Twin girls!” He chuckled as he continued preparations for that evening’s gathering of family and friends. It hardly seemed possible that his son and daughter were already celebrating their fifth birthday. Time had flown fast because he was happy and blessed.

  56. @packmule3 – thank you! yes seri did stand up for u pil when he was bullied by the other kids.

    @everyone – absolutely enjoying the fanfics, especially how deeply respectful they are to the characters.

  57. This thread has become my happy place in the last 3 days. Thank you everyone!

  58. @ Welmaris

    I appreciate you!!!!!

    Cheers!

  59. I’m not going to write a fan fiction because I would get caught up in the story again and it was hard to let go the first time. (I rewatched the entire of secret garden in one day to ease my grief).(Happy happy ending – spot on to cure the ache CLOY left).

    I’ve accepted that that was the best the writer could do. Not the fairytale I wanted but the reality is that the divide between north and South Korea is real. Sad but there ya go. There can never be a happy ending for this couple unless there is a reunification. I should have seen that coming. I think the writer made a big political statement by leaving the ending as unhappy as she did. It showed how absurd political boundaries are.

    My happy ending is – the country unifies and they spend the rest of their lives living in the house in the dmz with the prayer bowl, which they renovate into a cosy home. Their kids play with the kids in the military village chasing butterflies etc.

  60. https://youtu.be/tMA9B8lvrKk

    A quick look at the “tomatoes cultivator!”

    -:)

  61. Alternative Ending.
    While I was watching a very good scene from the drama, I immediately had this idea.
    So here’s my ultra over-the-top cheesy ending!

    ” – ” : normal dialog
    ” ~ ” : off voice, tought
    ” : ” : description (didiscalie)

    ————————————————————–

    #01 – Road to the border crossing, day.

    Jung-Hyuk’s feet cross a yellow line drawn on the ground.
    He joins North Korean officers further down the road.
    On the South Korean side, a car arrives in a hurry and brakes.
    Se-Ri gets out of the car with tears in her eyes.
    The North Korean officers handcuffed Jung-Hyuk’s companions.

    SE RI – No… What are they doing?

    An officer is also handcuffing Jung-Hyuk.

    SE RI – Why…?

    Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri look at each other with sadness and despair.

    SE RI – Jung-Hyuk!
    SE RI : (She runs towards the line, towards Jung-Hyuk.)
    JUNG HYUK : (suddenly worried).
    JUNG HYUK – (calm voice) Don’t run!
    SE RI – (continues running) Jung-Hyuk!
    SE RI – You can’t just leave like that.
    SE RI – I can’t let them take you away like this.
    JUNG HYUK – (scared, shouting) Stop running!

    Officers on both sides of the border are becoming alarmed by the situation.

    SE RI – (continues running) What am I going to do if you leave me like this?
    JUNG HYUK : (getting more scared)
    HE RI – How am I going to live?
    JUNG HYUK : (gives a blow and moves away from the officer who was holding him)
    SE RI – What am I going to do?
    JUNG HYUK : (runs to Se-Ri and to the demarcation line).

    All the officers in both countries are panicking.
    In slow motion, they pull out their weapons.

    {FLASHBACK – Jung-Hyuk’s House, Night.}
    Sitting next to each other, Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri are lit by a candle.
    SE RI – Isn’t there a place where we could live together?
    {END FLASHBACK.}

    Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri keep running towards each other.
    They’re only two meters away from the yellow line.
    Suddenly, one officer panicks, then several others.
    POW! A shot is fired.
    A bullet hits Jung-Hyuk in the front of his shoulder.
    POW! Another shot is fired.
    Bullet hole, Se-Ri is shot in the front of her shoulder.

    {FLASHBACK – Jung-Hyuk’s House, Night.}
    Jung-Hyuk pinches the candle with his fingers and puts it out.
    JUNG HYUK – The only place is where we could die together.
    {END FLASHBACK.}

    POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!
    Multiple shots, in slow motion, all the officers panic.
    They’re firing while trying to take cover behind vehicles.
    Multiple bullet hits on Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri’s torsos and backs.
    Sprays of blood spurting from the impacts, on the abdomen, chest, shoulders.
    Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri are about to collapse, above the demarcation line.

