#datcp

Jang Tae Jin was one of the main antagonists in this show. He was the ex-fiance of Dali five years ago from the starting part of the story. He left her because he found out that she was adopted into the Cheongsang family and he was disgusted by that because he has this mindset of “people are who they are and should not pretend to be something they’re not” meaning (to him) if one is born “low”, then no matter what they do, they will always be “low”. 

His principle is the anti-thesis of the story which is coming directly from Dali’s father, Kim Nak Chun. The dad’s principle is somewhere of “people are like art, that you won’t know what they will become from just one brushstroke, from just one beginning. there’s always the chance to start over and be more than what’s perceived”. 

Tae Jin had the opportunity to be someone who could’ve been a second lead (before we knew what really happened) because he had “lingering” feelings for Dali. But the more we got to know him (the more brushstrokes were revealed), the more we got to see what kind of person he was: a rich, manipulative, powerful individual with no genuine person by his side and with no kindness in his heart. 

I think his ending where he was able to get away with what happened because he has power and money but he never got what he truly wanted: the redevelopment of Dali’s land was fitting. Ofc he should’ve went to jail! I’m sure there was a way, but it was proven over and over again, that he can get away with whatever he wants. He has that superiority over every character in this show. It’s been shown time and time again. However, when Tae Jin was thwarted, came from when someone showed kindness (broad concept, I know but stick with me) and willingness to be open about to that other person who needed it. 

He was thwarted when Si Hyung revealed what really happened that night to Dali or when Moo Hak decided to come to Ki Chul’s aid (there’s probs other times but I can’t really remember those details). Ultimately, Tae Jin doesn’t count on the willingness of others to help. His own isolation and need for control over everything is his downfall while Kim Nak Chun and by proxy, Dali and even Moo Hak, are his antithesis. 

Dali was willing to hear Si Hyung out no matter how hard it was to hear about what she already accurately assumed. Dali was willing to help Gong Joo despite how painful that betrayal and the reveal of her motivations was (a smaller part of Tae Jin’s influence). Then there’s Moo Hak who has always been open towards Ki Chul as brothers and was willing to get violent to protect him against some thugs.