To celebrate Nam Dosan as Bitchesoverdramas’ 3rd “Best Drama Boyfriend” and @Ella as the President of our Nam Dosan Appreciation Club, we’re rewatching Episode 4 on Saturday, December 19th.
Note the start times:
6 am EST (Eastern Standard Time)
3 am PST (California side)
10 pm in Sydney, Australia (@agdr03’s time)
11 am in the UK
7 pm in Singapore, Philippines, etc.
6 pm in Indonesia
4:30 pm in India
You can always drop by whenever you can to share thoughts and laughter.
Join us in our version of the Samsan Tech group huddle!
See y’all on Saturday!
Yaaay!!! Can’t wait see you all tomorrow 🥰
Yay!! See you all! 😀
Very excited and looking forward to this weekend! Cheers!
Aaaaw I’ll be having pre-Christmas dinner then 🙁
But enjoy, everyone! I’ll try to catch the next one! 😀
I’m here! We can start in 4 minutes….
Getting my coffee mug situated.
me too, stuffed from dinner and ready to roll..
Hi!!! Present 🙂 im so excited for this hahaha
Let’s go!!!
By the way, I found the toy cactus on Dalmi’s desk. It’s in Ep 3. I already took a screenshot and added it to the “Why Cactus?” post.
Hi All! I’m joining the rewatch party! Yayyy!!!
Glad you’re here, too, foreverinreverie and Diane!!
I’ve to note this: Dosan’s voiceover at the beginning of the episode.
Even when you think your code is complete, one missing conditional can create a bug and crash your program. There was one conditional in particular, “If Sand Box is everyone’s dream.” I overlooked this one conditional and this is the result of it. (showing him in front of Dalmi and Injae) A bug occurred and I crashed.”
When I was watching this for the first time, I thought, “Uh.oh. Is he really going to choose Injae??!! No way! He’s out if he chooses Injae.”
Hi everyone!! Excited to rewatch with you all!! I’ve started in my phone since my laptop decide to auto update itself 😭
hahaha. I’ve my ipad on, my laptop and my iphone.
Thank goodness for fast internet!
I remember reading tweets before where JiDalers are projecting a Dosan-Injae pairing. Referring to when they bumped.
Yes @packmule3 I was scared also at that time and thought that Dosan will choose Injae and that is when Dalmi and JP will start to get close. Haha
Right, Diane?
It’s like we have a checklist of what the hero should do. And if he misses one up, (i.e., chooses InJae), he’s already down one point. He’ll have to make it up later.
Awww Halmeoni… the flashback of the dad and his startup idea. So sad!
Yeah. Yeah. Whatever.
They’re always throwing InJae under the bus. First, they wanted her with Dosan, then after that, did they also want her with JP?
lol.
I’ve pre download the episode on my laptop just in case LOL.. So DalMi already have the idea on self driving car pretty early on
Saamee I thought DS will choose injae too.
Dalmi is so full of ideas she truly her father’s daughter
I like that scene with the Dalmi and her father making up business plan.
Even when she was a kid, she already had a knack for coming up with great improvements.
I like how the story went full circle and Dalmi named her company after her dad.
Boy am I glad Injae didn’t become consolation prize
The stepbrother is really so irritating! Everytime I see him I remember what he did in the future episodes.
@packmule3: Dosan and JP!!! I actually made jokes about them as well being together so the fans or teams won’t fight anymore. LOL!
@Ella: Yes. Cars and the facial recognition are some of her ideas already.
Right, Ella? That would have been too pat.
Nrllee and I are still talking about our angst from Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” We hated it when the boy Laurie ended up with the other sister. Like what was he? Somebody’s cast-off?
Awww bookstore scene one of my favourite, first time all samsan tech connected at the same place
Yes I think that is why they added all these scenes with Laurie and Amy in the newest adaptation
The bookstore is when they all met for the first time. How funny! Waaah so excited for the bus scene. One of my favorites. The handholding was really sweet.
i think I am in … I have just started to watch it
I like this scene, too. I like what Dalmi told Saha. She was upfront about her leeching off Saha. “I have a lot to gain from someone competent like you.”
BTW, she knew that Saha was an attorney because of Saha’s lapel pin.
Dalmi’s very observant.
Dalmi was such a shyster!
The way saha infuriated me in the early episodes hahahaha. I feel so bad for the samsan boys they gave her 10000 won
Hi everyone!
I like how Young-san is supportive of Dosan… He and Chul-san have different styles. Young-san is like the proud mom type :))
I love samsan boys giving DoSan makeover with the shoes and the hair, they’re just the best
DoSan chasing after the bus, Yong San approving (I think Yong San always the one who is quick witted)
I know, right? To make us “bitter” anti-Laurie&Amy viewers accept them. hahaha.
Hmmm… if somebody makes a new version of Start-Up in the future, will she undo the Dosan-Dalmi romance?? Hahaha. That’ll be the ultimate JP fangirl fantasy.
that look on DoSan’s face when DalMi hold his hand, even I feel the second hand embarassement lol
@Kathy T @Ella yes Yongsan is like the most responsible, reasonable and mature in the group. Even in future episodes we see that in him. Even in ep3 he was the one who figured out and asked if Dosan likes Dalmi.
