ShortCircuit

IMHO it could only work for him - he already lost his childhood memories through some kind of trauma (that is never quite cleared up), then he gets MORE traumatic exorcising sessions, then he's attacked by his roommate (the cook who later dies) and while still in shock over it, BHS runs him over with his car. Add to that the constant pressure of adapting to a normal people's appearance, never off the scene in some 20 years, the drowning (in the pool) and the actual physical gunshot to the head he finally takes.

I mean, he's basically suffering from every possible reason that might induce a loss of memory known to drama. Probably a Truck of Doom (TM) could have also hit him, if the writers could get away with it, LOL. Or BHS's car is an acceptable replacement for it :D

Whereas, JiWon is never in actual danger - the one time she's in active danger, DHS heroically destroys some wiring bindings that he couldn't before destroy, not even in order to save his own life from a horrific death, and comes to her rescue. Both spouses suffering from amnesia wouldn't make sense in that case. HE is the one who needs to come true to her, and rebuild in honest. She will just have to find out who he really is.

I think the idea is that, for her... it is a new start, but the basics remain. She's in love with a shadow, a man he never was, keeps looking for the shadow in the actual man - and she will continue to do so even if she starts knowing the new/or old DHS. She'll build his image in her own mind, and still love a shadow of him, just this time it won't be the kind stranger with the artistic touch and supporting husband, but the formerly abused child, formerly considered a murderer, formerly known as a psychopatic son of a serial killer, etc - maybe kind, definitely artistic, probably loving and supporting man. The point is, she now has a chance to make an image of him that is closer to the truth.

That's why the raw (and cold) honesty from DHS's character in the final episode is on point. I think what the story tried to convey was that the only way together for the both of them is through truth. DHS would show it - he doesn't care or doesn't know why he should care if she sees the bad parts - and JiWon would have to learn to love it again or leave it. (That's also about the only part that would make sense in a real world. In dramaland, we're allowed wishful thinking LOL).

So to sum it up - this was always going to end up in tragedy, but this way, even with the use of amnesia, at least he's still alive. Well, his body and most of his original personality still are.

(I might get a bit philosophical about people's perception of reality from time to time, LOL).

Do you know how many times I wondered if such a place existed, LOL? I was ready to swear all interior scenes were done in separate places :D Thanks for mentioning the location :)

Yup, those are all big questions, and sadly, some of them are impossible to answer. He's neurodivergent, even if someone with the same psychopathy even understood the question, how would a "normal" person even begin to understand their world? It's like trying to explain an elephant to a blind man (I didn't invent this one, LOL, it's a famous parable). We can go with analogies, but since each of us understands the analogy differently, it's bound to end up in a half-measure explanation.

For me, that dychotomy makes the drama's ending better, though. Particularly since this is a MELO-action thriller. It's amazing how they worked the melodramatic bits through a main character who cannot feel (or better said, recognize) emotions. If you pay attention to most interactions in the story, when DHS is present, you can SEE him calculating each response. I praise LJG for that. (Though there are a few moments when even he slips and comes through as normal, IMHO).

There are some things that - while still unexplained - let the watcher decide the unspoken truth. I keep mentioning this when commenting (I do comment here from time to time, this is one of my favourite dramas) - but the number of trophy fingernails are "correct" EVEN if MiSook hadn't died. Which begs the question... where did the extra fingernail come from? I think it's DHS's mother's and that she was the first victim. And it might be that DHS was involved by his father in keeping her before she was killed. Maybe the tune was recorded in that dank dungeon and DHS associates the song with his childhood repressed memories and that's why it gives him such a strong response each time.

Now that he doesn't have to hide any more, he probably will try to get professional help - or if he stays with JiWon, she would probably try to argue in favour of it. His daughter isn't at much risk. She's an outspoken and direct kid who definitely feels emotional (she even recognized how unfair it was when she had to apologize to the other kindergarten kid though she wasn't at fault). DHS was never like that - even as a child, he was perceived as strange, and his only friends were actually friends of his (normal) sister. I think EunHa is safe.

