The thread is open.
For somebody who hasn’t set foot in Hell, GuWon surely comes to close to it often.
Ep 2: He took the acid slash for DoHee.
Ep 3: He was beaten up by the gangsters; his head was almost bludgeoned.
Ep 5: He fell off the penthouse terrace with DoHee.
Ep 7: He got stabbed in the heart by the Psoriasis Guy.
Ep 10: He entered a burning mini-mart to rescue DoHee.
Ep 12: He remembered slitting his throat to avoid going to heaven.
Hmmm, about that suicide. Let me see now. There is a theological basis for his action. It’s true that in the Catholic Church, suicide is considered a mortal sin. “We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.” (source: Cathechism of the Catholic Church) So if Guwon committed suicide, yeahhhhhh, it’s reasonable to assume that heaven wasn’t his destination but hell. However, that said, it’s not up to him (or us) to decide. God alone decides whether it’s eternal salvation or eternal damnation for him and any human being. And by God, I don’t mean this faker/gambler/wino/hobo/degenerate.
Eps 13/14: Will he die for real now? Lol.
Anyway, I hope I get to see the meaning of the roses before he dies…if ever he dies.
Let’s enjoy the show.
I think Ep 14 @pm3. It has to. Show is quoted as “too sugary”. Anyway usually around Ep 14 is the breakup / major twist point in kdramas.
Might it be while saving DH ? I hope. I want to it to have a connection with their past story + all the demon do’s and don’ts info we have rather than be in mere noble idiocy.
Ep 14? I’ll take that. Better Ep 14 than Ep 16. 😂😂
If you notice, @Arihsi, I ignore mentioning the romantic couple scenes now that they’re officially “in love.” The romantic scenes have similar vibes to those of “King the Land.” 🤔I’m still searching for the right word to describe the ambiance…plastic? artificial? contrived? manufactured?
Take the couple bicycle ride, for instance. It’s as if an assistant screenwriter was instructed to insert a lovey-dovey moment.
Look: we can instantly spot a product placement segment, right? The guy works late in the office so he opens a desk drawer and takes out Kopiko candy. Or the girl preps for a night out with the guy, and she takes out her Etude House lip gloss. Or the guy grabs coffee for the girl, and he’s at A Twosome Place coffee shop.
Whenever we see these blatant PPLs, we just roll our eyes.
Same thing with these romantic couple moments. Whenever I see a couple go to Everland, eat ice cream, wear matchy-matchy clothes, walk on the beach, watch sunset, blush when holding hands, etc., we know that they’re still in the initial stage of dating because they over-hype every. little. thing. They make a big production of the feeeeeels.
With standard product placement, the production team is selling us a consumable good. With these romantic scenes placement, the Director and Screenwriter are selling us the illusion of couple bonding.
Ah this must be what I’m meant to say about the I’m not feeling it. It was the romance that felt manufactured.
It wasn’t SK, it was the overall vibes of the romance side.
Thank you! 🙇🏻♀️
I’m afraid @agdr03 that after watching so many romcoms back-to-back, we’ve become blasé to these “sweet” scenes. They don’t have substance. (Or should I say “sincerity”? The Koreans are big on doing something earnestly, like they mean it.)
As I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if an assistant screenwriter was tasked to write a couple scene and to link it to GuWon’s human transformation. Thus, we get him joking that he likes doing “insignificant things” now that he’s in love with DoHee. 🤪
To continue, @agdr03,
Maybe it IS SK’s fault. 😂😂
Some actors can’t do romcoms. They can only “act” romantic up to a certain point. After they reach their limit, their cringe is noticeable. Take for instance, Im Siwan. He’s a great actor but romcoms simply aren’t his forte. He looks uncomfortable with the love scenes. (And I joke about the awkward kiss scenes, right?)
But that’s why I admire Park Min Young. People give her grief for always accepting romcom roles. But the thing is…she excels at creating this image of a girl in love. Her eyes light up and sparkle no matter who her leading man is. She’s totally believable.
To give SK some credit…
He DOES try different roles. He played the ballerino in Navillera. There was no love story there. Then he didn’t mind playing the dysfunctional boyfriend in … what’s that drama with So Hee? Then he’s in Sweet Home.
He isn’t afraid to try different things. It shows dedication to the craft. That’s great if he wants to grow as an actor.
I agree. 👍🏻 SK tries different roles and that’s the only way he’ll get better and better. I did watch that drama with Han So Hee and Navillera. I enjoyed both even though the first one wasn’t all that.
This was what CEW needs too right? Like what @GB said, to try different roles. I hope he’ll get to choose roles that can take him out of the normal romantic dramas. I did like him in that scary drama, I forgot the title. 😂
I find both SK and CEW easy to watch and very pleasing to my eyes. 😍 I wish them both all the best. ☺️
Hi @agdr03, yes, the one show where I sort of like CEW more was in Island when he was of all things, a demon-killing priest. Once again, taking something from the Catholic faith and twisting it somewhat.
