Can You Hear My Heart? (Episodes 17-21)

[walkwithheroes]

I'm finally catching up with the dramas I'm behind on. I'm terribly behind on Can You Hear My Heart?, so I spent most of Saturday watching the show.


CYHMH is the type of show where you are addicted to it as you marathon, but once you're done. . .it's over and you more or less forget about it for the next week or so. At least that's how it is with me. There are just too many other things to watch. The show is well written and acted and shot well, but. . .it's not super addicting or anything. I think my main issue with the show is that there are a lot of miss chances with this drama. Like, many characters are stereotypes or aren't really developed.



Dong Joo and Woo Ri are normal and functional and cute. Dong Joo hiding the fact that he is deaf and his relationships with his parents are his two biggest issues; but, aside from that, he's a normal guy. Woo Ri, aside from her family issues is a normal girl. They are adorable and sweet together. I can see that; but, that doesn't mean I find their romance all that interesting or fascinating. They're too normal for me, and there are far more fascinating stories and characters.

I feel terrible for Min Soo - she has had next to zero character development. She's really just there. I also feel terrible for Seung Chul, whose also had very little character development. He's become the childhood friend/guy with the crush. I love that he cares so deeply for Woo Ri and her family, but it makes me sad that he'll probably end up heartbroken and alone. And, it kind of sucks that the writer has taken to (sometimes) writing him as the angry and clingy jerk, who can't take a hint. (Go Joon Hee and Lee Kyu Han deserve better - hopefully they'll get to be leads in their next projects.)

Joon Ha/Ma Roo has ended up being the woobie and most developed character on the show. His anger and confusion and pain is just. . .brilliantly done. His angry and disbelief at discovering that Shin Ae abandoned him, Choi Jin Chul wanted him aborted, and that Grandma lied about his parentage is just. . .you want to shake him, because he's planning revenge on all three; but, at the same time. . .it's understandable. In his mind, for his whole life, everyone has either abandoned, lied, or used him.

Plus, there was the scene where he and Woo Ri take a walk (after she's found out he's Ma Roo) and he images what they could have been if he had stayed with his family. And, he tells her that has a teenager he wanted to leave, because he wanted to make money so they could all be comfortable, but then, it didn't turn out that way. And, he is sorry, but. . .he's just so angry and jealous and. . .he really is the most developed and interesting.

Then, there is the last scene on episode 21, where Young Kyu sees him and runs outside, where DJ is dragging JH/MR away, so YK grabs DJ and begs him not to embarrass "our Ma Roo", and everyone is crying. Oh. . .


Also - Jin Chul and Evil!Mom remain evil.

Episode 21 - live watch:



For 16 years she's raised JH/MR. And, he gets arrested, and DJ wants to save him, and she's all: "Don't feel sorry for JH. He's your stepfather's son. He knows he's his son. He abandoned his original family. He'll abandon you."

So, DJ replies with; "He was leaving for America today. He wouldn't abandon us. But, you're abandoning him."

And, there is a scene of JH/MR in the cop car and you can just tell. . .he's had it. It' over. He's reached "crazy" land. He's been abandoned and lied to for too long and now no one means anything to him.

Evil!Mom just said she hated raising JH/MR! I know she did, because. . .come on. But, hearing her tell that to DJ is just heartbreaking. JH/MR really has been abandoned, used, or lied to by everyone he holds dear. The only people who love him are DJ, WR, Grandma, and YK.

Comments

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you've said. I'm curious to know what your prediction is of Joon Ha's intentions, in the next couple of episodes. There's no doubt he's pissed off and willing to go to any lengths for revenge...but do you think he would still have a place in his heart to let Dong Joo have a happy ending of any sort? Especially after the ending of ep. 23, how he reacted to Dong Joo in the dark, I question whether all this anger is really sustainable and if he's secretly plotting the demise of the evil parents.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I've only watched up until episode 21, but briefly scanned episodes 22-24, to see if they downloaded okay. From what I can tell, JH/MR will be angry and want revenge for a while, but I honestly think it will be Young Kyu who makes JH realize the error of his ways. The one to tell him that he always had a family, there are people who love him, etc. Oh - I think he'll let DJ have his happiness. Because, despite his slight romantic feelings for WR - he loves both his "siblings" and he does want them to be happy. I think JH/MR is secretly plotting the downfall of so many people, but not DJ and WR.