Re. Saha. I liked her actually.
You know what they say, “there’s always a sucker born every minute.” And the guys fell for her face. (at least Chulsan did).
Hello everyone!!! I’m awake now. 😊
While waiting at the busstop, Dalmi said she liked Dosan’s casual clothes.
Dalmi: I think it’s nice and casual. Until now, you looked so perfect that it made me uncomfortable.
Dosan: I’m far from perfect.
At this point, Dalmi thought that Dosan was way above her. That he was on the 32nd floor, and she had a long way to get to him. So having Dosan dressed up like this (a bum?? lol) made him more down-to-earth and relatable to her.
Hahaha saha was the real tsundere. I warmed up to her when they took the samsan tech photo.
Glad you’re here, Janey. Do you have your coffee ready?
Hi @jo3edc so glad you can join in..
if you think about it, no wonder samsan tech boys are so excited no one has ever given them or their business that much attention.
Chulsan spot on:
“Is your job discouraging people?” “Why are you always so critical?”
JP the savior. Tbh I was relieved he arrived on time and saved them. I can’t help but notice his arrogant behaviour again even with the other developers trying to steal SST codes.
Yongsan actually spotted DM first on the baseball meet up and suggested for Dosan to go by himself. And wished him good luck. He approved even then.
At the bookstore, SST all connected by the Sandbox book.
Don’t you love how ChulSan turn the table on jp?
@Diane yes at this point i was glad he showed up before he start berating them lol
@pm3 Yeah! Dalmi wasn’t bothered at all by Dosan’s clothes and later on, finding out he was not a hotshot, actually. She appreciated it when he was more relatable.
@Diane Yup! Young-san and his post-it cheer-up notes. 🙂
I also like that Dosan CHASED after the bus. It was his decision. Just like he decided to go to the networking party.
So if we had a scoreboard here for Dosan and JP, Dosan’s doing well.
Dalmi: Shouldn’t you go back to work?
Dosan: I will after I take you home.
Dalmi: Goodness, I’m not a kid. (smiling though)
I like Dalmi’s secret grin. And Dosan looked…well… he looked like Nam JooHyuk. NJH actually was a surprise for me in this kdrama.
Dalmi: Your hand…
Dosan: My hand? What?
Dalmi placed her hand on his. This was a very smooth move!
Dalmi: I thought my hands are pretty big, but they look tiny next to yours.
Fun fact. Suzy’s hands were actually large for a girl. So she had to pull up the hoodie to cover her wrist.
This is the only episode im a bit thankful for JP. He saved them from those scammers trying to get their tech
Halmeoni and her over active imagination LOL
Was JP really interested (after them winning CODA) or he is interested bec as Dosan said in the prev episode, they have the same goal which is to not disappoint Dalmi.
True!
Because of his inferiority complex, Dosan just accepted whatever JP had to dish out. I’m glad that Chulsan and Youngsan were there to fight back for him. They really made a good team.
Yaaay time for ChulSan voice over!!!
@packmule3 I saw the BTS or interview where she was explaining about the hands she had to like place it slightly lower in Dosan’s palm so it will appear small. Haha!
Awww that handholding scene was really nice. And Dosan’s nose flaring up. Soo funny!
No coffee yet. I love the bus holding hands scene. They acted this really well! Nam Joo Hyuk is one of my top k actors now due to SU.
Oh wow JP mentioned the ‘riding the car’ because he was interested in them i thought the first time he said this was in ep.13. PHR really likes to go back full circle with her words too
I guess jp low key expecting DalMi will run away like the other girls lol..
He did well “rescuing” him from those developers. But when you rescue a person from — say, drowning at sea — you don’t dunk the person’s head in the toilet while angrily shouting, “You must learn your lesson NOT to swim in the sea by yourself.”
What’s the whole point?
Not only that. He really wasn’t interested in their program. He was just saying that whole metaphor about car-buying.
Anyway, I’m glad he learned his lesson, and he adjusted his communication style with that Orphan CEO.
I had forgotten they had already done the business card/investors at the old office in this episode. JP shows up when they are about to steal the technologies. Horrible brown striped suit!
I noticed that DoSan always uncomfortable/trying to change the topic whenever DalMi makes connection to the DoSan on the letter since the beginning
Always fun to see JP put on the spot (and by Yongsan and Chulsan). Him saying good job, etc to Dosan. Hahaha! I wish they had more scenes him doing this and saying sorry.
Oh the letters. JP really don’t remember much about it. This is proof why the letters were just a plot device and nothing more. A lot of fans were so mad that the letters were not discussed between JP and Dalmi.
LOL at ChulSan and YongSan choosing their own suit to wear out of jp’s closet.
Diane, I actually like the camera focusing on the bus straps while they were holding hands.
I thought that was the Director’s way of saying that Dosan needed to thread his fingers between Dalmi’s fingers because her fingers were waiting (like how the bus straps were empty) for him to make the move and hold her hand.
