Am I the only one who didn't find it worth all the hype? Maybe because I've watched way too many great Korean shows that this one didn't really affect me for the most part. Sky Castle, Mouse, Taxi Driver - these are just some of the shows that I feel deserved way more hype than what Squid Game got. I have this urge to explain why I found this show lackluster but to be honest, that's mostly a desire to save myself from the hate comments. I would have considered it a great show if things had remained at the same tempo throughout but ... it just ended up being meh for me.
My heart hurts for Da On. He got outed without his consent and he doesn't have a single person to turn to during this time. Honestly, the worst feeling is when you try to find any reason to avoid going home. He wanted more work just so that he could avoid his own house. When you're young, if one has to choose something, one will definitely try to choose the option that gets them love and approval of their parents. A crush or even relationship cannot compare to the love you want your parents to give you. Besides, here he was still trying to figure out his own feelings and that wench went and did that. I hope they do not show her getting a happy ending of any sorts. She doesn't even deserve hell.
If you haven't been through it, it's hard to understand - I think you and many others have insight into it, but…
Thank you for sharing your story and I'm so, so sorry you had to go through that. The world is a horrible and cruel place sometimes. And completely agree with you - anyone would pick hiding over survival. You can't be yourself if you won't even be alive enough... which is what I think might happen to a high school kid in an extremely homophobic environment. Also, very true... I have no idea why most of the movies and dramas tend to show women as being the main aggressor in the life of a gay character. There are shifts in narrative towards the positive and realistic side in the newer shows and I hope those help to break the harmful and divisive stereotypes a lot of shows have helped perpetuate.
People shitting on Da On in the comments are really clueless. Yes, his behavior was hurtful towards Taekyung but the entire fault lies with the homophobic people who make members of the LGBT community feel horrible about themselves. Internalized homophobia is a real thing and that is again perpetuated by the society. People like sohee who leak private pictures and those other students who taunt and bully others... they're the cause for so many broken relationships. I feel hurt for both Da On and Tae Kyung... y'all acting as though Da On trying to deny their friendship/relationship will not hurt him too.. but sadly and understandably, self preservation comes first for a lot of people who are emotionally traumatized. It's not the right choice and there might be a lot of regret later on but at that particular moment it is the only thing that seems important. Besides, coming out is not a piece of cake for anyone. Everything happening practically forcing Da On to A) realize and accept his feelings and B) come out in public all within a matter of days is of course going to mess up his head. I'm not completely excusing what he's done but it is completely understandable where he is coming from. I wish they had met under different circumstances, in a different time in their lives because I genuinely love them together and know they would have been good to each other. But, alas, real life does turn out the way it's happening with them. Hope that at the end of it all, Da On will have a character development and become more assertive and self-aware and learns to take a stand for what he believes in. That said, I do ship Taekyung with Shin Woo now because he doesn't deserve to be hurt and hated on just for liking someone and because Shin Woo is a sweetheart. He seems like he'll stand by Tk no matter what. He's just so pure and innocent and mature. Him not turning rude to either of the two even if it's breaking his heart, him takin the steps that put TK's happiness first and standing up for him in front of that girl... he's a rockstar. Namgoong!!! He's the MVP of the show. No doubt about that at all. I will gladly watch an entire series just about him. He's funny, smart, perceptive, kind and a great friend and human being, in general. Hats off to him for handling everything in such a mature manner, making sure no-one is offended but at the same time giving them a reality check. Bonus points to him for not recoiling when she asked him if he was gay and not bothering with a reply. That was so powerful. Love him so, so, so damn much.
Not going to say anything about that girl because, apparently, murdering fictional characters is also considered bad.
And that what makes it damn hard not to ship him with TKY even though I am in Tae-Woo's ship...sigh
IKR? When the show began I was team Tae-Woo.. I still love Shinwoo but Da On is just so good and their feelings are mutual as of now. I'm going to have major second lead syndrome if Da On ends up sad and alone
That said, I do ship Taekyung with Shin Woo now because he doesn't deserve to be hurt and hated on just for liking someone and because Shin Woo is a sweetheart. He seems like he'll stand by Tk no matter what. He's just so pure and innocent and mature. Him not turning rude to either of the two even if it's breaking his heart, him takin the steps that put TK's happiness first and standing up for him in front of that girl... he's a rockstar.
Namgoong!!! He's the MVP of the show. No doubt about that at all. I will gladly watch an entire series just about him. He's funny, smart, perceptive, kind and a great friend and human being, in general. Hats off to him for handling everything in such a mature manner, making sure no-one is offended but at the same time giving them a reality check. Bonus points to him for not recoiling when she asked him if he was gay and not bothering with a reply. That was so powerful. Love him so, so, so damn much.
Not going to say anything about that girl because, apparently, murdering fictional characters is also considered bad.