Kathryn_51

lol, but I rated it 2⭐ and only because my baby Seo Ji-hoon was given the opportunity to steal so many scenes, I lost count. He was the reason I even considered a "melodrama" (I was warned) but honestly thought the first 8 episodes were pretty well done. As I said, I didn't realize I signed up for "surreal" over "realistic".

Regarding the end: It is NOT REAL. It is Je-yeon's dream or fantasy. Commenter nisaaa noted that the shop was different from all prior scenes (mirror added; flowers gone). Hae may be alive (it takes place one month before the 2 year trial ends) or he may have died. From the director:

"The final scene—Je-yeon gazing at Hae's 'presence'—is meant to blur life, memory, and dream, leaving viewers to choose. Is it recovery's glow or grief's echo? We wanted that eternal 'here and now' to mirror youth's timeless pull."

So, viewers can choose to believe that Hae is still alive in the USA. Or not. My take - if I had known that this was some sort of surreal novel rather than a drama with a plot, I never would have started.

Wow - I think you are correct. If Hae lived, then the viewer is asked to believe that he returned to Korea, didn't tell anyone he was returning and then. . . . instead of immediately running to his beloved girlfriend he goes to his flower shop and begins to putter around? It was UNbelievable.

In the last 4 episodes, rather than writing for a drama (with beginning, middle and end) writer-nim seemed to take pleasure in creating a surreal Kafka-esque novel with it's meandering non-plot and multiple ambiguous conversations.

[Definition of "Surreal": characterized by dreamlike, bizarre, or fantastical elements that challenge reality.
"Surrealism": blending the mundane with the fantastical, to explore the human condition.]

Mega-fail for me.

But it is Totally Contrary to Korean business etiquette where the entity with the senior/upper position (the bakery)would pay at such an event.

It was a MAJOR breach of Korean business etiquette.

Watched the Teaser. Now on my watchlist.

Lol, yes you can dislike them together 😁😁

Power trip I think.

Assistant and doctor are in the same jogging group. They'll probably end up together but I hope it isn't slap-dash at the end.

Here is just one example of why the writing was trash.

Je-yeon has a dream where both couples are having coffee - as COUPLES, not individuals. So, Tae-rin and Seok-ju are there as a COUPLE. Repeat, it's a DREAM.

But there was not ONE scene ever that showed that she knew that Tae-rin and Seok-ju were a couple. Many viewers were looking forward to Je-yeon finding out - it would have been a hilarious scene.

How can she have a dream about something she never witnessed/saw/heard?

Art of Negotiation.

I'm only 5 minutes into the show and the dog-house scene has me laughing so hard. This will definitely be my #2 drama for 2025.

Unfortunately, his next job (after AOUAD2) will likely be in the military. Sad for his fans but great for Korea.

Disappointing. I knew I was taking a risk by watching a melodrama but did so because Se Ji Hoon was in it. Too many meaningless scenes and a meandering plot (if one could even find a plot). Happy - but totally ridiculous - ending.

For those viewers who highly value beautiful cinematography, fuzzy dreamlike scenes and lots of angst/crying, you will enjoy this.

As for Seo Ji-hoon, his next drama is rumored to be All of Us Are Dead 2. Just my luck, lol. He needs a good rom-com or detective drama.

Yes. Mediocre, but yes.

It's killing it in Korea - highest viewership Friday and Saturday for an episodic series.

Latest article/press release from JTBC all but telegraphs a happy ending. Viewers are told to expect a "warm feeling" at the end, etc. etc.

As for my two babies (Seo Ji-hoon and Lee Joo-myung):

Seo Ji-hoon: "I hope that the characters who live their lives with their own circumstances will realize the power of caring for and understanding each other and support each other on how to get through it"
Lee Joo-myung: "I hope that the warm afterglow will remain in the hearts of viewers for a long time. . . "Please look forward to what kind of shape the love between Sun Woo-hae and Sung Jae-yeon, Mo Tae-rin and Kim Seok-joo will complete, and the colorful ways of life of the characters until the end."

Link: https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12266991?influxDiv=NAVER

I subscribed to Hulu for the specific purpose of watching this drama (Jung So Min forever!) but it Hulu doesn't release k-dramas until Wednesday in the USA - 4-5 days after airing in Korea.

It is the WORST APP EVER - tons of commercials and I can only watch on my computer. On my Smart TV, it requires me to set up a new Disney+ account. Ef That.

Classic kdrama rom-com and I intend to enjoy every single minute of it and if I must watch on the computer/laptop - then I'm back to subscribing to VPN.

8⭐ to begin, but unless they totally screw this up, it will be 10⭐ by Episode 6.

I don't care if Hae lives or dies, but I think he's off for that hospital in Pittsburgh - they wouldn't have identified a specific hospital name/location if it isn't intended to mean something. Or, perhaps I should say a good writer does not insert certain information/items into a narrative if they aren't important eventually. But, as you noted, this drama is a "mess."

He held a grudge against CEO Pol-du. And when the drama began, they clearly showed that he disliked Seok-ju - and then we eventually find out they are quite close. Some of the worst writing in the whole drama.