JenL

Aw good job @Jane and @mademoiselle and @stroppyse - Your insights were really good and well articulated. I agree with all of you. The side characters were under utilised for the professors and their war. It felt like we only got to know the side characters very superficially (eg. MS is SA's friend. She like DY and is upset when anything threatens that. The End. We don't know much about her aspirations or her life. There's nothing to scratch below the the surface. You could also have that with HH, though at least we see that he is applying for musical opportunities in NY and comes from a working class family). I'm ok with the practical route of the story though. I think it's different for everyone's preferences and expectations of the dramas, so totally get people who wanted to see SA's dream being realised. For me, there are too many dramas that bend over backwards to have the main characters succeed in their dreams. It's kind of nice to look at the journey of an average person searching for their path and finding their strengths, even if it's different to what they wanted in the first place. Kind of realistic since I think a lot of people dream about becoming artists or actors or firefighters as kids, but not everyone gets to go the way they want even if they put in the hard work...but most people are not devastated about it either. You'll survive and find new joys and interests and maybe that's a good message to spread too

Official Character Posters! I've put the side characters on my blog as it's less work than uploading each to an image hoster You can view posters for the rest of the cast here: https://thesedramaticdays.blogspot.com/2020/10/new-drama-premiere-mike-he-and-ivy-shao.html

Haha oh good! I thought it was just me at first. The first episode was a bit intense, but after that I started really liking it. The story is not super original, but it's also unique enough to be interesting. I'm liking the mysteries and the spoofs and of course the chemistry...I don't think I've felt so fluttery for a drama in awhile Hahaha, we really should make that a hastag

Haha, I hope she doesn't get into Dr Cha's Car next ep. How can refuse Jun when he pleaded in that voice?! Mimi has her own Instagram account?! Bless! I am following as we speak! The fact that she's a pom helps me to understand why I love her so much....my dog is a pom too! But a mixed pom

@SilverMoonTea Good job...pull in the people! Also thanks for those pics of Mimi. Am I watching this series for Lee Jae Wook or am I watching for Mimi? Both are so dear to my heart

Haha, I think it's definitely rom com, but there'll be some sort of suspense happening with Rara's potential stalker and Jun's traumatic past and fugitive status. I have to say I like that running gag they have of all the aunties at the salon speculating on something, then dismissing it as too drama-like only for it to be true (like Jun's fugitive status and Rara's dad's secretary status.) Yay, I'm glad you're feeling the Clueless vibes too. I don't remember what else Alicia Silverstone ever did, but that was her golden project for me. I feel like she has the same warmth and good intentions as Cher....And there's other similarities in that she's the only daughter of a rich guy who spoils his kid. But even the ways she moves reminds me of Cher. Like the moment this link dawned on me was when they were at the laundromat and she pulled her hair back with a scrunchie in a carefree way like Cher and Jun couldn't resist watching her, a bit like Josh. Oooh, did you think it was too complicated? I really liked the idea. And oddly enough, even though it was a light hearted rom-com based on a webtoon, I was surprised at how philosophical the series was. I think most people have gone through parts of their lives when they feel things are out of their control (haha like covid) and want to 'fight' against their circumstances or have questioned why they don't feel as important as the people around them (ie. are you the main character of your own story or the side character to someone elses' life?) So it was a fun series, but there were lots of existential layers to peel back too. I was also surprised at how consistent the 'rules' or 'logic' of the fantasy world was. But yes, totally agree Baek Kyung was an interesting character and the start of this interest in Lee Jae Wook!

