mrinafria

[mrinafria]

Love Game is Eastern Fantasy works so well (for me at least) is because while there are several other cdrama fantasies addressing similar themes with transmigration tropes, the writing here is actually pretty solid. Like, there is proper logical progression of things, and I can tell they put some thought behind the plot and didn't just fill pages, solely relying on the leads' acting and their chemistry to carry subpar writing/execution *cough* ofl *cough*

Things such as Miaomiao's backstory with her dad, foreshadowing scenes that don't feel casually slapped together, absence of irrelevant romantic scenes just to fill screentime (which is why I really appreciate whatever scenes we get of Miaomiao and Ziqi), giving each main character a proper arc instead of having them behave like NPCs, being consistent with the rules of the gaming world we're introduced to, not lingering on silly misunderstandings, actually resolving smaller issues and conflicts before moving on to bigger ones, not forgetting about an open plot point after a while, effectively keeping up the suspense and compelling the audience to second-guess and theorize what's to happen (very tricky to pull off imo when you're airing episodes daily), showing gradual development of romance between the two couples, utilizing talented actors who seem to have a solid understanding of the motivations, nuances and overall pulse of the characters they play. There are many other things too, like the incredible acting skills Ding Yuxi and Yu Shuxin bring along with the natural chemistry they have off-screen that translates so well on screen, as well as the fact that they make Ziqi and Miaomiao uniquely theirs, making it a much more enjoyable ride. I learned recently that there were several scriptwriters for this, with the main scriptwriter being the same person who wrote for LBFAD (correct me if I'm wrong though)--that might explain why I like this writing so much, even though it deviates from the og web novel.

Even the final episodes (where most cdrama fantasies often mess up, especially with isekai/transmigration tropes) go above and beyond tying up ALL the loose ends and connecting every clue every foreshadowing every disjointed bits of information that we see throughout the show, ultimately creating this beautiful beautiful piece of art that is LGIEF.

And that final statement from Fu Zhou? Ugh I love how they conveyed that idea.

Hands down my favorite cdrama after LBFAD.

[mrinafria]

If your man doesn't lovingly call you a demon leave him maybe

[mrinafria]

The Judge from Hell clicks exceptionally well with so many people imo is because (in addition to many other things) Bitna-Daon as characters are very well written on paper and wonderfully executed by Shinhye and Jaeyeong. Come to think of it--they're alphas in their own ways: Bitna is not your typical caricature of "strong female lead" unlike many other shows I've seen; it's actually very surprising and refreshing to see a show not overexaggerating and getting it right for a change. And Han Daon isn't portrayed as a lesser, weaker male lead in order to make Bitna look better. There's always such a healthy balance: they match each other's freaks in intriguing ways when together and are able to shine equally in their solo spaces as well. I don't use the word "power couple" a lot but they're exactly that. It's hard to believe we've been so lucky with such an amazing show this year.

[mrinafria]

Wander in you nightmares.

Not my moots vocalizing my worst fears because when this scene happened, literally my first thought was "Wait that's it? That's not a nightmare though?" and then I brushed it off thinking maybe some of Satan's powers were affected when he escaped hell, hence the spell didn't work. Because remember how it worked the moment Paimon cast it? But if Satan's spell did indeed work, then everything that followed afterward were all part of Bitna's nightmare? Daon choosing not to k!ll J, police apprehending J, Bael's impromptu visit to Bitna before the trial- ALL of that? Or was his spell removed when he was stabbed by Bitna and dragged back to hell?

A part of me is positive this is too detailed of an Inception-like twist and we don't have time to do all that in the last two episodes *cries* but then this show has managed to keep me on my toes since day 1 so idk what else they are capable of doing. If this is a nightmare--Bitna's nightmare--I think something happening to Daon and her failing to protect him might be it. And if what happened with Paimon's spell is the norm, then whatever happens in your nightmare happens in reality as well--meaning if someone d!es in your nightmare, that person will d!e in reality as well (kind of like Matrix), which is why Daon had to scream Bitna's name out loud back then to bring her back to reality, seconds before Paimon could stab her. By this rule, if this is all Bitna's nightmare, and either Daon or Bitna d!es in it (or both if we're super lucky yay), they'll d!e for real?

