SheilaColwell

Nothing wrong with enjoying fairytales in a world that slams reality at us so relentlessly. I have loved the inner transformation plot since I first read The Secret Garden at an early age. (Not the k drama, but the children’s novel😄) We can appreciate the repetition of tropes in new forms as our ancestors did - it’s us joining in a long human chain of story lovers. 🙂

That poster is over the top enraged unless you agree 100% with him/her. Clearly they hate the drama, hate the rules of a typical dramatic arc and generally are a malcontent. I, by contrast, agree with you that this breakup/long separation is necessary for the ML and FL to grow and (I hope) learn to appreciate each other more deeply. It is a lot like being married, imho, you learn to love each other’s strengths and accept their flaws more generously. It isn’t romantic per se, but it is deeply rewarding. But unfortunately this type of mature plot doesn’t please everyone!

Ok so it is the actress you love. I get it. It might help to say that rather than use the character’s name. The character is unable to play with Mu Jin’s emotions btw, because he is fond of her, but not in love with her. She is loyal and kind, as I said, but also deluded. Loving someone does not oblige them to love you back no matter what your parents think. It seems to me that you exaggerate Gye Rim’s faults as well as Jang Seohyun’s virtues, but clearly we aren’t in agreement on those two.

You poor thing. I hope you get your temper under control and learn that All Caps is not a good way to express strong feelings.

Hmmm. Someone seems blind to the fact that the FL is and has been a hard-working and fiercely independent single mother for 8 years (previously, after being deserted by both parents, she was the sole supporter of her entire family including the returned useless father). Hardly a female fantasy to play that role. She is prone to endless self sacrifice and that is unhealthy as hell, but not at all a dream life.

I don’t wish to be unkind, but you post this same comment somewhat often. Could you explain what it is about this character you love? I find her obsessed and slightly delusional and emotionally spoilt by her doting parents. An only child type. Loyal and kind, yes, but not remarkable.

Brilliant! I am so enlightened now. Thank you.

@wolfskin 100% right. No one who has been a caregiver for their spouse needs to justify their way of grieving or rebuilding their life. I took care of my disabled spouse for 13 years. I can’t easily move on now, but I fully sympathize with the father as he tries to live his own life now. So isolating and exhausting to work and be everything for one’s beloved spouse as well. The dining scene where he admits (obliquely ) that’s he hated himself for even asking “when will this be over ?” hit me in the heart. That’s how it feels to be caregiving for a dying spouse.