Episode 16. An unexpected, yet epic ending (SPOILER ALERT)-> https://mydramalist.com/723801-il-dang-baek-butler/episode/16
In any TV series, be it Korean or Western or any other region, it is rare to see an ending that blows you up. This is one such ending, and you better watch the entire series before watching this episode.
SPOILERS FROM HEREON
The first 40 minutes was dedicated to the very sad and cruel fate of the lead female character. It focused on the reality of life that many of us refuse to accept. How painful it really is, no matter how much we deny it.
Yet, at the same time, it showed us how precious life and relationships are. Why we should value each other, even if we are strangers.
The next part was a very beautiful and touching answer to the question, "Why is the lead female character seeing the dead alive for one last time?"
And the answer was simple. They were all connected to her. Through the office/factory explosion which happened on her date of birth. Her mother used to work there, and was pregnant. She was born on the day her mother died, after helping a little boy. That little boy? He is the lead male character she fell in love with.
And every other people who went out of their way to help others during the fire accident, the lead female character later helped with their final requests.
Not exactly 21 of them. There were seven people directly connected to that tragedy. She helped them back, without her knowing, at their time of need. But there were 21 people who died because of that tragedy, and one was her mother, who was pregnant with her.
And if we think about it, the last soul she helped was her own father. A very painful and cruel way for everything to come full circle.
The last part of the episode? This was where it picked up and ended the episode in a high note.
It focused back on the male and female lead characters. How they have cross paths before, but haven't had any interaction. That no matter what may have happened in the past, no matter what happens in the present, we forge on and live. We continue with life, and be happy with what we do.
The male lead character, saving lives as a doctor. The female lead character as a funeral director, helping those left behind to bid farewell to their dearly departed.
I like the character, An Soo Young. She is very familiar. I've worked with someone like her. I am far more interested in her than any other characters introduced in Episode 1.
I don't know if it was the subtitle only, or it was in the original script. There was something wrong with episode…
In the flashback near the end of the episode, the translation between the future couple used “Comrade”.
— The Korean peninsula only split in 1945-09-02, after World War II.
— Ja Geum Soon was born in 1930.
— From 1930 to 1945, the Korean peninsula was under Japanese rule. The primary language was Nihongo. Any adult after World War II would either be using Nihongo or usual Korean at that time … “Comrade” was not yet in their vocabulary.
— 'Comrade' is usually used in communist countries. But North Korea only existed from 1945-09-02; and was primarily under Russian influence; and more concerned about keeping the US down South, than “re-educating” Koreans into the communism way and thinking.
— Hostilities between the North and South only started sometime in 1948.
— In 1950-06-05, the Korean War broke out when the North invaded the South. Depicted in Episode 1.
— They already have a baby by 1950. We can assume the baby was born either in 1949 or early 1950.
— Geum Soon's future husband was also freely travelling between the North and the South. This means the flashback scenes in Episode 14 were sometime between 1945-09-02 and 1948 (before hostilities broke out).
Otherwise, how could he travel between the North and the South freely? He even nonchalantly told Geum Soon he won't return to “Seoul” (I'm just using the modern name) and stay in the North with her. They were not yet afraid of communism. It was still life as usual.
So, how come they're using “comrade”?
Did the translators make a mistake? Or, was it the writer of episode 14 flashbacks?
All things considered, the ways and thinking of communism was more likely only pushed to North Koreans after the Korea War broke out in 1950. And forcing people to use “comrade” would take re-education or threat. And the flashback scenes in episode 14 were no doubt before 1948.
I love Lexi's strategy. The best. She knew how she's going to play from the very start. Too bad, she didn't win the last match. But still, it was the best strategy in this episode.
Well. I guess that's it. Hopefully there will be Season 2 this 2023, with the same production quality but in the Philippines. I hope GMA, and other local productions, can learn from this. From using multiple cameras, providing monopods for the celebrities, and not being 'kuripot' with editing and special effects budget. This is what we need to revitalise the local entertainment industry, especially in the variety show space.
