taroholic

[taroholic]

i find it interesting how much of the salt directed at the love square comes from people who can't empathize with the kind of romantic love shown. and also, how little focus there is on how much adrien and marinette's individuality shapes the love square dynamic(s), and i don't mean it in the 'omg marinette overthinks everything' and 'adrien is an oblivious cinnamon roll' way. not to rhapsodize about life, but my life experience tells me that the reason why adrien and marinette fit together so well are because they love the same way - in daydreams and hopes, aided by intuitive understanding, living for the day the puzzle gets solved. i've seen so many people scoff that marinette would fall in love with adrien over, what, an umbrella? but it wasn't about the umbrella, you see - it was about the act of kindness on his part, his vulnerability, his gentleness, and most interesting of all - that he was unpredictable to her, because she was so sure that she had him pegged. she's so enamored with him that she nearly gives her earrings to volpina, no questions asked, back when both of then were still mostly awkward around each other. you either love like that, or you don't. and adrien - god, adrien is exactly the type of person who would assume that a girl is the love of his life because she got assigned as his partner for a magical mission, and the worst crime of all, fell through the sky and tangled him up in her yo-yo string; is there a bigger sign that fate can give you? and i intellectually understand that for many realistic and practical people this whole thing is a turn-off, as they'd need time to get to know somebody and fall in love with them, but the point is that marinette and adrien aren't like that. they're dreamers; they're hopeless romantics; they'd build up a whole world out of the little things the universe throws them their way, as they'd see those as a confirmation of their desire for each other; and, most importantly, they're able to read each other and see that they're similar at their core; so the umbrella moment and the moment when chat meets ladybug are moments of recognition.

[taroholic]

hey, could you rec some of the most underrated identity reveal fics in your opinion? i love a good creative identity reveal! ps your fic rec lists are a literal godsend 🥰

So since you asked for underrated, I'm going to stick to the rules of my hidden gems series and try to only rec fics that have less than 500 kudos on AO3. Also, the identity reveal needs to be a feature of the story and not just incidental. I actually had a rec list like this started ages ago, but this one's pretty time intensive in terms of going through the fics and ensuring that the identity reveal is actually a focus. (Which is all to say sorry it took a little while.) Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy people are enjoying my recs!

lost in translation by @fictionalinfinity

“What do you mean I can’t be Ladybug anymore?”

“I’m sorry, Marinette. With Hawkmoth at large, it’s simply too dangerous for the Miracle Box and the Ladybug Miraculous to be in the same place. If something were to happen...”

-

In which Marinette has to give up the Ladybug Miraculous, and decides Adrien Agreste is the perfect choice for the new holder.

One-shot. So I’ve seen a few fics with Chat giving Marinette a miraculous, but how about Marinette trying to give one to Adrien?

Santa Baby, Slip a Superhero into a Box for Me by therealjanebingley

There's an akuma with the ability to give everyone their heart's desire for Christmas.

But when your heart's desire is your crush, and your crush has a secret identity...who's going to show up under your tree?

Multi-chapter. This is such a creative reveal and one that hasn't received nearly enough love. Adrien's heart's desire is Ladybug. Marinette's heart's desire is Adrien. But that's not exactly what they get when they're hit by the akuma. This is so sweet and fun and funny! And the characterizations are spot on.

team is a four letter word by @ladyofthenoodle

Alya didn’t want to come between Ladybug and Chat Noir. But she didn’t want to stop being Rena Rouge either. And if Chat Noir didn’t want to talk to her, then she’d need to find a different way to prove all three of them could be a team.

Her plan unintentionally brings a few secrets to light, which leads to even more secrets coming to light, which leads to... well, Alya is sure it'll all work out eventually.

Multi-chapter. Warning, this fic is a WIP! I'm obssessed with this one. Season 4 spoilers all over the place, but the dynamics between Marinette & Adrien & Alya & Nino, the characterization, the emotion, the different perspectives and distinct voices!!!! I'm sure once it's complete it's going to zoom past that 500 threshold, but it's so, so good, I'm going to rec it while I can lol

The Angst of Adrien Agreste and Chinese Finger Traps by @coffeebanana

Chat Noir gets gets his fingers stuck in a toy he can't get out of, and Marinette wasn't expecting Adrien to show up to school the next morning with the toy she'd given Chat Noir.

