JLM

I think this drama is fantastic. Cannot believe the level of acting CWH and KDW. The rest of the cast is fine, I'm definitely buying it. Although this falls into the classic revenge plot genre, the writing is so good that at least I'm not finding it predictable and stale. I think FL character is so well done with regard to someone who has been through an unimaginably violent brain washing cult that's building material for psychopathy. That she even has a glimmer of humanity is amazing. It's interesting that HMY has so called the "Empathy" issue, but as you watch him, it's really impossible to tell what is going on in his mind. Clever writing and amazing acting. They are both so calculating that you could feel they might betray each other at any moment, or not. Given he has just found out about her involvement in his family demise, but still rocks up to help her, he has somehow sifted through all her motivations and understood the level of brainwashing. Or so it would appear.

At last someone else thinking the same, I'm really impressed. Pretty much trope free, fantastic acting, unpredictable, edgy interesting plot without dripping sentiment, loving it!

Yes exactly, also it's a minority opinion to have on this site, which is pretty dominated by a couple of people. I think in Series 1, we saw him, abandoned by his mum, pretty awful, then losing everything again (that dead dog scene)...etc he was a totally dysfunctional weirdo (killing everyone in the village etc), but he was absolutely abusive to almost everyone, except for Uri. His accusations of abandonment against Yeon was a big theme in S1 and I felt that with Yeon running around like a loon trying to convince him of his great brotherly love, and those tearful goodbye videos kind of showed us a resolution. Plus Rang ended up sacrificing his life for Yeon. Of course we have not gone back in time, so Rang has not experienced this resolution. I imagine that bro relationship thing was a huge hit with viewers (as is seen on this thread), so I guess the writers etc have reprised this theme, partly for that reason. Also Kim Beom is a very handsome guy, especially with his new undercut hairdo and suit lol, and I can see why everyone is infatuated with him. But for me I have seen examples of people enduring awful trauma IRL and not carrying on like a total jerk. Somehow though viewers are lapping his up.

I'm the opposite. I'm so irritated by the bad boy, traumatised Lee Rang and stupid Yeo Hee for constantly putting up with his shit, I find I'm F F ing this awful dysfunctional, doomed relationship. I feel like slapping him for his endless pity party. Awful repetitive writing imo. I liked Lee Yeon and Ji Ah because they were gutsy, and didn't feel sorry for themselves. And very much in love. I do realise however that no one on MDL thinks the same, lol See above comment, "I wanted Ji Ah dead" can't quite fathom that response. But each to their own.

Yes there was such a public outcry, there's a ton of OS viewers, very offended. So they deleted the scene and the production team were very apologetic. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2023/05/bo-ra-deborah-apologizes-for-the-inappropriate-dialogue-used-about-the-auschwitz-concentration-camp That's one of the many articles re.

You probs are a bit of a cynic, but everything you say is 100 percent accurate, interesting, but honestly this drama was made to escape from all of that. It's just a fuzzy, warm, ridiculous fantasy, they rate high because most people just want to have a hiatus from the mundane everyday crap.

I really enjoyed this drama. You just have to be a romcom fan, otherwise what's the point, it's totally escapist fantasy. Beautiful actors, gorgeous clothes, fantastic make up, great backdrops, well shot, great comedy, and a great script, for a change. I will admit I FF'd a bit with the other couples, the Uri/HSJ thing was total cringe, but overall I found it did totally fulfil what a romcom should do. You feel relaxed and warm-hearted, hoping the couple makes it, and miss it when it's over. I'm not really sure what all the criticism is about, if you want a true to life, gritty, reality show this is not the one. It's a FANTASY, made up, fake, unrealistic, it doesn't really happen in IRL, but that's why we love it!! It's a fairy tale!! Still I really enjoyed reading what people have to say about this, some of it really on point, if this was happening in reality.
I'm glad they deleted the holocaust thing. I thought that the production team did that and apologised was great.