This drama is my new weakness. I am dying each episode from the cuteness. I started off super cynical /sceptical and thought about dropping it half an episode in, but now I'm like, "I live for this drama." I think I'll be hunting for BTS content soon. Jun is so gone He is definitely deep under RaRa's spell and she affects his moods so badly. If she's happy, he's happy. If she's worried, he's worried about her. It's so damn cute. Her ability to twist people around her finger (not maliciously, but subconciously) by complimenting them works on Jun as well. He gets super flustered, but he loves it when she says that she thinks he's handsome and good at things like building a house. But I totally agree with everyone here. Rara isn't in love with him yet. I think it's implied she's never been in love before (she was going to marry the other guy because her dad told her to and because that guy apparently liked her 'a lot') and everyone tends to love her and treat her fairly well, so Jun's behaviour is no different on a surface level. Deep down, I think she knows things are different with him, but she hasn't processed it properly. This is shown when she give Dr Cha that example about the cleaning - she definitely trusts him and feels more comfortable with him than anyone else and she's often touched by what he does for her, though they both avoid the subject by talking about her "debt." Speaking of Dr Cha, he makes me feel awkward too and I'm just watching through a screen It's like he tries to be kind but comes off a little creepy! Like everyone feels like he's watching them or following them. He definitely has very sharp intuitions about Jun which makes me wonder how much he knows about Jun's past - is he just deducting things from his behaviour? Or has he met him in the past in some way? He's also very determined about getting close to Rara. I mean he's bringing it straight to Jun by being condescending and "thanking" him for helping Rara with her piano school, as well as describing Jun's feelings for him (incorrectly) as sympathy. I think they're trying to give us a red herring, implying that he sent the piano, but I think the real story of who DolDolSolSolLaLaSol is won't be that straightforward? The scene that made me laugh quite a bit was the hairdresser and Dr Cha and their super awkward haircut because she was attracted to him. LOL Back to Jun though, damn, that man is such a dream. Get yourself someone who will build you a room with a dreamcatcher I like all the little (and big) things he does to show he cares for Rara. And all those hugs he avoided made me laugh, especially when even Mimi looked disappointed that it wasn't going to happen. (Can I just say, I really love Mimi. That dog is like a moving soft toy that makes everything even more adorable in this drama). I really like that Rara respects that he's uncomfortable and picks up Mimi - I'm glad she's not the annoying type who pushes their affections onto people. Lee Jae Wook is very, very good at doing those incremental expressions to show he's sad about something and so it killed me every time Rara was spending time with Dr Cha. My heart! But he's also able to do it in the reverse - that hidden look of heartfelt delight at seeing Rara at his house...and he pretty much ran to her too! The ending with his trauma causing him to ask her not to leave has me looking forward to next week

@abs-oluteM I know. I love a good fairytale ending too!! But I can accept a a realistic ending or open ending for this drama if it comes to that mainly because it's been paced out so well and sits very much in the slice-of-life genre and style. And I guess it would make sense too. But I hope it's decent. Like even if it was something like JY takes SA's hand and says "I still like you. Very Much" I would still be ok with it for the hand holding XD. If it's just them smiling and looking into each other's eyes, it's a bit mild, but I guess it's an implied happy ending.

This person knows where it's at. Yeah, JY just needs to talk a little more rather than apologise for all the things he's not guilty of or get agitated at SA. And he should tell her that he was trying to protect her and tell her that he's let JK go long ago, all he's been trying to do is repay a debt and cut her off. I laughed when I saw this comment. Relationships are like the exams of real life XD Haha, well, if the drama's conclusions are you should live well by yourself rather than dating, that's good advice too But I think since it's a slice-of-life genre, I think it might be bittersweet, not bitter. I feel like it'll be an open ending or an ending that is sweet, but probably very mild. I'll happily eat my words if they choose to give us a deep kiss though. Just saw this on twitter. This makes me happy

@mademoisellesia @abs-oluteM I want them to do all 3. But if I had to prioritise, I think I need them to kiss with intensity to make up for all the deep angst we've had to feel. A kiss like they really, really missed each other. For Open ending, I'd prefer that they hint at them getting back together, even if they don't explicitly show it. I think it'd be wasted if they were just friends only because their world seems so harsh and they're kindred spirits who know each other well even if they've suffered under pressure.

I think JY just needs a break from life! (all those thing mentioned) But I'm sure he'll be back on the piano. Or will do something piano related. He'll probably get back into it once he gets a chance with SA again, I'm guessing.

@Lynne This is the Netflix preview page :) I've set a reminder for when it airs! It does remind me of Goblin. I have to say, even though I'm a big Gong Yoo fan and I think he's done some fantastic projects over his career (Train to Busan, Coffee Prince, so many things I love)...I didn't actually like Goblin. I found the story of their previous life very unbelievable (Like why he was being punished). BUT I am interested in seeing if this story and it's ties to the old Chinese legends will be a better version of Goblin (though I think Goblin will have the better SFX as it had a big budget and Subway sponsorship XD)

I did have a trailer here, but it seems like Netflix has started to remove additional YouTube content for any shows they plan to distribute, so can't show trailers unfortunately >.< But Check out SETTV's Instagram for the latest trailers: https://www.instagram.com/dramasettv/