Once we learn from this, then we can add our “Filipino touch”. For now, not just GMA, other productions too, let's stick with the Korean style of production and editing. There's no shame in learning from others. Our neighbours once learned from us when we were the leaders in Asia-Pacific, it's our turn to learn from them.
I am hopeful for the Philippine entertainment industry as a whole. It's More Fun In The Philippines, after all. Mabuhay! Shalom!
Comment #15,000: Episode 3 and 4 were straightforward. Nothing to discuss. LOL.
Also, episode 4 was practically a fan service.
Noticed how in episode 3 they avoided showing scenes from Part 1 when Jang Uk recalled their yinyang promise?
Then in episode 4, they showed a lot of the memorable scenes from Part 1.
A very good decision to do it that way. I also think it was crucial that episodes 3 and 4 were aired in one week, so they probably had to gamble there won't be any delays. If episode 4 was delayed, it wouldn't be the same.
There are some fans saying that this drama is based on actual true events of Samsung's company CEO ,, they say…
I'm from the Philippines, and I admit that there are so many easter eggs in the entire series. If you are familiar with Korean companies back in the 90s and early 2000s, and the news about them, you'll notice a lot of similarities.
So, I'm not surprised that they recognise the similarities and easter eggs, since they know more about their own country's real life histories than any other.
10 years? She turned pathetic just because they dated for 10 years? LOL.I and my ex-gf dated for 15 years, and…
> They have been dating for 10 years, not broken up 10 years ago LOL.
Yeah. It was 2 years. The translation I watched was confusing. I even “rewinded” those parts to be sure.
Then by episode13, IIRC, it's 2 years.
> To be honest, there is no good reason for the ML to break up with her.
He doesn't want to see her because every time he sees her, he is reminded of his brother's death.
> His brother's death in the end has nothing to do with the ring.
The cause of that death was because of the ring, when he asked his brother to bring it, so he can propose. As he said so himself, if he did not forget to bring the ring, he wouldn't have told his brother to bring it.
> even when he has no reason to feel guilty in the first place.
So, yes, there is something he feels guilty about.
> He never told her the "reason"
For a good reason.
1. He doesn't want her to be burdened by it.
2. If he tells her, she would probably just reply, “so you are blaming me for your brother's death?” When that is not what he meant. And as shown when she confronted him, she just proved he made a good decision of not telling her.
3. They are not yet married. It is his burden to bear. It is a family burden.
4. With #3, it isn't appropriate to bring in a new member into the family (especially in Korean culture) with a burden they're carrying. Especially since the case was not yet closed, and they haven't moved on.
5. With #4, him and his family having not moved on yet, it will only affect their marriage. Especially when, every time he sees her, he is reminded why he asked his brother to bring the ring – which is #1.
> Imagine dating someone for 10 years, weddings all planned, then someone in his/her family died, and BAM, the wedding is off, and you are dumped. How would you feel?
I will feel bad and hurt. But I wouldn't force myself to them. And well, they haven't planned their wedding yet, he was only about to propose.
> The ML now found new love, though I cannot understand why he just brushed off his 10 year relationship for the new love.
There just is no way. Every time he sees her, he is just reminded of the very thing that led to the accident – the proposal ring he forgot to bring.
And well, he fully understands what kind of family she has. It was fine before the accident. He can tolerate her mother and her being a queen/royalty (as her own mother admitted), as they say, “love is blind”. We tend to ignore these things.
But after the accident, after the ring. “Love is blind” can no longer control him. He just had enough. He is mourning. He is self-blaming. He can not take anymore, especially not a person who was brought up like a queen/royalty, who is possessive and obsessed with taking what she wants. And he also doesn't have time nor energy dealing with her mother.
> Chung Ha didn't deserve this at all.
Of course, she doesn't deserve it. No one deserves a break-up with no explanation offered. My 15-year relationship ended like that. No explanation, just poof, done.
Whatever her reasons were, I can only assume. If one day she tells me, then good. But, we're done. There's no coming back.
Just like in Chung Ha and Tae Hee's case. They're done, reason or not, they're done. 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, they're done.