    {FLASHBACK – Jung-Hyuk’s House, Night.}
    Se-Ri is tilting her head towards Jung Hyuk’s shoulder.
    SE RI – If we die together, then that’s okay with me too…
    {END FLASHBACK.}

    Instead of collapsing to the ground, Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri collapse against each other.
    Blood projected on impact.
    Their bodies glued together, they stand just above the yellow line.

    SE RI – That’s okay with me too…
    JUNG HYUK – Yes…
    NORTH OFFICER – Cease fire!
    SOUTH OFFICER – Cease fire!

    Se-Ri’s friends look at the scene, terribly sad.
    Crying screams, silent and in slow motion.
    The NIS officer is terribly sad too.
    He utters a big “NOOOO” in slow motion, silently.
    All the other soldiers become sad too.
    In each other’s arms, Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri stands still.
    They are unable to fall because they are leaning against each other.
    They are suffocating, unable to speak.
    A steady stream of blood falls on the yellow line.

    JUNG HYUK ~ (blood spurting out of mouth) This place has always been the only one…
    SE RI ~ (blood spurting out of mouth) …Where we can love each other.

    The pool of blood runs along the smooth yellow line, without spilling over onto the tar.

    SE RI ~ Forever…
    JUNG HYUK ~ Forever…

    Their eyes close, they die standing, glued to each other.
    The line turns completely red for several meters.

    #02 – Road to the border crossing, day.

    Workers lift the line from the ground, still red with dried blood.

    #03 – Road to the border crossing, day.

    There’s only a faintly lightened mark in place of the demarcation line.
    On either side of the line are the President of South Korea and the great leader of North Korea.
    They’re shaking hands.
    All around, officials, journalists.

    JOURNALIST ~ This is a historic moment! ~

    Jung-Hyuk’s former comrades in officer’s uniform, standing at attention, crying.

    JOURNALIST ~ The unhoped-for reunification of the two Koreas!

    The NIS officer standing at attention, crying, and Se-Ri’s father.

    #04 – Miscellaneous TV screens.

    Journalists comment in English, Chinese, French.

    JOURNALISTS ~ Huge sacrifices have been made on both sides to make this utopia possible.

    #05 – Official office, day.

    JOURNALISTS ~ Sacrifices in terms of political compromise…

    A large portrait of Jung-Hyuk and Se-Ri hangs on the wall.
    Next to it, the new flag of reunified Korea.

    JOURNALISTS ~ …But also in human lives.

    —————————————————————

    The scene of the couple dying standing is based on one of my favorite dramas.
    Here, during the first scene of the drama “Queen of Ambition”.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQRmHrgV7cA&list=PLShqORWiDquMKEvwohgTyUsi66wu3Ym9D
    Going to the 8th minute for this very moment.
    Otherwise you might as well enjoy the whole scene from the beginning, it rocks!
    To stay in the theme, note that here, the main actor is Kwon Sang Woo.
    That is to say the main actor also of the very classic “Starway to Heaven”.

  62. You blood-thirsty man! 😱

    Bar none, that is the cheesiest and goriest ending ever, wenchanteur.

    I can’t believe you just killed our heroes. While standing on the 38th parallel. With their bodies glued together.

    🤦‍♀️

    Does this mean you watched Ep 16? I thought you were stopping at 13 or 14?

  63. Hi Packmule !
    I hope you liked my happy ending (the sad ending involved the north-south war).
    I allow myself to rename the drama too, now it’s called “the yellow line”… or “the red line”, I hesitate.
    🙂 😀
    I promised I’d finish the drama, so I did! I forced myself a little, but in the end I don’t regret it. And this drama still deserved it!
    I wrote a summary comment that I’ll post on your blog after I’ve translated it.

  64. Why don’t you post both French and English summaries? My French is rusty now from non-use. And I still have “Memoire d’une jeune fille rangee” to finish before I die. 😂

    I saw a movie preview of “La Verite” with Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche. Their conversations were subbed but I avoided reading them and forced myself to look at their mouths while they spoke.

    Weird. After listening to Korean (and now Chinese) dramas, I missed the melody of the French language. It felt like a re-connection. I’ve become so used to analyzing kdramas that I’ve almost forgotten how to watch these slow-moving, introspective films.