SEASON 4 SPOILERS (Gang of Secrets, Optigami)

One-shot. This should be crack, but it's not. While the vehicle for the reveal sounds ridiculous, the fic does a great job of delving into the underlying issues season 4 has been brewing and actually addressing them in a way that doesn't feel like crack at all.

can i try again (and again and again)? by @karkalicious769

"I won't force you to stay if you're really done," Marinette whispers, voice cracking. "Just… tell me why?" It's a request, not an order.

He takes a deep breath, his heart hammering in his chest. Chat still isn't holding her back, but he's relaxed somewhat, and if that's all Marinette is going to get, then she'll take it. "I…" He searches for the right words. "I thought that I should just rip the bandage off," Chat says quietly. "Get it over with myself before you took my miraculous back anyway."

After his spectacular failure in New York, Adrien relinquishes his ring and role as Chat Noir. Unfortunately for him, Ladybug isn't ready to let him go.

One-shot. NY Special fic where Marinette prioritizes her partner over keeping their secrets. This one hurts, but in a really good way, and it's so well done and feels so true to the characters.

The Handkerchief by meeble

This was their new normal. They slipped into it much more easily than she’d expected. Well, it was easy for her, since she knew him well as Ladybug, but she had been admittedly surprised at how easily Chat seemed to want to know her.

It was a learning experience, in a way. Sometimes, Marinette forgot that there was a boy under the mask. A boy her age, who also had hopes and fears and good days and bad days. A boy who had a rocky family life, who was kind and didn’t want to hurt his friends, a boy who cried at Disney movies and preferred macaroons over any kind of cookie.

And they were friends. That alone made her feel good. She had forgotten, in the midst of everything going on, that she and Chat were supposed to be friends on top of partners. Maybe she had taken that for granted.

One-shot. This is some quality Marichat. I love when the focus is on that platonic friendship that slowly becomes something more. Especially when the two of them spending more time together leads to an eventual identity reveal so that everything can come together and they can be happy together.

Better Half by @somethingvaguetodo

It made no sense to say that she was in love with Chat Noir. Just because they used loving pet names for each other, she liked to sit wrapped up in his arms, and he gave her a kiss goodnight didn’t mean anything. Rena had no clue what she was talking about.

One-shot. This one is amazing because they're both just. So Stupid. The denial is master level and these two are so stupid in love with each other that they reveal themselves in such a stupid way and this is all said (affectionate) because this is quality love square shenanigans right here and I love it a stupid amount.

Revealing Behavior by Socchan

Adrien's attitude takes a turn for the worse when Ladybug reveals her identity to the wrong side of him.

One-shot. This fic is like identity reveal inside of an identity reveal with reveals both deliberate and accidental. And it goes exactly the way I wanted it to with exactly the right level of misunderstandings and stupidity and pining and I really love it!

A Series of Meets: Reach by @damagectrlwrites

Paris is safe, except from the rivalry of its two superhero guardians: Ladybug and Chat Noir. Since they were teenagers, the two have raced around Paris, trying to out do-good each other.

After Chat Noir saves a bus of people from falling into the Seine before Ladybug can even get there, Adrien is in high spirits. He helps a young woman reach some chips high on a shelf, kicking off a friendly conversation that ends with a coffee date.

It’s a terrible day for Marinette. First she had a hectic day at work, then Chat Noir gets all the praise for saving a bus of people, and then she nearly topples over trying to reach some chips. At the very least, a nice guy helps her and asks her to coffee. Surely, things will get better, right?

One-shot as a chapter of a collection of one-shots. (I recommend them all but we're just talking about this one right now.) So I debated including this one since it's an AU and I've recced it before. Ladybug and Chat Noir are superhero rivals, always trying to outdo each other, and being annoyed at the other. Marinette and Adrien get a meet-cute and fall in love. The juxtaposition is perfect and ridiculous and THAT IDENTITY REVEAL OMG I had to include it, it's so good!!

The following fics are amazing and absolutely worth reading, but do feature sexual content, so minors beware.

The Pole Kit and Kaboodle by @chatonne-rousse

When Adrien tries to make getting undressed a bit more entertaining for Marinette, he ends up revealing more than just his underwear.

Rated M. Established adrienette that features them being sexy and silly and hopelessly in love. I love this fic so damn much!!! Watch Adrien being comfortable being ridiculous with Marinette and do a ridiculous (hilarious) striptease for her. Bonus identity reveal that just makes everything even better.

