#on another note Jae Won continues to stare at Ji Hyun even when he’s with Eun Ji and I’m all for it

[fadelikeclouds]

A small thought about episode 9

There’s something really comforting about the fact that being vulnerable and openly showing your pain is portrayed positively in this episode.

More often than not, it’s thought that we shouldn’t burden others with our troubles. We keep our masks on and when someone asks, “How are you doing?”, the default answer is usually “Fine” or “Good.” We keep our problems to ourselves and pretend we are thriving instead of drowning.

Here Yoon Won is feeling the pressure from several parts of her life, and her cheerful demeanor cracks. And it’s this vulnerability that draws Jae Won out of his shell, and he’s able to tell her words of comfort that he isn’t able to give himself.

Some people may say that he’s not able to prioritize his own needs, but I also think there’s something beautifully kind about a person who is able to respond so compassionately to someone else’s pain even when they themselves are hurting. Sometimes we can muster up the strength to do for others what we cannot do for ourselves.

Similarly, when Jae Won is kissing Eun Ji and sees Ji Hyun’s shock and pain, it contributes to him pulling himself out of his depression. Because he doesn’t want the people he cares about to be in pain.

To me, this story is saying that showing your pain to others doesn’t necessarily end up being a burden to that other person. Sometimes it can help that other person is some way that is totally unexpected.

I guess what I want to say is be kind to yourself. There’s no need for us to suffocate our feelings. Sometimes reaching out for help and support ends up helping others in some unexpected way as well.