For a fictional character, DHS sure left a lot of emotions on the drama watchers, didn't he? So I call it a success for the writer and the actors. (I was a fan of LJG from his early works, but he sure can't pick his dramas, LOL. This time he picked a good one, here's hoping he gets good luck in scripts and casts in the future too :D)

If you want to invest heavy emotions in another drama, and haven't watched The Devil Judge yet, that's a good one to watch another master at his craft in - Ji Sung is also an amazing actor. TDJ is a lot more expansive (and also looks very expensive, LOL), but there's a lot of chemistry again, pretty good plot and amazing acting.

The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty - because it's historical (costumes) and lots of fun. Also a lot of innuendoes rather than in the open moments like in WoH.

Guardian (I haven't watched it myself yet, just a few tidbits and FMVs, but the soundtrack is solid, can't forget about it :D). What I have seen looks interesting.

A few half-attempts: Advance Bravely (with Gong Jun so, so young LOL), and Addicted Heroin (this one got removed mid-airing, so be warned there won't be any kind of conclusion to the story, There's a novel though).

Actually, most of these dramas are adapted from novels. Still un-aired, though some are already filmed (so be on the lookout for them just in case):

- Immortality (based on The Dumb Husky and his White Cat Shizun)
- Seizing Dreams (based on Seizing Dreams)
- A League of Noblemen (based on Mystery of Zhang Guo)

The GOOD news is that there are plenty of donghua (anime) danmei adaptations, including a 3-season Mo Dao Zu Shi (that The Untamed is based on :D) Highly recommended:

- Heaven Official's Blessing (TGCF, based on the same-titled novel, by the author of MDZS)
- A Thousand Autumns (this one is pretty good)
- Scumbag System (based on Scum Villain's Self-Saving System - also written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, author of MDZS)
- Epic of Divinity Light (based on Dinghai Fusheng Records, a pretty good story).

Here's a trap, err, I mean a teaser :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px4kG4bYSKQ

And then there are the amazing bromances that never step over the line, but you can see it ALMOST happening. It would help for future rec's if you populated your list of watched dramas, LOL, so that we don't repeat the same rec's over and over again :D

He has a psycho-neurological problem and it's not an act (obviously I mean the character Do HyunSoo, not Lee Joon Gi, LOL). When he lost his memories, he didn't get to magically keep the precious moments alive or feel any kind of emotions (that he couldn't recognize anyway) for the sake of the drama's romance plot. I personally found that part extremely well done.

The love he felt for his wife and for his daughter were STILL unrecognized while he had the memory intact, either - when he told his sister he doesn't love his wife, he wasn't lying. He didn't know what love should feel like. The fact he does seem to feel things, but can't label them, is part of the character's painful life.

But the bit that was important (for me anyway) was that everything they had together was built on a lie - he never let JiWon know the real him. Not the painful background, not the possible psychopathy, not the real struggle it was just to keep appearances daily. I mean, seriously, how many people go through life watching videos on how to SMILE?! He has serious issues, and if anything, the drama downplayed them. She was in love with an image of a person he INVENTED, and he calls it out in front of her in that last episode. I mean, we each lie to ourselves on a daily basis, but we should recognize that fact, at least to ourselves. I liked that honesty about the character. And it was always true she had been in love with a phantasm.

So if he had to lose his memory and all the precious moments with his wife and kid just for a chance to start over again, in a direct and clean, overboard manner... then (in dramaland) that makes sense. In real life, it would be impossible to come back from such a seachange in their relationship, but it's fiction so anything is possible.

Yes, it's a good adaptation. The book includes more flashbacks spread through the story, but the drama united them all into a huge flashback (eps 3-33) and it makes more sense watched in that order (plus, it builds up for the second part, which starts in 1-2 and continues from 33 to the end.)

Some of the support charas are more (and beautifully) fleshed out, and you feel their pains better because of that. There's a bit of a change from the initial book setup in order to work the magic weapons/metal in, but their/its functions are the same as in the novel.

The chemistry between the leads is insane - and it's a romance played on glances and small touches only. There are no (obvious) PDAs, but if you notice details, you see it in their every interaction. Despite the danmei being censored... you can tell these people are desperately in love (particularly when Cpt Oblivious himself realizes it, LOL, because his partner was always suffering in silence).

The music is also great and I keep listening to it even now, almost 4 years later. The cinematography is top notch. The FX suffer a bit (particularly the CGI beast) but this doesn't take much from the overall value.

