Note: if the thread is password-protected, don’t panic. 🙂 Often, it means I’m still missing screenshots or gifs but I had to post the thread so it would appear in the right order or sequence on the blog.
1. On the Rebound
I like how the writer showed – not told — us what a “rebound” relationship is. All the Yu BaBi fan club cells are excited to hear of BaBi’s proposal to date. Her Health Regulatory cells are on red alert that her self-esteem is skyrocketing. The director wants Rational Cell to accept BaBi’s proposal because this will certainly expedite the cure of the after-effects of a breakup.
Only Rational Cell insists that Yumi cannot date without love.
Rational: Dating is Love’s jurisdiction. We can’t make the decision among us.
But Love Cell is still in a coma. So Rational Cell makes the decision for the team.
Rational: Guys, listen carefully. We reject Yu Ba Bi’s confession.
Everybody: Why?
Rational: Love hasn’t woken up yet. Love not waking up yet means that the feelings we have towards BaBi aren’t love.
Everybody: They aren’t?
Emotional: Wake her up. Shake her and wake her like this.
Rational: Love is still in a coma. She’s far from recovery. We can’t start dating someone just because of the after-effects of a breakup. We can’t do anything without Love’s permission.
And as cute as this dialogue was, it succinctly demonstrated what a rebound relationship is. It’s a romantic relationship that a person gets involved in when he/she is far from recovered and healed from a breakup.
Like a typical fangirl in an idol’s fanclub, Emotional Cell and the rest are seeking a distraction, validation, and a quick cure after the breakup. They aren’t *thinking* about what Yumi really needs at that point. Only Rational Cell is thinking.
2. Beware the Full-Frontal, Close-Up Shots
As experienced Kdrama viewers, we should be aware of this camera trick.
If ever we feel strongly attracted to the actor Park Jinyoung who plays BaBi, don’t just attribute this sensation to his handsomeness. The director of photography is also partly to blame.
You see, when the camera zooms in on Babi’s face, it gives us the impression that he’s directly talking to us. It seems as if we’ve stepped into Yumi’s shoes, and we are conversing face-to-face with BaBi.
Like here.
Gifs from koreandragon’s tumblr
This scene is totally relatable. It feels like we are Yumi and Babi is beaming at us.
And here.
Gifs from kateknowsdrama’s tumblr
We have established eye contact with Babi. We’re getting Babi’s full blown charm offensive and we can’t look elsewhere. We’re mesmerized in every sense of the word.
Notice the big difference when the scene is filmed with Babi facing Yumi. Like here.
Gifs from tzurim’s tumblr
We become mere onlookers, bystanders, so there’s less personal involvement. Trust me. If all the shots have been like that, we wouldn’t be so entranced by Babi.
3. The umbrella
I told you to watch out for the umbrella scene, didn’t I?
Gifs from koreandragon’s tumblr
Hmmmm… Do you see what I see? I think I’ll make a prediction here why Yumi and Babi will not be the end game. For one, she fangirls him. She idealizes him like in this instance when she notices — and swoons — that he’s moved the umbrella ever so slightly over her so she won’t get wet by raindrops.
For another, he presents himself as too perfect. It’ll be hard to live UP to someone who’s as “perfect” as he is. That’s why she was looking for something about Babi that would turn her off. She thought his bug-phobia would be a turn-off but even that, she found cute.
4. The bus stop
I’m sure you’ve noticed them, right? We had a bus stop scene (or two?) with Woong and now there’s another one with BaBi. What’s up with that?
Well, public transportation is common for office workers like Yumi, and the bus system in Seoul is efficient and reliable. So it’s understandable that the writer would use the bus stop as a backdrop for these encounters.
But I think there’s a metaphor here, too. I think the romantic relationships that Yumi is experiencing are like bus stops — or detours — on the way to her final destination. She won’t want to miss them, even if they’re uncomfortable and confusing at times, because they’re part of her journey to self-discovery.
That’s it for me. 🙂 I said “quick” and I think I achieved it this time.
Thank you @Packmule – as usual I enjoy getting your perspective.