Rated M. One-shot. Definitely one of the most unique reveals I've ever read. I mean a pole dancing reveal?? It's funny and sweet and loving and just so, so good. This fic is the reason that Rosie and I became friends because after I read it I had to read all of her other fics and spam her with comments. But I'm 100% unbiased in this rec because I loved the fic first and the reveal and the post-reveal emotions are EVERYTHING.

@devillustrator | nsfw art blog | will draw for €€€ by @isadorator

Nathaniel is a Starving Artist™ that regularly gets commissioned by Adrien to draw fluffy and cute LadyNoir art. But everything changed when the Hormone Nation attacked.

Rated E. This two-part series is Ladrien with the sexiest identity reveal I’ve ever read in my entire life and possibly my favourite reveal of all time!! We’ve got humour and sexiness and I’ve read this an embarrassing number of times. This is the kind of fic that, every time I read it I’m like “I wish there were 5,000 other fics in the fandom exactly like this one.” Seriously, I don't know why y'all are sleeping on this one but it's so, so good. Adrien's reaction literally made my entire life.

[taroholic]

Falling in love with her was so easy

A lifetime of all those laughter, teasing, drives with gangs and weird funny moments together

That was all I could ask for

We've been friends for so long that it was just so natural that I had eyes only for her

When I thought of her the moment I did something great

When she came running in the midnight when my son was sick

I knew forever but can't understand why I hesitated

I may have had a few bad experiences trying to find love

You may have thought if this ends wrong we would never be friends again

But when I look at you right now

All I see is us and the endless possibilities ahead of us

[taroholic]

How can I make a kissing scene/emotional scene feel intimate and personal? I really struggle with that. I want it to be just between two people, their moment.

Creating Intimacy in A Scene…

I’ve created a lot of focused resources on creating intimacy in a scene, enhancing romantic tension, etc. so I’ve made an organized, comprehensive list from my masterlist which will help you create that moment you’re looking for. 

Romance-Specific Resources

How To Write The Perfect Kiss

How To Make A Scene More Heartfelt

Resources For Romance Writers

Resources For Writing YA Fiction/Romance

Filtering Out Cliches

Emotion & Intimacy

Resources For Describing Emotion

Connecting To Your Own Characters

Conveying Emotions

When To Use “Felt”

Calculating Emotional Reactions

Writing Intense Scenes

Technical Skills That Come in Handy

How To Perfect The Tone

A Guide To Tension & Suspense

Ultimate Guide To Symbolism

General Dialogue Advice

Using Vocabulary

How To Engage The Reader

Showing VS Telling in First Person POV

Specific Relationship Dynamics to Consider

Tips On Writing Skinny Love

Guide To Writing Friends To Lovers

Guide To Writing Enemies To Lovers

Guide To Writing Faded Love

Guide To Writing Will-They-Won’t-They

Guide To Writing Forbidden Love

–

Masterlist | WIP Blog

If you enjoy my blog and wish for it to continue being updated frequently and for me to continue putting my energy toward answering your questions, please consider Buying Me A Coffee, or pledging your support on Patreon, where I offer early access and exclusive benefits for only $5/month.

[taroholic]

EP 6 Preview

[taroholic]

People: “Hospital Playlist is a healing, relaxing drama! It never makes me nervous, just at peace!”

Ikjun/Songhwa fans: *war flashbacks to the neurosurgery dinner > drunk karaoke > I Knew I Loved band scene sequence* “funny you mention that”

[taroholic]

Ok but the very last scene-- where the boys come to welcome Song Hwa back...

with Jeongwon coming first with a warm thoughtful gift like the favorite younger cousin, asking about her neck-- typical AJW!

and then her twin sibling Jun Wan with "oh you're back! Not that I care!" vibe before he finally breaks into a smile,

then Seokhyeong (He really has changed so much) doing the cute thing he reserved for his mom with 'your good days are over' lmao. 100/10 was exactly like this with his younger sister I can bet!

And after her three bony brothers, Ikjun comes and in the softest but happiest voice asks her "let's eat." (And the background music hello??) And she immediately agrees with a smile and leaves with him.

P.S.- all of them remark on the rain casually (junwan with annoyance and seokhyeong with poetic teasing), but only ikjun does the "It's raining!!!" Like it is special and songhwa only replies to him. And they agree to watch the rain after breakfast, my heart!!!

