td1392

I admit I haven't seen him in anything else except for this but here he's pretty bad. Dunno maybe it was just this character that didn't suit him, maybe in the other ones he's great. Altho I have my doubts.

As for Kim Myung Soo goes based on what I've seen from him (even only taking Angel's Last Mission and Emperor Owner of the Mask) is making rounds around Lee Jae Wook when it comes to range and specific character choices. At least he made some. Lee Jae Wook in this is one is just delivering lines and gazing in the distance when he has dialog heavy scenes. But maybe you can explain to me why was he was so amazing for you in this? The rest I can't say because I haven't watched it.

I appreciate you might like him (visually?) and my personal bias aside I can also see how he could be popular (tall, good looking?) with so many people. But when it comes to his acting chops sorry he's not (based on this).

Also are those the same media outlets that are praising Su-Ji as actress of the generation? Because there's quite a big difference between popularity and actual brass tacks.

It's not just you!

Agree 100%. Didn't buy Uk and MuDeok at all. As a matter of fact I find ML super annoying when he's with anyone except for Crown Prince. Those are the only scenes that have some credibility 🤣 Yul is absolutely a sweetheart! He should be the ML - GODDAMN SECOND LEAD SYNDROME! But the relationship between MuDeok and Yul is just awfully written. She's giving him a cold shoulder every-single time despite him being super nice AND him being the only persons she had a thing for ever since she was a little girl. Even when the obstacle (her thinking that his family killed her father) is gone instead of her going wow I messed up the only genuine relationship I ever had in my life she falls for Uk the next minute? How does that make sense? At the very least she should be torn between the two. Not literately turn into an emotional manipulator or run like a dog whenever her young master needs something and throw away Yul like a wet rag after it's been used.

The writing of the ML character was quite awful if you take it at a face value. He was an entitled whiny man-child who got everything through sheer dumb luck and was still super arrogant with no emotional growth. And everyone loved him despite all that (just because he was ML).

I can appreciate that the writers were trying to achieve a nuanced character and I blame the actor because his delivery was so bland that it makes a wooden plank look like a human being . He delivered everything with absolutely no subtext. So all the 'bad attitude' was just plain rude and arrogant. I think that the writers didn't intend that because I watched a few of their other shows and other MLs didn't have the same problem. Fore example 이승기 in Korean Odyssey was written as quite of a jerk as well but he put in so much subtext that all his delivery had so much meaning attached to it and was super nuanced. And even withing the show itself, Jin and Housemaid Kim were constantly rude to each-other and bickering but there was so much subtext and meaning behind it because the actors were really good.

And it makes sense, ML here is an model turned actor who just got his feet wet and it shows. Plus I find his looks a bit annoying. But that's just my personal bias.

To be fair the rest of the show was pretty good tho but how can you enjoy it when 80% of it is ML.

No thanks! The show was unwatchable garbage because of the ML.

First of all no one is questioning the skills and intelligence here. FL lead had all of that. She was the most skilled and intelligent of all the people (male of female) in there. Is she wasn't no amount of what you call 'bitching' would help her to succeed. Skills and intelligence are prerequisite in the real life de facto.

Second of all success is relative. In the context of our conversation when I was talking about 'success' I was referring to C-suite level of success in a big law firm with predominately male leadership (what we see in the show). Is that the case with your female friends? I'm pretty sure there are all female small law firms out there that are successful in their own right but that's totally besides the reason why we started this conversation in the first place. Because then we're comparing apples to oranges.

And there's a big difference between trying to intentionally (that means that you know you're in the wrong) redeem or just provide the context. Again if you watched beyond first two episodes you wold see that it's the latter. That it was done for a dramatic purpose. But if you perceive this execution as intentional to serve some sort of agenda then that kinda proves my point about your bias. And don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with that. We all have our own biases about something. But trying to bend the truth to fit it is a bit ridiculous.

I'm not trying to convince you to watch the show. Just telling you that your reasoning behind why you don't like the show or should I say the way you're sharing your opinion under false premise is a bit funny. There are plenty of shows that perfectly embody the message you hate so much (which again it's the same for me) but this is not one of them. Think of a boy (or a girl) who cried wolf.

Judging from your reply, I'd say you missed the point of that I was trying to make. Let me put it in simple terms: There is no other way for a woman to be successful in a cutthroat male environment other to become what you call a 'bitch' - I explained in my previous post why that is. And you can protest all you want and say it's distorted, sexist, from a males' perspective and what not but that's just a way it is. It's unfortunately the reality. If you are not a person in power and if you don't believe me go out in the world and see for yourself. Or ask someone who's been there. Especially law, oil, banking/stocks (I know I lived it firsthand ).

And quite honestly if it offends its female viewers then those viewers are not living in the real world. Yeah it would be great if the world was all peaches and cream but it's not. And to blame being offended based on some unrealistic expectation you have from the world is just the biggest form of entitlement.

And yes I've read some of your replies and yes that's exactly why I said you have some sort of a personal bias. Because you're judging based on 2 episodes - you've made up your mind based on partial information and incorrect assumption (that this depiction of successful woman is distorted) only because it confirms some belief you have. Btw I don't know where and why the feminist came in?