There's also the fact that Bael's appearance seemed quite out of place and I agree with others that the ambience seemed different than his usual one too.

Maybe I'm just overthinking. But they've given us an imaginary wedding maybe because we won't get anything close to a real one *shatters* There's death looming over our heads in the finale week, and I don't think we'll get our happy endings as easily, IF at all.

p.s. On a different note, let us not forget what Satan said: don't trust Bael, he is the demon of all demons. Idk what to do with this information.

[mrinafria]

Vai' all'inferno - Go to Hell.

^This was such a clever use of motif. Gates of Hell leading to a place where Justitia reigns vs. this place where Satan dominates. One where ultimate justice is served to sinners, the other displaying gruesome evidence of the injustice done to the innocent. Both indicating culmination, the point where all truth is revealed, and both heavy on the religious symbolism. I love how they are leading us to the BIG revelation.

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrat- Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

[mrinafria]

^This right here.

The Judge from Hell 지옥에서 온 판사 (2024) Dir. Park Jin Pyo – Ep. 10

[mrinafria]

From now on...I will protect you.

Only four more episodes to go *cries* and I still have so many questions/thoughts/theories:

Is Assemblyman the actual Satan/J? (I had written it off but episode 10 theory of dismemberment is making me rethink because he's more aged than everyone else on the suspect list.) That may explain why he's so keen on keeping Kang Bitna around--he probably knows who she is?

I think Assemblyman's elder son is not really a bad guy *chokes on water* He maybe more neutral, trying to keep Kang Bitna out of harm's way hence always going on and on about her leaving him alone (if he ends up being Satan imma forget I ever said this).

Assemblyman's youngest son may have seen his mom's murd3r (assuming she was k!lled) and hence turned to drugs and a hedonistic life to cope and not show himself as a threat.

Is it all really tied to the redevelopment project? In the initial episodes, I was quite sure that's what led to OG Kang Bitna dying but I'm not sure if there's something bigger at play here. Did OG Bitna learn about Satan/come face to face with J (because J supposedly kills everyone who sees him/her?)

Why did J leave Han Daon alive? It's been bugging me from the start. Gabriel the angel police came much later but even before that, Han Daon was all alone with the k!ller. Why did he not finish young Daon off as well?

I suppose only angels are able to see the dark aura around a demon, like the grandma angel/Gabriel is? Can s/he not help identifying Satan then? Or is it not part of the job description?

If Bitna's assumptions are right, she'll go back to hell as Justitia after fulfilling her mission, leaving real Bitna's body behind and making Gabriel's prophecy true: 'out of you and Han Daon, one will die'. But if Justitia loses all her powers (given the precap isn't just misleading us), will the mission still be on? There won't be any point going back if she doesn't have her powers, right?

Is this going to be one of those shows where she'd go back to hell, Daon would live the entirety of his life as a protector of justice, making sure criminals get their due punishment through the law, knowing well his Kang Bitna/Justitia in her Hell Trial would rightfully be sending them to the place they belong in hell. Then he'd have a normal death and Justitia would be rewarded by God to reunite with Daon in heaven. (not a fan of this ending but just a thought) I've noticed spirituality/hope in divinity as a running theme in this show so far, so maybe?

What is up with the girl at Bitna's office lol.

Why on earth is this show only 14 episodes? I am genuinely upset.

[mrinafria]

I'm thinking Daon as a kid was actually possessed by Lucifer or Satan (this was drafted early on and the second one seems less likely now after episodes 9-10). What if he just doesn't know it? Do we know Lucifer's whereabouts/story after Kylum was stolen? What is the likelihood Lucifer came up on earth to find Kylum himself? Is it possible Kylum somehow went inside young Daon's body, and Satan was occupying J when he saw Daon, then realized Daon possessed Kylum? hence Satan overtook Daon's body instead? Maybe something went wrong in the process, leaving him with amnesia, so Daon doesn't himself know he is possessed? he is Satan and still believes he is Daon the human? (doesn't explain J's k!lling spree though?)

