Attractive leads, natural acting, but ABSOLUTELY TOXIC AF!

SPOILERS AHEAD - READ AFTER FINISHING DRAMA

I think it may be possible for some to enjoy this show because both of the leads are attractive and their acting is skilled/natural but that toxicity just will not fly in today's age. Like I'm not gonna lie and say that they aren't attractive. Or that the chemistry isn't there. Because that wasn't true. And also that their acting was so natural that when that one part at the beginning of episode 9 popped up with the actors talking about a fan meeting that I was caught off guard because it truly felt like I was watching the characters live out their stories in real life. Although none of that can be denied, there were still several issues.

Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin's (BLY) relationship is almost symbolic of a real-life abusive relationship because you know that there's a good side (Gu Hai taking care of BLY in thoughtful ways, caring for BLY's family, gift-giving, making sacrifices for BLY, etc.) but then there's also the bad side that outweighs all that (forced intimacy, blatant sexual assault, stalker behavior, unrelenting/violent pursuit of BLY, obsessive tendencies, frightening jealousy, uncontrolled rage, LITERAL KIDNAP, psychological trauma, drugging drinks, etc.) You might keep wanting to go back to experience the good side but then the bad side is there to damage you in ways that you yourself keep choosing to return to. I don’t know how BLY didn’t run away in fear of his life at some point. Anyway, romanticized toxicity is not cute so hopefully, all future dramas will hop on the consent train. It would be so much hotter than whatever this drama is trying to do.

Another issue: the women/girls in this show were all portrayed and talked to so pathetically. It was so disappointing to see these women pining endlessly over their crushes, being uncontrollably driven by their emotions, being unable to let go of the past, being described as having an "unwilling to forgive attitude", having their only worth and roles tied to a guy, etc. I didn’t feel that there was a single strong female lead. These dramas can do so much better than this. No person or group has to be put down to raise up the show's quality.

The cancellation is very disappointing fr! I guess I'm not certain how show production and episode releases work but if I had the choice, I would've just ended it after the phone call BLY makes to his ex confirming he has Gu Hai in his heart now. Other than that I mainly just wanted to see how they'd end the show, but also kept in mind everything that was problematic about it. As an instructor, I'd definitely use this in a sex ed class on what to do and what not to do in a relationship.

But yeah watch at your own risk. Maybe "it's just a show" but the stuff you consume really can influence you. They say your thoughts become your words which become your actions which become your habits which become your character so just be careful. :)

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