[taroholic]

One of the reasons why Jeongwon and Gyeoul match each other so well is because they’re both idealistic children at heart.

Gyeoul recklessness in rushing in to stop the abusive husband in Episode 5 speaks to her naive, hopeful view of the world. In her eyes, when someone sees injustice, they should step in to stop it, no matter the risks or the consequences. She doesn’t stop to consider pragmatic factors such as the man’s strength, her petite stature, or whether it was the most logical thing to do. Instead gyeoul thinks with her heart; all she registers is a woman suffering before she jumps in to rescue her. Like a child, she acts on her idealistic impulse to save and ‘protect’ rather than spend time contemplating like the adults around her do. Though this puts her in danger and doesn’t always yield the best outcome, sometimes we need that fearless, childlike impulsivity to get things done.

And in my opinion, this is exactly what Jeongwon was attracted to in Gyeoul, as evidenced by the time he saw her pick maggots off a patient’s leg. Jeongwon has a similar impulse to “save” the world with his bare hands. He wants to build a children’s hospital because he envisions a world where every child can get the care they need.

Both Jeongwon and Gyeoul have not been jaded by the world yet. They’re both extremely idealistic individuals who still believe in the goodness of people, and in the seemingly impossible. Others may call them delusional and unrealistic for their ideals. But I think we need people like them in order to keep that ‘hope’ of a better world alive - the kind we’d believed in as kids.

The most compatible people are those who share similar values. Though it’s not apparent at first, Jeongwon and Gyeoul are on the same mental wavelength when it comes to how they view the world. They both embody the same ‘anything is possible’ mindset that has largely remained untouched by the woes of adulthood.

[taroholic]

Song Hwa has a different dynamic with all the guys.

Junwan is the sibling friend- they nag and tease but ALWAYS look out for each other.

Jeongwon is the adored bff who is your no. 1 fan.

seokhyung is exactly like her in ideology and self care and only listens to her advice.

and she is married to ikjun.

I don't make the rules.

[taroholic]

This was a Gom Gom episode y'all. And I loved every second of it. I'm a sucker for a slow ass burn but I think things are about to heat up just a little bit faster now.

Seok-hyung immediately taking Song-hwa's advice about speaking up more about little trivial things with people he's comfortable with the instant Min-ha called him, asking her little random questions about the gift, and what mall she'll buy it at, and how she's getting there EYE- he's trying guysss. And how cheeky he was with her when she mustered up the courage to ask him out directly. I still can't get over the little smile and the "you have four attempts left" guysss

And!! The fact that we finally know everything that went down with Shin-hye and his family in the past. I saw a post saying that they think she's probably back and that's going to cause problems but I think its the exact opposite. The whole story is out in the open now to us, so there's no going back on that for us in relation to Seok-hyung. It's a whole new leaf. Did y'all see those camera angles?? The way Seok-hyung was walking away from Shin-hye with Min-ha at his side? The way we see them pass each other like on different paths. I highly doubt those paths will converge again, honestly. It really looked like a final "goodbye." We're moving forward.

It was just a nice sprinkling of little things that collectively filled our little ship appetite. As usual, 'cause we're used to just getting a bunch of heartwrenching crumbs when it comes to these two. Anyway let's enjoy our morsels, guys GomGom endgame.

[taroholic]

An Exhaustive List of Things I Enjoyed in Hospital Playlist Season 2 Episode 5:

SPOILERS AHEAD!

1. Ikjun and Junwan still being best buddies even after the revelation

2. Gyeoul eating snow crabs like a pro while Jeongwon happily watches

3. Jeongwon not minding his allergies so he can kiss his girlfriend

4. The fact that Wintergarden like to kiss 🥺 (a manifestation come true! LOL)

5. Gyeoul's huge grocery bag for two meals (allegedly haha)

6. Junwan being weird around Wintergarden 😂 and Wintergarden laughing at his awkwardness

7. Gyeoul simultaneously drinking two coffees and doing everything in her power to keep the ambulance driver awake 😅 (Adorable!)