Maybe Lucifer was looking for Satan+Kylum, found Daon with Kylum, overtook his body, but something about Daon's mom being a good person/religious/believer interrupted with this so he's left with fragments of his memory mixed with original Daon's? What if Kylum's powers cloak the demonic aura, so the one who has Kylum cannot be distinguished from other humans (either by angels or demons)?

Why am I so hell bent on turning Daon into a demon what is wrong with me.

This theory is absolute trash but I can't stop thinking about it.

[mrinafria]

I will give up everything I have.

There's something so profoundly life-altering about grief: it changes you forever. And when you're grieving over a loss that feels untimely, unfair and just utterly WRONG, every fiber of your being would scream in agony, lash out at the world, often shutting down the parts of you that make you rational, make you moral, make you human. All that remains is pain, and rage.

This scene is done so, so well. I'M FLOORED.

[mrinafria]

Seen some viewers not liking The Judge from Hell for different reasons, and I think I kind of get why (just my guess). Also, disclaimer (in case it's not obvious enough): I respect and am fine with anyone disagreeing with me and not liking the show for whatever reason.

If you've watched The Devil Judge, then The Judge from Hell is not that. Unlike The Devil Judge, it doesn't have a dark, grim, ominous setup that stays true to that heavy vibe till the end. If you've watched Lucifer, it's not that either. Close but also not really. Unlike Lucifer, The Judge from Hell hasn't shown us an anti-hero/anti-heroine who, underneath the charisma and confidence and tricks and looks, is full of self-loathing, unprocessed angst and human-like emotions. I'm just going off of the 8 episodes of TJFH aired so far. Unlike Lucifer, Justitia doesn't seem to display a subconscious desire not to be misunderstood and abandoned, nor does she feel complex emotions about humans and humanity (it's just starting with Daon she still has a long way to go). We don't see a Fallen/Demon with a semblance of a moral compass here.

Even her "I trust what children say" doesn't mean much because she doesn't do that out of some morality; to her, it's just facts that children are the least crafty and least vile amongst humans. Justitia is very mechanical (and petty even) in what she does- she's not on some great self-discovery or redemption journey in here to even entertain the notion of humanity or morality. If we expect such nuance from her so early on in the story, we maybe setting ourselves up for disappointment. Y'all she's been doing this for Lord knows HOW many hundred years. It's not her first gig. If you have been having coffee at night despite being an insomniac for like three decades, it's highly likely you'd stop thinking or caring about the morality, the 'rightness' of drinking coffee even when it destroys your health.

It's like that for her, to the point where she can, in fact, treat every murder, every crime, every criminal lightly. She's been the judge, jury and executioner all along, and that's the job she needs to do well on earth too. As audience, we may be living on earth longer than she's been but the moment Justitia stepped in, it became 'her world' that we're now getting a peek at.

She's not some vigilante or messiah; just an eccentric, murdering demon from hell who likes Z cola and a pretty wardrobe and Han Daon too- what's wrong with that lol. I remember seeing similar sentiments when Vincenzo was on, because some felt the comedy and humor didn't go well with the overall theme, with a psycho CEO committing all kinds of crimes+ ML's childhood grief and mafia ptsd+ revenge etc. I feel like it was a conscious choice not to make the show so heavy or serious, despite the subject matter. TJFH feels like it treats heavy stuff casually because it is mostly shown through Justitia's lens, and so far, SHE has been treating heavy stuff casually. She really doesn't feel anything emotionally for the girl being in an abusive relationship, or the child being with that horrible excuse of a stepmom. All she sees are the sinners and their sins, and whether they can help her fulfill her mission.

But even that is changing now, gradually, with Justitia/Kang Bitna starting to feel more and more human emotions (props to Daon).