That was a good camera detail.
Yes, Janey. I thought Nam Joo Hyuk acted this one well.
I could feel him. His awkwardness and his giddiness. All the while he was trying not to show his feelings.
That was well-played, well-acted.
The blood type conversation! hahaha
You’re willing to give up your beliefs for a girl??
This is what Galileo must have felt when he denied heliocentrism!
LOL
The knitting club!!! Dosan is such a nerd! A cute nerd no wonder even the pretty girls are all over him. Hahaha!
Why don’t we get more DoSan in white t-shirt?? (inner shallowness speaking)
Is this the first time it showed how jp doesn’t want to lose to DoSan? Is DalMi the crumb LOL.. I love DoSan straightforward comeback it’s plastic lol..
Dosan entering the knitting club ahaha he’s so cuteee
Even with the first “what do you like about me” conversation, Dalmi already felt her heart skip a beat :p
I have to remember the “I am twice as grateful as you” leading to only being true if we are both negative!
The infamous “Why do you like me?” and “The Hand”
Awww puppy don’t look so sad *hugs*
So funny how Chulsan and Yongsan started putting their photos on HJP’s shelf in their “office”.
Yes, the knitting club story of Chulsan was well-done, too. I like how the writer picked just the right backstory from Dosan’s college days to show us his character. There was a difference in how she handled Dalmi and Dosan’s backstories.
With Dalmi, she fantasized about Dosan based on the letters she received. Then when she met Dosan, she loved him because he personified the good qualities in her fantasy. He was respectful, he was there for her, he was careful.
Dosan on the other hand, loved Dalmi DESPITE Dalmi being the type of girl he would have hated back in college.
For one, he disliked girls who said things that weren’t mathematically or scientifically true.
According to Chulsan, a girl joined our club. The girl thanked Dosan for letting her borrow his notes. Accepting her gift, he said, “I’m the one who should thank you now.” The girl said, “I’m twice as thankful as you are.” And Dosan explained how mathematically, it didn’t work.
Also, according to Chulsan, he gave another girl a hard time all because the girl was flirting with him and said, “Blood Type O tend to be easygoing and honest.” Dosan said, “Personalities are determined by brain cells. Blood types are determined by red blood cells. Normally your brain cells never come into contact with your red blood cells. So how could your blood type affect your personality? Gosh this is driving me freaking crazy.”
So when we look at Dosan’s past, he should have dislike Dalmi, too. Because Dalmi believed in rainbows. And music boxes. And sailing without a map.
But despite all these, he liked her enough to chase after her. Dalmi liked him because he fit her ideals. Dosan liked her even when she didn’t fit his own “ideals.”
Aww this episode already talking about investment vs charity. This drama is all about full circle.
I know, Janey! That was cute that they had photos of themselves as a TEAM. Did you notice that the pictures of JP that they replaced were just JP by himself??
So he didn’t have friends. lol.
Dosan is a good one server though. I think this is the episode that he noticed HJP looked at Dalmi differently and related to her during their go stop game. Maybe that prompted the “why do you like me” question.
Will we see more kdrama with startup set up in the future lol..
I want to give credit to DoSan’s Eomma she’s always supportive and such a good balance for her husband.
“Father, it’s very windy outside. I don’t mean to slam the door. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.” This boy was brought up well.
@packmule3 yeah actually when you look at that backstory Dalmi is someone he won’t like. Haha!
The OST during the scenes when Dalmi clutched her heart, Dosan was driving back to Mr Han’s apt while looking at his big hand, and Injae saw her mom bring coffee for the team… Awwww! And they all got the text from Sandbox! Nice!
I liked the way DS looked while playing go stop you could really feel he his fear of losing dalmi to JP.
Aww Do San and his mighty hands.
InJae only met DoSan once at the networking party and he look totally different back then but she recognize him right away.
Why do you think the CEO test is who can read the trend?
Diane about those letters…
JP got confused because he didn’t really make a BIRTHDAY WISH. Dalmi had asked him if he wished for anything on Chuseok. “Dosan, my dad says praying on the full moon on Chuseok makes your wish come true. Do you have any wishes?”
And he replied, “Dalmi, My wish is to play go-stop with my whole family.”
But then, Dalmi decided to grant his wish on his birthday. (To me, Dalmi must have forgotten the context of the letter she wrote him. The letter after all went to JP/fake Dosan.)
But it wasn’t his birthday wish. It was a wish he made for Chuseok.
That’s why Grandma made songpyeon, instead of the customary sirutteok. Grandma KNEW and UNDERSTOOD what wish was all about. To me, this scene proved that she was the real creator of the letters. She could see how the two kids back and forth were going back-and-forth and she still remembered what the “wish” was all about.
That’s why she made the Chuseok food, not a birthday meal.
But this was also a foreshadowing of the Chuseok scene in Ep 14.
Also, if JP fans were paying attention…Didn’t Dalmi’s parents write to each other, too? And look what happened to that marriage. 🙂
If I take them (the suits) its not an investment its charity …. again a prelude to the final episode!