8. Jeongwon pulling Junwan's chair because Junwan was sulky again hahaha

9. Ikjun recharging Songhwa by the ear 😂 and Junwan's "I can't cuss you because you're funny" aww

10. Changwon Boys "love acting" about Snow Crabs

11. The fact that Jeongwon fixed Junwan's breakfast! (And in ep 2, Junwan was going to buy Jeongwon coffee huhu domestic energy)

12. The heated and tense discussion about Songhwa's possible stint as vocalist 😂

13. How nervous Songhwa was about the group's verdict 😂

14. How Songhwa practiced singing at the beach and the mountains LOL

15. Seok-hyeong's "She really wants to do it, why don't we let her sing once?" 🥺

16. Junwan being the most anti-Songhwa vocals in the entire group 😂 His anger is always so palpable

17. Junwan flinching when Songhwa sings back-up vocals at noraebang 😂

18. All the times Ikjun was being extra:

1) vocalization during the drinking session

2) Snow Crab walk to the bathroom

3) intense video game playing

4) Panic-calling for Gyeoul at the ER like a worried dad

19. SUNG DONG-IL 😂 I just laughed so hard at the whole duration of his scenes 😂 He was so loud and assertive, it was hilarious

20. The fact that the show tried to explain that Dong-il (Peter/Pedro) looked really old for his age LOL esp since Sung Dong-il's is only maybe 10 years(?) older than the actress playing Mama Rosa

21. When Jong-su said "Old friends are the best" 😊 I ship their friendship so much

22. Min-ha's "he said uri resident!" ☺️ Oh my gosh, so cute and relatable 😅

23. GOMGOM!!! I'm so enjoying more Gomgom this season!! 💖💖💖

24. Minha being outright "Professor, I really like you" and Seokhyeong's honest but also playful response to her request

25. That Bidulgi car scene. My god, that was good. And Iksun toppling over her water cup because she was disoriented about Junwan calling Ikjun.

26. Lee Siblings bonding! And Ikjun baby-ing his little sister

27. "U-ju and Uncle Jun-wan are very close" 🥺

28. The glimpse into Gyeoul's family life. Though I take her word for it that nothing is wrong at the moment. I hope her parents are alright.

29. Brave Gyeoul!!!

30. Jeongwon rushing to Gyeoul when he sees her on the floor

31. Dr. Bong scolding Gyeoul 😅 huhu cute

32. Songhwa-Seokhyeong friendship 🥺

33. Seok-hyeong's awkward but cute effort at asking Minha trivial things ☺️

34. Gyeoul calling Minha "unnie"

35. The fact that Minha is actually from Sokcho!

36. That little skip Jeongwon does as he walks with Gyeoul at the parking lot

37. Seok-hyeong slapping Jeong-won to snap him out of it 😂😂 and then moments later suggesting to let Songhwa sing HAHA

38. Eun-ji's mom giving a donation for her daughter's heart donor 😊

39. The fact that Eun-ji's mom wore some make-up this time because she is less stressed now!

40. Eun-ji's mom's COOKIES 🥺 They looked so good!

41. U-ju and Ik-jun mega heartu mix

42. Mama Rosa's COOKING! I always want to eat it!!

43. Iksun's prettiness 🥺 and I love how neat her short hair is!

44. Ikjun ninja-hiding Iksun's cherry tomato. That was cool.

45. "I can't promise I won't do it again" - Gyeoul's strong sense of justice

46. Seonbin cuddling Songhwa and acting cute towards her gyusonim 😊

47. Minha paying off her student loan!! Nice 😍

48. Minha happily chatting about paying off her student loan ☺️

49. Ikjun's unfailing instinct about people and taking action

50. Seok-hyeong admitting that his mother won't change. Somehow I like that he still recognizes her toxic side even though he loves her a lot.

And the Few Things I Didn't Like:

1. The fact that the liver failure patient also played a battered wife in Sweet Home! Lol 😅

2. The vague development of Sin-hye and Seokhyeong's relationship. I mean, she's back...there must be more to it. I hope this doesn't threaten GomGom.

3. Chang-im already chief resident of CS, poor thing. He's the only resident now since Jae-hak is probably a fellow in the "new semester".

