As usual, I’m left with the question of just where to begin. Besides reiterating just how much I love this show, the actors and characters that is. It’s official. Liar Game, you’ve been supplanted, utterly and completely owned by the tour de force that is Kill Me Heal Me. Forgive me Ha Woo Jin.

I could go on on a bit further on how I never thought I’d ever meet another drama, especially not this soon, that would EVER beat out Liar Game but there you go. I’ve never been this lost, this madly in love with a show, weeping in full force during the moments of incredible emotion and depth, laughing out loud during the hilarious parts and left with this sense of joy and effervescent hope, once I was done.

Thank you, show. Thank you. I can’t believe tomorrow is good-bye. But let’s focus on today.

I’m just really happy with the way this episode progressed, focusing on the only three people I care about. Dohyun, Rijin and Ri On. These aren’t characters to me but real people. I have never felt such…I really don’t know how to say it. It’s like reading a book and watching the character jump from the pages into your startled arms. Never have I seen such good portrayals of good, even if a little whacked (I’m looking at you Yona) human beings. (Why must we say goodbye?)

I’m ridiculously glad at how well Dohyun’s stepping up to the occasion and moving forward. It may seem as though the conflicts are being resolved too easily (the thing with Alex for one), but as I said about a week ago, the only hurdle that really mattered was the abuse, pain and guilt these two had to overcome. Everything else, be it shareholder meetings, or Chaeyeon, or Ki Joon or Alex, is an afterthought. Seeing that Dohyun’s been taking the wind out of Alex’s ‘bombshell’ as well, I’m glad that things ended up the way they did. What Dohyun said to Alex was a long time coming and demonstrates just how far he’s grown. He still shoulders much of the guilt and blame (though he really shouldn’t in this case, Alex made his own bed) but that’s one of his best and worst character traits, his sense of responsibility, his way of narrowing everything down such that it’s all his fault (remember when Rijin wanted to eat her mother’s duck stew in ep 13?). It makes him a lot more aware of others’ pains and problems, and a hell of a lot more empathetic and understanding. Seems to me that him and Rijin aren’t so different in that respect.

Nevertheless, Ki Joon still knows about Dohyun’s DID, but I still don’t think it’s going to be a big deal. They won’t shove company politics down our throat in one episode. Dohyun’s title as Vice-president was only ever one of the many things that got tossed his way because he was Seungjin’s heir. He never wanted anything to do with it, and can survive just fine without it. It’s not a central aspect of his life at all (unlike Ji Sung’s previous role as Minhyuk in Secret, who couldn’t imagine not having the company, or Yoojung!).

 

(I’d like to see him in a drama soon. We didn’t get to see too much of him this time, but I have a feeling that he could be a great male lead)

Major, major props to the writer for handling the Chaeyeon arc so well. I do feel for Chaeyeon in some sense. Dohyun did treat her like a princess, and after all Ki Joon’s screeching and shoving, the contrast must have felt like paradise. Girl, just wants someone who loves her, I really can’t blame her for that. But she’s got to stop when he’s pushing her away, and I’m glad that arc was ended definitely today. It was quite, quite brave of Dohyun to take two large steps in one day, and I’m really glad that his resolve didn’t waver. He went straight for it. And we all saw how she reacted. I don’t think it was entirely disgust on her part, but more like the last flaming bit of hope within her was snuffed out as she realized that even when he did come to find her, it wasn’t because of anything he felt for her. Whatever he felt is well and truly dead, and she doesn’t want to deal with a man who’ll change on her so quickly. I like how the reaction is human, and doesn’t paint her as some psycho second female lead. Props again, to you writer-nim!

Dohyun may be plowing through with as much resolve as possible, but he’s far from impervious to pain. His reaction after Chaeyeon’s departure (oh Ji Sung, must you be so perfect?)was one of such quiet acceptance in the face of yet another rejection (because it’s definitely a rejection of both him as a romantic interest, but also as a person) that I just wanted to rush over and give him a hug. Luckily there’s someone who’ll be doing that for him from now on. Continue reading “Kill Me Heal Me Ep 19 Review (and bon voyage Perry Park! You will be missed!)” →