Yes I am entranced… so thank you for being Reason Cell and offering an explanation of how that works! The actor is also, of course, quite gorgeous but to have him face on, eyes twinkling at us… Now I think of it, I wasn’t entranced at all when he was in ‘Devil Judge’…
1. Involving the Reason cell as a last resort in a possible love story seems strange. It is the part least involved in feelings. And yet I find this remarkably true.
A real life anecdote: I was dating a woman and everything seemed nice. I asked myself “Do I love her?”. My reason cell came in sweeping the others (which were kind of on a comet)… and told me “Dude, if you did, you wouldn’t even be asking!”.
Rebound happens because of a breakup, other issues, or because it’s rare to meet someone we can love.
2. Full-Frontal. Weird I felt more like Yumi was looking at me. (rather impressed!!)
She fails to hypnotize me (thanks to her horrible haircut!)
3. Too perfect!!! Yes, but we already have a clue or two that… just in appearance. We will laugh knowing her cells!
4. An interesting and different interpretation of the bus stop from mine. I was focused on who gets off the bus, why, etc (see the open thread topic).
I notice one thing in your comment: you say that Yumi doesn’t want to miss the steps. But looking at the scene and applying your interpretation: It is Babi who understands that she needs the steps! He is the one who gets off the bus and offers to get off at the next stop and wait for her.
Thanks for this quick tales, QUICK ones. But I’m open for slow and long quick tales on Yumi Cells!!! ahahahaha@weirdo.fr
HIS cells and not “her cells”… tsss.. auto-translator soft mistake.
I had no idea you guys discuss Yumi’s cells too. I went on a search for what you wrote for the last season after reading this and the last post. Just a suggestion, I’m not sure if there’s a search bar here or i don’t see it in the phone view. That would make finding old posts easier. Also am I the only one who can never see the gifs? I thought it was my internet but I’m using a different one now. Maybe you can help @pm3?
Great observation with the closeups. That’s exactly how they worked on me when i wasn’t even on the Yoo Babi ship. The creators wanted us to like Babi immediately like Yumi’s cells do. So they used all these tricks so that we can forget Woong too.
Also guys I’m curious, is there even going to be a third season or a third loveline? It seems like KGE is already signed up for a new show. That usually happens when the actor is completely moving onto another project. If that happens, Yoo Babi may just end up being the person Yumi marries.
@wapz: I don’t know and I don’t want to know (really not!). 🙂
SPOILER for @wapz. @WEnchanteur, don’t read this. 😈
😈
😈
😈
😈
😈
👹👹👹👹
As far as I know Yumi doesn’t marry BaBi. At least she doesn’t in the original comics. She marries her editor or somebody she meets in the course of her new career as an independent writer.
I think Babi introduced or re-introduced her to her gift of writing. She quits her day job to become a writer. In the opening credit, you’ll see this cell that’s dressed in green, with a feather (IIRC) on his cap. I interpreted that as foreshadowing of a yet unseen character.
That said, I’m not sure if the writer of the kdrama will follow the original source material so who knows really? 🤷♀️ It’s possible to merge Babi character into this mystery editor character to save time.
I’ve closed my eyes and didn’t read. 😅 Thanks for the reminder!!
As far as I know Yumi’s Cells has finished filming. I follow KGE on Instagram—on December 31, 2021 she posted pics of GOODBYE balloons on set and said she had enjoyed spending 9 months as Yumi. So all the live action stuff seems to be done. This explains why Ba Bi’s girlfriend appeared again this season. The actress who played the part, Kim Mi-Soo, died suddenly on January 5th of this year.
I don’t know if this means they will wrap it up in two seasons or they had enough footage for three. Since half of each episode is animation and a lot of the live “action” just shows them reacting to what the cells are doing/thinking, perhaps that’s enough in the can for 3 or even 4 seasons!
I hope Ba Bi isn’t end game here. He’s sweet but kind of blah, maybe because he holds back his emotions so much.
Thanks for the information @BethB.
I was thinking how it would be so hard for Kim Mi Soo to watch this show and ‘Kiss Sixth Sense’ since she appears in them. Even I, who am not related at all to the actors who have passed on, feel a sad pang when I seem them so alive on the screen.
Apologies – amendments. I meant ‘it would be so hard for the family and friends of Kim Mi Soo to watch this’
@pm3 I’m aware of what happens in the webtoon which is why I was confused if they are not taking that route.
