Eleison

True! Thanks again for responding. :)

Thanks, I might give it a shot since I like the differences you outlined. I liked Bu Yi, but I also had some issues with him. The ML in the Double sounds more likeable. Thanks for the tips! :)

So this is similar to Love Like The Galaxy? I liked that one. It (and Hidden Love) helped me see why everyone makes a fuss about Zhao Lusi, despite her baby voice.

Yes, because they were civilians (not detectives) investigating their own families and those close to them, it made them less objective (and as a result, the audience as well), which allowed the true culprit to remain hidden longer. I agree it wasn't perfect, but for me, I can suspend some of my critiques for the plot (I have yet to see a Kdrama without plot holes or weak writing in some capacity) if a story develops rich characters arcs and relationships that I can root for and care about.

I feel like I remember seeing all the thumbnails on Viki for future episodes, but I guess I'm confusing it with Netflix. Whoops.

The first half was solid (especially the first few episodes), but the end became so utterly ridiculous that it was just mortifying to see how much the writing dropped off.

I was prepared for the train wreck of an ending due to the many comments about it, but it still disappointed me even more than I expected. It was so bad, which was frustrating since the first few episodes were so amazing. 😂

Yes, I see what you mean! I find the framework and predictable formula of Kdrama romances cozy, too, and agree that it's nice to know what to expect; the familiarity is comforting! I hope you enjoyed the other elements of the drama, though. It's a good one in so many other ways! I loved the family emphasis which is unique to this drama amongst other dramas of this genre. It gave things a fresh spin in my opinion.

But then why does Viki only show 9 thumbnails in the Episodes section?

Just found an interview with Uhm Tae Goo since I was curious if his raspy voice was his actual voice or an affectation for his role, and not only is his voice indeed raspy (he would make a good Korean Batman), I was shocked to see his interview self. He was shy, soft-spoken and honestly kind of adorable. So different from the tough guy aspect of his role in this. 😂

And oh my, I just got to the playground scene in Episode 3, and Tae Goo is a riot. His drunk cuteness paired with his raspy voice makes it so he's legit channeling adorable toddler energy. 😂

I think you understand her behavior and choices better as you watch farther, but she's still pretty flawed. I don't think by Episode 3 you have the full picture of what's made her who she is, if I remember correctly. As you keep watching it's easier to at least see where she's coming from, even if you don't sympathize with her. It's titled the good/bad mom for a reason.

She's a mother who deeply loves her child, but acts on that love poorly, and has allowed her love to become twisted due to her fears and struggles that caused her to have a skewed view of reality and to make irrational decisions. She's very broken, but I think that's what makes her relatable. I'm not condoning abuse (NOT what I'm saying), but it's easy to judge flawed parents until you inevitably become one. Most parents try really hard to raise their kids correctly in the best way they know how. But all thoughtful parents hit a point where they look back and see the big mistakes they made and the consequences those mistakes had on their kids, because every parent will make mistakes. I think that's why this drama resonated with so many people.

It also clearly shows how much pain and hurt she caused her son. There was fallout from her choice of parenting, so they weren't saying he turned out fine and well-adjusted. He only starts doing better after forgiveness and healing starts to take place between them.

Yes, these are good points. I guess I figure romance doesn't always have to look the same or be manifested the same in order for it to be present in some fashion (kind of how bromance can feel romantic, like in Devil Judge, withiut anything ever being said or communicated between the leads), and in this it worked for me though it definitely won't satisfy anyone expecting--or watching mostly for--romance. I wonder, does MDL have slight romance or light romance tags? I'm trying to think if I've seen them before. If it does, "slight romance" would be a much more appropriate tag, I think.

I don't think I have anything concrete to cite regarding your request, and it's been so long since I saw this so I'd have to rewatch before I could even remember specific scenes, but here's what I wrote in a comment from months and months ago that is my impression of the romance piece or lack thereof:

"It has romance but it doesn't distract from the main plot. I can see why people said the leads had no chemistry, but I think it's because the romance shows more as a deep admiration and companionship that grows between the leads as they work tirelessly to save people and improve everyone's future. That's why we see no lovey-dovey behavior in this; it would have immediately given the drama a different feel and tone, and shifted the emphasis from its main focus. There is another romance in this story that actually sometimes becomes more of a focus than the one between the main leads."

I just remember thinking, where would they have inserted a well-developed romance line into the beats and rhythm of the plot?

Wow, not ringing any bells, haha. I really don't remember him at all. 😂 I guess his role was not memorable for me!

"pint-sized edition" 😅

By womance do you mean sismance?

It seems Moving really launched Lee Jung Ha's career forward.

Whoa, Jin Goo's hair in the trailer!! 😂😂😂 It makes him look so different from his role in DoTS!

Yes, Hee Seop was a highlight in this for me! His most recent drama did not showcase his talents (Hierarchy).

I don't remember him from Coffee Prince at all! 😂

It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas at all, so they would probably throw a fit if they were expecting zero romance and got the hints and undertones found here. You only have to read a few comments to discover that the romance is not super overt.