If people think that Gyeo-ul's story could be conveyed so effectively in three dialogues and one silent scene by some other actress, without tragic background music or a triggering flashback, they should think again.
Shin Hyun-been killed her scenes.
And her breakdown - well, tmi, I had those. They are not pretty. at. all.
If people think that Gyeo-ul's story could be conveyed so effectively in three dialogues and one silent scene by some other actress, without tragic background music or a triggering flashback, they should think again.
Shin Hyun-been killed her scenes.
And her breakdown - well, tmi, I had those. They are not pretty. at. all.
It was so sad to see all those harsh comments on shb; they read more like attacks vs. objective feedbacks. I also feel terrible seeing people even questioning the director, saying that the production team got sloppy on quality and allowed badly executed scenes to be included in the final cut. I have to acknowledge that not all the scenes were what I expected initially, but I also have faith that ShinLee are so into quality of their work that if they decided to include these scenes in their final cut, there must be a reason. And am I glad that I rewatched and tried to think not from what I expected, but based on how they delivered and what they were trying to say. What was delivered was so so so much better than what I, and maybe some others, expected.
I think some might have been disappointed that shb did not show "enough tears" in all her conversation scenes; that her cry was not pretty; that the siblings were too calm.... all in the line to say that we did not see a damsel in distress asking for her prince to rescue her (while all along crying beautifully). But what is wrong with a person being calm and collected while telling her loved one her sad past and explaining to him that she has to put her mom first now without hysteria? What is wrong with two siblings who grew up suffering and never being allowed to shed tears / breakdown easily to decide that they will look forward and do their best for their mom without bitterness and emotional meltdown w/ each other? Are people criticizing the show, the actors, the scripts, etc., just because they are not what we envisioned how DV victims (esp female DV victims) should behave? And what "credential" do we have to criticize them of being "bad"?
My take is that ShinLee+SHB took yet another huge risk to show us not only the devastating impact DV has on all the people involved, but also allow people to see that DV victims can take control of their lives just like all of us. They can talk about their past, no matter how much pain & fear are still inside them, without shame and uncontrolled emotions; they can have successful careers and also family lives if they so determined, with love and support from others. The scenes surprised us because whether we want to acknowledge it or not, they challenged our unconscious bias. For example, if today GU's role is male, would we have issues in how those scenes were delivered? I bet a lot people that are criticizing SHB, if they are honest w/ themselves, would say no.
Sorry for ranting, but just feel so frustrated about all the comments focusing on how the acting not impressing them vs. the deeper message re the hurt but also hope for DV victims. But this also helps me respect ShinLee and SHB more - they took the risk and delivered who they believe GU should be, and I would believe they did that knowing the potential backlash they'd get from some viewers.
Just want to say again, it is so good to have you all here and to hear all your candid but respectful and heartwarming comments. Can't believe we are down to the last 2 episodes ЁЯШв.
People can have bad takes. Moreover, people can have really bad takes and publish them all over the internet. But that doesn't really add to the quality or validity of those takes.
If we are privileged to see some bts or commentary of those scenes, I assure you, the cast was blown away by the nonconventional interpretation of the topic and the acting in those scenes as well. Professionals would know and appreciate such things very much.
Again, we were told a very dark story via three short and simple dialogues in the present. It is no mean feat to make it vivid, memorable, and emotionally charged. The lines and the canvas had to be simple. The actors had to be good - and boy, they were all good.
Not just the excellent Hyun-been who is indeed a secret weapon (I could praise her build-up to that crying scene to no end, but that would be too annoying to everyone, lol). The actor who played her brother - a perfect choice, a perfect mix of innocence and protectiveness. Their mother on the phone - also excellent, and we don't even see her broken and bruised face, which is, of course, deliberate.
Even Yoo Yeon-seok - he could easily make any of those scenes they shared with SHB about himself, with the sheer power of his expressive face and body language and overall energy. He toned himself down just so to let his partner shine. Yes, he's like this perfect male and perfect boyfriend all around, charming and attractive at the first sight, unlike Gyeo-ul. But at that cafe, they were talking like equals. And she is indeed his equal at this point.
I agree with you that the authors actually gave us a very important message about how we are not necessarily defined by our past. It's an uplifting message, a message of hope. So very important in this age when it is particularly tempting to see yourself as a victim of circumstances and become resentful. I certainly appreciate it.
