“The most honest thing I can say about 1% is that it isn’t mediocre. I’m a bit invested in his story, if not his relationship.” - suspended_because
1% Episode Discussions
Sort by:
Best
Open comment sort options
Best
Top
New
Controversial
Old
Q&A
Eeheheheehehehehehehehejenenehehehehehebeheeheh ooooo it’s a fun Rorschach test to see what images are chosen for ep titles!!!!!!
I’m also pretty sure this title ep is translated differently between the two versions and I love your versions translation!
Lol ikr!! I have such a hard time choosing a shot, but ended up with this one cuz:
Da Hyun is clearly initiating the peck (in the screen cap) and
Jae In is clearly smiling!
(Also it's not overly ... RED. As much as I like it, that birthday celebration scene is way too red for my eyes!)
100% my first reactions when so pleasantly greeted with this screenshot on my timeline!!!
JAE IN IS CLEARLY SMILING!!! And it is a sweet boyish smile. Not a smarmy stale smile. (I saw a preview for a different dramas couples peck and it made me cringe. They were smiling but it was gross staid and stale feeling!!!!)
And yaaaaa da hyeon making the big girl moves. :) :) :)
Re: colors
Too cute. Very red when da hyeon first decides to get vulnerable. (And I agree it’s a lot. But its also ON POINT for the mood that it is a lot. She’s going through so many feelings!!!!)
But here her cool (but friendly) blue is the dominant vibe taking over. The whole day jae in is a simple white - the one to easily match and complement.
Aaaaaaaakkkk your commentary !!! Finally read through it!!!!!! BRILLIANT !!! Eeeeeeeeeeee. I want to hug ittttttt.
Okokokokokokok!!!!!
I will hopefully if all goes well have a 4 day weekend in another week and a half and I can’t WAIT to catch up then!!!!
On a time crunch and have blocked EVERYTHING (am accessing Reddit on an oldddddd backup phone that doesn’t perfectly work with my BLOCK ALLLLLL THINGS ALLL THE TIME app ;) ;) ;) )
But
Just let it be known
wow. JUST WOW.
EeeeeEeEeeE.
Your commentary is so wonderful !!!
I think this is my favorite ep so far! I love the second half of Second Date but the Jae In we get in this ep is absolutely a dream!
Lol you're finding loopholes for yourself within a rule you've set for yourself! I mean I get it, I really do -- but HAHAHHA! Human beings are such a contrary lot!
Alsoooooooo!!!
your amazing list of book recs!!! Thank you!!!!
I went through them and sent them to my sister.
She called me today absolutely GIDDDYYYYYY about encyclopedia of faeries :) :) she LOVEESSS it!!!!
Ooh me too, I'm burning through Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries -- I'm glad your sister enjoys it!
i lied. I said I was going to work my way backwards but... I'm already skipping around :)
Did you finish? And what did you think if so? I'm on the second book now.
My sister and I had a long convo about the pros and cons of first book and it helped us flesh out our idiot novice theories about what what makes the cut for our self appointed canon of great YA romance novels :) [lol somewhere here I mentioned this list of classics my sister and i are compiling for her daughter and you were like, "i don't read much of the western canon"... I .... would not say... that what my sister and i are compiling as our list of YA romance classics could touch with a 100 km pole the western canon of classics heheheheheh ;) ;)]
I saw a review of the second that super intrigued me. Something along the lines of, "[Author] does away with all the things that didn't quite work in the first and ramps up on all the things that did." But the reviewer didn't say what she/he/they thought were the weaknesses in the first and what were the strengths to be ramped up in the second! Which peeved me! I want to know if we agree or not on what those strengths and weaknesses were!
I think the author is a very talented writer! I really enjoyed reading her- it was for the most part well paced and structured and such fun threading of academia / "field research" (i loved her footnotes! hehe). And she had such delightful diction. Seems to me she needed a better editor to help shape out some broader ideas and characterizations.
And Emily Wilde was a fun one to consider for me in terms of “romances with comedy like leading ladies that are relatable but also likeable and that’s a difficult line to strike with where you to crochet in the fantasy escape of the great read”
I finished the first Emily Wilde and my sister got me the second book, but my Library hold on the second book of the Athena Club became available first, so that's what I'm reading now. Honestly, I'm so excited because this is a season of great reads -- I went from struggling to figure out what to read next, to having a stack of TBRs I'm excited about!!
