the love that we had was meaningful

they were never gonna get a grand romantic scene like the second lead couple did, because that is not who hyomin and seokhoon are. they are quiet, sensitive people who both have very messy and sad personal lives. they started out the drama being quite miserable despite being incredible lawyers, and ended it together, side by side, with a bond they themselves could not define because putting a definition on it would be scary for them. they both talked so much about what love was in the finale but both couldn't reach a perfect conclusion, similarly to their own relationship in the drama.

i think the best summation of them in their "own" words is that hyomin IS his masterpiece, and seokhoon IS her flashlight. in a world of cold law, their tender cups of tea shared in the night, and small touches and walks brought them comfort. and that is a soulmate. so yes, to me they are absolute soulmates, and yes, it is in a romantic sense - you would be insane to not read between those RED lines.

i have no clue if they intend to have a season 2 and while i usually despise seasonal kdramas i think it'd be perfect for a drama like this one. but i am content with leaving hyomin and seokhoon in their world of quiet peace together where slowly they themselves will be able to define 'love' together.

-Lost in Starlight-

I was the only person without any luggage. Just a half-eaten cold pastry in my hand. I looked down at his teeth marks in it. I had the urge to listen to a fun song, something by Kylie Minogue or T-ara, but my cell phone battery was drained. This was when Gyu-ho normally handed me a portable charger. And what else? He portioned out my pills and water every morning, passed me his lip balm when my lips were cracked, hung up blackout curtains in my room, scratched my back when it itched, took a shower first so the air in the bathroom was nice and warm. You were the only person who did those things for me, so honestly, Gyu-ho, I actually really care that we’re not together anymore, a lot . . . I continued to gaze out at the scenery outside the window that kept blurring as the train sped toward Seoul, back to the big city that I knew so well. [Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park]

I think I won't ever make anything of myself. That's why I'm so lonely, Dad.

I debated if I should tell you or not over a hundred times. You don't know anything! You don't know how I feel!

LOVE NEXT DOOR (2024)

Just putting this out there because it was a cute visual! At the end of episode 2, we see the episode title written in the stars.

The word is 미움, which means "hate."

Then a tiny line is moved between the two syllables, transforming it into the word 마음, which is best translated "deep feelings" (as in "I have feelings for that person," including affection, love, sympathy, or concern).

It can also be translated "mind," but in the philosophical sense that is the root of the idea of "mindfulness." It's that intangible, highest activity of the human soul, the ability to understand what is real and true.