I’m analyzing the Dosan-Jipyeong scene more. I think I see why some fans hate Dosan here. They feel he is slowly becoming arrogant and showing the “violent” behavior” when JP told him he was not cut to be a CEO. He was gripping the can tightly. But I like how Dosan doesn’t want charity. He really cares for SST and wants a “real” investment.
The door scene… I love it when Dosan’s mom did the same thing. Dosan’s dad is actually like JP in a way. Giving tough love!
@Ella my officemates and I were actually talking about the test. And whether we’ll do something similar bec we regularly hold hackathons in the office. It is important that CEO knows all the trends esp in the IT industry.
“Follow your dream” (baseball and sandbox) starting to overshadow the letters started here…
@Diane
Yes I read tweet by jp fangirl that they hate him because he no longer seek jp for help or advice. I guess he has to be jp’s punching bag for them to like him lol..
Wait!! Didn’t any of you notice what Dosan was doing with the wine glasses while Chulsan was regaling JP about Dosan’s dating fails in college?
He was playing around with his wine and then swapped his glass with JP’s wine glass.
lol.
It’s so amazing how technology has come a long way I still cant believe that the sandbox facade was made with the help of cgi.bit looked so real hahaha
Dalmi is a really cool gal, isn’t she? Her understanding and acceptance of Dosan’s desire to impress (and later how she handled the revelation about the letters) shows her capacity for empathy.
@pm3 i didnt notice it hahahah i had to go back and check 😂
I think Dosan started drawing the line with HJP because he realized HJP likes Dalmi.
Not everyone can be CEO but it’s a hard truth to also face. It’s one of the better advice of HJP to Dosan.
How many people cast stones at DoSan and calling him childish, but in contrary he has high discernment level. Why they should pick DalMi? He’s able to explain it logically. Like on demo day on why they shouldn’t lie. And many more instances.
@pm3: didn’t notice. will have to rewind later. maybe bec he sniffed and all so he didn’t want to drink? lol!
At first I thought Yongsan hates Injae and the revenger story was related to his question during the 1st episode. In this ep he notices her first again. Btw (off-topic), they have a kdrama and will be paired together. I’m excited to see how it will go.
@Ella agree! The level of discernment and empathy… plus he is a good listener and man of action! He is indeed the best boy!
@Janey, yes I agree. This is one of JP’s kinder / more matter-of-fact, no unnecessarily hurtful words of truth for Dosan.
@Janey @Kathy T yeah it was a good advice. Thank God Dosan saw the difference between Dalmi and Injae in how they asked for the position.
Sorry this will sound shallow but everytime Dosan clenches his jaw… so cute and hot at the same time!!! *swoon*
Notes on the Go-Stop game.
1. I like that Dalmi was helping Dosan
Dalmi: Stop. Dosan has five gwangs.
Dosan: Do I win five points?
Dalmi: No, you win 15 points. Yongsan and Mr. Han have no gwangs.
hahaha. This should have alerted her that Dosan couldn’t have fond memories of Go-Stop if he didn’t know to play the game.
I also like JP being a sour-puss.
JP: You’re supposed to learn by losing. You shouldn’t help him.
2. When Dosan dropped the card, that was actually an adlib by the actor.
The director liked it so that he made the actor Nam JooHyuk act it out again when the camera was rolling. I don’t remember where I saw this mentioned.
3. JP being petty
Dosan: You guys have to give me one of your pi cards. Give me a pi card, please. (they toss their cards) Don’t throw your cards like that.
JP: (Being petty, placed the card far from Dosan)
But note how excited Dalmi was when she saw that Dosan was about to win.
4. Dalmi’s talk about blood types.
Dalmi: (asking JP) Is your blood type A?
This triggered Dosan, who was…remember this… Type O. According to that sexy girl in college, “Blood Type O tends to be easygoing and honest.” But Dosan wasn’t the least bit easygoing when it comes to pseudo-science.
Dalmi: It shows from the way you play Go-Stop. You’re definitely a Blood Type A. (turning to Dosan) Right?
Dosan: What?
It was funny how his hands were trembling in self-control. He was thinking of an excellent retort.
Dosan: Clearly, considering how timid and unforgiving he is.
lol. Looking back, Dosan gave an astute observation. (Foreshadowing by the writer of course) By the end of Ep 16, we found out that JP was timid. He had three years, uncontested three years, to declare his feelings. But he didn’t make a move. AND JP was unforgiving. He was petty. He held grudges.
Despite the lie, Dalmi still think Dosan is an answer to her prayer. And was thankful he is in sandbox to be her companion. They won’t be able to do this if he I already a hotshot and established CEO.
Diane, what’s the name of this new drama with the actors playing Yongsan and Injae?
foreverinreverie,
I think Dosan was swirling his dessert fork in the red wine when they weren’t looking. lol.
It’s still early here so just stopping by to give y’all an energy boost during the rewatch. I watched these episodes again earlier this week mostly because i still can’t let go and because i convinced my friend to watch it too lol. so I’d read her texts while she watched and based on context, I’d find the part in the episode and watch it so I could respond back. Upon rewatch, dosan is really the sweetest boy and so lovely to see him come alive around dalmi when his dad and jp just crapped on his self esteem. I completely relate to him a lot in this way and understand what he went through. fortunately i also relate to his growth and getting confidence from just meeting the right people who’d lift you up.
