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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Park Dong Hoon: Built in 1974, Renovated in 2018. Part 3/3: His Reconstruction

Soompi members discuss how the drama’s structural engineering jargon (cracked concrete, structural reinforcement, pillars, emergency escape routes) mirrors Dong Hoon’s state of life / marriage. What causes these cracks to form, and how can they be reinforced?  Is there an escape route?  Part 3/3: Dong Hoon finally hugs himself and starts making changes to his life.

Park Dong Hoon: Built in 1974, Renovated in 2018. Part 2/3: His Reinforcement and Emergency Exit

Soompi members discuss how the drama’s structural engineering jargon (cracked concrete, structural reinforcement, pillars, emergency escape routes) mirrors Dong Hoon’s state of life / marriage. What causes these cracks to form, and how can they be reinforced? Is there a need for an emergency exit route? This is part 2 of 3.

Dong Hoon’s Awakening

As early as episode 12, after Dong Hoon and Yoon Hee’s confrontation, the show makes two things clear: (1) their marriage is over. It’s not a question of whether it will end, but how. (2) As Dong Hoon wonders about the ‘how’, Ji An appears. What does this mean?

Bringing our twenty years to an end

Many have said “Dong Hoon’s not the kind of guy to divorce.” “No, not to the extent of divorcing,” but in his confrontation with Yoon Hee, Dong Hoon says it himself. The question is not whether they should end their marriage, but how to end it. 

Is There Only One Acceptable Form of Society?

A Soompi member responds to the Inchon Business Article: If It’s Love, Then Even Phone Tapping is OK?  My Ajusshi Should Have Been Rated Age 19 by arguing that no one gets to dictate the way a society takes form.

by @tiger457_stv

Blurring the Lines of a Modern Taboo

A contemplation on the love between Dong Hoon and Ji An. Is it transcendent love, transcending physical and sexual needs? Or is it romantic love, minus the romance tropes? @40somethingahjumma thinks that it’s the latter, and that this drama is blurring the lines of a modern taboo… age gap relationships.

Sometimes it IS a big deal

Dong Hoon has been living his whole life as a passive observer, but he is now beginning to realize that his “no big deal” attitude to things isn’t always right. Some things actually are and should be a big deal. And sometimes one has to take the initiative because inaction can do more harm than good. ~ by @akhenaten

The End of The Affair

One of the key turning points in the show is the moment when Ji An, instead of remaining a silent bystander in Dong Hoon’s life, decides to step in and do something: she confronts Yoon Hee and tells her Dong Hoon knows she’s cheating, changing the course of their marriage for good.

Why? What made Ji An decide to interfere in their marriage? Was she protecting or harming him? What do you think?

Almost Like Role Reversal

@40somethingahjumma examines Dong Hoon and Yoon Hee’s chances of reconciliation, and wonders if Yoon Hee and Ji An might have swapped roles somewhere along the way.