#and what about tankuhn -

[fromperdition4]

(Just realized I took these screenshots and never made a post with them, so…)

For the P’Erika stans out there, I give you…

Kinn crying out her name:

Kinn holding her hand:

Kinn glancing down at her one last time:

You’re welcome and I’m sorry.

[surrealsunday]

Ok so I’m the anon who was yelling at you about not needing KinnPorsche to become my new Special Interest and damn you! I’m hooked! I meant to come bug you after each episode but I binged all the available 8 episodes yesterday and couldn’t stop lol! So thank you, I hate you 😂

I have so many thoughts but can we please talk about Tankhun and Porsche. I kind of love their relationship. Tankhun was annoying to me in the very beginning but I actually really love his character now. I totally related to him watching the same series over and over again because it gave him comfort. I’d rather do that than go out most of the time because I’m autistic and very introverted so I fully understood why he did some of the odd things he did or seemed to overreact in situations like when his beloved fish were killed. I have a kinship with his character and imo he’s sometimes a much needed comedic relief.

I feel he’s mostly misunderstood and pretty much just tolerated by most of the family and bodyguards/staff, but I feel like there’s so much to him. He’s more complex than I think anyone around him fully understands. I loved that during Kinn and Porsche’s wilderness heart to heart, when even Kinn was saying that maybe Tankhun was faking his mental instability to avoid the responsibility of becoming the head of the major family (which I do think may be part of it but for good reason), Porsche defended him and by doing so exposed his own trauma. I love that he made himself vulnerable in order to defend Tankhun because I think he sees past a lot of Tankhun’s dramatics. Even as out there as he seems, Porsche understood him and was able to get him to try new things and leave the safe space that Tankhun tends to isolate himself in. I also love that, as much as Porsche kind of messes with him, most of what I see is him laughing WITH Tankhun rather than putting him in situations to laugh AT him. He messes with him to try and get him to smile, to enjoy life and find happiness.

I think it’s just another thing that shows how gentle and loving Porsche is underneath his cornball outer layer. Sometimes Porsche has moments where he kind of annoys me but what I like about him and his brother is that they’re loving, honest, gentle, and genuine people deep down and that’s exactly what endears people towards him. This is exactly why Kinn was so drawn to him even after their first interaction and why he fell in love with Porsche before he even allowed himself to admit he liked him. He was screwed from the start.

On the surface this show seemed kind of like a corny Mafia drama but it’s filled with complex characters and amazing acting. I love the main couple, as usual, but I rarely get invested in the side characters and it kind of left me speechless. It was a very pleasant surprise. I personally really like shows that make me question my morals and even though some of the situations could be easily identified as harmful, the way the characters expressed their experience after taking time to process things made it easier for me to forgive right along with them.

Ugh! This was long and probably a little all over the place but I’m still just too excited to get my thoughts coherent. I cannot wait for the next episodes to see where this ride takes us!

Anon! You don't even know how happy I am you came back 🥳. I saw this message and cuddled under a blanket on the couch and read it like I was about to read a good book 😂.

Ok let's dive in... (you are so right for binging the eps btw - I did the same when I started watching)

I love that you want to talk about Kuhn and Porsche! I haven't really done that yet and I honestly adore that dynamic. The funny thing is that when Tankuhn first appeared I was exactly like you... I basically figured I needed to be on acid to watch his scenes... and then somehow he just weasles his way into your heart and becomes this truly fabulous character?! (Though without even having done acid, I still feel certain it would only enhance 98% of his scenes 😂) I seriously love that you found kinship in him. And also... I never even connected the rewatching series thing to myself because that is so normal to me omg. I'm the exact same too. Serious anxiety (and yes introversion as well) means I do the same 🥺💞. The show actually does such a great job of incorporating in humour (and agreed, Kuhn definitely helps serve that role) without it feeling shoehorned in. It very much feels like a natural part of the landscape and it does beautifully balance out the rest.

(This got super long so I better throw it under a read more...)

And your analysis of Tankuhn's layers??? Holy shit I loved. I agree there is more there than we know just yet. It may play an important plot point or it may just come into things when we get more into the brothers' dynamics (I loved Kuhn’s scene with Kim and I truly can’t wait for a scene with all three brothers). But either way I can't wait to see it. And this: "I also love that, as much as Porsche kind of messes with him, most of what I see is him laughing WITH Tankhun rather than putting him in situations to laugh AT him. He messes with him to try and get him to smile, to enjoy life and find happiness." God, so true. One of my fave moments is this one:

I just loved so much how it was like the two of them vs the interlopers of Kinn and his friends. I loved the whole vibe and dynamic - like, ‘Oh so you wanna hang with us??? 😏’. And, I mean, they're both huge goofballs. So finding commonality in their partying was honestly brilliant.

I also loved the hospital scene between them in the side story too. Because Tankuhn is just being his silly, dramatic-ass self and messing with Porsche. But it just so happens that Porsche is obviously in no mood as he's terrified for Kinn and so he snaps. And I really love that moment of Pete basically being like 'Dude, this is your boss' 😂. Porsche really just never recognized the authority of Kuhn OR Kinn - they're just guys to him - and I love that a lot.