Lastly sadly dalmi gets too overshadowed by the guys in the love triangle (and the actors nuanced performances but Suzy really improved leaps and bounds. Never liked her acting before but was a fan of miss a long long ago) but she really deserves her own post and credit for being such an awesome cool badass. She’s resilient, she’s loving, ambitious, optimistic, bright and resourceful. She did not get into sandbox for nothing, which is even more impressive compared to everyone with higher degrees and big specs. She’s awesome despite all that and if i had to choose team anyone, it would be team dalmi, which by extension includes puppy dosan cause he also understood her worth, and he’s a genius, so even more reason to believe it.
@packmule3 you also have discernment superpower
The drama is frightening cohabitation with Jang Ki Yong and Hyeri of Reply 1988
Yongsil’s foreshadowing about the God of Fate and the breeze… then both showing Injae in the first ep and now Alex in the airport. I remember being confused at that time and thinking of so many negative things that they are the antagonists plus the revenge plot.
JP: you have to learn by losing
Hahaha! Yup, that’s the lesson for him in this kdrama.
NJH did a lot of Ad libs in this kdrama. Also KSH.
Kathy_T
The Galileo comment was funny, right?
Chulsan: (mocking) DoSan, you’re putting aside your beliefs for a girl? Dalmi, the thing is…he doesn’t believe in blood type personalities.
Dalmi: Really? You don’t?
Youngsan: Galileo Galilei must have felt this way when he denied heliocentrism.
Chulsan: Exactly. Still, the Earth revolves around the Sun.
But Chulsan and Youngsan had their “Galileo” moment, too. Remember when they were talking about how silly the guys were for giving their shirts and giving flowers to the girls? So they put their beliefs aside too for a girl. Chulsan gave his shirt to Saha when it was raining. lol.
@Janey the first few scenes in ep5 is a good recap of the “hands” and how Dalmi and Dosan see one another. They understand each other bec they both lied. They both feel they are undeserving of the other person. And I like how grandma and Yongsan/Chulsab were listening to their worries and giving perspective.
@Janey
Yep especially when they’re playing against each other, I remember KSH saying he react a lot to JooHyuk adlib as well.
I have to write down the “hand” conversation.
Dosan: What do you like about me?
Dalmi: Why all of a sudden?
Dosan: Please tell me what you like about me.
Dalmi: First of all you’re my first love.
Dosan: (thinking) That’s not me. (aloud) And?
Dalmi: Your letters comforted me for a long time.
Dosan: (thinking) That’s not me either. (aloud) And?
Dalmi: And…after all these years, you’re still so brilliant and cool.
Dosan: (thinking) Again, that’s not me. (aloud) And?
Dalmi: You want to hear more?
Dosan: (Nodding.)
Dalmi: You have nice big hands.
Dosan: My hands?
Dalmi: Why are you suddenly asking me this? You’re embarrassing me.
Dosan: I’m sorry. That was random. Go inside. I’ll get going.
I really like how the writer/director used the monologue/dialogue in this drama. It made us understand the characters’ motivations better.
But many viewers (especially the JP fans) forget that after this conversation, Dalmi walked inside and she touched her heart. She didn’t tell Dosan that she liked him because he made her heart flutter.
And for this writer, this “heart-fluttering” is very important to the romance.
Dalmi has always admired and understood Dosan. Even when he’s doing childish stuff like the snacks. And she also liked the Money video and saw the quirkiness of it and used his cousin to do video of InJae.
I love the way they shook hands. Signifies the beginning of a wonderful relationship/journey. It really felt that they are equals and they both trust each other. Also the way the screen showed “follow your dream” at the end.
The Yeongsil fortune lol. Alex was the strong wind that completely changed their lives.
For this writer, this heart-fluttering is important.
Take for instance, in Dream High, the male lead played by 2PM Taec was Suzy’s character “first love.” I believe they were dating before the Kim SooHyun made Suzy’s heart flutter. In the end, Taec had to let her go. According to him, he’d already felt and known for the longest time that he wasn’t the guy in Suzy’s heart. He told her that “you can’t force the heart to go where you want it to.”
He was letting her go. Suzy’s character said sorry.
That whole talk about “heart” told me how this writer values the emotional connection between the couple. Dosan has to touch to Dalmi’s heart.
Also, @nrllee brought this article to my attention.
https://thetalkingcupboard.com/2020/11/21/kim-seon-ho-esquire-december-2020-interview/
According to interview of Kim SeonHo in Esquire magazine, as translated by the blogger, KSH said, “The writer once said that she doesn’t like writing something that points towards one single direction and giving certainty towards one person.”
We could see that in both “Dream High,” and “Start-Up.” The writer started with the second male lead’s story first. She established his connection with the heroine. But then she brought in the real hero last. In both cases, there was a shift from first love (or in the case of “Start-Up,” imaginary love, puppy love, or plain infatuation) to real love.
