Platinum Fox

Thank you and that's okay. I just want you to know that you are not the only one who sees what you are seeing. See the response I wrote to MikaM.

Hope everything is okay. Happy drama watching.

You're right. The first 12 episodes are about nostalgia and about first love. He is a green flag male through and through. But he does do some questionable things at the beginning of the drama that makes some viewers question his intentions. Myself included. That's why her age is very important. If she were 13 (which she is in novel), then it would be illegal for them to have a sexual relationship as she is a minor through and through.

At 14, however, she has become the legal age of consent. She can explore her sexuality with anyone from 14 and above. This is why the writers give her a love interest her age at all three age levels. She has a choice, yet she chooses someone older than her by five years. With this choice comes pitfalls: height and distance (maturity level).

Before I write what I think next, please understand that I do not know Chinese, and I am basing it on the English translation on Netflix and DJX's behavior at the time.

Now, the questionable behavior that I see, and others (I think) see are as follows. You have every right to disagree with me as many viewers do. It's okay.

At 14, he goes to her school. Why? There is nothing in it for him. Yes, he is a nice guy, but we don't know that at the beginning of the drama. We don't even find out why he went in the first place until the last episode. Now, at the end of this intervention, the two make a promise to keep this a secret. We learn later on that DJX didn't even tell Sang Yan that he went to the school even though Sang Yan gave him permission to do so. Again, why? This is predatory/grooming behavior. Groomers do favors for their prey and keep it a secret to lure the prey into trusting them. At this point, he is a wolf in granny's clothing.

Now, skip to 17. When they meet at the car, one of the first things he brings up is the big favor he did for her when she was 14. Again, this is predatory/grooming behavior. If he really and truly was doing it as a favor to her, why mention it again. Also, he agrees to deliver her notebook to her. He should have given the notebook to Sang Yan to give to her, but he chooses to deliver it himself (doesn't tell Sang Yan). He even goes so far as to read what is in it and writes a letter/essay to her. If he truly had pure thoughts about her, why bother with giving her the notebook without telling Sang Yan. During this time, DJX does many things with Sang Zhi behind Sang Yan's back. Is he just being nice or is it leading up to something? Remember he is called a dog at this time. There are three definitions to the word dog and all three apply to DJX. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. You also need to watch DJX's facial expressions and body language when he is talking to her during this time. Sometimes he talks to her like a brother and other times he is predatory. He is a wolf in granny's clothing. Just because he keeps it in his pants, doesn't mean he is a green flag male. That is what groomers do. They wait for the perfect opportunity to strike.

You mention the writers would have shown DJX being conflicted during the time she is 14 and 17. They do numerous times, but in the end his dog side wins out. You can tell he likes her when she turns 17 by his facial expressions and body language. This is why viewers say it is predatory/grooming behavior.

Now, do I agree with interpretation. No, I can see it and understand where they are coming from and can even make an argument for it. But like most viewers, I see DJX as a decent human being who has no experience or confidence in loving someone or being loved by a girl. Remember this is his first time as well, so they are both on the same trajectory. They are each other's first and only love.

Also, why can't this drama be both a cautionary tale and love story at the same time. Why does it only have to be a love story? At what age should people start their sexual journey? According to Chinese law, 14 and with whom anyone 14 and above. Remember not too long ago marriageable age was 15 and they could marry anyone.

Thank you for the discussion and information.

Thank you for your response. I understand what you are saying and happen to agree and disagree with you (I have read your other posts) and here is why.

First, at no time during the drama is Sang Zhi underage according to the age of consent law in China. She is 14 and according to Chinese law she can have sex with anyone 14 and above. She could even hold a job if she had a special permit. Do you see where I am going with this? It doesn't matter if Sang Zhi is physically, emotionally, or mature enough to have sex. Once she turns 14, she is fair game for any person 14 and over.

