Thanks so much @pkml3 for offering to open threads for us and giving me/us 2 brand new threads to preserve our thoughts on.

I wasn’t too sure about this Show at first, but now that I look back on the earlier episodes, it does fill something of a ‘want’ of mine.

I didn’t mind something ‘sageuk’ but only without the angst of court politics, and this Show gave a semblance of something from a period drama but more from the common people’s point of view with some ‘chaebol’ style tropes that felt modern and traditional at the same time. I liked the traditional, deliberate politeness, the respect, the cultural artifacts and the fact that ML in hanbok was quite badass when dealing with thieves of the latter.

I didn’t mind a noona romance, and was amused to find that this one goes a different way ie the young ML does not actually pursue the noona in a romantic way. I liked noona’s consideration for the ex-student as well.

I was up for some romance which was not overly sugary, and this show serves up more than 1 or 2 or even 3!!! And they are not sugary at all. I kind of wish there was a 4th one but we’ll wait and see.

I wanted a show that respected its audience, even if it did not hold much in the way of surprises or great feels, something lightish but not too silly, and this show surprised me by adding emotional weight and a more serious tone without losing the webtoon-style.

I’m curious to see how it navigates investigation, multiple relationships, family ties coherently and well. So far, so good!

@GB, I’ve just started this tonight and am in Episode 1, but I thought I’d say hello on this thread. Although this has more slapstick elements than I like, I can see why they’re there, as this is webtoon to live action. The juxtaposition between contemporary Seoul and people still living Joseon style is funny. I suspect that I’m missing some of the humor because I’m not able to follow the Korean dialogue, but must rely on subtitles. It could be that formal language is being used to hilarious effect.

I can’t help myself: I must bring up some concerns I have when the old ways at held up as being desirable. The Joseon way of life included slavery and indentured servitude. Could such a labor-intensive culture survive with all people earning living wages? Pounding laundry on rocks? At minimum wage, it must cost a fortune to wear clean clothing within that economic framework.

It is strange to see a man wearing a gat without his hair drawn up in a top knot.

Hi @Welmaris! Long time no see. I hope you’ll enjoy watching this simple (in the sense that I do not expect it requires in depth analysis) show that I hope may surprise me a bit.

I am glad that the slapstick does not go on in a big way. In fact in later episodes, I don’t notice that any ‘hit me in the face’ so to speak. Either I have become inured or there really wasn’t any. The parts where more serious emotional beats were needed were well executed without the cartoonish feel.

As this is a webtoon at heart, I just accepted that Seongsan Villagers were happy with their chosen lifestyle, whether as servants or slaves. We do see that individuals could ‘run away’ if they didn’t want to remain in the ‘Joseon of 2024’, hence I assumed that those who stayed, chose it willingly enough, but it’s possible that some would feel too uncomfortable leaving what they had been brought up to, and choose to live Joseon-style out of inertia or fear of modernity.

The juxtaposition that hit me was how much ML wore, regardless of how valuable and how it didn’t get him into the club versus how much his bodyguard must have removed to successfully enter the door!!!

Good grief: Kim Hong Do’s quilt vest in the beginning of Episode 3 make her look like she’s wearing a tea cozy. Fabric, pattern, and cut all contribute to the impression.

I’m liking this show more and more, as it taps into why I enjoy watching Kdramas: learning about another culture through armchair travel. The sequence in Episode 3 where the FL delves into her culture seeking inspiration, visiting museums, shops, and historical sites, was satisfying to watch. It raises the question: What makes Korea Korean, past and present? We are with the FL on her journey to find out.

EPISODE 3
Continuing a bit more on Yoon Bok’s arc… I fancy his great sense of loyalty to tradition and pristine good manners is also his way of drawing the line and keeping a distance from even his bodyguard and others.

From childhood he had likely been told by his grandfather that he had been abandoned by his mother and sister, and that he should not waste his emotions on them who left and would not return. He was also told to trust only in himself. This advice, and his fear of being abandoned again, likely led to YB’s use of the excuse of good manners to keep his distance from many people, so that he would not become attached to them and be hurt again should they leave.