Also, according to interview of Kim SeonHo in Esquire magazine, as translated on the blog:
https://thetalkingcupboard.com/2020/11/21/kim-seon-ho-esquire-december-2020-interview/
Kim SeonHo (JP’s actor): “The writer once said that she doesn’t like writing something that points towards one single direction and giving certainty towards one person.”
I said that’s true. We could see that. In both “Dream High,” and “Start-Up,” she started with the second male lead’s story first, then established his connection with the heroine, and then she brought in the real hero last. The story showed the shift from first love (or in the case of “Start-Up,” imaginary love, puppy love, or plain infatuation) to real love.
JP fans refuse to see this.
I still don’t get the JP fangirls thinking that JP was the star of the show when everything revolved around Do San and Dalmi’s journey lmao. SU not recommended for KSH fans who cant separate the actor from the character.
Are we continuing to Ep5? Just asking for the rewatch process. 😊
Asdf: I know right? Dalmi is kinda low-key awesome. She has a very big heart.
Yes Dalmi is amazing. Do San is me while Dalmi is who I aspire to be hahaha
I am watching ep5 now (and I think I will end up finishing this until the end again).
Let’s do another re-watch party! Please! Calling president @Ella Hahaha!
To me, there’s another meaning to Sand Box here. It’s not only the corporate Sand Box but also the relationship Sand Box. Grandma pointed this out to JP when they were talking about Dalmi’s birthday event the following day.
Grandma got the wrong impression. She thought she owed JP. “Thanks to you, Dalmi’s confidence is soaring.”
But to me, she was thanking the wrong person. It wasn’t JP who gave Dalmi confidence. It was Dosan.
1. You see, Dalmi was bossing Dosan, and teaching him how to play Go Stop. This made her feel good about herself. Here was a guy who was a CEO of Samsan Tech and she knew more than him.
Remember: at their ramen date after the networking party, she thought Dosan was unattainable. He was too cool for somebody like her. He was already in the 32nd floor, and she was still on ground floor. Then, at the bus stop, she said the same thing about Dosan in his casual attire. She liked it when he looked like that because she wasn’t intimidated by his coolness.
To me, just being around Dosan and coaching him to play Go Stop, Dalmi gained confidence. She brought him down to her level…metaphorically and literally — they were sitting on the floor, right?
Had they gone on a fancy date which required red wine, and salad fork and dessert fork, she would have out of her elements. (Dosan, too.) But having this cozy, homey game made Dosan relatable and “reachable” in her eyes.
2. She was accepted by his friends. Part of the guys.
3. She thought nothing of lecturing JP in defense of Dosan.
4. She could speak her mind, even about the Blood Types, because Dosan allowed it without correcting her junk science.
To me, the Go-Stop day boosted her morale and her confidence. But Grandma wasn’t to know that.
Grandma sighed.
JP: Isn’t that a good thing? Why do you sigh?
Grandma: I’m worried that she’ll fall and get hurt.
And there! That’s the other meaning of Sand Box. It wasn’t the business sense, but the EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING of Dalmi. She was afraid that there was no “buffer” for Dalmi should she become really involved in this dream/fantasy of Dosan.
Of course, she wasn’t aware that Dosan was building Dalmi a metaphorical sand box (JP, too) where she could engage in this dream that the Dosan from the old letters was a hotshot.
But that’s when the bug occurred and crashed. Remember the voice-over at the beginning? He said, “…There was one conditional in particular, “If Sand Box is everyone’s dream.” I overlooked this one conditional and this is the result of it. A bug occurred and I crashed.”
Dalmi discovered the lie about him being a successful CEO. She metaphorically fell off her swing when she discovered that lie. Fortunately, however, she picked herself up. She didn’t let it bother her that Dosan wasn’t that successful CEO after all. And she got on the swing again and started swinging again.
That’s her Sand Box.
I like Dalmi’s character! She’s scrappy, emphatic and intuitive leader worth following.
Dosan’s style, he gives the data and consults every one. Even then, he says he will follow the team’s decision.
I agree pm3! For me too, every time Dalmi mentioned or motioned that Dosan made her heart flutter / skip a beat, these were the markers of those moments when the real him shone through, and moved / affected her.
I don’t actually see how other viewers could have thought the second lead could be a possible main lead. HJP and Dalmi never had any shared experiences. There was only the car scene, but Dalmi slept through that, hehe. During the time gap they spend time together, but by then it was too late for HJP.
Everyone sorry 😭😭😭 suddenly i can’t open the blog I’m continuing with Ep 5 now i’m still here but probably slow response..
To be honest, I don’t like KSH because he smiles too much. (I watch 2D1N).
In the same way that I dislike Yoo Inna when she speaks in her aegyo voice, I dislike KSH for acting aegyo.
I like my characters and actors acting their age. Doing aegyo or acting cute when they’re waaaaay past their teenage years is just icky.
Hahahahahah I agree, i also don’t understand why they keep on asking the actors during interviews to do aegyo it’s the same for kpop too, it’s 2020 we should now move past the need to do aegyo.
Should we continue to ep.5?
