I have no idea how Korean names are structured (first name vs last name) , so maybe you can illuminate …, but…
Two days ago (before Episode 43), I had the exact same thought - that Hee (ex-girlfriend) mentioned her "mother" a few times and that the mother might be Strawberry. 😊 Of course, the rapid-fire DNA test seems to have scotched that idea.
When the drama began, JH was 34 years old. and everything seems to be "20 years ago" in this drama , with or without the time skip. So, I choose to go with age 14. Eka was 22 at the time. 8 years difference in age (unless writer forget how to calculate once more)
Mom died in a car accident in the US.
Dad "also passed away at the same time" (implied that he died in the same accident, but sub translation might be fuzzy?)
What the hell difference does it make If JH is adopted or not???? If he was adopted by Strawberry and raised by Strawberry (Grandmother's daughter, Papa Gong's sister) then he is Grandmother's legal grandson. I don't understand why that makes a difference in the eyes of the JH Haters.
JH considered Strawberry to be his mother. Sister Eka considers him to be her brother. One of THE major messages that THRC has attempted to make - to Koreans - is that adoption is NOT A BAD THING.
Frankly, it would be awful if the story was: Since JH was adopted, we don't have to forgive him for his mis-deeds. It's okay that we don't want him to be part of the Gong family. OR, "see what happens if you adopt someone? they are scarred for life always wondering where they came from. It's better to leave them in an orphanage."
God Almighty!!!
If he WAS adopted, then he will turn out to be TK's brother. Which is my preference, tbh.
It's a "cute" romance with a semi-supernatural element.
Cute characters. Cute romance. If that's your preference, you will enjoy it. (that doesn't mean it is "good" - something that is subjective for everyone).
It's been a few weeks since I watched - I kept thinking I would return and watch the scenes I FF through, but so far, not happening.
I absolutely LOVED the first 1/2 - the choreographed action/stunt scenes - w/little or no CGI. Ji Chang Wook's acting, the back story of his character and his gradual/evolving feelings for Park Min Young's character. I loved Park Min Young as well (she is the reason I watched a drama that was this old).
I think that if I were watching this in original schedule - two episodes every week - I would have been totally immersed with the characters and story. But somewhere along the line - something that happens with almost all dramas that are 16+ episodes - I began to FF quite a bit.
So take that for what it is worth. The story is unique and captivating - but the requirement to stretch it out 20 episodes means that today's current viewers who can binge watch might not feel the sense of urgency/tension that was clearly there when viewers were watching from one week to the next. Even so, I give it a 9⭐ simply because it is an amazing drama with great characters, great actors, unique plot and. . . those wonderful action/stunt scenes.
According to interview with the martial arts director (Park Young-sik), Episodes 8 and 12 have major action scenes (if I am correctly reading the article).
". . . martial arts director Park Young-sik cited the most memorable scene in the first half of the action scene as "the demon action in the opening bus of episode 1", saying, "This is the scene that marks the beginning of Season 2, and it is the most elaborate scene because we had to show the abilities and performance of each counter to viewers who have not seen Season 1. At the same time, it is said that among the action scenes in the second half, "8 hotel actions and 12 last actions" are highly recommended, which already raises expectations. He added, "Both are large-scale action scenes, and they are filled with action and dramatic elements, such as fantasy team play in which the Counters take on the mighty demons, belief in each other, friendship, and sacrifice, so you will be able to see a variety of attractions."
HA! they killed him! They killed Hana's lover boy! Ohhhhh they had to drag him, make her fall in love & then kill…
I think he was always meant to demonstrate that non-counter love interests are a WEAKNESS for a counter. I haven't had time to watch Ep. 7, but I don't think they will kill off a young adult.
Ok so the territory is something that actually comes on it's own but when moon joined them, they found out that…
I didn't watch Season 1 when it first aired - there may be lots of people like me who didn't see it 3 years ago and are just now coming to the drama for whatever reason (Netflix suggestion, new actors, whatever). Plus, it WAS 3 years ago - a 5 minute reintro - explaining to Jeok Bong - would have been helpful.
I finished Ep. 42 last night and was caught off guard when Hee mentioned "her mother". Has she mentioned her before?Anyway,…
Thanks for your answer 0 it helps clarify context.
"I give up with the year-count with these writers!"
But a viewer Should Not Need to Give Up!
It is a Very Big Deal with me that at the end of the drama, the dots are connected. Perhaps some dots are never connected, but a writer should at least prepare a story board w/the important time-lines, facts and character descriptions that show commitment to the story.
Anything less is contempt for the viewer. I don't like to be held in contempt. In fact. . . .I hate it.
I just rated a few episodes today (gave high marks to Episode 8 and YD crashing the wedding from hell). I usually drop a drama and don't bother with a rating before it gets this low. But this far into it? - there's a reason why the algorithm is trending down and it isn't just me.
I finished Ep. 42 last night and was caught off guard when Hee mentioned "her mother". Has she mentioned her before?Anyway,…
Thanks for answer re: mention of Hee's mother.🥰
"Also i am sure there had been og plans to make the creep indeed the grandson of halmeoni for rehabilitation's sake as they planned to have him toned down a lot. But then they sent him off the deep end instead "
I mildly disagree - I believe the original connection (family) was supposed to be TK. "Strawberry" didn't even earn a mention until. . . .when? Episode 28? I know you all hate it - but the hints/clues (birthdates w/in 30 days of each other! visceral hatred from Day One!) were there - intentionally!!!!.
