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[lain-h]

I feel like One is a more realistic version of Weak Hero, with the longer, uglier fights and the ML whose motivation is self-serving and grounded to his own trauma.

Not that it necessarily makes for a better cinema, but one has to appreciate the effort.

[lain-h]

Forget the Dissociative identity disorder (DID), the direction the show took is so much more tragic.

Eunho consciously chooses to be her sister because she deeply misses her. It is clear that their entire life Eunho has been the older sister despite being the twin. She was Hyeri's only friend and to ease the burden, one day she suggested Hyeri to go hiking, to find other friends. The guilt follows her to such a degree that it morphs into suicidal ideations or the literal loss of the identity. The worse Eunho is doing in her life, the stronger Hyeri's presence is. Now Hyeri is happy and because of how hard Eunho's life is, Hyeri feels comfortable asking for her entire identity.

And Eunho - this 35-year-old announcer, who fights tooth and nails for her job every day, who does not have anyone in her life except this ex saying she embarrasses him - is CONSIDERING it.

[lain-h]

Shouts to Guy Ritchie's "Hot Guy Smoking" kink.

[lain-h]

I made this comment somewhere else and I feel like I should say it here as well.

Stop constantly saying that someone needs a therapist and thus, their approach to self help is wrong.

A lot of people don't have the means for a therapist. Especially our main leads, one of whom is a mechanic and another one is already in debt.

Hell, majority of people don't have the means for a therapist. We struggle with our problems not because we are arrogant or can't accept help, but because the alternative is not on the table.

Self help can be received in a different ways as well. Relationship can also be an option as long as it doesn't become co-dependency. In this case, we really don't see any signs that Mi Jeong and Mr. Gu's relationship might make each of them worse.

[lain-h]

Reader x Salesman

Summary: a year after winning the game you see the Salesman.

You are running, probably the fastest you have ever ran. It is clear as day that if you don't catch up to him you are as good as dead. Your life depends on it, your mental well-being depends on it. The man you saw is proof that last year happened, that you aren't delusional and that hundreds of people died in front of you. He knows and for that knowledge, you are jumping the stairs, pushing people aside and, before the train doors close, jump in the wagon and catch the man by the collar.

The surprise registers on the salesman's face.

"You are coming with me," you say loudly enough for him to hear.

You are going to kill him right there if he rejects. It is not really that difficult to imagine, not anymore, not after that game. Innocent people died, what will one more death on your conscience do?

The determination evident in your eyes is what does the trick, the Salesman gives you his brilliant smile and slowly but clearly pronounces "alright."

In silence, you two walk to the nearest café. You are too deep into your thoughts and he doesn't exactly care about making small talk.

The café seems expensive, not that you care very much. One of the advantages of having 45 million won on your account, you don't mind the price of overpriced coffee. 

"Congratulations on winning! I was cheering for you!" he looks proud and amused. Something about his grin makes you want to throw up. It is probably the context.

" Why? Do you get a bonus if you are the one who recruited the winner? How much was it? How much was your responsibility worth?"

Before he can answer, the waitress appears and asks for your order.

"A sandwich and a milkshake, please!"

"Just water," he says while looking at you. Here is that gaze again. He looks at you as if you are a small child who can't remember where her parents asked her to wait. Maybe you should have ordered a black coffee. 

"Is that all you wanted to talk about?" He starts

"Not really. No." you shake your head. " what I wanted was…" you turn your gaze to the cafe window and people behind it. "well, I went to a shrink. Apparently, you get a shit ton of medicines prescribed if you admit that you have been in a survival game. Who would have thought?.." you roll your eyes "Then, I tried to find the families of people who died, I wanted to pay them back, do whatever I can to help, I don't know, but apparently finding poor people is extremely hard. Fan Bing Bing disappeared for a week and everyone in China talked about it but a poor person disappeared for a year and everyone decided they either committed suicide or simply went into hiding." you get quiet to collect your thoughts, "I still have nightmares, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't normally talk to people and the money is the only thing that proves it isn't all in my head. I guess, what I want is someone to talk to, someone who wouldn't think I am delusional."

The salesman looks at you coldly. At least, you think, he isn't smiling anymore.

"And why would I do that?"

" Because I will pay you. I have money as you know."

You see him debating, so you decide to push a bit. On the napkin, you write a number.

"Let's be real, you guys don't really care about anyone other than yourself, you basically sign death certificates daily. This is an easy chance to earn a bit, are you really going to miss it?"

The Salesman looks at the napkin and gives you his best "work" smile.

"When do you want to start?"

Your therapy starts the next day.

[lain-h]

It is kinda weird rewatching Strongest Deliveryman with my newfounded love to Kim Seon Ho and NOT siding with his character.

In 2017, when the show came out I was all with Oh Jin Gyu and thought that the guy deserved the second chance. Now I rewatch the show, and I wonder - why did I side with a guy that illegally blocked the highway to have fun with his bros? Blocking a highway is indeed a serious offense and it is done legally only for the serious causes . Even if it wasn't for the main lead's friend, someone would have needed an emergency car and to go to a hospital ASAP. Someone might have been burned alive because the firefighters didn't get there on time.

The level of arrogance to think that you are above the law and to randomly decide to start anew while not cleaned from the crimes of the past is not something we should side up with. "He didn't know" doesn't in any way justify his actions, he knew that it was illegal and he knew that there was a small probability that it might have ended that way.

Kang Soo was 100% correct here.

[lain-h]

Raul is manipulative stalker who is obsessed with Sofia.

I still ship them. Sue me.

[lain-h]

I hate how people want Ji Soo to face the punishment for his crimes.

I think, the one who is to be blamed for this mess is the system. The boy is doing his best at school, he has great grades and a perfect record. Still, there is a high chance that he wouldn't get a normal, middle-class life. Do you think that is fair? Do you think he should simply bow to the system and die? Why? Because he wasn't lucky to have good parents? He wasn't harming ANYONE. Those girls would have continued prostituting, but without him, they wouldn't have any protection.