Between Desire and Conscience: Dong Hoon’s Deliverance

@actionscript gives his perspective on Dong Hoon’s narrative arc and why it matters.

“When he is caught between desire and conscience, he always leans towards the latter.” Thus speaks Ki Hoon of his brother Dong Hoon in episode 1, and these words introduce us to the kind of man our protagonist is. I’d say it’s quite consistent with the image that Dong Hoon had exhibited in the first few scenes – in how gentle he was with the ladybug, and in how dutiful he was as a brother to both Sang Hoon and Ki Hoon. But Ki Hoon follows up those words with a seemingly ominous declaration: “I pity him the most.”

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Ji An the Mentor

Commenter John Payne from the Man vs Drama YouTube threads writes:

The chance encounter between Dong Hoon and Ji An to complete My Mister is magical, from the onset when Ji An hears the voice she had become so intimate with, to the camera as it follows her over the shoulder to reveal a reborn young woman, standing in the beautiful sunlight and finishing with a handshake that is anything but.

It’s wonderful that Ji An, the mentor, has seen her student Dong Hoon become so happy. BUT WAIT, you may be thinking, Dong Hoon is obviously the mentor here. Hear me out though as I make my case. I think the Writer, Park Hae Young is brilliantly flipping the obvious roles of mentor/mentee here in ways that on the surface appear one way but in actuality are reversed.

IU: “I couldn’t even bear to hear the soundtrack.”

Lee Seon Kyun: “… it deeply affected me in a way I didn’t expect.”

The third and final part of Lee Seon Kyun and IU’s interview with Korean TV Drama（韓国TVドラマ） magazine Vol. 86 August 2018

Continued from [Part 1] and [Part 2]

Lee Seon Kyun: “Just watching it made me cry so much.”

[Continued from Part 1]

Part 2 of Lee Seon Kyun and IU’s interview with Korean TV Drama（韓国TVドラマ） magazine Vol. 86 August 2018

How Great Love Stories End

Some have suggested that Dong Hoon and Ji An’s parting at the cafe is an open ending. But if you compare the ending of My Ahjussi to other great love stories, its message is as clear as day: it is both a promise of more,  and the beginning of a beautiful new relationship. 

Filming the Final Scene – BTS & Parting Thoughts

The end was finally here and some cast members shared their parting thoughts with viewers:

Episode 16 – A Joseon Interpretation

By @justamom

This ending was DRIPPING with his love for her. It was in every glance and every word. To me, he is with her, has been with her since he told her to buy another pair of slippers and by the time she leaves for Pusan he knows it. He knows it. And he breaks down because he really, really misses her. And I’m not delusional!

A Thrilling Ending, and A Promise of More

Translated by @justamom from DC Inside.

Subtly acted and thrillingly passionate ending 

This scene, no matter how many times I watch it, is one of my favourite of all the classic scenes. Let me try to recreate it by taking us through their dialogue and expressions.