Now, could we have gotten a more nuanced character arc with a serious undertone? Maybe yes, maybe no. The story is yet to unfold fully so I say it's too early to decide that? However, three things that come to mind are: 1. kdramas generally don't get seasons unlike TV series in the US or UK, to explore things gradually with each season geared towards a certain theme or development. Lucifer did what it did in six seasons. 2. I've noticed that unless it's a super horror, super apocalyptic or dystopian show, kdramas like to incorporate humor in their story no matter what genre it is (even shows like The Light in Your Eyes or Moon Lovers or Hi Bye, Mama have their lighthearted moments). Kdramas aren't perfect. Different shows become perfect to different audiences because of their personal preferences. I watch the show because the trailers promised us a fantasy drama with angst between the leads, because it gives me a good laugh, and also maybe because a small part in me kinda sorta lives vicariously through Justitia's ultimate reckoning lol.

I'm actually glad it's not a heavy show because the stuff they've shown so far can be quite disturbing and triggering and I'd be very hesitant to proceed with it if that were the case. 3. I think it's also okay to acknowledge that not all writers/creatives would prefer to do the research needed to pull off certain themes, nuanced character arcs and dynamic, which can leave some viewers wanting more out of a character/show too.

It's fine not to like a hyped drama or a character (happens to me too). But in my opinion, the show is delivering what it promised to deliver initially, and I'm glad it is.

[mrinafria]

what are you watching right now? do you have any new recommendations?

Hi Anon! I've been a bit slow with my watch lately, esp after Lovely Runner ended, so it's mostly rewatches. The only one I'd recommend personally is The Judge from Hell. If you're okay with violence, blood and other cw stuff, please give it a try. That's all I can talk about these days.

TC <3

[mrinafria]

If you receive this, you make me happy! Go on and send this to ten of your followers who make you happy or somebody you think needs cheering up. <3

This is so incredibly sweet and kind, thank you TONSS lovely and same to youuu T-T

[mrinafria]

I'll gladly let you kill me then.

-That promise, make sure you keep it.

So I think Daon's backstory is significant for us to understand a bit more about Han Daon as a character. He's got this huge scar from his childhood incident that he never really healed from. Also, he's no saint. We've seen him wavering in what he should/should not do more than once so far.

He knows giving police protection to criminals is a waste but still does it because it's the lawful thing to do. He wavers for a couple of seconds there when Kang Bitna offers to kill his parents' killer for him because the law cannot. From what I see, he's always walked on a thin line between what is right or wrong according to society's definition. He definitely has a violent streak in him; he's just never had to fully give in to that.

You bet he'd have ended up on the dark side after his parents' death if not for his noona who never gave up on him, turned him away, with her love and kindness, from a path that could have led him to darkness and uncertainty. Now that Detective Soyeong is gone, the person who showed him light is gone too. His only family after he'd lost his own, gone. And he's back to being that kid again who had so much unresolved hurt, trauma and angst against the law that didn't believe in him (a wound he still carries). Law that wasn't enough to give him his well-deserved justice. Back then, he had Soyeong who was a human and law abiding individual. Now, he has Kang Bitna aka Justitia, a demon who serves justice in her own way because she knows the human law is faulty. If Han Daon was guided to life and light back then because of Soyeong, would he then give in to death and darkness now, because he is already spiraling as it is and there's no one to bring him back to light?

Why do I feel Kang Bitna actually wouldn't want that? It was different back when she'd stabbed him, but the switch is flipped now, and I think she'd care very much about Han Daon's future and fate. The way she goes 'HAN DAON!' and 'Then you'll end up in hell too' and stares at him like she doesn't recognize this version of Daon--I've replayed that scene far too many times.

Because Bitna may say Daon's morality and tenacity to get to the truth is annoying, but I think she doesn't even know that she appreciates it, which is also why she gets so worked up every time she feels like Daon's faked his emotions or betrayed her with his words: she expects him to be on the side of truth and righteousness.

Even though we see her supporting Daon in the precap for eps 9 and 10, she might go out of her way and even risk her own existence to keep Daon away from darkness later, because now if something happens to him, she'd be the first one to cry.

A part of me also thinks Daon cannot go ALL the way with his revenge because he'd made a promise to Detective Soyeong to always be a detective first and do his job. It's his vengeance talking right now but once that wears off and reason kicks in, I don't think he'd want to kill somebody unlawfully, disrespecting the promise he made to his noona.