Lol, but I think your list isn't going to include many Sweet Dreams or Sweet Valley High books! Ngl, I read quite a bit of Sweet Dreams when I was like 9~13 cuz my cousin had a collection from which I borrowed freely; P.S. I Love You was one of the first romance books I read, and omg it's prolly the onlynot-happily-ever-after romance I've ever read). If you're looking for 'clean' old-fashioned romance, this series might be suitable (if dated). I haven't read everything, but I still have the old copies of the ones I enjoyed/received for my birthday.
And this will fall into juvenile fiction (with not that much romance), but Lois Lowry's Anastasia Krupnik series is my absolute favorite. As an adult, I set out to collect the series (paperbacks with cover illustrations by Diane deGroat cuz I didn't think I'd be able to find/afford the hardbacks). Anyway, as a kid, I think Anastasia has the best parents and this didn't change when I reread the books as an adult. BEST PARENTS EVER. (Also related: Lowry's series with Sam Krupnik as the protag, and the Tate family series -- they're ALL GOOD, MY FAVES!) Lowry's most famous(?) work, The Giver quartet, I haven't actually read -- but the first book is available in graphic novel format now! (Which I bought for my school library, but also haven't read -- I like buying 'classic' novels in graphic novel format because I personally hate reading the 'classics'; I also really like retellings so if you're ever in the market for those books, I can share my purchase/read lists!)
Anyway, back to Emily Wilde -- I enjoyed the first book a lot (in a way, it made me think about Deanna Raybourn's first Veronica Speedwell book -- Veronica Speedwell is a similarish protag, who's "a natural historian with a specialty in lepidoptery which makes her a butterfly hunter and world traveler who is always up for adventure"). The dry humor is great, but I'm not too sure about her budding romance with Bambleby and how that'll pan out. For the Speedwell books, I only liked it when they're in the flirting stage and not so much once they 'shackled up'.
Do you not find Emily Wilde (as a character) kinda trope-ish? Or at least the bit about attractive man bookish/driven FL barely notices falling in love with her?
Your shortlist screenshot color analyses of Jae in and da Hyeon matching the white and blue of his house’s interior when she confesses made me think of this screenshot. Where here they are prior to ever entering the home already starting to mirror the interior of “their” home in their clothing.
And thennnn if you go further back - they’re doing it for the SUPER significant “da Hyeon IS Jae in’s home” when he falls asleep on her. Right? He’s in the blue suit. She’s in a blue skirt and white cardigan and shirt?
I’m wondering if the white/ blue complementing in their clothing begins that day / sequence of scenes and then continues until da Hyeon “finally” “comes home” by entering his home and confessing?
He keeps on the blue / white theme when he does confess to her / enters her home. But that day she’s wearing a black and white checkered skirt so she breaks it.
Cute detail is Jae in’s apartment makeover for da Hyeon includes replacing her blanket with a sort of quilted style white and dark blue/ indigo blanket.
In their married sequences that quilt has been placed on the couch.
So the house keeps the same tones but it’s manifested in more vibrant patterns.
Edit Oops. This was meant to be a comment for the post. Not for the comment on fairies. But I’m typing on my phone app and can’t figure out how to make it a comment on the post and not on this specific thread. Sorry!
Hmm I wasn't really analyzing in the specific colors of their outfits; it was just that they were in 'opposite' matching colors (i.e. her white top to his white bottoms; his blue top to her blue-and-white-striped bottoms), which are also kinda similar to the cushions' colors (and I'm assuming the cushions are a matched set, and they therefore hold the implication that Jae In and Da Hyun are also the same).
I think he's already been in her home by this point, no? His first entry -- which perhaps also marked his first kiss rejection?
This is interesting -- I never really noticed specific colors (except when Jae In's wearing a particularly hideous/eye-catching outfit) -- do you also think that blue and white are chosen specifically for what they each symbolize?