I’m doing a count on the aggressive manhandling of HJP on DS. Ep2 when he interrupted the baseball meetup and ep5 (snacks). He can’t just grab a person like that. Another thing I don’t like about HJP.
Go on ahead, if you want. I’ve to leave shortly.
Dalmi and Saha walk – green light!
there are so many versions and explanations about sandbox, the swing, who it is… I think they were all like sandboxes to one another in terms of career, relationship, friendship..
@pm3 LOL @ not liking KSH. I never really hated him nor his character at first but after the ship wars and the people I engaged with, I cannot look at him the same way again. I don’t even want to watch his new shows. I guess this is the same feeling of the fangirls who hated Dosan so much. Hahaha
Tarzan reference is here in ep5. My favorite!
Oh man…I missed this. What was I thinking! 😭😭 I am rewatching this late and putting on rewatch lenses. And reading yr comments.
Loved the bus hand holding scene, that awkwardness and Dosan wanted to pull his hand away but Dalmi held them tighter! 🤩 glad he made that last minute move to chase after the bus. anyone noticed the RGB handles, the focus was on the specific colours too.
Will add as I watch a lil more later! Bedtimes for kids now
Am I the only one traumatized by his smiles and dimples also the smiley face icon used by his fangirl. I avoid it at all cost on twitter 🤭
In StartUp context when he smile it’s like a warning sign, like when he smile at DoSan during the briefing and he pinched DoSan’s cheek, or when he asked to stay over saying he’s worried for DoSan 🙄
More on the Go-Stop after-effects.
Grandma was worried that Dalmi came home so happy after their Go-Stop. She was worried that Dalmi would get hurt if discovered their deception which was the REAL “game” and the real “GO STOP.” But JP reassured her.
JP: She won’t get hurt. I’ll make sure she doesn’t.
Note here: JP fans insist that JP had feelings for Dalmi and that he was hiding from her all along. I say, NOPE! That’s hogwash. Are they blind?
His statement here meant that he was appointing himself as Dosan’s puppeteer. He was the puppeteer and Dosan was his puppet. He was going to make sure that Dosan wouldn’t be a disappointment to Dalmi because he was going to make sure that Dosan didn’t act like a loser and give their game away.
You see that? He wasn’t proposing to pursue Dalmi himself. It didn’t even enter his head that HE should step in for Dosan. He was happy with the status quo. He was giving Grandma what she wanted WITHOUT any great emotional burden on him. He had Dosan as his puppet to make Dalmi happy and content.
Now, contrast his reaction to Dosan’s reaction. He was unhappy; he didn’t like the situation he found himself in. After being told that she liked his hands, he realized that THAT wasn’t enough for him. So he decided to change it. He decided to take matters in his own hands. He’d deal with the problem himself.
And this was just like the networking party, the music box/calling card/baseball moment, the bus chase. Dosan was acting on his own to get what he really wanted: Dalmi.
JP was satisfied with how things are turning out. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t interacting with Dalmi. But Dosan wasn’t satisfied. He minded very much that Dalmi was interacting with “him” but with this imagined/fantasy version of him.
Hence, he returned everything to JP: the watch, the car key, the suits. JP told him to take the suits. They were payments for Dosan’s service.
Dosan: No. I’ll buy my own clothes.
JP: Come on. Your sense of style —
Dosan: I know. It’s awful. I’ll change.
JP: Why suddenly draw the line?
Dosan: I’m respecting the line. If I take them, it’s not an investment. It’s charity. Just give me tips whether it’s on my style or business. I’ll follow them no matter what.
See? On what level, we can understand this in the business sense. But on a deeper level, we can see this as Dosan wanting to take over JP’s place in Dalmi’s heart. He didn’t want to be just an “avatar.” (was it Chulsan or Youngsan who said this?) He wanted to be his own person. So he was asking JP what he should do to win over Dalmi for himself, by himself, as himself.
That’s what he meant in Episode 15…when he said “as himself.”
Actually, this conversation came full circle TWICE in the end. First one was when they were talking about “investment, not charity.” Second was about respecting the line. There’s a line between them. JP was JP and he was Dosan.
🙂
Yes, Janey, please make a list of all aggressive manhandling. 🙂
Thanks.
Both sisters quit to be in Sandbox. Ep5 restroom convo.
And both eventually chose NDS. 😊
And both honored their dad within CM company.
@Janey Please include “manipulative sad boy”, arrogant, ungrateful —- these are things they labeled Dosan but I think Mr Han also showed it. And the bullying… I feel bad for Cheongsan he also received it from his boss several times.
Diane,
I still watch 2D1N. KSH hasn’t really changed. He’s still a dim bulb on the show.
But I told people here, right? One of the first things I observed about him was that he would flash his dimples at the director Smiley, when he was losing, or feeling sheepish, or couldn’t get the instructions immediately.
and lol. I remember when he brought the book “Guns, Germs, and Steel” on the show. IIRC, the topic for that week was rehabilitating their images so he dressed up in a suit and brought that book with him (which I doubt he even read or even heard of before the show, lol).