4. Seok-hyeong's mom being a toxic in-law...yikes.

5. Iksun using too much tissue paper for some spilled water 😫 Wasteful huhu

[taroholic]

HOW HAVE I JUST SEEN THIS THE LAST ONE MADE ME SCREAM

Hospital Playlist S02E02- Analysis (2/3)

Couple Analyses

GomGom

Of course, the makers cannot show everything that is happening with the people in the show, but we are getting the feeling that Soek-hyeong increasingly prefers working with Min-ha. With every scene of theirs, it feels like he is making leaps and bounds in warming up to her. It especially shows in the way he pats her shoulder while telling her that he is counting on her. Soek-hyeong is a silent human being to whom things happen quietly. From time to time we are made aware of them through the instances where he opens up to his friends. His love story seems to be of the same kind. While the fandom is jumping with joy for WinterGarden or praying on their knees for IkSong, the GomGom couple is slowly but steadily heading towards a solid possibility of the pair becoming a real couple. In the last season, Soek-hyeong said that he rejected Min-ha because he prefers to be on his own. Only time will tell us if she manages to forage a way into his fortress that is his heart. As of now, she definitely seems to be on the right path.

Bidulgi couple

We now know that Ik-sun and Ik-jun talk a lot, especially about things that make them laugh. We also know that the Bidulgi relationship is going strong. All of this begs the question, why aren’t they telling Ik-jun about their relationship already?! Seriously, what’s stopping them? Although we are convinced that Ik-jun already knows, on the off chance that he doesn’t, we are feeling sorry for how bad he’ll feel when he comes to know the truth. Please tell him, you guys!

The show tackled the issue of racism for the first time. It was very brief but we’re hoping that they expand on the subject in the episodes to come. Anti-Asian sentiments have been on the rise since the outbreak of the pandemic. In such times, it becomes important to talk about the racism Asians face in western countries. This scene also serves as a small warning. The two are separated by continents and the relationship can only flourish if they keep the communication going. We hope it continues the way it does now and that the two don’t feel obliged to keep their problems to themselves which can lead to a lot of damage (an issue Shin-Lee have already captured in Reply 1994).

WinterGarden

There was very little Wintergarden in this episode. The only hint of it is in the way Gyeo-ul greets him at the café. Her expression is softer, and her eyes linger. By the end of this episode, we have located the three times Jeong-won got possessive of Gyeo-ul and they all happened because of our inssa Lee Ik-jun. Jeong-won’s expression at the café upon learning that Gyeo-ul has paid for her coffee with Ik-jun’s card is cute. Although it is not outright there, and we may easily miss it because of how vocal Jun-wan is in this particular scene, it is quite clear to the observant eye that Jeong-won is not too happy about Ik-junie playing Gyeo-ul’s sugar daddy (of sorts). He goes on to order way too many things for the entire nursing staff at the PICU (much to Gyeo-ul’s amusement), bit of an overkill to be honest, but in his mind, he is justified. Why must Ik-jun spend on this woman when she has a boyfriend for buying her treats!

Well, now that they are dating, he may think that it is well within his rights to object to the closeness between his girlfriend and one of his BFFs (of course he isn’t serious about it). But that was not the case last season where he was aware of the closeness between them but couldn’t really raise a proper objection. In S1E9, when Ik-jun says that he has a tteokbokki date with Chu Min-ha and Gyeo-ul, Jeong-won loses no time in pointing out that Gyeo-ul’s busy (in other words, don’t trouble her/ why are you spending time with her outside the hospital?/leave her alone) .

The café scene at the beginning of S2E2 is the second instance of Jeong-won’s possessiveness. If you are not convinced about these two cases in point, all you need to do is watch the end of the scene where he breaks the news of them dating to the gang. He tells Ik-jun that he can NO LONGER say things like “uri Gyeoul-ie”. Which is actually a very cute reaction given it’s coming from Jeong-won but clearly shows his possessiveness as well.

This scene is one of the best and undoubtedly the most rewatchable scene in the episode. Firstly, thank you Shin-Lee for telling us that Jeong-won makes the best rameyon. The fanfiction community is going bonkers because of this nugget of information. Next, the group gives Jeong-won blessings and we are most warmed by Jeong-won stating that Gyeo-ul is one of the biggest reasons why he didn’t leave, Song-hwa’s statement that she ALWAYS thought they made a great couple and Ik-jun’s unbridled joy at finding out about it. He indeed looked like a proud papa.

We also have a question for Jeong-won. When Seung-won’s mother asked him if he was quitting, what’s with the question he answered with? “Why would I quit?” Really?!! Says the man who had been wanting to quit for years when he had every reason to stay. Did it take a Jang Gyeo-ul to make him realise the value in not quitting? As the other 4 would say, “Priest my ass!”