    Even the cinematography was different. From what I saw in that 2-minute clip, a tighter camera shot was used thus creating a more compact or denser film.

    For instance, whenever the shot was made of the mother and daughter conversing, it felt… what’s the French word again? Ah! Ettoufant.

    And I must say that with CLoY, I never felt suffocated because of cinematography. The director often showed the characters with lots of space around them. The landscape gave the illusion of a breathing room for the couple.

    Even when the couple had tough decisions to make, or when JH was being hounded, or when they were saying goodbye, there was a sense that their constraints were only temporary. To me, the choice of camera shot had a lot to do with that.

    Their situation wasn’t stifling like that of mother and daughter whose relationship had atrophied.

    Will wait for your post.

  65. I’m not sure where to post this but, will you be giving a grade for CLOY like you do for most of the shows you review?

  66. Yah!
    If you want a great suffocating kdrama, watch “love in sadness”!
    The theme and the way of filming sounds like a French movie by Claude Chabrol. Heavy and precise scenes.
    I can hardly help on recent French cinema, because it has become so bad that I don’t even have the patience to find a good film among dozens. The actors are mostly bad, and it’s unbearable to see their overacting and their mannerisms.
    Slow and introspective films: there’s a great chance that it’s a turnip, a soporific and snobbish film.
    I can leave you a link to an old Catherine Deneuve popular movie from 1979. “Courage, Fuyons”.
    https://libertyvf.biz/films/hdlight-1080p/97598-courage-fuyons.html
    The film is in good quality (3 archives to download).
    It’s a particularly funny film: a very cowardly man meets a beautiful woman, who could get him into trouble.
    (C’est un film particulièrement amusant : un homme très lâche rencontre une femme sublime, qui pourrait lui attirer des ennuis.)
    I know some good pieces of French cinema, but after 2000, my knowledge is very limited.
    (Je connais quelques bons classiques du cinéma français, mais après 2000, mes connaissances sont minimes.)
    Sorry for not posting in French, but my texts are already too long!
    (Désolé de ne pas poster en français, mais mes textes sont déjà trop long !)

  67. You and Agdr03! You’re both my taskmaster.

    Yes, I’ll give my grade but I’m waiting till the fuss dies down. 🙂

    How are you? What shows are you watching nowadays?

  68. 😅😅 I have been reading your posts on MOA and watching it. Mind blown! I am so glad to have your posts to help me understand it as I watch, plus you gave a A- grade when all I heard was lots of gripe about it. MOA is one of my fav shows now, for the depth, message and meaning behind the story. Sending you 🍪🍪🍪 and ❤❤❤ like Seri for helping me enjoy the show so much.

    So …I was wondering why you have yet to give CLOY a grade 😬

    Watching Itaewon Class and now back to catching up with Dr.Cutie..u all are too fast! Still on the fence about When The Weather Is Nice…

  69. Grace, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Where you on soompi before? Have we met on one of the forums? I wrote “Conversations with Grace”+ en for someone named Grace.

    Thanks for the chocolate cookies!!

    Yes, MoA was a good one… It was lacking in the romance department but it had depth and heft to it that I thought would outlast any romantic illusions. I’m glad that the writer didn’t force the romance. I’ve to get on and finish watching “W” so I can review it. That one was written by the same screenwriter.

    And contrary to the complaints, there was game logic.

    Remember, when reading my posts, that I had no idea how the ending would turn out. So whatever works, works. And whatever doesn’t work, just throw it out. Those are MY interpretation, my take on the show, and I’m not omniscient. lol. I’m aware that some recappers/posters might disagree with my views for dwelling on the faith/belief/hope elements…but that’s THEIR problem, their limitation. Not mine. And I was vindicated with the postscript (Ep 16 at 1:01:15) anyway. “Trust is the magic that changes the world, not technology.”

    🙂 Subbers and many viewers interchange the words “trust” and “faith” — just like they do with “fate” and “destiny” — because they don’t understand or even care about the intrinsic differences. It’s also possible that their respective cultures don’t allow for nuances, so they’re handicapped. But bitches in this blog should AT LEAST know that there’s a difference whenever I use the words in writing.

    I’m behind with my kdrama viewing, too. I’m working on “Dr. Cutie Ep 22” (because agdr03 is bugging me) before I do “When the Weather is Nice”. “My Holo Love” should come after that.