Thanks for the information @BethB. I’m quite skeptical that Babi will be the end game. He gives me player vibes and I was mentally prepared for a third relationship.
Woong is, in Myers Briggs terms, some type of T with thinking as his primary function. I’m not sure if he is sensing or intuitive in MBTI terms – probably sensing. This makes him emotionally clumsy at times, not polished, but he also feels a bit more reliable than Ba Bi.
Having seen his cell village, Ba Bi is strongly ‘feeling’ and also, from his behaviour, he is big on spontaneity. He’s able to be very much in the moment.
That said, Ba Bi has a high EQ and plans and is strategic, in short to medium term ways. Woong was mostly (bear defence for instance) responding to people making moves on him!
Annyeong BOD’erz 🌼
Tis shorter than Ep 1 takes, @PM3. Like @WEchanteur, don’t mind at all when your takes are longer than quick 😁
I had to REWATCH Ep 1 and 2. I caught more details I missed the first time. Maybe i should rewatch them again for the 3rd time haha so i can just focus on the action and not read subtitles haha.
Rebound ~ i have that same feeling too and a bit disappointed that the cells were so taken by Babi without Love cell. but i’ve seen Ep 3&4 so i’m good now 💗
Full frontal close ups ~ i love this camera trick. funny @WEchanteur… not hypnotized due to *horrible haircut. hair don’t care for Yumi. From He is Psychometric, i like the maturity he’s showing to play Babi’s role.
Umbrella ~ i love umbrella scenes ☔ and as far as fan-girling, it’s a sign of her feelings developing coz she’s noticing the little things. Babi definitely has a lot of these moments moving forward. and yes, i’m fan-girling as well. it’s the sweet little things that makes a big difference or that adds up to memorable moments.
Bus stop – i like how shows can romantize the mundane like bus stops. but definitely poignant. he exited. she exited. she waited. and he appreciated that she did. they chatted … to the point they both don’t want the bus to come. 💗
i think that Yumi is taken by Babi’s straightforwardness coz she didn’t get that from Woong. and it even challenges herself… to be honest **spoiler** leading to her own confession. Oooh lala. from his invite to the SKA busking *YOU CAN to his confession *I want to know you more, we should date. To the point, this Babi. he doesn’t have Woong’s thought algorithm.
side note on the SKA music. i thought i didn’t appreciate it at first. then i ended up checking Kingston Rudieska and the song “my cotton candy” and love them ❤ so now i have them in my apple music library.
Regarding speculation of Season 3 – i am definitely hoping for it.
@Kate – Babi has High EQ. it looks like i am, too. but i am not Babi… i think Babi is so cool and looks too perfect because **spoiler** as we later will find out – his world is too too HAPPY… with the sombrero trio, dancing and singing – which kind’a weirded me out… but i love it… esp later on when we see BAbi’s tonque cell visiting Yumi’s tonque cell 💋 Ohhh la la. i love this show!!!!!!!!!!
It’s been a while since I am discussing dramas here again but just wanted to share – this project has always been a two season project! Technically it’s a 28 episode drama, but director felt it would be too much for audience to connect with Yumi if we simply change boyfriends in the middle of a season, they wanted to give us a break in between so we can accept a new romantic relationship for Yumi! 🙂 So there’s never a plan for season 3!
Doesn’t mean Babi or Woong will or will not be end game tho. Given the speed they are going with season 2 lol Anything can happen.
@HK Lady – aha got it! We’ll see how this plays out.
@Peachietime – thank you for this information. It’s helpful to be settled in our expectations and to make the most of Season 2 now!
@Peachietime NEVER???
waaaah you’re breaking my heart.
but i guess, it’s between Woong and Babi??? then
waaaahhhhhh
i can’t…
Thanks, @Packmule3, for the reminder to consider the camera work. I’d say this director is smooth, able to tweak our emotions without our being aware we’re being manipulated.
I think seeing Babi speaking into the camera, as if from Yumi’s perspective, fits well with Babi’s direct approach to this relationship. And as you point out, it helps us feel what Yumi is feeling. It is so different from their first encounters in Season 1, when Babi was right in front of Yumi while addressing her, and all Yumi saw of him was an expressionless black-and-white two-dimensional figure.