I completely agree re: Porsche's loving, kindness. He's so unguarded and open with the love and affection he gives (to those who warrant it that is... we've seen him withhold it *cough*Vegas*cough*). I love that about his character. When you're in that circle, you're really gifted with the full breadth of Porsche's affection and I think anybody faced with that is doomed to love his dumbass forever (rip Kinn). And Kinn absolutely recognized Porsche's kindness and gentler qualities despite the badass exterior and genuinely worried about the way this life could damage or change that (see: when Porsche shoots that guy the very first time and Kinn is stuck on staring at Porsche's shocked face in the aftermath and then worrying enough later that he actually goes to check on him). What I enjoy in the growth we've seen in Porsche is that even though he has changed and he's really coming into the role of mafia bodyguard, he also hasn't changed and he's still the same gentle, loving, affectionate goofball.

And yeah, I expected corny mafia drama and would have been fine with that. Most BL's lean heavily into the cheese so I was ok with that being the expectation, but this show really took me by surprise. I agree there is far more complexity than you'd initially think. Like the symbolism and art direction alone has left me pretty staggered. There is a lot to unpack and a show I can dig my teeth into like that is one of my favourite things. And as you say, there are some really great and fascinating side characters. And like you, that will really round out a show for me and take it to the next level.

You were seriously completely coherent. I'm not sure my reply to you was but I tried lol. You were a lot more eloquent than me and I loved reading your thoughts so much. You must continue to let me know what you think when the new eps air (that is a demand 😌). And thank you so much for coming back and typing out all your thoughts like this - I so enjoyed!!!

[fromperdition4]

Small moments from the Finale that stick in my brain

Kinn's cold smile (about to ruin some lives):

Chan's apology (there goes my heart):

The little car (timeout everybody - what is that?):

Kim saving the bottles (he's got his priorities straight):

Porsche gripping Kinn (standing by his man):

Tankuhn's shame (at least he didn't kill his brother):

Pete's shock (it really is like he's the one getting shot):

Kinn and Porsche kiss (so in sync):

Tankuhn regrets drinking (you and me both, Kuhn):

And finally - Macau spying on his brother (the little shit):

[fromperdition4]

Seconds Ago...

A lot can (and has) been said about the last scene in episode 3, and how important it is for Kinn and Porsche's developing relationship, but I want to focus in on just one small interaction between them:

Kinn (showing just a hint of vulnerability) asks Porsche, "When was the last time you (were) this happy?"

And Porsche cheerfully replies, "Seconds ago."

My first reaction to this was the same as Kinn's - amused, fond, and maybe a little disappointed, because Porsche is clearly too drunk to get what Kinn is really asking here.

But rewatching this scene knowing everything these characters will go through, I actually think that this response is perfect for Porsche.

Because Porsche has been through a lot of shit in his life - his parents' 'accident' put so much responsibility on his shoulders, and that's lead him, stumbling and bullied, down the path to organized crime - but despite everything, he still finds ways to have fun!

He has to scramble to earn money for their house, but he still runs grinning into the fighting ring.

He's forced to leave Chay to move into the compound, but he still finds joy antagonizing Ken and Big.

He's downgraded to the tedious task of guarding Tankuhn, but he still manages to drag Kuhn to his kind of night out.

And there's countless other examples in these first three episodes, and the series as a whole, of Porsche's goofy optimism getting him through!

Of course, the stresses of Porsche's life do still affect him (and we'll see him really struggle in just a couple of episodes) - but overall, he shows an amazing ability to put down his troubles for a little while and find joy in the moment.

Because he was this happy just seconds ago. So he knows he'll be happy again soon.

[fromperdition4]

Kinn's Soft Heart

Alright, I love Tankuhn, and I see how hard he's trying to protect his brother from the guy who broke his heart - but this was the worst thing he could have said to Kinn.

Because Kinn is thinking about his loved ones here, and that's his main problem!

Almost everything Kinn does is for his family - shooting Tawan after his last betrayal, taking over as heir for Tankuhn, sharpening his edges to be the leader his family needs him to be - and wanting to do what's best for his family is what's driving him to follow through with his plan here too.

So many characters doubt Kinn's motivations in this episode, believing he'll be swayed by his old feelings for Tawan - brought down by his soft heart:

But Kinn isn't fooled by Tawan. He's only playing along with him so that they (Pete) can get evidence he was sent by the minor family, and maybe figure out what Vegas is planning, along the way.

Where he makes a misstep is in not talking to Porsche about his plans.

Which I see as an overcorrection on Kinn's part.

Because we see him want to bring Porsche in - he goes to him after meeting with Tawan, probably to talk over what they should do about him refusing to cooperate - but then he finds Porsche chumming with Vegas.

And as much as Kinn loves Porsche, as much as he wants to trust him, he's been in a similar situation before - when he ignored Big's warning about Tawan (and probably other warning signs as well), and hurt his family in the process.

So, after all the reminders Kinn's gotten about his previous mistake - one of the biggest regrets of his life - he's now faced with the possibility that he could be fooled again.

And that, along with all the jealousy he feels whenever he sees Porsche being friendly with Vegas, leads him to accept Tawan's terms and leave Porsche in the dark. Then, when Porsche (who has his own trust issues to work through) gets caught spying on them later, Kinn punishes him - thinking, once again, about his family first and what it would look like if he didn't.

But, of course, Kinn does still know, in his heart, that Porsche wouldn't betray him. Even when he finds Porsche escaping with Vegas (while coming down to Porsche's cell to finally talk things out), he still ultimately trusts him.

Because he loves Porsche.

And Kinn will always put his loved ones first.