Proves that good kdrama pilots are still possible

Idk how many times I've recommended a Kdrama to someone that I had to preface with "The first few episodes are a bit slow, but it gets really good in episode ..."I've accepted that a bad pilot doesn't mean a bad Kdrama. There's plenty that need two or three episodes to set up the premise of the show, that I still end up enjoying very much. But there's a special place in my heart reserved for good Kdrama pilots. Regardless of how the rest of this show goes, even if it falls off later on, I can honestly say this is one of my fave pilots. And that's bc of the subverting of expectations. (SPOILERS ig)The entire episode we see the world from the ML's pov. From his very first introduction he's set up as someone with severe insecurity and mental health issues (something the FL points out very well in that same scene). His relationship with his family isn't great either. His mother is very critical of him and any time he points out something that makes him feel unappreciated or ignored, she dismisses it even though they all clearly know the issues he's dealing with. She also has a clear preference for his younger brother and doesn't hesitate to remind him how much better his younger brother is. She doesn’t hide the fact that although she knows where his issues stem from, she has no patience for it and thinks he should just get over it.His younger brother in turn, seems aware of his advantageous position in the household and makes no effort to lessen the comparisons between the two of them. Probably bc in any comparison, he will come out on top.The father seems like the only one willing to listen to his complaints and concerns but many of his attempts at comfort are futile with the mother around and at the end of the day even he seems to prefer the younger brother, although most of his comparisons seem done without him realising it’s hurting the ML.All of this in combination with the memory of his parents leaving him behind at his grandmother's house, puts him in a situation where his family's indifference seems to be a big factor in his insecurities.Outside of his family things aren't much better. At work his opinions are ignored and disrespected and even his best friend's encouragement isn't enough to get him to go to things like his class reunion. Even if it means that he might see his first love again. Even the FL says some pretty hurtful stuff to him during their last interaction before the accident happens. But then he drowns. And as soon as we are no longer looking through his eyes, we can see a different perspective on things. His parents made sure to cook food he liked since they ate something he didn't eat the day before. His brother put the colleague in his place and said he would leave the agency as a result of his older brother getting shut down and embarrassed. Even the FL immediately regrets her words when she sees him rolled into the hospital, scared that her words were the catalyst that made him jump. The younger brother, that in his eyes had made no effort to lessen his pain from the constant comparisons, comes into the hospital drenched, seemingly being the person that got him out of the water he almost drowned in.In one episode they managed to set up a convincing situation that would lead someone to make the decision that the ML made, while showcasing that people struggling as much as him are blinded by their pain and unable to see that things may not be as bad as they seem. Unlike many other Kdramas, this one set up all the characters and clearly displays their flaws while simultaneously setting up all of their reasons and leaving room for redemption where needed. When it comes to acting I have to give Kim JaeJoong a shoutout. The way he portrayed the insecure and depressed ML makes me almost sad we're not going to see this version of him anymore starting next episode.Anyway, I really enjoyed it and I hope the drama keeps up the good streak.

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