Just like Ik-sun and Jun-wan's conversation - it was oh so simple. No grabbing wrists, no passive-aggressive quips - just "I didn't want to get hurt, so I hurt you instead. I'm sorry." We discussed it previously that the creative team might have gone the noble idiocy route to dissect this trope effectively. Well, they did - at least for me.
ЁЯШШЁЯШШ. I love what you pointed about how all the actors did well - they all played their parts showing their frustration, sadness, anger, worries, guilt, concerns, etc., while not bringing focus on themselves. There were several scenes where in typical K dramas would have been done with emotional breakdowns, including GU's and Iksun's "confessions" to JW and JWan, yet they were delivered with such effectiveness, focusing on the issues to be addressed, and not to be diluted by dramatic outbursts. The show has focused on healing, not just the superficial feel good healing after you have a big cry, but the deeper / realistic healing that comes only by you addressing your source of hurt head on, no matter how hard the journey was to bring you to this point.
I am curious how and whether they would explore more about her family. Having GU's father in prison now is probably not a long term solution. But regardless how they'd handle that part, I hope we see her mom being able to regain hope for her life soon. No matter what she should or should not have done re her husband, she must have been a great mom to raise these two fine people given the circumstances.
You spoke my thoughts- At first I too expected a more visibly distraught JW when Gyoeul opens up as usually is with his mom or his little patients. Then the subtlety blew me off. It was her scene and YYS shone there without making it about him.
Very true. The scene were Geyol breaks down in front of Jeongwon, I could feel the shock fear and pain in YYS eyes, he even without uttering a single word. Even in the restaurant scene, I loved how he silently listened to her with subtle yet powerful emotions. This scene is so different from usual Kdrama cliches.thatтАЩs why hospitalplaylist is so unique and ordinary at the same time.
I think Jeongwon was caught off guard by Gyeoul suddenly crying like that. It was probably the first time he saw her this vulnerable. I love the restaurant scene and Jeongwon just said the right words without unnecessary comments. "Powerful emotions, unique and ordinary" i think it's good definition of hospital playlist
A typical kdrama would be a re-enactment of childhood scenes of her father beating the family up while Gyeoul narrates.... :) and we should realise by now PD Shin doesn't do that sort of thing. I'm not sure about you guys but when I looked at Jeongwon's expression during that dinner convo and I think we had the same thoughts - replaying those scenes of Gyeoul chasing after the abusive father (in Season 1) and trying to stop the abusive husband a couple of eps ago, and going: Ah, now I understand why she reacted this way.
PD Shin's shows aren't for lazy viewers. He makes us think and reflect.
Oh gosh that dreaded wrist grabs, I have ALWAYS hated it since the first time I watched a kdrama. I think the only time I sort of enjoyed it was when it was done between 2 female lead charactes in Search: WWW lol
"the authors actually gave us a very important message about how we are not necessarily defined by our past. It's an uplifting message, a message of hope. So very important in this age when it is particularly tempting to see yourself as a victim of circumstances and become resentful." - love this! One reason GU has captured so many people's hearts is because she did not let her past define her. It was not her choice to become a victim of DV, but it was 100% her determination not to live like a victim the rest of her life (or at least as much as she can control). She has all the excuses to blame others, complain, and be bitter, but she does none of that (just like how Ikjun described her in S1). I hope she can soon get out of her guilt and not burden herself too much.
Just read a comment that talked about similarity between GU's mom, Iksun, and Jae-Hak's wife, that all three thought that a way to love / care for others is not to burden them, even if they need to risk their own lives. Just like what SeokHyeong pointed out, it was a very irresponsible way of thinking and would end up hurting their loved ones. I am glad that Jae-Hak and his wife had SeokHyeong as their doctor, and that Iksun was able to own up to the idiocy and "selfishness" of her lie to Junwan. I hope GU's mom can soon see that her idea of "being family is just burdening your children" can have a positive side to allow they all heal together, and I hope GU can soon be relived from her guilt and start thinking more for herself.