The donghua includes a bit more relationship (WangXian) and they used the fragmented flashback almost as in the book, but changed the order of the final events in the story. They could do better (more grandiose) effects, but the story (and the voice actors LOL) are the same. The music is also superb, but I prefer the drama OST.

The audio drama is another treat, LOL. They did all the "special scenes" voice effects so if you want to hear them at it, LOL, you CAN. The audio drama is the only one - novel aside - where you get to hear to the famous EVERYDAY MEANS EVERYDAY quote. If you like the drama and eventually read the novel... that quote is immensely important :D

So to sum it up - this is a good adaptation, the plot is amazing, Xiao Zhan as Wei WuXian is unforgettable, Wang YiBo as Lan WangJi is great, the music is beautiful, every character is important, and there's a HEA. Don't wait any more :D

It is danmei (Chinese BL) but no PDAs because they censor such adaptations. Read the novel for the spicy scenes, there's plenty of them. Or watch the donghua for more WangXian good bits :) (also, the audio drama has sound effects and they're not for the shy - NSFW too LOL).

Otherwise, the drama is pure romance.

(some spoilers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWbvpnRaELU

So Grey Heron guy / old friend of QH is the one feeding ZY the bad code. What is it with the migraines? Are they trying to say he has / had a breakdown and that's why he's being psycho?

To even KNOW ZY is in QH's company and use him to destroy it means he's actively monitoring QH at all times... how come he didn't make a move before? And how come his actions lead or abed MPC's actions, too, are they somehow communicating?

There are only 5 eps left, how would they solve all the untied threads? MuTong's story, Chen Mo's revenge, QH's main story (which got a bit lost in the last few eps, what with the HuPo mishap and the b-day celebration and the pig farm - LOL, when it'll be HIS time to shine again?), MPC's flight or arrest, whichever comes first... It feels like there's not enough time.

26 now...

And HAPPY B-DAY to Tan Jian Ci! :)

ZY turned 20 (the actor is much younger, LOL, I had a blast with all of them drinking water or fizzy drinks whenever, just so that RZS isn't filmed drinking underage :D, even if it's not explicitly forbidden by law), so when he "ran away" he would be close to majority (which is 18 in China and in most other countries). He could start work legally once he'd be 16. So if he ran away and found work and just never returned... they could still try to find him, but it would be on their own expense, since it's not officially a police matter (he's not the victim of a crime).

But by ep 26 there's reconcilliation already :)

Why is this in the Top Currently Airing Dramas in China list?! I rushed over here, still not airing... IS IT AIRING or WTH is happening?!

I know about the code and how it ended up on QH's company computers, I watched it til 22 yesterday, I was making a joke, LOL. It's (almost) clear by now that the person who gives the code to ZY is either Ma or the scumbag BF, and ZY's naivete about it really makes me pull my hair.

IF - still haven't watched today's eps - QH goes to jail for it (though I doubt it), it's going to probably be what shakes up ZY and makes him finally grow up and learn to own his mistakes.

It's not too fast, and not too slow. It's a Chinese drama, they tend to have a setting-up period (in this case it might be from eps 2-13/15 or thereabouts). Not that nothing happens then, but they ARE setting things up. There are a lot of interesting characters that need time to develop (not just the leads). And there are a lot of details to this world (IMHO they did a good job translating the novel to TV).

It's worth it. (And each episode is 45 minutes, including OP and ED, it's really not that long even with the 50 eps).

Just in case you're only interested in the more romantic bits, there's a shorter version, the Special Edition, focusing on the MLs mostly. I recommend watching the original version, though, as most of the details make sense in its context.

If you decide on watching it, have fun :)

What, no honorary mention for Blue Whisper? The first part had the bluest opening I can remember, and the second part spent half its time on a frozen lake scene, LOL.

I didn't know Makoto Shinkai has another movie soon to be released, thank you for the info! With some luck, they'll eventually bring it to Europe, too.

OMG, there's a LYX+BL drama incoming?! Then there's no hope for Immortality (again) soon... On the other hand... LYX!!! And Bai Lu!!! (And his styling is glorious and finally not all-white any more! I very much approve!! Bring it!!)

The mother is a random psycho - why did she actually adopt (at least) SungJoon, if she didn't care to mother him? At this time, I think SungHoon is adopted too, but he conformed very well and they're proud of him and accept him, while RSJ... not so much.

