Like most things about this show, its best (and for me only) lesson was unintentional.
It was a golden opportunity, but this must have been a very stressful role for Kim Seon Ho. And yet KSH showed that hard work and bringing your strongest self into every situation, good or bad, will make you persevere.
In this way, Good Boy and Kim Seon Ho are the same.
Kim Seon Ho overcame about 10 episodes of strange, warped storytelling with hard work and dedication to his craft and his character. Not with luck, not just hoping for the best, not with cosmic intervention, not by relying on solutions that just work out that way. There was no easy solution here, especially when his screentime plummeted. But every scene of his was still a highlight. He scrutinized the material he got, finding for Ji Pyeong every chance to add and improve the story with his presence.
The show told Ji Pyeong take what we give you and Kim Seon Ho said don’t mind if I do. The show denied Ji Pyeong compassion and runway it saw fit to give to other characters. But KSH played the cards that were dealt to the best of his extensive ability and made Ji Pyeong undeniable to the audience.
And while the show refused to let us see the home run Ji Pyeong was due after a long, painful journey, I’ll say this:the show may or may not have struck out (I have my answer). But it was delightful to see how Kim Seon Ho swung with all his might and hit a home run.
There’s so much more parallels, symbolism and beauty with Han Jipyeong and Dal Mi scenes that I don’t understand this show anymore. I binged watched it kinda casually but the more I read, the more it’s like… yeah, they are building them up better. There is this build up on their scenes and their moments that are much more satisfying. Second leads just typically like the girl. Ain’t nothing deeper about it. But there is so much effort on them. And their scenes are much more intricate and meaningful. Originally I was kinda like, Jipyeong just better than everybody and their mother but I agree with most of the comments on this show, it’s canonly him. It is frustrating and confusing.
I’m full on Team Ji Pyeong and know that he deserves every good thing. If the writers stay true to what they wrote for the beginning of the show it SHOULD end with something like this but if not, at least we’ll have this AU.
3 years later:
Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong have gotten closer. Maybe they’re dating or they have a close relationship. Either way, we can guess that Ji Pyeong wants to take their relationship to the next level. I hope that during those 3 years Dal Mi clarified some things regarding the letters so their relationship will have a pretty strong foundation when Do San comes back (I mean I guess 15 years wasn’t enough).
Do San comes back and Ji Pyeong wants to protect his relationship with Dal Mi and let’s Do San know that over the past three years his relationship with Dal Mi has changed. Do San, of course doesn’t like this and wants back into Dal Mi’s life. So he will try to pick up with her where he left off. Dal Mi will be confused again since she decided to not work through her feelings fully and will find herself questioning who she should choose. I also think at this point she will consult the ancestors and will have her aha moment. I think Ji Pyeong will feel like he needs to respect Dal Mi’s choice so he might choose to not propose and take a step back at the recommendation of his ancestor.
I think as Dal Mi and Do San work together it will seem like Do San is making progress again. But, Dal Mi has changed in the last three years. She knows how to set personal feelings aside to get the job done (like when she joined forces with In Jae). So Do San will be caught off guard when Dal Mi expresses that she has no interest in pursuing another romantic relationship with him– hopefully she will have concrete reasons as to why. Ji Pyeong will witness this interaction from afar and decide that it’s time to write Dal Mi one last letter and move on. In his letter he shares how much she has meant to him especially during that year 18 years ago. He will thank her and tell her that he wishes her well. He will drive to the bird house one last time. He will stand there holding his letter.
Back to Dal Mi, she will go to find Ji Pyeong and tell him she chose him. She’ll look for him at SH, she’ll call his phone, go to his apartment, and even go to her home. There she’ll talk to Halmeoni about Ji Pyeong. Perhaps Halmeoni will confirm her decision and will give Dal Mi an inkling where to find Ji Pyeong.
Dal Mi shows up and finds the letter. Desperately tearing it open with tears in her eyes, she reads the words of the man who loves her but is saying goodbye. She weeps as she sees him sign it as Han Ji Pyeong and thinks she’s too late but as she turns around she sees him standing there. She goes to him and this time her eyes show that he is exactly the person she wants to see. She tells him she chooses him and he questions whether or not she will regret that decision in the future. She tells him not to worry and that she’s never regretted a decision in her life. As she says that they embrace and kiss–possibly as snow falls or as cherry blossoms fall. Then Future by Red Velvet plays and all of the Ji Pyeong stans are happy.
Here’s hoping but also I am aware of the clown makeup I wear. 🤡