However, I agree with you that writer-nim decided to send him off the deep-end. Joon-ha was a semi-redeemable rogue until about Episode 29 and then. . . .all I can say is that they really did actor Jung Eun Jae dirty by having him promote a promised secret family connection - absolutely unforgiveable.😢😢😢
I'm trying to distract myself from this afternoon's dental appointment, so since it's a quiet Thursday, here are…
I finished Ep. 42 last night and was caught off guard when Hee mentioned "her mother". Has she mentioned her before?
Anyway, now that they have given us a rather "firm" age for Strawberry (which means Granny gave birth at age 14 or 15!!!!), it all lines up that Hee's little boy is a Gong and if he needs that Gong rare blood transfusion, all is good. I don't believe that was the original story because Hee was as useless as the pharmacist lady and the co-worker w/r/t to creating angst with the oldest Gong grandchildren (CM and JM).
My recollection is that Hee was DS' first love but it was something like 20 years ago. But then everything else that originally happened "20" years ago has now recalibrated to 16 - no make that 15 - no it's 17 or 18 years ago. 🤣🤣🤣
Someone Tell me about Seo Ji Hoon character ?! Like screen time , any love triangle
Although I didn't begin this drama just for Seo Ji Hoon (although he was one reason), he is pretty much the ONLY reason I am continuing to watch beyond Episode 6. I was hoping there would be more re: the mysterious disappearance of the ML's ex-girlfriend but at this point it just seems to be a plot device to that will become the center of the romance - the why and how won't matter in the end.
2 
1 
Mom died in a car accident in the US.
Dad "also passed away at the same time" (implied that he died in the same accident, but sub translation might be fuzzy?)
JH considered Strawberry to be his mother. Sister Eka considers him to be her brother. One of THE major messages that THRC has attempted to make - to Koreans - is that adoption is NOT A BAD THING.
Frankly, it would be awful if the story was: Since JH was adopted, we don't have to forgive him for his mis-deeds. It's okay that we don't want him to be part of the Gong family. OR, "see what happens if you adopt someone? they are scarred for life always wondering where they came from. It's better to leave them in an orphanage."
God Almighty!!!
If he WAS adopted, then he will turn out to be TK's brother. Which is my preference, tbh.
Cute characters. Cute romance. If that's your preference, you will enjoy it. (that doesn't mean it is "good" - something that is subjective for everyone).
I absolutely LOVED the first 1/2 - the choreographed action/stunt scenes - w/little or no CGI. Ji Chang Wook's acting, the back story of his character and his gradual/evolving feelings for Park Min Young's character. I loved Park Min Young as well (she is the reason I watched a drama that was this old).
I think that if I were watching this in original schedule - two episodes every week - I would have been totally immersed with the characters and story. But somewhere along the line - something that happens with almost all dramas that are 16+ episodes - I began to FF quite a bit.
So take that for what it is worth. The story is unique and captivating - but the requirement to stretch it out 20 episodes means that today's current viewers who can binge watch might not feel the sense of urgency/tension that was clearly there when viewers were watching from one week to the next. Even so, I give it a 9⭐ simply because it is an amazing drama with great characters, great actors, unique plot and. . . those wonderful action/stunt scenes.
". . . martial arts director Park Young-sik cited the most memorable scene in the first half of the action scene as "the demon action in the opening bus of episode 1", saying, "This is the scene that marks the beginning of Season 2, and it is the most elaborate scene because we had to show the abilities and performance of each counter to viewers who have not seen Season 1. At the same time, it is said that among the action scenes in the second half, "8 hotel actions and 12 last actions" are highly recommended, which already raises expectations. He added, "Both are large-scale action scenes, and they are filled with action and dramatic elements, such as fantasy team play in which the Counters take on the mighty demons, belief in each other, friendship, and sacrifice, so you will be able to see a variety of attractions."
http://www.sportsworldi.com/newsView/20230817509073
This is the perfect role for him to take on and get more acting experience.
He has one more drama to finish and then he's probably off for military service in the next year.
"I give up with the year-count with these writers!"
But a viewer Should Not Need to Give Up!
It is a Very Big Deal with me that at the end of the drama, the dots are connected. Perhaps some dots are never connected, but a writer should at least prepare a story board w/the important time-lines, facts and character descriptions that show commitment to the story.
Anything less is contempt for the viewer. I don't like to be held in contempt. In fact. . . .I hate it.
I just rated a few episodes today (gave high marks to Episode 8 and YD crashing the wedding from hell). I usually drop a drama and don't bother with a rating before it gets this low. But this far into it? - there's a reason why the algorithm is trending down and it isn't just me.
"Also i am sure there had been og plans to make the creep indeed the grandson of halmeoni for rehabilitation's sake as they planned to have him toned down a lot. But then they sent him off the deep end instead "
I mildly disagree - I believe the original connection (family) was supposed to be TK. "Strawberry" didn't even earn a mention until. . . .when? Episode 28?
I know you all hate it - but the hints/clues (birthdates w/in 30 days of each other! visceral hatred from Day One!) were there - intentionally!!!!.
However, I agree with you that writer-nim decided to send him off the deep-end. Joon-ha was a semi-redeemable rogue until about Episode 29 and then. . . .all I can say is that they really did actor Jung Eun Jae dirty by having him promote a promised secret family connection - absolutely unforgiveable.😢😢😢
Anyway, now that they have given us a rather "firm" age for Strawberry (which means Granny gave birth at age 14 or 15!!!!), it all lines up that Hee's little boy is a Gong and if he needs that Gong rare blood transfusion, all is good. I don't believe that was the original story because Hee was as useless as the pharmacist lady and the co-worker w/r/t to creating angst with the oldest Gong grandchildren (CM and JM).
My recollection is that Hee was DS' first love but it was something like 20 years ago. But then everything else that originally happened "20" years ago has now recalibrated to 16 - no make that 15 - no it's 17 or 18 years ago. 🤣🤣🤣
😄😄😄