Ik Song

Dear Song-hwa,

It may or may not come as a surprise for you, but you are in love with Ik-jun. Your fear that crossing the line would lead to the loss of your best friend is unfounded and unnecessary. These are fears that the man had too. But he was willing to take a gamble and let you know about his feelings. Kindly observe yourself and your reaction to every little thing he does. You smile at everything he says, you laugh at all his lame jokes. You couldn’t wait to proudly announce to him that you are the new Gidari Ahjusshi. We know that he is the one who left you those cups of coffee (an entire section of the fandom has turned into graphologists to prove the same). How do we know? It’s in your smile! You reserve that smile only for Ik-junie.

And please observe him. All your boys pat your back but when he does, his hand lingers. He has no reason for doing so, now that he has been rejected, but he still does it out of habit. The problem with you two is that your love has translated itself into the habits you have fallen into. Constantly looking out for each other, knowing each other’s schedule, the way he stops you from overstuffing your mouth and makes you eat slowly, stepping out to have private meals when it rains and what not. You guys need to see your habits for what they are. They are manifestations of love that appear every moment that you two spend together.

Sincerely,

Frustrated IkSongers.

[taroholic]

It might be a bit early to say this since Gyeoul and Jeongwon are still in their honeymoon phase, but so far WinterGarden is really shaping up to be a prime example of how people in a relationship for the first time can still do things right. Just because Gyeoul and Jeongwon aren’t as experienced in love as the rest, doesn’t mean they should struggle more, or face more problems as a result of that inexperience.

I understand where this sentiment comes from, and it makes sense that some members of the audience want to see them stumble through what is a first relationship for both of them. But when both partners are individually mature and are good at reading and communicating with each other, it’s not important for them to have had prior ‘experience’ to emulate a good, healthy partnership.

It's believable that someone as empathetic as Jeongwon and someone as expressive and frank as Gyeoul aren’t facing roadblocks typical of a first-time couple at this point because they’re just really good at communication and are always very patient and trustful of each other.

A blog I read pointed out how these two have so far communicated way better than Iksun/Junwan, and....I agree lmfao. Not all 'experience' is instrumental to a fulfilling romance. People tend to forget that along with 'wisdom', past relationships more often than not also bring with them heartbreak, baggage, and trauma — all which can detrimentally affect a relationship as we see in Iksun's case.

Maybe it's because I’m from a conservative culture, but I honestly don’t believe you need to date a lot to understand how relationships work. Now, keep in mind, there's nothing wrong with the former, but the myth that you need to 'explore' and get relationship experience before you know what you want and what works isn't always the case. There are many cases where people marry the first person they get into a relationship with, and, like these two, they just have what it takes to make it work from the get-go.

Which is why I won't be surprised if they get married by the end of this season because they're on a pretty neat trajectory so far.

[taroholic]

You:

The guy she tells you not to worry about:

[taroholic]

Uju being a shotgun child is the official crack theory of the IkSong fandom and though we may never get the answer it seems quite likely HAHAHA

What I love about IkSong is how many layers this relationship has. How it’s not just about two friends getting together but two individuals facing some deep-seated truths about themselves in the process of it.

There’s Ikjun who must come to terms with the fact that he’s super passive in his relationships and never makes the first move. Hence when it comes to the woman he wants this time, he needs to do something about it with the risk of losing her if he doesn’t.

Then there’s Songhwa, who’s as risk-averse as they come, and prefers her relationships to be neat and uncluttered just like her working space. The last time she was passionately in love was in her 20s and she doesn’t remember much of her relationships beyond her first love. She no longer has the time nor energy for the messiness and vulnerability that comes with love. But some people can be worth stepping out of your comfort zone for…as Songhwa will find out should she decide to muster up the bravery.

Friendly reminder

That Ikjun never chased a woman, yet he confessed first to SongHwa.

My theory is that he never did because he always held out hope something would happen with her, and maybe he married his ex wife because she got pregnant?

[taroholic]

Hospital Playlist S2 EP04 #03

OH~ LOVE~ 왜 이제서야~ 많이 외롭던 나를 찾아온거야~ OH~ LOVE~ 너를 사랑해~ 이제 모든 시간들을 나와 함께해!💕  ―젝스키스  Couple

[taroholic]

iksong after gobaek hajima >>> ♡