This is also a good theory on why Dr Cha is so charmed by Rara. I guess she's so carefree and different from his ex-wife. It also looks like in episode 3 maybe he's been sick and he might feel like he wasted his life doing things he didn't want to do. Whereas Rara just does what she wants all the time. Yep, I'm surprised Jun and Dr Cha are already tense. Wow, can't believe there's a 3rd guy. Wonder if he's the implied stalker at the end of episode 3. Yeah, I usually like the pretty boy look *ahem Jasper Liu ahem* and Lee Jae Wook isn't totally in that category BUT he has a lot of charisma and good acting skills and that kills me just as much as looks. The bod is also fine after seeing episode 2 XD I've also heard nice things about the way he interacts with fans who've run into him and I'm gone

Haha, I have to say I think LJW can play complicated characters. I thought Baek Kyung was a very multi-layered character - like bad tempered and cruel at first, but then when you saw his real personality, it was actually like a child - lonely and forced to act in a way he didn't want to, but not knowing any other way to be. I find it fun to watch if an actor can take on a role like that and then come out doing a lead role afterwards! That's a good point actually! I forgot all the guys were at her twinkle star performance. She literally stopped Dr Cha in his tracks with her performance. And I wonder if Jun remembers her from that (it's not very clear) I'm really enjoying Jun and Rara's banter which is not really hard sarcasm, but kind of cute and teasing. He seems like such a softy and she seems so hilariously naive. But he's charmed by her and she does try her best to help him and not really be a burden (though she is) I have to say I agree with this - I'm not sure if Jun remembers her from the performance (or at least they haven't really emphasised if he has), but he was definitely mesmerised by her looking like a bride. It's like he couldn't think straight when he saw her like that and he didn't want her to be marrying someone else, but there wasn't anything he could do about it!

Ok So the first episode I was unsure of whether or not I'd like it... but now on episode 3 I'm suddenly really hooked on this drama and finding it super cute!!! I think I just needed the crazy events to be a tiny bit less crazy. And episode 3 was perfect in that sense - fun, great pacing, interesting story ideas, but not over the top. Also I'm really agreeing with you @stroppyse and others who have said Go Ara is doing a good job with making Rara likeable. At first I thought she'd be one of those spoilt needy but dumb type...but now I'm seeing her charms. And i was wondering why I liked her so much. all of a sudden. And it finally dawned on me. You know who she reminds me of? Cher from Clueless - it's that cute, not necessarily smart in the conventional sense, but smart in other ways, charming, happy-go-lucky, good intentions type of personality. I already really love Lee Jae Wook too, so this is just adding to that love. He just has a warmth that I can't describe properly and he's a good actor and can hold his own with more seasoned actors. Funnily enough I started liking him from Extraordinary You which is a weird character to like him from because he was hella scary and abusive at the start and I really don't like those kind of characters. But the fact that I felt more sorry for him and was more interested in his story line that Haru's probably said something about the way he was able show the different complicated layers of his character's thoughts and feelings through his acting. There's lots of little things I'm liking from this series. Obviously there's the cuteness between the two main characters. Rara needs Jun. It's not necessarily in a romantic sense yet, but the two of them can't help but be cute to each other. I really like how when Jun asks her what she's doing, she just says "Thinking of you" without knowing the full impact it has on him. He literally stops in his tracks and tells her not to say that to him. Too cute! I'm also really liking the mystery with Jun's background and why he's on the run from his 'family' or people searching for him. All this speculation about his skills and possible majors and then it turns out he never went to uni. Or did he? Not sure if he's trying to throw them off from finding out who he really is or if that explains why he does labor intensive jobs. On the other side of this is the mystery to do with Rara's social media person...and that last clip where it seems like she has a stalker...wondering if that's meant to be the same person. Finally I like the hairdresser mum and the aunties at the salon. The way they spoofed how dramatic her life story was and said that her dad's secretary might be evil...and it turns out he is. These are the sort of fun and hijinks I love in a drama. Haha...so yes, I'll be here for the conversations for this one

Totally agree with all of this. That's my one thing about watching Korean dramas - it's hard sometimes because you have to rely solely on translations by other people. And sometimes people just get the main message across but not the nuances. I translate for a lot of Taiwanese dramas and I'm very fussy about getting the little meanings across so it's accurate....I think you're probably right about what SA said -it'd be softer and more about her feelings. As for the breakup, I also agree that JY was doing wayyyy too much apologising. SA definitely needs to work through her insecurities because they'd eat at her even if she was dating DY or someone else. Yeah, I never understand when in dramas they get mad at the other person for their past loves. Like, they can't help that...But they like you now and are doing everything to prove it! Unfortunately, I did think there were too many coincidences. Like the poor timing of SA seeing JK coming out from JY's house twice and them being in a taxi after he said he was hanging with his mum. I guess I also see why she was tired and suspicious all the time.