I think it will all end with JH/MR living with Young Kyu, Grandma, and maybe SA. Because, I think SA can be redeemed. I think they are heading that way, with several passing comments about SA's life being hell with , Choi Jin Chul; we know he's hit her and she possibly seems in it to get her son and the money.

[lastingdreams8.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling you're right about how JH/MR will turn out. As of right now, I'll try to be vague without spoiling you, but looks like DJ knows what he's doing and even though he's hurting, he knows JH/MR can't be all bad.
Aww...man, I can't wait till there is resolution.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I've seen up to episode 24 - and I agree that now that JH/MR is out, DJ seems to know what's what. I'm wondering if JH/MR isn't doing it on purpose - making DJ do for himself, because Evil!Mom has always done things for DJ - or had JH/MR do things instead. I kind of hope JH/MR is playing everyone - Evil!Mom, his dad, DJ, etc - all to get revenge on the parents.

[att123.livejournal.com]

I wish that they had developed WR/DJ some more. But I am really liking the direction that MR has taken through the drama. I mean he's such a complicated character and its even worse now that the truth is out. But Nam Goong Min really shines in this role. He can convey all those mixed emotions so well. I used to hate his character but lately I find him incredibly fascinating. Don't get me wrong, I do think most of his issues stem from his own choices and he treats people horribly. Somehow I still want the poor guy to be happy.

You really pointed out some important things that the writers have missed. It makes me sad that Seung Chul wasn't given more character development because I really love that actor. As for Min Soo, well I never really liked her. But I do hope that those two get thrown together because I think they'd make a cute couple.

Are you going to livewatch the last 4 episodes or marathon them?

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Yes, I like DJ/WR and they have some cute scenes every episode. But, their relationship as a whole is really underdeveloped.

mean he's such a complicated character and its even worse now that the truth is out. But Nam Goong Min really shines in this role. He can convey all those mixed emotions so well.

Yes and yes and yes. I completely agree with all of this. He may be the "secondary",but he is by far the most interesting and complicated character on the show. There is just so much going on there. I agree that most of his issues stem from his own choices. But, I just. . .I want him to end up happy and loved.


As of episode 24, I just think Seug Chul and Min Soo are completely wasted as characters and are only used for plot devices. In the earlier episodes it looked like the writer would put them together, but no. Completely wasted.

For episodes 25-30, I'll most likely watch them all in one go, just because I'm drama full right now. But, I will be checking my flist for reactions.

[att123.livejournal.com]

I guess the upside to that is that you never really worry about the OTP. They've got this solid trust in each other that you know they're gonna be okay no matter whats thrown at them.

I do too. I used to really hate him but I also feel so bad for the poor guy. He's really taken over the drama!

I thought that they were gonna go that route too but I guess not. Its really such a shame because they could have been so much more than the stock jealous characters.

I was thinking about doing that as well. I like to marathon CYHMH instead of waiting for the next episodes.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

True. I'm not worried about the OTP at all. Any drama that happens in episodes 25-30 is just drama for dramas sake.

He's the break out character of the drama. I hope the actor gets a leading role after this.

they could have been so much more than the stock jealous characters.

So true. I'm so sorry for the actor and actress - they must be so bored with playing the childhood friend whose jealous.

[att123.livejournal.com]

So true! I like it that I never really have to worry about those two since they're a rock solid couple. BUT it kind of sucks out the tension because you know that everythings gonna be okay.

Me too :)
That boy is so hot AND he can act!

Your right thats gotta suck so much. Its such a shame because I saw Seung Chul in Que Sera Sera and he owned that role. I mean you go from such a strong role like that to bit parts like in CYHMH. Its such a shame.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

He owned in QSS. I loved him up and he was the secondary guy in Smile, You - where he was dorky but a Mama's boy. It's a shame that he went from a strong role in a well written drama to roles like this. It is such a shame. :(