I think Jae In's place is very neutral-toned -- lots of cream and whites, and to contrast with it, dark wood and blues. Not sure whether that's intentional or the house the production crew rented just happened to come furnished like that. (I'll have to remember to keep an eye out for the quilt -- it suggests she brings her stuff into his house, but then again if he's the one who bought it in the first place, then maybe it's not as meaningful?)
Once again, we're gifted with the ep opening with last week's closing scene! (What's with ep 6's aberration then?)
I really don't know how to read Da Hyun's expressions as she studies Jae In's sleeping face and then looks away and sighs/exhales. What is she thinking about? What has she decided on?
It's so interesting how that scene shows the passage of time with the other restaurant patrons moving away in a blur and Jae In and Da Hyun unmoving and in focus. It recalls that famous and by now iconic Chris Doyle style from Chungking Express where time stills for our couple even as it continues relentlessly for the rest of the world.
I don't think Da Hyun's uncomfortable, but... she's also not completely at ease the way Jae In is, which is reflective of where they each are in this relationship.
"I finally feel alive again." I don't want to read too much into this because I think it's just a throwaway line, BUT ... I also have half a mind to read it as marking the 'official' start of his 'new life'/transformation.
"Boing" is the cutest thing EVER! This aspect of Jae In is always such a treat to watch!
Nice -- this time she grabs his wrist to stop him. She asks for his phone and he not only gives it to her, but also unlocks it for her without question.
(Is this a suggestion of his (unconscious) implicit trust in her?)
Jae In gives Da Hyun a sincere apology while hugging her, after which she hugs him back. We are shown only her (partial) expression during this scene, which is ... well, idk what to make of it. She has been in this contemplative mood since he fell asleep on her.
Jae In donning his teaching hat in his meeting [outfit on point tho!] -- making his
classstaff recite Internet safety rules together lol!What is the significance of 25 Jul? I initially assumed it was Jae In's birthday and cousin's death anniversary, but it doesn't seem to be...?
Awww he's finished the toy model Da Hyun gifted him and it's sitting in a place of prominence in Jae In's house!
[Sartorial note: ugh I HATE this grape suit and the shirt.]
Girl, what's your definition of "we weren't that bad together" -- I really wanna know... =| Like on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is your ex-fiancé breaking off your engagement...?
[Joo Hui's stylist is obviously NOT the same one Jae In got -- she is actually dressed and styled really well in this show that her outfits don't look dated to me, even close to a decade later!]
This "let's get back together" totally comes of out nowhere, like you just know the drama thinks our couple needs more obstacles and is scrambling for one.
The look Jae In gives Joo Hui when she tells him, "You don't care about things like love either, anyway" -- lol I think he's low-key offended. And it's too bad this comes after the start of his personal development journey.
(But also, is that disappointment I read in Joo Hui's reaction to his "You're right. I don't care about things like love"?)
"Then why don't you propose to my grandpa instead?" LOL yes, cuz I had the same thought!
The first thing Jae In does is to apologize for his tardiness!
But also: awww, "I'm just making time, even though I don't have any" -- what a sweet recall to their Second Date when Da Hyun told him people make time for the ones they like! Here's a man who not only listens but also remembers (reason 20,399,128 that Jae In can be such a dreamy ML).
But what Da Hyun remembers is Hyunjin's words boo!!
Hyunjin keeps Da Hyun's contract relationship a secret from her own brother, so good on her!
[Side note: I find this kinda a weird intercut -- why cross Sun Woo's questioning of Hyunjin with Da Hyun and Jae In wondering who's turn it is to choose their date activity?]
In any case, even as Da Hyun is disappointed with Jae In's answer ("money"), she's immediately rewarded with a show of Jae In's innate goodness as he saves a child.
I think his answer is quite reflexive -- like he says it even without much thought -- which makes me wonder whether it's money because of what having money can afford him, such as independence, a piece of his father's legacy aka Mall shares, etc.; or just common avarice (press X to doubt).
It's not a sad scene but I feel my heart breaking a little watching Jae In's expression as he realizes Da Hyun's praising him -- something he's prolly never received from someone who matters to him.
Take a good look at Adoptive Mom's office. Do you see anything of Jae In -- apart from the model he's just gifted her -- ANYTHING AT ALL?????!!!