I loved this drama. The writing was sooooo good between the leads. Better than most dramas I would say. I think it deserves an 8.3. Everyone who has fallen in love with the main couple is dying to see them together. The writer though is just not coming to the party. I am really loving most of the reactions and comments on MDL they are generally very insightful about the characters, story and intentions of the crew who made BD. Fingers crossed for ep14!!

Yes I think you're totally right. And then the throw away line...." I read it in a magazine about waxing..." Embarrassing, awful faux pas...I wonder if it reflects a complete ignorance and disinterest in that part of history. Can you imagine a character in a Kdrama saying "even the comfort women tried to make themselves look good..." there would be a Korean netizen atomic blast. Of course people tried to make themselves look ok, it was a sad and pathetic matter of dignity and survival. How tragic is that!!!!
However otherwise I have to say I am loving this romcom, it seems to make everyone happy, and the writing (apart from that little number) is fantastic.

Loved S1. And this one. I really don't get why people are finding this one soooooo much better.

Time cop
Austin powers
Planet of the apes
Intersteller
Looper
Terminator
Back to the future
65
Jurassic Park
Tenet
DeadPool
In Time
A Brief History of Time Travel
Everything, everywhere all at once
To name a few :)

Actually I thought Yeon was constantly conflicted with trying to save everyone! Which he managed in the end! I thought that was an interesting part of the plot!

Actually I thought she was fantastic! As all four characters (Ji Ah, Ah Reum and both of those inhabited by Imoogi)

I’m loving this series! It’s more like a Marvel superhero lightweight thing! However seeing all other comments I’m in a group on my own cause I loved series 1. I enjoyed it to the point where I forgave all narrative errors and plot flaws! I really loved the depth of relationships: Yeon and lee rang, lee rang and Yoo Ri, Yeon and Shin Goo and of course Yeon and Ji Ah! But Im a massive fan of Jo Bo Ah. Also loved her in Doberman!
I read an article by the director praising her acting to the max and I totally agree! I thought all characters in Series 1 were fantastic including Imoogi and that cutie little kid Kim Soo Oh who cracked me up! Also loved Taluipa and her husband!
I think Lee Dong Wook is fantastic in everything I’ve seen him in!
In terms of this series it would appear most people like it better and fair enough! Just putting in my pov!!

😂😂😂

Yes, both references were awful, but especially the holocaust one . it's a shame re her character development, because for a moment it looked like she was evolving out of that drunk, pity party, grieving phase. But guess not! I think those characteristics about her are written so that she seems cute, endearing and flawed, but it's not really working.

Well said!!!

Are the writers on crack? There is no place for a holocaust reference from Victor Frankl's The Meaning of Life, in the middle of a superficial, awkward rom com banter. We have a holocaust history in the family and I did a double take at that comment. Some of my Korean friends are equally sensitive about the Japanese invasion, I certainly wouldn't mix that into a superficial convo.
Up until now I really have been enjoying this show. Definitely waiting for all the awkward drunk, grieving stuff to get resolved so that the "love affair" can occur between the leads. Which is clearly on the cards. Up until now LSH has been pretty supportive of Bora and all her crap behaviour, but she is still carrying on like a 4 year old., with a drinking problem. There is no trace of the early mature career woman. Her bestie is just a meddling idiot. She should spend more time on her marriage which looks like it's on the rocks.
What's with the awkward crap following the "kiss". This should have been the through line to the evolving love relationship, but no they are still carrying on like infants. The thing with Yoo Ri is totally weird to me, I don't get how it has a place in this drama.
I really hope everyone gets their shit together with only 5 eps to go.

Boring??? It's one of my all time favourite fantasy kdramas. I thought it was phenomenal in every way, narrative, acting, cinematography. Jo Bo Ah was playing at least 4 characters, she was fantastic. Wow, talk about diverse opinions.

That promo is sooooo entertaining