He wanted to look like an intellectual because he’d been looking kinda dumb on the show.
Done rewatching Ep 3-5. I just found it funny in Ep 3 where Dalmi actually told Dosan that she was so sure that her boyfriend would be a better catch than Injae’s. And the smile we get from Dosan hahaha like Dalmi was low key claiming that Dosan will be her future boyfriend.
I like it when Alex said in the end of ep5 that he was the first one who recognized and saw something special about Dosan hence he will be the one who he takes the first step with. And it did happen! Thanks to Alex and 2STO Dosan became the man he was supposed to be.
That’s so true, Ella.
He even told Youngsan in the end, that he only smiled when he didn’t care about something. So the fangirls are misconstruing this whole “smiley-face.”
… to be serious, though, he does smile a lot, as least on 2D1N. But they have a female director now. I wonder if he would do as much aegyo if they had that old directors that I liked: Na YoungSok and Yoo Hojin.
He’s not very witty either on the show. The witty ones are Dindin and Moon Seyoung.
Please include the cheek pinching for the agressive manhandling, i really hate that not funny at all
What did Dalmi Mean by telling grandma in Episode 4 that she might have found a way then when Grandma said what way, Dalmi only replied it’s a secret and that it was embarassing if she didn’t get in? I think this convo was when Grandma told Dalmi that starting a business is hard
Maaaaaaa I miss the watch party 😭. Blame it on our schedule to have dinner at 7 pm everytime 😞. Plus I’m the designated dishwasher tonight 😢. Well, I know you all have fun today! That’s enough for me 😁
Just add your replies to the comments, Leedale9198. 🙂
@ella yes, I hated that cheek pinching and counting that too!
And JP removing the shirt of Park Cheong in front of a crowd is just unacceptable behavior from a superior. UgH!
For the next viewing party I have 2 episode in mind but it’s the latter one, Ep 11 (when SamSan tech win demo day) and Ep 15 (one of my favorite), but we should do earlier episodes first, now I have trouble choosing between ep 7-10, any suggestion?
I watched BTS of ep5 before and the director wanted the DS and DM celebratory hug to show Dalmi’s legs really elavated from the ground. Ahh, this is Dosal lifting her up and giving her wings to fly. ❤️❤️❤️
We have to watch the sweet moments together. I vote for Ep7!
Hi Gen, I believe Dalmi was referring to Sandbox when she said that. Her “way” / solution to starting a business was getting into Sandbox.
Back and awake! @janey the scene where he took the shirt from his assistant was annoying, especially because the whole hackathon episode he was literally barging into everyone’s business: samsan tech, dalmi and injae, halmeoni, sandbox president, and his assistant – leaving them all confused, annoyed and/or angry and most importantly not asking for it. But the scene in particular my friend actually said “that’s so mean” out loud. Truly it says something that by episode 16, jp saying”good job” to his assistant is actually a big deal and “show of growth” for him.
@Diane We can do 7 and continue to 8 and 9 before the storm 😁
Also ksh, who i know is a good person and truly deserves the recognition and totally is not jp or his crazy fans, HOWEVER – @pm3 I’m also traumatized by his dimples. Im super cautious on sns now whenever i check out sz/njh tags because his face will pop out of nowhere from delulu fans using it to badmouth the other actors. It’s like there’s no safe space. Let a fangirl, fangirl in peace. I know with time (and hopefully a new drama so his fans can move on to attacking the next love triangle) I’ll be able to better appreciate his talent and hard work. For now ill look at sns with one eye open…
@Kathy T
During the time gap DalMi was referring him coming over on the holiday, so it seems to me their interaction is tied to either grandma or sandbox/business discussion, but when jp eavesdrop his assistant he was not aware that DalMi was looking for insurance for tarzan
@Kathy T thank you so much!!!
When Dalmi received the message that she passed the screening for sandbox, I also just realized that Dalmi’s “Oh my God” expression was the same as her “Oh my God” expression when they passed as one of the 5 finalists for the bid in Ep 16.
I just loved how this drama showcased that every small detail counts from the production and how the actors act including their gestures, facial expressions and etc. Really shows character and story consistencies even the script.
@PM3 I like your take on Dalmi’s sandbox in that episode. And HJP liked being a puppeteer for Dosan (didnt he say DS was a nice person and agreeable?).
However, the avatar keeps on going rogue (to be himself) and getting good results (DM’s attention and affection) that the “envy” he had for DS started to rear up. I think this is when he started “having feelings” for DM.
@Janey
On ep 9 when DoSan was drunk, jp hit and kick drunk DoSan in Halmeoni’s house
@Ella ohh, have to look for that. Thanks!
When do you want the next rewatch, Ella? Tuesday? Wednesday? Just tell me when and what episode and I’ll open a thread for you. 🙂
@packmule3
I’m flexible since work already on holiday mood, I can arrange my schedule accordingly as long as it’s not Christmas Eve or Christmas Day 😆 Will tuesday or wednesday better for everyone?
Same here. What episode do you want?
How about Wednesday?
Sure let’s do Wednesday we can do Ep 7 like Diane suggestion