Or we could totally have a switch up with Bitna becoming the superego and Daon, the id. It'll be interesting to see if Bitna starts shifting gradually toward the 'unevil' side while helping Daon, having his back and protecting him. She might have to take Daon's life after all (deal with the Demon and all), but at a time when it'll hurt her THE MOST doing so. Maybe the power of Kylum can come to their rescue then, reviving Daon? It also makes me think if the 'Other Thing' you need for Kylum to work its divine magic is unconditional love/sacrificial love, where Bitna would have to willingly give up her life to revive Daon?

*cough* ^I take no responsibility for what I just said above thank you very much T-T

[mrinafria]

I almost fell for you.

I'm so excited about the upcoming episodes because episodes 5 and 6 are where Daon is finally starting to grasp the reality of what it means to be a Demon and what Kang Bitna aka Justitia is really capable of doing. It's one thing to know she's a demon, but to witness it firsthand has to be pretty life altering,

especially for Daon who admitted almost falling for Justitia (despite being stabbed by her and being told multiple times that she was indeed a demon, wdym almost boy lol).

Going back to my thoughts here on Justitia and Daon being id and superego respectively--it'd be really interesting to see Daon finding out what exactly is Justitia's mission and why is this so high-stakes for her. They might end up being allies eventually, begrudgingly, to punish the criminals, but I want to see how much of his morality is Daon ready to sacrifice for Justitia's survival and/or punishing the evil who trick the system.

p.s. the shift in his eyes from the last 4 episodes and to 5-6 is so evident and kinda sorta sad.

There was this spark before but in these two episodes it's like he doesn't really want to believe it's her doing all this, but he has enough evidence and he's bound by his sense of righteous justice. It's like the guy got this hope after many many years that there's this one person out there, she is crazy but also believes in getting to the truth, even if it comes from a child, but he is now having to crush that hope to ground because apparently this one person is incapable of feeling anything at all.

When he says "Why can't you pick a different hobby? One that doesn't involve murder?" imo it was more out of desperation than anger. Because oh he hates hates hates the idea of her being so irredeemable that he'd have to hate her and fight her and bring her to justice.

That glint is gone, the veil has lifted, and he is clearly feeling a lot of things.

SIGH. Idk where this is headed but I'm here for it.

[mrinafria]

You didn't do it, right?

Been enjoying The Judge from Hell a bit more than I care to admit, and ig it's mainly because how well paced, well-balanced the setup and story have been so far, as well as the way the two (or three depending on how you see it) characters are written.

I couldn't help thinking about Freud's id, ego and superego in forming human psyche, and wondering if Justitia and Daon are supposed to be id and superego respectively. If id represents the unbarred, uncontrolled desires, needs and instincts, and superego represents the self which is driven by morality, civility, conformity, then it makes sense why as an audience, I find Justitia's actions somewhat problematic and yet feel this satisfaction every time she does her whole Ultimate Trial thing with the Gehenna knife. It's disturbing, and can be triggering even, yes, but she does what we cannot do, what we may have wanted to do on many occasions in life.

We want evil to be punished and held accountable, but our morality has taught us that there is a process to follow for that, that we have to trust the system (even if the system is flawed). Because we live in a society, because we are generally law abiding individuals, because we care about appearances and perceptions, because we care about consequences, because 'we should not think that way' or because 'that is not a sane, civilized, acceptable thing to do', because otherwise there would be no order and only anarchy. Because we are Daon, who is bound by the moral compass their superego has constructed.

It makes me wonder, then: who is supposed to be the ego, the middle ground, the mediator between the id and the superego as the story progresses? Will it be Justitia, who'd eventually learn how to pass verdicts that are not in violation with the morality of human world? Will it be Daon, who'd be compelled to go beyond the man-made laws because sometimes, to punish evil/bad humans, one has to call in their inner demon? Or as they join hands (presumably), they're both supposed take on that role as needed? (and what do we make of human Kang Bitna then?) Is Bitna ending up in hell part of some grand scheme, where Justitia gets to redeem herself while helping Daon rid himself of his guilt (because imo Daon would never get to the killer without Justitia)?