Wow, love so many of your points @mademoisellesia and I definitely feel the same. I feel it was quite realistic how SA was firm in saying no more to Professor Lee even if she didn't get to tell her just how rude she was. But it's hard with rude people...they will never get better, so you're wasting your breath anyway! And yes! I agree the talk seems to be a foreshadowing that she may end up working for the foundation or supporting the musical arts. I hope SA doesn't see it as failing, but taking another direction in life that is more suited to her strengths. As for JY, I feel sorry for him, but again the series has taken a realistic approach and it makes sense they'd bail him out of his debts even though it really hurts him mentally. I hope they kind of resolve this by the end of the series though I don't know how it'd happen.

Haha, sometimes I do think SA is too passive and insecure. But I also find her really easy to relate to because she's that way sometimes. Like I felt like she wanted to say so much more to Professor Lee, but she knew she would get attacked in return so she didn't - that's something I think that would happen to me personally. I'd hold my tongue and just cut off the tie because there's no point kicking up a fuss. That awful person wouldn't change their behaviour - they would just get more awful towards you! So I felt like it wasn't necessarily satisfying to watch, but it was realistic and I guess the professional thing to do (since Song A still seems to want to do grad school, so not burning bridges). Also I think SA is someone who's so nice that she doesn't know how to do that sort of assertive, catty response to get one over her opponents (unlike the two catty professors). I don't mind SA, she's not assertive and destined for major success like so many stereotypical female drama leads, but she's is your nice average girl trying to catch a break in life, and I think that's kind of charming in its own way too. Awww, Thanks @abs-oluteM. That's very sweet of you to say Haha, I still feel the same about JK, but I know she did do the dirty and really hurt SA this week. But everything you said above is still so very true about JK, whether people like her or not. I think in the angsty episodes, she is also suffering with losing her supporting professor and therefore her pathway to her dreams of becoming a teacher. But her impulsive attitude to take it out on SA who she sees as a threat to JY, who she just latches onto for her own selfish comforts, does make her hard to sympathise with.

I have to say that it would have been so lovely to see her succeed in her violin dreams, but I also think it's kind of refreshing to see someone who is your average person struggling with their dreams and maybe not making it with a full happy ending either. I think we watch dramas to escape from things in reality, but also as a way of having it reflect reality too. Even though it's been a bit of a heavy watch at times, I do oddly find this drama comforting in that it shows that it's ok to struggle with your choices and realise that something is not exactly for you. @Jane Yay! so glad we watch things at a similar snail pace. Yes, I have to say Ms Cha is the only really really likeable side character in this drama. I feel like her support means everything to SA and JY in this very cold and judgemental musical world. I also don't understand the music teaching system. It's weird how they would limit a student to one teacher - I suppose the teacher has made it her rule that if you want to be her student, you give her full credit for her teaching. But I don't know where she gets the time to be tutoring all these private students and teaching and socialising as much as she does!

Me too! I hope he's in a decent portion of the last episode. I feel like the drama has really slowed down since they came back to the real world and it's been a bit of a drag for me. I've personally had a lot of issues with the pacing of the events in this drama - like they have a lot of good subplots going on, but I wish they had interwoven them a bit better. But I liked the elements of mystery and I kept watching pretty much solely for Simon's/ Qing Feng's storyline. Simon's so charismatic

I'll say Lost Romance is watchable and enjoyable, but not the best of dramas that's come out this year. Still the cast chemistry has been pretty good....so good that Simon and Vivian coincidentally ran into each other at the same place wearing a similar outfit XD For those who want translations of their social media conversations: https://thesedramaticdays.blogspot.com/2020/10/instagram-updates-simon-lian-and-vivian.html

I know right!! I was hoping the drama would be better than the trailer...but turns out it's like 2000's slapstick. Still it seems to have appealed to some people - someone on reddit has a thread for it. They said it gets better after episode 1 and they've just embraced the cheese...but I don't know if I have the patience to do that especially because I've wanted Taiwanese dramas to move past this type of cheese for a long time.