In all other shows that I’ve seen him, he lived up to the ‘pretty face’ expectations but did not really go beyond. I hope he does get out being typecast. 😃
That’s it, Island. Thanks @GB. ☺️
Yes, we hope he can go beyond the handsome boyfriend type. 🥰
I don’t mind Park Min Young. I prefer her than Park Shin He.
I’ll see how I go, I might pick up Marry My Husband. I’ve finished Lusi’s current drama. ☺️
Oh did you hear that Park Bo Gum will have a drama with Kim So Hyun? It’s called Good Boy! 😃 I’m glad they didn’t use this title for someone else. 😂
I’m sugarless when it comes to Romance. I’m unable to digest it in this drama particularly. SK also seems more comfortable in his ZONE that you mentioned. Poor man. I sympathize with people unable to depict romance well. I can’t manage it in real life ! Have been married to the man since 10 years and love him as much as is possible by my mortal soul, but don’t ask me for a picture please.
Fortunately, he’s equally awkward in pictures and videos so basically in pics we look like two bachelors who stay together to save money. 😜
Mortal self*
Three things:
– She knew she’s fornicating with a demon. Nothing good was likely to come out of that union. He leads souls to hell. He makes contracts. He never hid it from her in the least. Then why the shock ?
– FL is a very good actress. This is her first work and although I went tsk tsk at her shock, the shock and sorrow both were depicted well by her.
– It’s not noble idiocy. In fact, it’s not idiocy at all. He shouldn’t have gotten involved with a human unless he could promise her camaraderie and a semblance of a safe partnership.
Her first work that I’m watching, obviously. *Facepalm* She’s a very seasoned actress I believe.
You made me laugh @Arihsi 😂
Hubby and I are never sweet as a couple too. If I’m given a second life, I’ll make sure to marry a sweet one. 😜
I can’t find motivation for watching the new episodes.
It’s almost I’d prefer go to work. 😞
Maybe while drinking…
Hello there!
Can I say how pissed off I am with the stupid notion the Goddess said about Happiness?
The moment she blurred that notion: Me reading about what Aristotle has said about Eudaimonia / Ευδαιμονία and την αρχή της μεσότητας / golden mean is screaming.
Then she said something like: that loving someone is having a personal hell? What bogus is that? Jakkanim as it seems for you Love is a personal Hell. *facepalm*
The more this illusion Goddess is on screen the more I don’t want to see her. She is spewing nonsense and makes me angry.
Jeong Gu Won became a Devil without asking about something like this and the Illusion Goddess is talking about miserable fates, when she is not taking responsibility for her actions. She only talks that I am just watching Humanity, you are responsible for your actions and reactions, but in reality the illusion goddess is cruel and sadistic.
***NOT happy at the moment***
@agdr03 hee hee hee….
@WE 🍷🍷 yes, drinks are needed.
@cleo I know right? Irrespective of religion, a “God” is first and foremost a beacon of hope. Light where you can see none. The one you call upon in desperation. The one to help. The one to protect. Not make random ominous statements and resent your happiness!
On being in love (on screen)
Spl attn @agdr03
I don’t think anyone is watching samdal-ri here but JCW in love, ah. How do I say this ? He’s excellent at displaying an adult deeply in love. Subtle. Steadfast. He can demonstrate what @pm3 calls “thick love” so well on screen and be real quiet about it. “Love, but in silence” as the poem in the particular episode goes. JCW can move me to tears although he is crying none in that moment onscreen. His character can hold my 100% attention. No grand declarations, no fancy cars, no expensive diners, no high fashion clothes needed.
Maybe we love like that @agdr03. Silently. Subtly. Steadfastly.
I watched episode 13.
It was a nightmarish boredom. Worst episode since the beginning. 🥱😴😴😴
The writer only has a few highlights and the cliffhanger, and embroiders the rest of the episode with emptiness.
Since it’s totally bad, I noted the few scenes that stand out.
45:00 – The villain’s wife finds the demon book in the safe. A thirty-second scene that adds a little tension to the episode.
54:50 – Gu Won is only now worried about getting his demon book back. 😓
57:00 – Closing scenes. Confrontation between Do Hee and the Villain.
Tension, suspense, strength. Good dialogue, good acting.
+ Interesting scene order, mixed with other scenes and flashbacks reinforcing the villain’s revelations and dramatic intensity.
01:02:14 – Among the sub-scenes of the cliffhanger sequence.
The villain plays an audio recording.
We had a flashback in a previous episode. He’s sitting outside and Mrs Ju and Do Hee as children come to see him. I’d noted that he was seen with a Dictaphone at this point. It was foreshadowing.
This detail and many others show that the screenwriter has structured her story from beginning to end. But unfortunately, there’s not much of interest to complete the structure she had envisaged. It’s as if it were planned for 30-minute episodes.