Now, how this becomes a social commentary on the age of consent starts from the beginning. Sang Zhi says in the first five minutes of the drama, "Time does have magic drawing us closer in height and distance" (Netflix translation). If girls are going to date older guys, especially at 14 and 17, then they need to take into consideration two things: height and distance (maturity level). At 14 Sang Zhi is short for her age because she was sickly as a child and vastly more immature than DJX. If she were to go out with DJX, he would look like her dad because of his height. Is it okay for the two of them to have sex? According to the law, yes, even though he would look like her dad. Her height is commented on during the doorway scene in the first episode and again when she is 17. The drama specifically uses a younger actress (11 at the time) to show that 14 year olds are still children and need to be protected, even from someone just five years older because of their height and maturity level.

At 17 it is a different story, Sang Zhi is now near his height but not at his maturity level as she cannot understand the words of the book he is reading, The End of Eternity. They may now be closer in height, but their maturity levels are still vastly different. So this pairing is still something that should be looked at carefully to make sure the 17 year old is not getting taken advantage of (her fake online boyfriend for instance).

At 19, consent is a yes as now Sang Zhi is fully grown physically, completed her military training, and has reached the age of majority. She is attending college and will be at the same level of maturity as him. The age gap doesn't matter any more. Yet by law, she is still a child socially because she is not of marriageable age (20 for females).

So the drama is saying no at 14 because of height and maturity level, no at 17 because of maturity level, and yes at 19 because she is one year short of being a full blown adult.

You may not agree with that and that is okay. But the drama is showing girls, like Sang Zhi, the pitfalls of age gap relationships. As you said, kids will do what they are going to do. The only thing we can hope for is for them to do it safely. This drama provides a model of how to do it safely when it comes to a sexual relationship where there is an age gap even of just five years.

Now, to some viewers (such as yourself) this looked like grooming and pedophilia which is okay as DJX does do some things that are highly questionable in my opinion (but not to all). However, you have to realize that both of them are the age of consent even when she is 14. This is why I say is it morally right. The episodes when she is 14 and 17 are cautionary ones for girls her age at the time. Think Little Red Riding Hood (which is referenced many times). The drama is saying wait until you are an adult to have a sexual relationship.

Happy drama watching and thank you for the discussion.

I have done research on this topic as I had lots of questions about this drama after it aired. For most viewers, it is a simple, fluffy love story about a girl who has a crush on an older guy who happens to be her brother's friend. That is okay.

Here is the break down of laws in China pertaining this topic.

Age 14: Age of consent without restrictions. Only in the case of rape will the perpetrator go to prison, and even that is not a given as rape is hard to prove. Fourteen year olds can work with a special permit. They can serve time in jail for crimes. School is compulsory.

Age 15: Can legally drop out of school if they have been in school for nine years.

Age of 16: They can hold a job, but can't own a business or sign contracts.

Age of 18: They can now own a business, sign contracts, drink, smoke, etc. They are mostly considered an adult. What they can't do is marry.

After the age of 20 for females and age 22 for males, people are considered full blown adults.

How does this fit with Hidden Love.

Throughout the drama, Sang Zhi is technically a child (socially) until the last episode when she turns 20 and is legally a full blown adult. DJX, on the other hand, becomes a full blown adult after the first temporal node. This puts things in a different light as Sang Zhi is now 17, she is considered a minor when it comes to business dealings, but she is the age of consent, can drop out of school, and hold a job.

Presently as the law stands, children the age of 14 can become prostitutes because they can give consent and hold a special work permit. In theory, by changing the law of consent to 16, children the age of 14 and 15 would be protected from prostitution as they would not be legally able to give consent.

Hope this makes sense. Good to hear from you again. I hope you have been well.

What you have pointed out is the point of the drama. Because you are upset by those opening episodes, the drama did its job. It wanted you to question at what age should a girl start her sexual journey and with whom. This is why at each age 14, 17, and 19 she is given a love interest, yet she chooses someone who is older than her by five years. Neither she nor he are going against the law as the age of consent is 14 without restrictions. Now, the question remains is it morally right? The drama is saying no at 14 and 17 and yes when she is 19.