Episode 14 I can't believe we're 2 episodes out from the ending (Korean dramas go so quickly! Next week is THE END!) and they serve us a breakup. What type of structure is this?! My Taiwanese drama is also having a break-up/ rejection at Episode 19 out of 20...I hate when this happens because if it's happy ending, it's a rush to resolve the ending in 1 episode. Ugh. If I was a script writer I would never put a breakup 1-2 episodes before the end. This was the first episode where SA's sister treated her like a sister. It was nice for them to have a conversation over a beer. I'm fairly close to my siblings, so I found it odd that they never talked. But it was nice to hear her sister say that it's ok to change paths no matter what other people think. Professor Yoo is just as bad as Professor Song & Lee. In what universe is it ok to steal your student's music?? Honestly, this so called music school needs to purge all it's teachers and get new ones. I do think that even though he's stolen the music, it must be so uncomfortable for him since he values talent so much. Sure, you get the credit, but you know it's not your work, so the praise feels hollow. It sucks to not be seen as a musical genius, but is it really any better to be praised for music you know you never played?? It's quite unfair that JK called HH out just to talk about JY. Also for lifelong friends, it seems odd that they didn't really know his relationship with his professor. I feel like you'd complain to your good friends... I feel so sad about JY and SA's relationship. At this point I'm with SA in that I really couldn't tell you if JY is over JK. Because playing that song is a sign of his connection to JK no matter how much he denies it....Unless the meaning shifted. I really wanted JY to tell JK he played that song because SA loved to hear it and she asked him to play it the first few times they met. I hate to admit it, but his rebuttal to JK's "you-hide-it-from-SA-because-you-still-love-me" was lame. And JK's point made more sense than JY's. You don't hide important things you still do from people you love because it'll hurt their feelings - you tell them the truth and work through it. By working so hard to hide it from SA, even to the point that he couldn't support her when she needed him, he's making her another stressor in his life rather than leaning on her for support mutually. But JK is right about one thing - JY doesn't know how to express himself. I guess he spent a lot of time repressing his feelings at home....but in a relationship, he's been holding back those comforting words SA needs to hear. On the other hand, I feel like SA has also been clamming up and sulking. She kind of expects JY to be there for her without telling him that she need him to be there for her. Like when I feel bad, I'd just blurt out my problems on the phone. Sure it's nice to see someone in person, but all she needed to do was say "I'm depressed" And I'm sure JY would have dropped everything for her, including JK. He did go with JK to Professor Song's house, but only because he saw the bad thing that was happening in her life, but he hasn't seen the things happening in SA's life. But I guess you could argue that he would see those things in SA's life if he didn't spend so much time with JK in the first place While I don't dislike JK as a character, I hate her when she's with JY and SA. It's like she can't stand to see other people happy so she needs to ruin it. And her constantly inserting herself into JY's life when he's repeatedly told her not to is a tired second lead trope. She told her grandma that she couldn't lose JY because she'd lost everything...but er, she broke up with HH to chase after JY, so that one was on her. On the other friendship side, it was nice to see DY and MS finally act like friends to SA and put aside their differences to be there for her at her lowest point. The break up sucked, but I felt it was necessary to let the characters reflect on their lives and fix up their messes. SA is right that JY's life is a mess too. I feel like she put too much pressure on wanting to lean on him, but maybe what she wanted to say was lost in translation. I felt like they both needed to work more to lean on each other. I'd like to see JY not be so calm and actually pursue SA with that same intensity as when he confessed to her. But SA on her part also needs to work through her own insecurities because JK will always be in that musical world - it'd be hard to avoid her, even if JY tried (the money makes it so hard). Also she does need to trust JY because he has been trying to cut ties with JK, but she's not letting him go...but he's actually doing all the right things by SA, if only she could believe him. But we'll see what happens with 2 episodes left. I hope they don't do a time leap. Time leaps like 5 years later feel really lazy to me...and I feel like I've missed out on something as a viewer! Sorry this is so long! I just had so much I needed to vent out! I'll be more conversational tomorrow and actually read all your good opinions tomorrow.