She cried ugly in the GS room and that was somehow not good. She didnтАЩt cry enough in the other scenes and that too wasnтАЩt good! People have to make up their mindsЁЯЩВ
IsnтАЩt that natural too, you wouldnтАЩt cry buckets every time! DV victims taking control of their lives was nicely shown. Both the siblings are doing well in their professions. Going by what self aware Gaeul mentions, he isnтАЩt going to be his dad too!
Well said. I think we all read the same post / translated article + comments. I was very upset too on behalf of SHB and the production team as it involved attacks on not only her acting but the production direction as well.
Love your comment.People have a lot a prejudice about how victims are supposed to behave. The truth is we all have our own way of dealing with grief or other emotion and i totally support the undramatic way it was done.
It's very "slice of life" way of storytelling a DV story. It's terrible to say but for Gyeoul violence was her ordinary life for a long time.
The dinner scene was really relatable for me and made me emotional. I just love that scene with simple and raw emotions. I think Gyeoul told him not only because she had to but also because she wanted to share her family story with him.
I know there are a lot of bad comments for this season on Wintergarden but until now i just love their story.
I've watched some of her other works where she has to cry, and she cries differently, so yeah it's just different type of cry. I remember what Hyunbeen said regarding her role as Jang Gyeoul, "I don't wanna be stand out, I wanna be Jang Gyeoul."
I actually went back to watch those 3 major scenes of Gyeoul's back story reveal - her convo with her brother, her phone convo with her mom and then crying in Jeongwon's arm, and the dinner scene where she told Jeongwon everything that has happened at home. I teared at all three - and I thought Shin Hyun Been did a such good job with the portrayal. And the way those scenes were edited were so good - no background music and drama, just the rawness of the reality given to us. Calm, rational people expressing themselves and working through their problem.
Gyeoul is certainly not your typical female lead, she doesn't express herself much (almost like a female Seokhyung, if you think about it) because her default has been to put up a brave and stoic front through everything. These 3 convo are the closest we have ever seen her expressing herself - her guilt at ignoring her mom's situation and her frustration. As I watched those scenes, I found myself thinking that having Jeongwon in her life is really such a blessing because he and his family are direct opposite of what she has had all her life. Like Minha's sunny persistence breaking through to Seokhyung, I find that Jeongwon warmth is breaking through that wall that Gyeoul had built all her life for self-defense.
If people think that Gyeo-ul's story could be conveyed so effectively in three dialogues and one silent scene by some other actress, without tragic background music or a triggering flashback, they should think again.
Shin Hyun-been killed her scenes.
And her breakdown - well, tmi, I had those. They are not pretty. at. all.
As usual you're right on the money with your comments.
absolutely! Breakdowns are NEVER pretty.
It was so sad to see all those harsh comments on shb; they read more like attacks vs. objective feedbacks. I also feel terrible seeing people even questioning the director, saying that the production team got sloppy on quality and allowed badly executed scenes to be included in the final cut. I have to acknowledge that not all the scenes were what I expected initially, but I also have faith that ShinLee are so into quality of their work that if they decided to include these scenes in their final cut, there must be a reason. And am I glad that I rewatched and tried to think not from what I expected, but based on how they delivered and what they were trying to say. What was delivered was so so so much better than what I, and maybe some others, expected.
I think some might have been disappointed that shb did not show "enough tears" in all her conversation scenes; that her cry was not pretty; that the siblings were too calm.... all in the line to say that we did not see a damsel in distress asking for her prince to rescue her (while all along crying beautifully). But what is wrong with a person being calm and collected while telling her loved one her sad past and explaining to him that she has to put her mom first now without hysteria? What is wrong with two siblings who grew up suffering and never being allowed to shed tears / breakdown easily to decide that they will look forward and do their best for their mom without bitterness and emotional meltdown w/ each other? Are people criticizing the show, the actors, the scripts, etc., just because they are not what we envisioned how DV victims (esp female DV victims) should behave? And what "credential" do we have to criticize them of being "bad"?
My take is that ShinLee+SHB took yet another huge risk to show us not only the devastating impact DV has on all the people involved, but also allow people to see that DV victims can take control of their lives just like all of us. They can talk about their past, no matter how much pain & fear are still inside them, without shame and uncontrolled emotions; they can have successful careers and also family lives if they so determined, with love and support from others. The scenes surprised us because whether we want to acknowledge it or not, they challenged our unconscious bias. For example, if today GU's role is male, would we have issues in how those scenes were delivered? I bet a lot people that are criticizing SHB, if they are honest w/ themselves, would say no.