The people of China are working hard to get the age of consent changed to 16 year olds but with no luck. If you can't change a law change the mindset of the people. Technically, Sang Zhi remains a child (socially) until the last episode when she turns 20 and is of marriageable age. Many viewers see this as a simple, fluffy love story and that is okay. However, when looked at through what you have pointed out, it becomes a carefully constructed social commentary on the age of consent law in China.

Happy drama watching.

Because laws in Korea about minors committing crimes needs to be looked at more carefully. Minors can get away with literally murder because of these laws. This is why the main antagonist was only in jail for two year after murdering his teacher.

If the police bring them in and the justice system lets them go, what is the point of calling the police?

If you are looking for a highly questionable, but traditional revenge drama, this is it. While I loved the overall arching idea of who is good and who is evil, I felt it lost its way after the high school bullying episodes (episodes 3 and 4). After that it felt more like your run of the mill action drama.

Favorite part: The "romance" between Madam Lim and Do Gi which they creatively carried over into all three season.

Hey, good to hear from you. With as much attention as this drama is getting world wide, I think the right people will see it. Now, the question is will they do anything about it or will it get swept under the rug like always. With power comes responsibility.

Did you ever watch When Life Gives You Tangerines?

Happy drama watching.

Sorry, I know how you feel. It's been awhile for me as well. I doubt many viewers have read that short story or have even heard of it as everything is now based on webtoons or manwha. It is a fun watch.

Also, wanted to say thank you for your support in the comment section in A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College.

Happy drama watching!

Based on the format of Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal, it is an intelligently written social commentary on the top issues found in the Korean Educational System. However, it doesn't just bring them to light, it offers over-the-top solutions (entertainment) and some genuine solutions to change the mindset of the people.

Wonderful drama. The tattoos were gorgeous. Too bad they were on the scum of the earth.

For me, the ending was perfect as it justified the purpose of the drama and supported the main theme of appearance vs. reality. It is poetic justice for XFF going too far in her revenge.

You're right it exposes deep rooted issues found in the Korean educational system. That was the point. Have you ever read Jonathan Swift's short story, "A Modest Proposal"? It gives a ludicrous idea on how to solve the hunger problem after the potato famine in Ireland. It is a social satire. This drama (a social satire) talks about very real issues in a therapeutic way. It is not meant to be realistic, just present real issues and some and not so genuine solutions. Offering suggestions such as: changing laws on how juvenile offenders are handled when they commit crimes, changing the definition of defamation and slander to include false allegations, speeding up the time frame of an investigation when an allegation is made (instead of waiting a year), and telling parents to stop living vicariously through their children. The over-the-top solutions are not meant to be taken seriously, but we all love it when the bully gets a taste of their own medicine.

Happy drama watching!

While I enjoyed the story and its universal message, I didn't feel it had the same impact as other male love stories that I have watched. I did love seeing older people fall in love.

I love watching older people fall in love! Wonderful message.

I understand. Maybe that will come in season 2, if there is a season 2. We can only hope.

Isn't that what every villain had? It was like they had immunity and could act above the law all because of who they were. When they no longer had that immunity and the tables turned on them, they faced the same thing they did to others. Do unto others as you have them do unto you. So giving the inspectors immunity seems fair. With power comes responsibility.

If you are talking about the teacher who slaps the hands of the student with the wand, that is a symbolic gesture of saying now discipline is back in my hands not yours. This drama was not meant to be taken as realistic. It is a social satire.

Happy drama watching.

What you have pointed out is exactly the point of the drama. Nothing or very little is being done about these situations in the Korean educational system. Students and teachers are losing their lives over these issues. Something needs to done. This drama is reminiscent of Jonathan Swift's short story "A Modest Proposal". It gives the problem and then gives an over-the-top solution to that problem. This drama is a social satire. It is not meant to be realistic even though it is dealing with very real issues.