= = =

I’m pleased to see that Hong Do has changed her style of dressing to look more like a high-class designer instead of merely an assistant. Gone (and good riddance!) are her sad sack style clothing when she goes to work.

= = =

I’ve liked Jun Ho, ever since he was shown being generous to the orphans at the orphanage that had taken him in. Later we will see that he had also been friends with YB’s sister but had been unjustly hit (by harsh Grandpa Shin) when she got sick, through no fault of his.

I note with interest that Jun Ho visits the pottery museum and is shown to look at the displays with appreciation. At the moment he seems the likely suspect for the master artefacts’ thief, Gamjjok/Phony, but I would like to believe that he’s above such crime. He has reason to resent the Woorim clan and stealing items that the clan was supposed to safeguard was a possible way for him to get back at it, but a true lover of art would not want to sell it off to the highest bidder in a clandestine way.

Even by Episode 8, we never get to see if he has a burn scar on his right arm. And if he should have such a scar, it might not be because he had anything to do with YB’s father’s death.

@Welmaris, I’m enjoying the side couples whenever we get a scene or two of them. This senior couple is cuter than the main OTP.

@Fern, you are very correct about the bodyguard, Yoona, being a good match for Yoon Bok. However the great class divide hovers over them still. She (and those who work for the ‘noble’ families) will always refer to their masters as sir or madam and give them deference. They hardly ever consider themselves equal enough in status so as to inter-marry.

Even Jun Ho who left the Village retains his stance of deference and is still treated as the ‘servant’ although he’s a successful businessman. The ties of loyalty of the working class also remain very strong. His mother insists on continuing as the servant for Grandpa Shin instead of living with her son in comfort.

I only just finished watching Episode 10 and found it good in the moving of the plot forward both in the area of the romance(s) and of the investigation.

I loved how Yoon Bok is clear and straightforward and how once he makes up his mind, he goes all in.

Sidenote: I’m finding that HD’s brother, Hong Hak (actor Han Gi Chan) is pretty good looking/cute as well, if one can see past that unfortunate curly mop of his. He looks so much better without that hair style.
https://mydramalist.com/people/24719-han-gi-chan

A Little Review (Minor spoilers)

I’ve been on and off quietly watching this drama and have come to the end of the series most placidly and at peace.

It’s been a gentle ride and while not often full of sparks or action, and sometimes a bit uneven in pace or slow, has also not lacked in good, likable characters who can hold their own against criminals, opposition, injustice and suffering. I liked that Yoon Bok can fight well with his fan, protect his village and also pursue his interest in creating webtoons, as well as his love interest.

I was happy over how everything made sense and how sensible everyone turned out to be. Every decision each character made, was either sensible or made so much sense or both! There was much less noble idiocy and waste of time than feared. It was satisfying to see how in different forms there were homecomings, a sense of belonging, decisions to do what was right and following one’s aspirations to fulfill one’s potential. The time jump to the future was well used and most advisedly so, unlike in some other shows.

It was lovely how the rounding out of events and rounding up at the end made complete sense. While the series began with a webtoony feel, it grew to become a more serious drama, and brought up more weighty topics such as the care of one’s cultural heritage and the need to open up to share it, being true to one’s calling, making free choices to return to one’s roots or to forge new paths.

There was quite a lot of character growth, more in the seniors than in the younger folks, which was a pleasant surprise. I do appreciate that Show left no stone unturned when it came to resolving the arcs of each character, no matter how peripheral.

All the actors did well and I’m quite impressed by ‘L’ who started out as an ‘idol’ has become an experienced actor. He had enough gravitas and presence so as not to be upstaged by the veteran actors.

What Show may have lacked in some degree in terms of excitement, it made up for with consistent characters, good reconciliations, new beginnings, and hope for the future. It was a quiet, satisfying conclusion and a sweet Show.