And as so many have suggested to you that you should watch at least few more episodes to get the context why she's acting the way she is and it's actually really not what it seems. But you don't wanna hear it.

All I'm saying is that this notion of successful woman is not distorted and or sexist. Neither is from males perspective. It's just depiction of reality and it's actually the best part of the show. They do go overboard with some things but that's a different conversation.

There's a personality trait known as agreeableness. And we associate it with mostly feminine energy - it's because it's a typical female trait. That is, women are far are more agreeable than men. And in male dominated professions, especially a cutthroat one (ie LAW), in order for a woman to succeed she has to adopt to the environment which means that she has to get rid of that trait and take on all the other male personality traits, at least on the outside.

If you've ever been in that kind of environment you would know that this depiction is pretty accurate. To what extend it's debatable. But I think the basic premise here is pretty spot on here. If you are triggered by the general notion of it that's a whole different topic.

Btw I agree with most of your review (as well as the general notion of the typical female bad bitch) and I'm not a particularity fond of this show, but I think it's unfair to take away from it where the credit is due. Basically the only good thing about this show.

As for her needing a man ... well if you've been in this kind of environment for too long you forget to be yourself. And you "need" something or someone to remind you of your "true" self. Whether that is a man or just a female friend. Yeah could be both. But psychologically if you are constantly surrounded by same asshole guys and then a nice guy comes along, of-course you're gonna notice him. The needing part here is I think a bit of your personal bias projection especially if you've only watched 2 episodes. I agree that in certain other shows this might be the case. But definitely not here. If anything it's the exact opposite as the show goes on. Half the time she's on a power trip (even when she's in the wrong) and the guy is basically running around like a pathetic looser.

Don't know how this can be written from a "males' point of view"?

Sexist S. Korean males?!

Except this show was written by a woman lol.

My thoughts exactly! On point with everything! Really glad there's someone (female at that!:)) who still shares some healthy values and beliefs.

"5. You'll get to experience second lead syndrome, maybe."

I laughed so much reading this because that's exactly what happened! But in all honesty the second lead syndrome shouldn't exist! It's the pinnacle of bad writing but I guess the silver lining is we got to see Kim Seon Ho really shine.

I totally agree with all the CONS & PROS especially the first one (both:))! However I still think you are being way to generous with the score.

Your review is so spot on! I'm so glad there are still rational and critically thinking people out there.

"Lessons and morals of the story? Cheat, lie, play dirty, fight your mentor and those who help you, blame others for your failures, never be grateful to your friends and family, use "fate" to explain your mistakes, and win the girl. Wonderful, very heart-warming."

EXACTLLY! This bit hit home big time! One thing I just can't wrap my head around is, if we put aside the whole romantic fan war thing, is how can anyone enjoy to be spoon-feed these utterly wrong and misplaced, not to say downright dangerous values, let alone praising them?

Playing devil's advocate for a moment, ok you found some value in the business side of things if you are new to the whole start-up thing. And I do admit the sandbox (or accelerator as they are usually called) in the first few eps is pretty accurate and interesting but in the second part, when the real deal starts even this falls apart badly. For example relying on pure luck and kindness of the overly forgiving mentor that you abused not long ago to raise investments, no exit-strategy, evaluations etc.. is quite laughable actually.

So what is really there left to enjoy? After ep.9 (or even before actually) this sadly, to the detriment of everyone else, becomes every angry teenager's wet dream. Lash out your sense of entitlement without any repercussions because the world owes you something. Because you are ... soooo special?! And worry not you are gonna be rewarded for it!

But hey maybe that was the writers intention. Maybe that was the target audience from the get-go? If that's the case I would say it's only right to cut it some slack. There has to be content even for the niche market.

But just the fact that it feels and plays out (with all the PR, cast, production value etc) like a serious drama I would say shame on them for consciously and deliberately using dirty and cheap tricks to lure people in under false promise. Very Disney like - bait and switch. And it deserves all the criticism it's getting and even more.

"I don't think I'll be watching another Bae Suzy or Nam Joo Hyuk work for a while to cleanse my palate from their portrayal of the worst characters in kdrama history, which is ironic given that I started this for them in the first place."

Laughed so hard because I felt exactly the same. Now to be fair it's the characters not the actors but ever since watching Start-Up I just can't stand Nam Joo Hyuk. I tried but just can't. Maybe it's because this role was so close to him and brought out that part, but I swear everything else now feels exactly the same to me.

So well said! I couldn't agree more. Second male lead syndrome shouldn't exist! Now I appreciate that sometimes it's hard to walk the fine line and not to turn the lead female character into a bitch that can't decide between the two guys but ... why do you create such a great second lead only to tie his feet to a telephone pole. The poor guy never really stood a chance. I really hate it when the second male lead is a great character (on purpose) just so the writer can cheaply use it as a carrot-on-the-stick for the first male lead to build the tension and then throw it away. Especially when she/he uses deus ex machina to constantly "save" the main lead from absurd situations and consequently the second lead always fails. Or some absurd obsession like in this case that makes everything kinda obsolete.

Put them all in a plausible situation with plausible interests with equal opportunity and let it come down to the complementary character traits in the end.

I'm a huge PSJ fan but this was the first time I wasn't rooting for him and it made me quite mad. The writing/his character just wasn't up to par and didn't do him justice.