Sorry for ranting, but just feel so frustrated about all the comments focusing on how the acting not impressing them vs. the deeper message re the hurt but also hope for DV victims. But this also helps me respect ShinLee and SHB more - they took the risk and delivered who they believe GU should be, and I would believe they did that knowing the potential backlash they'd get from some viewers.
Just want to say again, it is so good to have you all here and to hear all your candid but respectful and heartwarming comments. Can't believe we are down to the last 2 episodes ЁЯШв.
People can have bad takes. Moreover, people can have really bad takes and publish them all over the internet. But that doesn't really add to the quality or validity of those takes.
If we are privileged to see some bts or commentary of those scenes, I assure you, the cast was blown away by the nonconventional interpretation of the topic and the acting in those scenes as well. Professionals would know and appreciate such things very much.
Again, we were told a very dark story via three short and simple dialogues in the present. It is no mean feat to make it vivid, memorable, and emotionally charged. The lines and the canvas had to be simple. The actors had to be good - and boy, they were all good.
Not just the excellent Hyun-been who is indeed a secret weapon (I could praise her build-up to that crying scene to no end, but that would be too annoying to everyone, lol). The actor who played her brother - a perfect choice, a perfect mix of innocence and protectiveness. Their mother on the phone - also excellent, and we don't even see her broken and bruised face, which is, of course, deliberate.
Even Yoo Yeon-seok - he could easily make any of those scenes they shared with SHB about himself, with the sheer power of his expressive face and body language and overall energy. He toned himself down just so to let his partner shine. Yes, he's like this perfect male and perfect boyfriend all around, charming and attractive at the first sight, unlike Gyeo-ul. But at that cafe, they were talking like equals. And she is indeed his equal at this point.
I agree with you that the authors actually gave us a very important message about how we are not necessarily defined by our past. It's an uplifting message, a message of hope. So very important in this age when it is particularly tempting to see yourself as a victim of circumstances and become resentful. I certainly appreciate it.
Just like Ik-sun and Jun-wan's conversation - it was oh so simple. No grabbing wrists, no passive-aggressive quips - just "I didn't want to get hurt, so I hurt you instead. I'm sorry." We discussed it previously that the creative team might have gone the noble idiocy route to dissect this trope effectively. Well, they did - at least for me.
ЁЯШШЁЯШШ. I love what you pointed about how all the actors did well - they all played their parts showing their frustration, sadness, anger, worries, guilt, concerns, etc., while not bringing focus on themselves. There were several scenes where in typical K dramas would have been done with emotional breakdowns, including GU's and Iksun's "confessions" to JW and JWan, yet they were delivered with such effectiveness, focusing on the issues to be addressed, and not to be diluted by dramatic outbursts. The show has focused on healing, not just the superficial feel good healing after you have a big cry, but the deeper / realistic healing that comes only by you addressing your source of hurt head on, no matter how hard the journey was to bring you to this point.
I am curious how and whether they would explore more about her family. Having GU's father in prison now is probably not a long term solution. But regardless how they'd handle that part, I hope we see her mom being able to regain hope for her life soon. No matter what she should or should not have done re her husband, she must have been a great mom to raise these two fine people given the circumstances.
You spoke my thoughts- At first I too expected a more visibly distraught JW when Gyoeul opens up as usually is with his mom or his little patients. Then the subtlety blew me off. It was her scene and YYS shone there without making it about him.
Very true. The scene were Geyol breaks down in front of Jeongwon, I could feel the shock fear and pain in YYS eyes, he even without uttering a single word. Even in the restaurant scene, I loved how he silently listened to her with subtle yet powerful emotions. This scene is so different from usual Kdrama cliches.thatтАЩs why hospitalplaylist is so unique and ordinary at the same time.