The main theme of this drama is actions have consequences. First episode, the boy and his father lost their standing or privilege in the community. This was what the boy had done to the boy who had committed suicide. Both father and son went to jail over the things they did. Episode 2: this is the only one where none of the students went to jail over their actions because the lesson was, "if you don't want to learn, that's your own business, but don't impede others learning." After the bureau stepped in, the boys didn't change but they left that other boy alone so he could learn what he wanted to learn. Also, the bureau took away their reason for fighting when they broke up the extortion ring and got the high school ring leader back on track. Even though they still fought, they could make that a career in the military or sports. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Also, they did offer some real genuine solutions. Change the laws about what constitutes defamation (making false allegations) and slander. Punish those who make these accusations. Not just say, "my bad," when the allegations proved to be false. Also, the crimes of child abuse and sexual assault need to be investigated immediately, not take up to one year after they happen. Laws need to change when dealing with juvenile offenders including the one who stabbed the teacher.

Also, the story is not about our bureau investigators it is about the issues. The bureau people were just the catalyst to show that change needs to happen. I learned all I needed to know about why the bureau was created in the first place, and there is character development on the part of main male lead. He wanted to kill that boy outright. If it hadn't been for the father-in-law smashing his car, that boy would have been dead but nothing would have changed. By the end of the drama, we have a host of problems revealed, some genuine and some not genuine solutions suggested. It is exactly what the drama set out to do. Our main character does not wish to harm the main perpetrator anymore and something good came from his wife's death.

Happy drama watching.

Loved the drama, but had to fast forward through much of high school hi jinx as that style of comedy is not for me.

Thank you for explaining. First, since we really don't know what happened to the prince during his exile or that the prince even knew and participated in a coup of his own or even how he died, the writers used the information they had to create their own version of his life with the information they wanted to use. This is not rewriting history. This is weaving a fictional narrative to fit the given historical information. Secondly, you seem to believe that in real life the prince knew and participated in the coup that his six followers did. No where in the records does it confirm your belief. So I really do not understand why you feel the writing lost its honesty or that the drama rewrote history.

To me, it sounds like you just didn't like the writer's interpretation or version of events of the prince's life and that's okay, but it doesn't make it a bad story.

Now, I will agree and disagree with you on the deposed king portrayed in the movie (Prince Nosan). I will agree he was powerless. However, in the beginning , he was also a coward who only thought about himself. Instead of staying alive and planning a coup of his own, he chose the easy way out, suicide. If he had succeeded, the whole village would have been slaughtered. Does this not display selfishness?

Through the warden, the king learned to stand up for his rights and to die on his own terms, but the king also understood that the warden had to tell the magistrate what the deposed king was planning in order to save the village. The king even told the warden to go ahead and tell. That's why when they were caught he acted surprised that they were caught and said something to the effect you betrayed me.... The king did that to save the village. In the end, the death of the king now holds purpose and meaning and brings into question the legitimacy of the uncle's right to the throne. It would also go a long way in explaining why 241 years later another king would reinstate him as the rightful heir to the throne. He died through the hands of his uncle.

Also, how do you know that the saving of the village is a plot device? It makes total sense to me, that if anything happened to a deposed king that it would create issues in the palace (legitimacy for the present ruler), which is why the uncle staged his coup in the first place. He believed he was the rightful heir to the throne and got ministers to justify his legitimacy. I have watched other movies and dramas where legitimacy to the throne has been the central part of the story. If the person who stages the coup kills the person in power to take over the throne, it is not a legitimate transfer of power. This is why they have to make the death of any king look natural or an accident. Because the uncle did not kill the king, but forced him through a bloody coup to abdicate, the uncle could claim, he was the legitimate ruler.

However, something needed to be done with the deposed king, and he needs to stay alive in order for the present ruler to claim legitimate power. Now go back to the village. If the villagers allow the deposed king to die, it would be on their heads as the question would be raised did the present king have something to do with the death. This is why the other village gave presents to the village and thanked them for taking this particular exiled person. So, for me, it is not a plot device. It is used by the present king to justify his legitimacy.

If the village had taken an exiled non-royal minister, it would have been a totally different story and that story arc would not have carried much weight as nobody cares that an ex-minister dies in exile, only people of royal descent.

Thank you again for explaining and hope this helps you understand where Korean viewers are coming from. I loved the movie. The story gave this tragic death meaning.