[They really made poor HSJ skate in that heat and humidity in a dress shirt and pants. I'm sweating so much in sympathy with him o_o"]
Also: boy-child Jae In had to miss out on so much -- he wasn't even allowed to skate!
[I absolutely refuse to believe adult Jae In has never skated before. Bull!!! He's so comfortable on skates! I've never skated before and I'm pretty sure I'd be worse than Da Hyun! (I think JSM has skated before.)]
Jae In cheekily asking Da Hyun who the person she last skated with was is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOYISHLY ADORABLE!!
So, can I assume the brother Tae Ha's mother refers to when she talks about the "uncle [who left] the company and his family behind because of a woman" is Jae In's dad? Cuz my subs are very specific about this, referring to Adoptive Mom's husband as "elder uncle". No word on what happened to this "elder uncle" (aka Jae In's adoptive father... if it even applies?) though. Did Adoptive Mom lose both her son and husband at the same time, or...?
Lady, "it's just that your last names are different" is a world of difference -- you of all people should know that. The only saving grace is that your father's self-professed meritocracy-based succession plans.
[Side note: I've been noticing this particular high angle tight shot that shows a character in three-quarter profile -- what does such a shot mean?? I know emotions are sorta heighten and/or in focus in these scenes -- are we meant to be put in the headspace of that character or...?]
Jae In teasing Da Hyun as they remove their skates is also one of my favorite sides of Jae In -- her reaction and his grin are so damn stinkin' cute! (And that look he gives her when she tells her mom, "Who cares if you like him or not? I have to like him!" OMG!!!!)
"Then... do you want to... marry me?" It's not just me who sees that Jae In actually considers that seriously for a second, right?? I'm leaning towards this cuz I also think he looks clearly disappointed when Da Hyun bursts out laughing after saying that.
But also: excuse me, missy, what's your reasoning for "you and I can never get married"?? Is that stipulated in the contract? (No, wait, is it? I can actually see that happening.)
Oh ... I'm right -- he WAS disappointed. That's why he's in this gloomy dungeon of a bar, having a sad boi/contemplative moment.
Why does Jae In not think to question Da Hyun's confident assumption?
What a set of parallels here -- Jae In having his moment with Bestie Lawyer; Da Hyun smiling happily with her bestie.
And thinking about each other.
Also: there's nothing "average" about Lee Jae In, Kim Da Hyun!
Da Hyun couches it as "he helped Ji Su so much, after all" but that sounds so much like an excuse to me!
Wait, we're shown 25 Jul specifically but Da Hyun celebrates Jae In's birthday on another day, which also means his cousin's death anniversary isn't on Jul 25.
Not to be um ... gross(?) or anything, but leading Jae In to such a red space for his birthday celebration recalls for me a return to the womb.
I love their banter about her kids and him and her and playing with food haha!
The way he touches her so casually and cutely!
Why yes, I'm ignoring this picture-perfect frame in favor of the peck Da Hyun gives him later...
Not to nitpick, but I think Jae In isn't totally correct when he says, "I've been Lee Jae In of SH Group ever since I was born. I've never once lost my name, my position, or my status." His bio mom's husband referred to him by another name, so he was only given "Jae In" when he got adopted, I think? He never loses his position or status, but those did change with his adoption -- otherwise, there wouldn't have been a need for the adoption in the first place, right?
Like who tf drags a little boy away from his birthday party to attend a wake, seriously?? Let the child enjoy his party first -- I mean, it's not like the wake's gonna go anywhere in the next few hours...
This is the first time Jae In reveals his backstory to Da Hyun, isn't it? (Which makes it a milestone in their relationship!) And he's being quite specific with her too -- "Legally, yes. But he was actually my older cousin. I was adopted into his family after he died."
[ELI5 how Jenga helps you get along with people??]
Maybe this is the ep I, along with Da Hyun, falls for Jae In because I think "Hey, you should explain things to me if I don't know" is such an amazing thing for an ML to say!!
[But also, what does it say about me when I feel embarrassed/uncomfortable when Jae In asks Da Hyun for a kiss???]