    I’ll think about CLoY later (grinning).

  70. I guess Grace is quite a common name and I have not posted much on Soompi, though I did once on Romance is a Bonus Book which I don’t remember what it was about. I only stumbled on Soompi 2 years back and on yours last year cos of HDL. 🙂

    “W” was really so fast paced and exciting but I was left with many questions about some gaps in the story. I have to say MOA is her much much better piece, the game logic is more straight forward so once you find that logic it makes sense. Of course I wonder how on earth will he get out of the game eventually. The flashbacks got confusing if not for your really clear breakdown. I’m ok without much romance, many good stories do not have a lot of that and still bring out great messages. Maybe I read too many middle school books that are awesome on the ideas with hardly any romance. Love in all forms exist in all stories, not just romantic ones.

    Have to say those words like trust and faith have their vast nuances. In Chinese, the word 信 means “to believe” but when you add the second word “心” which means “heart” to make “信心” it means means “faith”. “Trust” in chinese is “信任“ the second word meaning to “appoint” or have a “responsibility”. Just a second word changes the meaning and the way the word is to be used in the context.
    Btw, if the word 信 is broken down to more detail, the left part of that word represents “man or a person” and the right part of the word means to speak or a speech. It kinda makes sense on the meaning of trust/faith/to believe what someone says.

    Looking forward to whatever you are writing about!

  71. Ref the ending on Crash Landing on You – some people thought it too open or not enough ‘happy ever after’. Now I’m thinking it was probably optimistic. I just saw this interview – I’d seen some posts by the North Korean lady before but not this – and I was interested to see what would probably really happen in RL:

  72. Than you, @Fern, for sharing the video. I found it interesting and informative. It sounds like in real life even two weeks a year of togetherness would be impossible for a NK-SK couple due to NK handlers always being nearby. But CLoY is a drama and not real life, so I’ll cling to my imaginings of happy endings for the lead and second couples.

  73. Good for you, Welmaris! 🙂 I’d be inclined to do the same.

  74. I composed a little piano piece today, a lullaby for twins. I am calling it Evening Star. Really simple but soothing…

  75. I’d love to hear it, @Snow Flower.

  76. You did it?! Wow!

    You want to share it here? You can post it on YouTube and I’ll upload the link here, if you want.

  77. I am sharing my composition inspired by CLoY. Enjoy!

    https://soundcloud.com/user-858010722/evening-star-a-lullaby-for-twins

  78. Hi @Snow Flower,
    You’re a real drama queen about music, aren’t you!?
    From the first minute, your chord progression is that of this piece:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPRrLkG3WY
    The Hwang Hyn Ji drama is the best OST I know to date, in the “classic” style. It’s as good as Ennio Moriconne’s best records.

  79. The ending in concept was poetic in concept but flawed in execution. The dialogue in the final Switzerland scenes were unsatisfying because they were disconnected from what was actually happening. The DMZ scene felt raw was because they directly addressed a real issue. Seri expresses fear that JH will be in danger when he returns to NK, and JH acknowledges this possibility but assures her that he has no regrets. This is narratively and emotionally satisfying. In the Switzerland passages, the elephant in the room is that they live most of the year apart and without communication. Addressing this issue briefly through some dialogue would have added some heft to their reunion. Maybe JH or Seri expressing, “I have changed as a person since we last met, and I will continue to change as we meet through the years. Will you still feel the same?” Something along those lines. My .02, now back to work!

  80. Excellent, JustAnne.

    You see that? You don’t really need my final ratings and assessment to enhance your viewing pleasure of the show or to validate what you already believe is true.

    That’s why I haven’t written the end. 🙂 👍

  81. I just saw the typos in my comment. 😡. You’re right, I enjoyed this drama immensely, flaws and all. The English major in me can’t help but to lament missed opportunities, script wise. I’m still looking forward to reading your thoughts! 😉.

  82. @JustAnne, I want to welcome another lit major to BOD. Eons ago I earned my B.A. as a British/American Literature major. I hope you can join us over on Cynical or Shallow Island as we watch The King: Eternal Monarch. Another set of discerning eyes is always a plus!

    http://bitchesoverdramas.com/category/the-king-monarch-of-eternity/

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