There are previous relationships worth restarting. However, there are also relationships not worth at all. My 15-year relationship that my ex ended and left me hanging, is one such. It's not worth restarting even if she's the one who kneels and beg me. We're done. I can be her friend, Just like Il Sub to his ex. But that's how far I'll go.
And I noticed, there were translations that did not make any sense.
In the earlier episodes, they had a relationship for 10 years. And they broke up for 10 years already.
Then later, in ep13, IIRC, they only broke up for 2 years because their break-up was after his younger brother died. I even "rewinded" just to double check.
1 
SPOILERS FROM HEREON
The first 40 minutes was dedicated to the very sad and cruel fate of the lead female character. It focused on the reality of life that many of us refuse to accept. How painful it really is, no matter how much we deny it.
Yet, at the same time, it showed us how precious life and relationships are. Why we should value each other, even if we are strangers.
The next part was a very beautiful and touching answer to the question, "Why is the lead female character seeing the dead alive for one last time?"
And the answer was simple. They were all connected to her. Through the office/factory explosion which happened on her date of birth. Her mother used to work there, and was pregnant. She was born on the day her mother died, after helping a little boy. That little boy? He is the lead male character she fell in love with.
And every other people who went out of their way to help others during the fire accident, the lead female character later helped with their final requests.
Not exactly 21 of them. There were seven people directly connected to that tragedy. She helped them back, without her knowing, at their time of need. But there were 21 people who died because of that tragedy, and one was her mother, who was pregnant with her.
And if we think about it, the last soul she helped was her own father. A very painful and cruel way for everything to come full circle.
The last part of the episode? This was where it picked up and ended the episode in a high note.
It focused back on the male and female lead characters. How they have cross paths before, but haven't had any interaction. That no matter what may have happened in the past, no matter what happens in the present, we forge on and live. We continue with life, and be happy with what we do.
The male lead character, saving lives as a doctor. The female lead character as a funeral director, helping those left behind to bid farewell to their dearly departed.
-> https://mydramalist.com/723801-il-dang-baek-butler/episode/16
— The Korean peninsula only split in 1945-09-02, after World War II.
— Ja Geum Soon was born in 1930.
— From 1930 to 1945, the Korean peninsula was under Japanese rule. The primary language was Nihongo. Any adult after World War II would either be using Nihongo or usual Korean at that time … “Comrade” was not yet in their vocabulary.
— 'Comrade' is usually used in communist countries. But North Korea only existed from 1945-09-02; and was primarily under Russian influence; and more concerned about keeping the US down South, than “re-educating” Koreans into the communism way and thinking.
— Hostilities between the North and South only started sometime in 1948.
— In 1950-06-05, the Korean War broke out when the North invaded the South. Depicted in Episode 1.
— They already have a baby by 1950. We can assume the baby was born either in 1949 or early 1950.
— Geum Soon's future husband was also freely travelling between the North and the South. This means the flashback scenes in Episode 14 were sometime between 1945-09-02 and 1948 (before hostilities broke out).
Otherwise, how could he travel between the North and the South freely? He even nonchalantly told Geum Soon he won't return to “Seoul” (I'm just using the modern name) and stay in the North with her. They were not yet afraid of communism. It was still life as usual.
So, how come they're using “comrade”?
Did the translators make a mistake? Or, was it the writer of episode 14 flashbacks?
All things considered, the ways and thinking of communism was more likely only pushed to North Koreans after the Korea War broke out in 1950. And forcing people to use “comrade” would take re-education or threat. And the flashback scenes in episode 14 were no doubt before 1948.
This week is the last week. Last 5 episodes.
Well. I guess that's it. Hopefully there will be Season 2 this 2023, with the same production quality but in the Philippines. I hope GMA, and other local productions, can learn from this. From using multiple cameras, providing monopods for the celebrities, and not being 'kuripot' with editing and special effects budget. This is what we need to revitalise the local entertainment industry, especially in the variety show space.