[Side note: there's no tie-kiss, at least not in this ep and we're kept in suspense of Da Hyun's decision. This is a big step for her, but I think the peck she later gives him at her door is indicative enough of her decision. I just don't know whether it's a decision she's made just for the day, since it's a special day, or a decision for the rest of their relationship.]
"Fair and square" = third clause "We will respect each other's opinions". There's ... something about this equation I'm not completely comfortable with though. (But idk what.)
Jae In looks so smitten as he watches Da Hyun goes into her flat. (Or is it just me?)
At least Adoptive Mom feels sorry she's neglected her alive son for her dead son... but I still think it's too little, too late!
[I think this ep ends on a bit of an abrupt note, but I'll forgive it because the whole ep has been such a treat!!]
I feel like overall, this has been a very rich and dense ep compared to the last couple of eps? There seems to be a lot going on emotionally for Jae In and Da Hyun, and also a lot of parallels -- I didn't note the verbal ones (because there are quite a few), just the visual ones.
We're close to the midpoint of the drama, which according to the structure for K-rom-coms means we should be getting friction (between our couple) and are near the turning point (usually denoted by a confession and kiss); according to the three-act structure, we should be getting the second plot point (Joo Hui and her out-of-nowhere obsession?) and a "moment of truth" (for Jae In, perhaps it's this ep's faux 'proposal' from Da Hyun?). What I'm assuming will not happen/does not apply is the protag being pushed from a reactive mode to a pro-active one (Jae In is nothing if not pro-active!) -- but with Joo Hui in the mix, Da Hyun will be forced to be more direct and, if not pro-active, at least a little more forthright with her feelings for Jae In, I think?
I haven't given much thought to this on this rewatch (yet), but Da Hyun's home (which is shown often enough) has nothing of Jae In's in sight too, apart from the hideous keychain, right (and even then, I don't remember seeing it in her flat)? In contrast, every time we see Jae In in his home, Da Hyun is at the forefront of any activity he does and/or shots of the interior.
[I wasn't going to put this bit in but I've been thinking about it overnight, and I can't resist so...]
I feel like the theme for ep 7 might be something like 'Rebirth' and/or '(Re)Awakening' [although I'm pretty sure I'll have to eat my words come ep 8 or something...]. We very seldom are shown Jae In not in motion or action -- again, the only times we see him take a breather are the two shower scenes (which might just be more than fan service!) -- and here he's shown asleep, which I think is a first.
Upon waking, he says, "I feel alive again" [note to self: prolly should rewatch this scene to listen for what he says in Korean]. Then there's a small flurry of firsts for him:
First show of trust in Da Hyun (see: his cellphone), compared to their First and Second Dates where he still questioned whether she really knew Gramps, demanded an amendment in their contract to stipulate no cheating/two-timing.
First (voiced and explicit) apology for the date he'd stood her up.
First gift to Adoptive Mom.
First time (he said) he made time to see Da Hyun.
(First time inline skating, or so he claims haha!)
First time he got praised 🥲
First time he obliquely asked Da Hyun about the previous men she dated without coming across like some jealous possessive a*hole.
(Possible first inkling that maybe he doesn't not believe in love anymore?)
(Possibly the first time the mention of marriage didn't completely disgust him, and -- dare I suggest -- maybe even made his heart flutter a little?)
All these culminate in a celebration of his birthday (in that red womb of a room) -- which in itself is another first (in 23 years iirc) and brings on further firsts:
First time he shared with Da Hyun about his family/childhood.
First time he got kissed by Da Hyun.
First phone call he's made to Adoptive Mom on his birthday to thank her for raising him.
I mean, I'm sure there's a lot of cognitive bias at play here, but I can't help it! Cmiiw, but I think this is the first ep in which the sweet and lovely side of Jae In is shown without being counterbalanced by displays of Premium Grade A-Hole behaviors, and it's so beautiful to watch!
All these somehow make this ep feel (to me) like a turning point. (Yes I'm turning a blind eye to another first -- Da Hyun canceling their date -- cuz I want to push it to the next ep, since I think it's mainly an ep 8 situation.) That said, I don't think we're getting a whole new Jae In from hereon ... which, of course begs the question: then what's the point of this 'rebirth' theme I've been going on and on about when I should be focusing on the ep title's theme of gifts and treasured memories??