Then fills it with not-funny comedy (well, most of the time) and slugerish “romantic” (but artificial) scenes. And some other boring moments with a bunch of ready-to-serve secondary characters.
@Arihsi,
That is the reason I don’t like her at all. There is no beacon of light or hope at all. And it is really suffocating if you think about it. There is noone outthere for you.
Jeong Gu Won after Do Do Hee, is more like a compassionate God, even in his demon stake. He understands more and has empathy about Humanity. Even the trope, I am too bad for you, let’s disappear, is a sacrifice from his part. So far, Jeong Gu Won is acting more godlike than the illusion Goddess.
Ep14, a bit better than 13.
Excellent final scene.
Still many boredom in the episode. But we get first sequence, the middle one (flashback of car accident), the scene when Do Hee witness end of a pact, and final scene.
Some absurdities, or almost:
– How Suk-Min could be declared dead, as no one saw his body, and no one witnessed his fall from the building (except Do Hee and Gu Won). It’s even on the TV news. Plot-hole.
– How Mrs Ju can believe Gu Won is a demon. Max evidence she gets is him throwing a burning paper. It needed something more supernatural to convince her.
@Cleo,
About Gu Won, yes, we have the feeling he’s a quite neutral demon. The human choose the wrong way, he just propose the pacts. And else, he have some morality. We can even say it’s on purpose, because the hobo-god-woman looks like less moral in some ways.
@WEnchanteur,
I like your description of secondary characters — they’re “ready-to-serve.” The two secretaries, the office trio, and the gangsters exist for diversion. But after 14 episodes, their appearance in the story has become predictably extraneous to the ongoing action that I ignore them already (especially the office trio).
The way these characters are written gives me the same vibes as the romantic scenes. They’re “ready-to-serve.”
@pm3, I’m afraid to write a text wall by replying. But I’ll do short.
My vision: “the story can’t wait”. If there’s not enough story to fill the episodes with mostly exciting events and no unnecessary passages, then it’s not the right story.
I can imagine her process:
– Cut her main plot into 16 episodes.
– Plan the important points of each episode, the beginning and the cliffhanger.
– Create an army of secondary characters, some of whom have a logical reason for being here.
– Write the episodes according to the plan, and for those without enough screentime, fill in with secondary stories, lengthen scenes, accumulate romantic moments, add anecdotal content.
For secondary characters: they should be allowed to have a life, and of course a personality. But sadly, it’s impossible to let them have their own separate lives. And yes, they should always be connected to the plot, have a function in it. Otherwise, they have to be eliminated. So it’s in this arduous context that you have to make them live.
For example, when the butler is used to make the hero talk, and the scene is funny to boot. It works. When he discovers that the demon’s book has been stolen, too. But when he starts wandering freely during multiple scenes, it creates a problem of dilution of the main plot. The story stops being exciting.
The best screenwriters always give the impression that their story is striding forward, and one wonders by what miracle they arrive at a dazzling cliffhanger, without having wasted a second of the whole episode. What if it was too long? Or not long enough? But no, it’s right on time!
Phew I’m catching up on the previous comments I have missed, and @pm3’s write up on the various episodes. Always loving it.
I’ve been rather all over the place reading and making sure I connect all properly. I also agree with @arishi and everyone here about this being too sugary. All those long stares, though some long stares are really pretty because these two are such good looking people.
I had to nod my head in agreement with @agdr03 and @GB on CEW. Haven’t seen CEW in a comedy…as in him acting comedic. SK had some silly moments that was refreshing.
2 more episodes and there’s still more to go! I’m excited to see how they will end up together. How is Noh Seok Min going to survive and make a come back…hopefully not as another demon. :O
Lastly, I’m in love with this song remixed by New Jeans (a new kpop group debuted in Jul 2022). Enough for me to go deeper into the song and meaning.
Our Night is more beautiful than your Day
We’re going together
Believe in me
Believe in the feeling I give you
It’s too beautiful for me
I will protect your night
Nothing will happen to us today,
But if you want
Someday, in all the mornings of this world
Come with me
I already know
In the trembling,
There is fear hidden in your eyes
Nothing will happen to us today
But if you want to,
Someday, go with me to all the mornings of this world
I confidently say this again,
If you believe me
Someday, go with me to all the mornings of this world.
Let’s go together.
The night and day reminds me of how both of them are from different worlds, always contrasting each other. Yet the song is a kinda of hope of a shared future, that together, it will be better than facing whatever they need to face alone. The night, representing something scary they will go through together. So GuWon will protect DoHee, her night or all the problems and challenges she will face. Someday, after all that, they will be able to go to the mornings of the world, their happy times. Shared future is that theme.
That this was not a song created for the show but they found a right song for the show.
Nights! Catch up tomorrow!
@We,
Yes, Jeong Gu Won is definitely way better than the Illusion Goddess. That’s why I really like him! *grins*
Hello!
Ella did a wonderful edit using “Draw Your Swords” By Angus & Julia Stone.
#MustWatch