ThePlotDemandsIt
Thailand
The Main Romance Could Have Been Better--Mini Analysis
Note: If you would rather skip the essay—my overall summary and conclusion is at the end. :D
This drama is wonderful and beautiful. There are so many great things this production team did in creating this show that I wish I could go into all of it; however when something this good graces us with its presence, the problems are impossible to ignore. Anyone can and should be talking about how well done this show is, but there was one main problem that I want to review because it affected my view of the show so much.
The romance.
Now, I just want to give a slow clap for the second couple's performance and story as being the first time I enjoyed theirs more than the main. Their chemistry and development was fire and ice and tears and respect. I loved every moment of them.
But the main couple.
I loved how their connection was approached with the way the FL has always tended to run away from things and how the ML likes to face things head on (which is done subtly and well). They have a cute story of learning about each other's interests, but we don't really get to go deep into it where they really learn about each other as much. Instead, they learn about themselves which is also commendable but still kind of confusing when they have a romantic relationship...?
Many people have already voiced their opinions about the ML's stiff acting/character which is certainly validated. He is the type of character whom I really struggled to connect with for the first several episodes. It wasn't until around episode 7, maybe, that he began to grow on me more. How I took this was that the ML actor seems to fall into his character's head space more as the show progresses. By the end, he doesn't feel as stiff and socially awkward as everyone was confused about in the beginning. Except with the FL.
This really affects the chemistry and overall romance between him and the FL. Both characters are rather closed off which is not only a writing problem but also a directing and acting problem. No need to blame anyone--it's just how it happened. The characters never really communicate well throughout which makes all of their scenes feel like a first, awkward date. This makes them seem innocent and sweet which I can see being appealing (and I think that ends up being the intended perspective the director went for), but something about the FL rubbed me wrong the entirety of the show.
She seems to be the type of person who is interested in him more as one might be interested in a pretty vase (@MyLoveFromTheStar). We as the audience are also interested in him because he is a unique character, but to me this never really feels like love as she doesn't support him the way he is literally supporting everyone else on the show.
Mostly the problem I had with her was the same one I had when I first watched her performance on "Rookie Historian." I felt Shin Se Kyung and Cha Eun Woo had more of a sibling relationship which I summed up to them being about 10 years apart and didn't think much of it until now. Even at around the same age, Se Kyung as the FL felt somewhat condescending towards Syeon Gyeom as she treats him like a child. Which I suppose I can see, but she does it so much that it is rather off putting.
CONCLUSION
I have more in my analysis of this relationship that I could go into (I'm ridiculous), but basically I felt as though the main romance suffered in awkwardness and slow pacing; for the first several episodes, there is little progression in the show. I think it could easily have even been cut down to 12 episodes. The way sexuality and real life jobs, and just real life in general is dealt with is done beautifully. As a film major, I certainly got excited with the references and little things that are just a part of my world.
However, it's missing some of that spark to make it more entertaining which I've put a lot of weight on the main romance as it's a foundational piece of the show. Aside from the difficulty to engage with the show, it is certainly worth the watch. Not a binge watch for me, but still worth seeing.
My music rating always includes overall sound as well, and then my rewatch rating is always my entertainment rating instead. As always, so much work clearly went into this project, and I am so grateful that I got to see it! Cheers!
This drama is wonderful and beautiful. There are so many great things this production team did in creating this show that I wish I could go into all of it; however when something this good graces us with its presence, the problems are impossible to ignore. Anyone can and should be talking about how well done this show is, but there was one main problem that I want to review because it affected my view of the show so much.
The romance.
Now, I just want to give a slow clap for the second couple's performance and story as being the first time I enjoyed theirs more than the main. Their chemistry and development was fire and ice and tears and respect. I loved every moment of them.
But the main couple.
I loved how their connection was approached with the way the FL has always tended to run away from things and how the ML likes to face things head on (which is done subtly and well). They have a cute story of learning about each other's interests, but we don't really get to go deep into it where they really learn about each other as much. Instead, they learn about themselves which is also commendable but still kind of confusing when they have a romantic relationship...?
Many people have already voiced their opinions about the ML's stiff acting/character which is certainly validated. He is the type of character whom I really struggled to connect with for the first several episodes. It wasn't until around episode 7, maybe, that he began to grow on me more. How I took this was that the ML actor seems to fall into his character's head space more as the show progresses. By the end, he doesn't feel as stiff and socially awkward as everyone was confused about in the beginning. Except with the FL.
This really affects the chemistry and overall romance between him and the FL. Both characters are rather closed off which is not only a writing problem but also a directing and acting problem. No need to blame anyone--it's just how it happened. The characters never really communicate well throughout which makes all of their scenes feel like a first, awkward date. This makes them seem innocent and sweet which I can see being appealing (and I think that ends up being the intended perspective the director went for), but something about the FL rubbed me wrong the entirety of the show.
She seems to be the type of person who is interested in him more as one might be interested in a pretty vase (@MyLoveFromTheStar). We as the audience are also interested in him because he is a unique character, but to me this never really feels like love as she doesn't support him the way he is literally supporting everyone else on the show.
Mostly the problem I had with her was the same one I had when I first watched her performance on "Rookie Historian." I felt Shin Se Kyung and Cha Eun Woo had more of a sibling relationship which I summed up to them being about 10 years apart and didn't think much of it until now. Even at around the same age, Se Kyung as the FL felt somewhat condescending towards Syeon Gyeom as she treats him like a child. Which I suppose I can see, but she does it so much that it is rather off putting.
CONCLUSION
I have more in my analysis of this relationship that I could go into (I'm ridiculous), but basically I felt as though the main romance suffered in awkwardness and slow pacing; for the first several episodes, there is little progression in the show. I think it could easily have even been cut down to 12 episodes. The way sexuality and real life jobs, and just real life in general is dealt with is done beautifully. As a film major, I certainly got excited with the references and little things that are just a part of my world.
However, it's missing some of that spark to make it more entertaining which I've put a lot of weight on the main romance as it's a foundational piece of the show. Aside from the difficulty to engage with the show, it is certainly worth the watch. Not a binge watch for me, but still worth seeing.
My music rating always includes overall sound as well, and then my rewatch rating is always my entertainment rating instead. As always, so much work clearly went into this project, and I am so grateful that I got to see it! Cheers!
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