[mrinafria]

Love next door , EP 2

"Always knew what love means-" is what rings in my mind when I see through all of Seung-hyo's action. There's a gleam of love in his eyes in all the moments he looks at her and the reason no one around him probably gets it - because oh bickering is their love language. And you wouldn't know people fighting for each other's lives would actually be falling in love with eachother but also it's most likely they would.

"Hate - 미움" is how the episode is titled and you think why it is? It's because what seems like hate is actually love that has been trampled by situations.

"Hate has its own satellites. Your high expectations, your faith and fondness for a certain person are all interconnected. But when any of these elements leave their orbit or retrograde it can turn into hate" ~Seung-hyo

It was about mending relationships showing the light how there's a thin line between hate and love - why they are the strongest emotions we feel towards anyone.

We all get Mi-sook's trauma right? She hasn't been the best but it's all response to a societal baggage she has been carrying around. "What if I haven't done enough for myself - my daughter will do it !!" - this is where asian mothers fall weak it's to understand your expectations shouldn't turn into a baggage for your child to the limit they fail to express what concerns them. All Seokryu ever wanted from her mother was to stand by her side when she needed the most - as children would look upto their parents to love them the way they are and not hold them as a trophy of achievement or as the compensation of what they themselves couldn't achieve.

While Seung-hyo's emotions are a bit more transparent to us -Seokryu's are not. And in my eyes she has been holding onto a lot more emotions we can't see through - because there is a complexity in her character that comes out as bossy and chaotic but is vulnerable and over burdened with expectations and responsibilities. And you know who knows her the best right!!!!

Though I feel Seung-hyo is an equally hidden and complex character when it's comes to his own emotions but transparent only when it comes to be with her [ofcourse].

Something healed in all of us when he said : "Don't force yourself to laugh when you want to cry". It's something we all want to hear when we are breaking down and still trying to smile through, for what ? Just so people don't see how weak we are , how much we want to cry and hold onto someone. Showing emotions do not make you weak specially to the people who care about you!!

Seung-hyo knew when he had to be by her side - so effortless and comforting. Isn't that the base of childhood friendships- someone who can see through what you feel and brings you to a position where you actually freely express what you are going through.

Umbrella - sometimes symbolised love and sometimes the shield. He let go off her shield and let her get drenched in the rain - let her cry out all she has been holding out , pouring down along with the rain all the emotions she had been hiding in the facade of a smile.

"WHEN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW"- we all know , we all can recall that smile he gave when he got to know she wasn't getting married . We know when he followed her to the park to make her feel better- we know when he brought one umbrella to share , when he closed it to let her cry out, when he rearranged her room like it used to be , when he put the stars she loved on the ceiling, when he shifted close to her just to be by her side. Only two episodes out and I think this episode is already my favorite!!

I don't know if it meant that there's only a thin line between hate and love and therefore it does take only one moment to change it. But I do feel it also meant the things changing between them , between those two windows- between those two friends- it's crazily well shown ❤️‍🩹😭

And here comes my favourite scene with these lines playing in my mind -" If you could see that I am the one who understands you, been here all the time so why can't you see it, you belong with mee...yeah!!"

In my concluding lines, we all feel that why does Seukryu not get what he means , why doesn't she see the same thing we are seeing. But let me tell you SHE DOES! She does see it , she does care for it- but for the complexity and baggage she carries maybe this resides in her subconscious self only and it will take time for her to realise it. To all the times he looked for her , she looked out for him too- she asked him too if he was doing okay.. all because she wanted him to be part of everything she did then and now .

[mrinafria]

You don't understand how soft I am for bae seok ryu and choi seung hyo!! Man is clearly harboring a dormant not so dormant crush on her and is just happy she is in his life and how he appears everywhere pretending like he doesn't want to be there. And just constantly all the acts of service. Taking time out of his busy day to redo her whole room? Moving back to his old room when he clearly has a slightly abnormal relationship with his parents.

Also someone tell me why she was ready to climb out of her window into his room like there wasn't a 7 foot gap and a 15 foot drop?? Queen do you want to break some bones??

Hae in just straight up exists and makes me want to hold him.