I think Jeongwon was caught off guard by Gyeoul suddenly crying like that. It was probably the first time he saw her this vulnerable. I love the restaurant scene and Jeongwon just said the right words without unnecessary comments. "Powerful emotions, unique and ordinary" i think it's good definition of hospital playlist
A typical kdrama would be a re-enactment of childhood scenes of her father beating the family up while Gyeoul narrates.... :) and we should realise by now PD Shin doesn't do that sort of thing. I'm not sure about you guys but when I looked at Jeongwon's expression during that dinner convo and I think we had the same thoughts - replaying those scenes of Gyeoul chasing after the abusive father (in Season 1) and trying to stop the abusive husband a couple of eps ago, and going: Ah, now I understand why she reacted this way.
PD Shin's shows aren't for lazy viewers. He makes us think and reflect.
Oh gosh that dreaded wrist grabs, I have ALWAYS hated it since the first time I watched a kdrama. I think the only time I sort of enjoyed it was when it was done between 2 female lead charactes in Search: WWW lol
"the authors actually gave us a very important message about how we are not necessarily defined by our past. It's an uplifting message, a message of hope. So very important in this age when it is particularly tempting to see yourself as a victim of circumstances and become resentful." - love this! One reason GU has captured so many people's hearts is because she did not let her past define her. It was not her choice to become a victim of DV, but it was 100% her determination not to live like a victim the rest of her life (or at least as much as she can control). She has all the excuses to blame others, complain, and be bitter, but she does none of that (just like how Ikjun described her in S1). I hope she can soon get out of her guilt and not burden herself too much.
Just read a comment that talked about similarity between GU's mom, Iksun, and Jae-Hak's wife, that all three thought that a way to love / care for others is not to burden them, even if they need to risk their own lives. Just like what SeokHyeong pointed out, it was a very irresponsible way of thinking and would end up hurting their loved ones. I am glad that Jae-Hak and his wife had SeokHyeong as their doctor, and that Iksun was able to own up to the idiocy and "selfishness" of her lie to Junwan. I hope GU's mom can soon see that her idea of "being family is just burdening your children" can have a positive side to allow they all heal together, and I hope GU can soon be relived from her guilt and start thinking more for herself.
She cried ugly in the GS room and that was somehow not good. She didnтАЩt cry enough in the other scenes and that too wasnтАЩt good! People have to make up their mindsЁЯЩВ
IsnтАЩt that natural too, you wouldnтАЩt cry buckets every time! DV victims taking control of their lives was nicely shown. Both the siblings are doing well in their professions. Going by what self aware Gaeul mentions, he isnтАЩt going to be his dad too!
Well said. I think we all read the same post / translated article + comments. I was very upset too on behalf of SHB and the production team as it involved attacks on not only her acting but the production direction as well.
Love your comment.People have a lot a prejudice about how victims are supposed to behave. The truth is we all have our own way of dealing with grief or other emotion and i totally support the undramatic way it was done.
It's very "slice of life" way of storytelling a DV story. It's terrible to say but for Gyeoul violence was her ordinary life for a long time.
The dinner scene was really relatable for me and made me emotional. I just love that scene with simple and raw emotions. I think Gyeoul told him not only because she had to but also because she wanted to share her family story with him.
I know there are a lot of bad comments for this season on Wintergarden but until now i just love their story.
I've watched some of her other works where she has to cry, and she cries differently, so yeah it's just different type of cry. I remember what Hyunbeen said regarding her role as Jang Gyeoul, "I don't wanna be stand out, I wanna be Jang Gyeoul."
I actually went back to watch those 3 major scenes of Gyeoul's back story reveal - her convo with her brother, her phone convo with her mom and then crying in Jeongwon's arm, and the dinner scene where she told Jeongwon everything that has happened at home. I teared at all three - and I thought Shin Hyun Been did a such good job with the portrayal. And the way those scenes were edited were so good - no background music and drama, just the rawness of the reality given to us. Calm, rational people expressing themselves and working through their problem.
Gyeoul is certainly not your typical female lead, she doesn't express herself much (almost like a female Seokhyung, if you think about it) because her default has been to put up a brave and stoic front through everything. These 3 convo are the closest we have ever seen her expressing herself - her guilt at ignoring her mom's situation and her frustration. As I watched those scenes, I found myself thinking that having Jeongwon in her life is really such a blessing because he and his family are direct opposite of what she has had all her life. Like Minha's sunny persistence breaking through to Seokhyung, I find that Jeongwon warmth is breaking through that wall that Gyeoul had built all her life for self-defense.