Det. Kang is also a random psycho - he doesn't seem to be in his Police Chief's inner circle, i. e. he's doing all the extra things he's doing because he really really doesn't like RSJ.

RSJ's police team are a bunch of random incompetents, too - not reporting contacts with him, giving him info, shielding him from being arrested. If this was any other kind of police story, everyone would be up in arms about it. But like this...

Mr. Baek is also very much extra with the psycho behaviour. I thought he loved his daughter OOOH SO MUCH and then he goes and whacks off the wife and PUTS HER IN THE FREEZER? WTH?! If he was any kind of normal psycho he'd have called the police and told them about RSJ being in his house and putting the blame for the wife's killing on him.

I wonder if the Number Kids decided that each gets a kill so they're picking their own victims from the families of the abusers? And if so why didn't they try to contact RSJ and get him on their side? Which makes me believe they DID try to contact another Number Kid, but it was RSH and HE made the decision not to enlist the stupid lil' bro.

Therefore RSH is the mastermind. I rest my case, LOL.

(I'm not taking it too seriously because so far, this drama is keeping my attention with three points mostly:

1. The pre-ending song (I don't mean the theme, though that's pretty good too). That's a good one, I have to look it up.
2. The coincidences. SO MANY of them, LOL. Can't get too serious when every time RSJ knocks on a door, someone's already dead behind it LOL.
3. Ok TaekYeon's ears. I just can't ignore them. I tend to notice noses and ears (like Jang SeungJo's cauliflower boxer ears, I can't be the only one who looks at them LOL. Or Luo YunXi's Roman nose - I love that profile :D And so on.)

So... yeah. Ryu SungHoon is the one. Pay attention to him :D

I say it's SungHoon. Why not?

There shouldn't be any "uncensored" knife+blood wounds visible in any version, I think they're usually blurred. I've never seen any clear knife wound in any kdrama, they always blur those types of wounds (not the gunshot wounds though). I guess there's either a censor code on knife or sharp blades wounds (with an allowance for swords in historical dramas) or an industry-wide norm that those are not shown on TV. My 2 cents on it.

So, HuPo has a Trojan who sent a Trojan to QH's company LOL, and now all the domino pieces have fallen... the HuPo Trojan RETIRES the QH Trojan?

Not going to say that's going to bite Mr. Ma on his a&&, but that's going to bite him in the a&& later on.

The lawyer's morals are on the straight path, I wonder how she ended up with the scum.

Also, my now-peeve is still against Zhou You. How the hell didn't he volunteer the info on who he got the code from OR why didn't either of the genius coders never asked WHERE the heck did he get it?! It's pretty high time for someone to GET IT dammit. Or we're going to see QH go to prison which wou....

Wait. Wait a minute here.

QH behind bars, the episode. Hmm. Let me think about it for a bit.

On the other hand, don't they shave inmates's heads in jail? Let's keep QH and his locks out of prison, then. Sadly.

FINALLY! Seriously, for presumably intelligent people, they were being pretty stupid for far too long.

I"ve watched "The Wolf", too. That drama was completely butchered for the re-submission to the censor's bureau or whatever it's called - it happened as soon as paranormal/supernatural parts of drama plots were not allowed any more. They cut off complete plot lines (like WolfBoy's "taming" process, his connection with the First Prince, any HINT of lycanthropy or its Chinese version and so on and so forth), until most of what remained was the soggy romance and just a little bit of action scenes. Some of the removed parts were included in the original trailer, so it's clear they had been filmed.

My point is, the censorship definitely can change things even AFTER they finish the drama and submit it to them for review. And censorship rules can destroy or remove a drama while it's AIRING, even if originally allowed (like they did with Addicted/Heroin.)

That being said, the separation bit at the end of the original run of TU actually worked very well for me. I don't need it explained to me, LOL. I actually get it. I like the original ending better than the SE ending, too, even if that one IS the intended ending (going by costumes used only, if one wants to get technical about it :D) But it was not NEEDED for the story. The reasons for the change might be just for dramatic purposes - to make the reunion sweeter, if you will, or it might be for other reasons. I only said censorship was a probability (among others, obviously). I'm not willing to spend a long time arguing over this.

As a matter of fact, the novel's ending works just as well too (particularly as it allows LWJ to finally express himself openly.) That too, if filmed, would have been an amazing ending too.