I love that Kim Dan is learning to put his foot down and say no when he doesnt want to do something. But I also wish he could learn to be more independent, which just turning down jaekyung doesn't really do. Kim Dan still needs to learn to take better care of himself. This whole stint of walking into the ocean and then not even remembering, requiring someone else to save him again, shows that this whole event has traumatized him but he hasn't matured from it yet.
This!! I completely agree
Assuming Jaekyung is the root cause of Kim Dan's issues(which ive seen in a lot of comments) is an overly narrow reading. While Jaekyung most definitely has major attitude issues that exacerbated Kim Dan's mental health, the root cause of Kim Dan's issues is that he has abandonment problems that stem from the loss of his parents at a young age. It's shown in the story but especially lately that that's why he tends to cling to things rather than live his own life(his grandmother, Jaekyung, the puppy). His character arc will probably be learning to let things go and should focus on how to be alone(IDK how jaekyung is gonna help with that though).
Jaekyung has an extreme obsession with success that manifests in aggression towards anything that detracts from it. His desperation to find Kim Dan doesnt really seem to be out of love(yet). It seems more like he believes his life falling apart began with Kim Dan(rather than his own choices lol) and so finding Kim Dan will provide some sort of redemption.
As of now, I don't see how this couple could work out UNLESS they go the crazy4crazy route(which honestly is fine with me if well done). They have major personal problems and I don't see how the other can help with that unless they literally just stick together. It'd be like sticking a bandaid over their issues. They'd solve the symptoms(perceived redemption, companionship) but not the root cause. I've seen stories do this before but Mingwa's previous work focused very much on reaching a healthy relationship dynamic.
^^This!!! I’m tired of people saying his problems is all because of jaekyung, like clearly it’s not. Especially now we see that when Kim Dan did leave him and guess what? his problems didn’t magically go away. Jaekyung is not a good person by any means. But he did pay Kim Dan’s debt so at least there isn’t loan sharks beating him up anymore even if he’s still in debt. I feel like jaekyung is going to help Kim Dan when his grandma passes away (like
help him mourn by comforting him or something maybe he opens up idk lol) and that’s how their relationship is going to grows
Yes exactly! I think a lot of ppl dont give credit where it's due. Jaekyung solving his financial debt is realistically a much bigger deal than ppl think. No, money isnt everything, but the hard truth is that its 75% of the way there. If you've ever had to deal with major financial issues(student loans, pet bills, medical bills, insurance, car repairs etc), you probably understand that few people are willing to help out. With that said though, this is transactional and only entitles the payor to a certain degree of demands but not that horrible manner he treats Kim Dan with.
I hope jaekyung does open up though. We know so little about his background and why he became the way he is but theres clearly some sort of trauma there.
A lot of comments are blaming Dan's current state on Jaekyung. While I think Jaekyung definitely exasperated the issue, this chapter was supposed to show he isnt the only factor nor the cause.
Kim Dan essentially has abandonment issues stemming from the loss of his parents. While his worry for losing his grandmother is completely normal, the story shows that his emotional toil is primarily from the fear of being left alone. His grandmother's health, the demand to meet his bills, Jaekyung's emotional disregard(which i actually think is valid btw), and getting fired all lead to the idea that he is losing companionship and his role in life. Personally I like that Kim Dan has this issue he needs to work through thats outside of Jaekyung because it makes him a more dynamic character, as opposed to someone that just circles the ML or is uninterestingly 'perfect'.
With that said, I have absolutely no idea how Jaekyung is going to get involved in this. He doesn't seem emotionally invested enough to give Kim Dan the reassurance that he needs(at this point). Jaekyung clearly cares somewhat about Kim Dan but to a limited degree, enough to meet Dan's his baseline needs like financial support/roof over head/medical bills etc. Emotional support is a whole other beast.
I agree
What a refreshing take! Yes to all that. I also found it poetic that Dan is suerounded by death (Granny) and birth (puppies). I hope Dan adopts a puppy so he has something else to care for nd focus on
Yeesssss finally someone said it!
I’ve been seeing comments that he needs to go back to that horse but i’ve been screaming that he is afraid of his grandma dying and being left alone with his thoughts and regrets, poor poor Danny i hope he gets to keep one of bookson’s puppies
The best part of this was the amazing characterization. Each character was very well written, especially Ash, whose story moved me in so many ways. With all that said, if i could go back, I probably wouldn't have read/watched it again. I mentally just cant take it bc i get very attached to fictional characters.
Personally I wouldn't quite call this the chasing arc in terms of what most ppl are expecting. Jaekyung is definitely not chasing for a relationship. I think he feels guilt for accusing Kim Dan and lashing out the way he did, so we're still quite a bit ways away from romance. However i think this experience will temper is attitude and teach him aggression isn't the way to go.
It's sad... but I agree. He's not looking for a relationship and he doesn't admire Doc Dan to be in love with him. He's someone very cold. I hope that when he finds Doc Dan, he isn't going to treat him badly.
He doesn’t even feel bad he’s just horny and miss how Kim Dan treated him like a damn king
My prediction is that he's going to be tempted to lash out for a while but he'll learn to temper his reactions!
putting the baby in a stroller is so jank yet sweet. I love it cuz its so fitting.
My money is on being the actual player, with everyone else being an NPC originally. Even the actual player has to save their story if they want to keep their progress or items. Mainly its bc 1. his character doesn't fit a 'stereotype'. Bada thought he did, but he doesn't actually. 2. He can kill the killer, so he has the largest ability to influence the game. It wouldn't make sense for an NPC to be able to affect the game that much.
Omg I think you’re right this makes so much sense! Maybe he’s trying to break badas programming or something to try to get him to “feel” true emotions like affection for him (as real as a machine can), I’m sure he’d love it if bada was obsessed with him too
IMO, what Jaekyung really needs is THERAPY. I think his transactional relationship with Dan is fairly valid bc they both got what they needed from it. The problem is his aggressive behavior and anger issues that overrides how he treats others, especially Kim Dan. Even a transactional relationship demands respect. If he was truly dissatisfied with something Kim Dan did, someone that didn't care would just withdraw what they were paying, not lash out and use force.
His other major issue is his single-minded obsession with success. I think it'd be interesting to explore more why he's so focused on it. We know nothing about his background, like at all. So based on that night terror, there might be a reason why he's so driven.
But just based on his current character, he's nowhere near ready for a relationship and quite frankly, I'm not too interested in seeing him and Dan get together. He's just not in the right headspace. Jaekyung has clear anger issues and a lack of disrespect for others. His priorities are also just not at all in his personal life. He clearly cares more for his career, and personally, I actually don't mind! I enjoy heavily driven characters, but bc of that, I don't think he has space in his mind for a relationship. This part of his characterization is honestly quite realistic so I'm excited to see where it goes!
My prediction is that it's going to be more focused on their character growths as individuals for a while. I see a lot of comments that want Jaekyung to grovel for Kim Dan and then to fall crazy in love like BJ Alex, but I just don't realistically see that here. I also find it a bit ridiculous that whatever inkling of romance there was could fix Jaekyung's issues. While Kim Dan would've helped, Jaekyung's issues and their consequences are deeply personal and would've happened with or without Kim Dan. In BJ Alex, the narrative was much more focused on the relationships, and the Seme's major flaw stemmed from a bad dating experience. Here, the characters have a lot of other things they focus on. I'm more excited to see how these Jaekyung and Kim Dan find some sort of inner peace on their own before coming together!
The only realest comment I agree with though i still hate Jk ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
With his hair down, jaekyung's now finally hot enough to justify the douche personality. Ill take it and I understand Kim Dan