Once we learn from this, then we can add our “Filipino touch”. For now, not just GMA, other productions too, let's stick with the Korean style of production and editing. There's no shame in learning from others. Our neighbours once learned from us when we were the leaders in Asia-Pacific, it's our turn to learn from them.
I am hopeful for the Philippine entertainment industry as a whole. It's More Fun In The Philippines, after all. Mabuhay! Shalom!
Chapters: 12
Philippine episodes: 32
Curated playlist (from official source): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLom9SdXHUp4hwPmZJgR0HMzvya5t3I8tn
Also, episode 4 was practically a fan service.
Noticed how in episode 3 they avoided showing scenes from Part 1 when Jang Uk recalled their yinyang promise?
Then in episode 4, they showed a lot of the memorable scenes from Part 1.
A very good decision to do it that way. I also think it was crucial that episodes 3 and 4 were aired in one week, so they probably had to gamble there won't be any delays. If episode 4 was delayed, it wouldn't be the same.
So, I'm not surprised that they recognise the similarities and easter eggs, since they know more about their own country's real life histories than any other.
Yeah. It was 2 years. The translation I watched was confusing. I even “rewinded” those parts to be sure.
Then by episode13, IIRC, it's 2 years.
> To be honest, there is no good reason for the ML to break up with her.
He doesn't want to see her because every time he sees her, he is reminded of his brother's death.
> His brother's death in the end has nothing to do with the ring.
The cause of that death was because of the ring, when he asked his brother to bring it, so he can propose. As he said so himself, if he did not forget to bring the ring, he wouldn't have told his brother to bring it.
> even when he has no reason to feel guilty in the first place.
So, yes, there is something he feels guilty about.
> He never told her the "reason"
For a good reason.
1. He doesn't want her to be burdened by it.
2. If he tells her, she would probably just reply, “so you are blaming me for your brother's death?” When that is not what he meant. And as shown when she confronted him, she just proved he made a good decision of not telling her.
3. They are not yet married. It is his burden to bear. It is a family burden.
4. With #3, it isn't appropriate to bring in a new member into the family (especially in Korean culture) with a burden they're carrying. Especially since the case was not yet closed, and they haven't moved on.
5. With #4, him and his family having not moved on yet, it will only affect their marriage. Especially when, every time he sees her, he is reminded why he asked his brother to bring the ring – which is #1.
> Imagine dating someone for 10 years, weddings all planned, then someone in his/her family died, and BAM, the wedding is off, and you are dumped. How would you feel?
I will feel bad and hurt. But I wouldn't force myself to them. And well, they haven't planned their wedding yet, he was only about to propose.
> The ML now found new love, though I cannot understand why he just brushed off his 10 year relationship for the new love.
There just is no way. Every time he sees her, he is just reminded of the very thing that led to the accident – the proposal ring he forgot to bring.
And well, he fully understands what kind of family she has. It was fine before the accident. He can tolerate her mother and her being a queen/royalty (as her own mother admitted), as they say, “love is blind”. We tend to ignore these things.
But after the accident, after the ring. “Love is blind” can no longer control him. He just had enough. He is mourning. He is self-blaming. He can not take anymore, especially not a person who was brought up like a queen/royalty, who is possessive and obsessed with taking what she wants. And he also doesn't have time nor energy dealing with her mother.
> Chung Ha didn't deserve this at all.
Of course, she doesn't deserve it. No one deserves a break-up with no explanation offered. My 15-year relationship ended like that. No explanation, just poof, done.
Whatever her reasons were, I can only assume. If one day she tells me, then good. But, we're done. There's no coming back.
Just like in Chung Ha and Tae Hee's case. They're done, reason or not, they're done. 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, they're done.
There are previous relationships worth restarting. However, there are also relationships not worth at all. My 15-year relationship that my ex ended and left me hanging, is one such. It's not worth restarting even if she's the one who kneels and beg me. We're done. I can be her friend, Just like Il Sub to his ex. But that's how far I'll go.
^_^
Then later, in ep13, IIRC, they only broke up for 2 years because their break-up was after his younger brother died. I even "rewinded" just to double check.
That was confusing. LOL.