"Despite having failed, it made me think, "it's okay to fail.": "it's nothing, really." "you can still be happy."
Failure is inevitable in human life. As the older people say, you cannot enjoy success without a little spice of failure. I have always been talking about never giving up on my vlogs, about how failure had made me stronger. I somehow resonate with this lines, that it's okay to fail, because at the end of the day we can still be happy and live our life. It's not that I ignore the feeling of failure, or appearing into toxic positivity, it's just that I feel like every pain comes happiness, and happiness can also result to pain. But as long as we are living there are always endless of possibilities coming our way. It wouldn't be easy, we wouldn't know, but it will.......
Finally had the chance to watch Mr. Ahjussi. This is one of the todo kdrama list but was totally push aside because I feel like I can't handle the pain yet. But in the depths of realization and questions here I am dwelling with the life story of My Ahjussi.
Story
My Ahjussi tells us a story of middle-aged brothers, who endure different obstacles in their lives. My Ahjussi also tells a story about a girl Lee Jian whose also living a hard life on her own.
Cast of Characters
Lee Sun Kyun as Dong Hoon
I will always remember this ahjussi as the guy from Coffee Prince Choi Han Sung... the guy Go Eun Chan likes. Lee Sun Kyun as Dong Hoon is simply impeccable. From the way he walks to the way he talks and as soon as you hear his voice or hear the way he walks you know it's him, the epitome he made for this character really made me listen just like Lee Ji Eun (IU).
Let's dive in with his character.
Dong Hoon is a little bit quiet, and stoic character. He seems to not care but he does. His slow, low registered voice and gentle demeanor adds up to everything in his character. No matter what the circumstance his facing, his really a genuinely nice man. He is really kind no matter what (I think this is what his character is teaching us). From episode 1 down to the few episodes to the end, his life was not really rainbows and unicorns. (SPOILER: His wife is having an affair, his boss who used to be his hoobae(junior) wants him to be fired, and he seemed to be a bit pitiful in his office). Nevertheless, he always showed kindness and innately a good person. Everything you see in him is very raw.
Not just that, he's also a good boss. When he cares he really cares! He just seem to be a little bit gloomy but when it's fun it's fun.
IU as Lee Ji Eun
Okay so I'll try not to be bias hahahaha because IU is my fave! I was excited to see IU in this one because I have watched Persona on Netflix and I have been a fan since Dream High days.
Her character as Lee Ji Eun was a total opposite of all characters she portrayed in the past. Her character seemed to be a living dead, I just can't help but to sing Zombie by Day6 when I see her character. Because her eyes showed no emotions. But as the series progress, I just felt the pain everytime I saw her. The depth of emotions was swarming through her every movements, from the way she walks, talks, listen and even at the office. Her petite small figure showed her fragility despite of her strong persona as the cold-temp employee.
One thing I see in her character is that despite of the gloomy obstacles she into (SPOILER), from her very vulnerable grandmother to her paying of debts, to her heart-wrenching back story, she's really strong and very wise in terms of everything. It's like she's hungry to live but the circumstances made her gloomy and dry.
There is one I lie where she speaks from her heart, where all that matters was kindness. It's how Dong Hoon had showered kindness to her that she really appreciate it. It is that one scene at the board of directors.
“I got used to being neglected… so I didn’t expect much from other people and I never tried hard to hear praise from other people. But now… I want to do a good job. I don’t know if the fact that I like someone… will produce an unfavorable outcome… but even if you fire me today… I’ve been treated like a human being for the first time. And I thought… that I could be a decent person after all while working here. So I’ll always… be thankful to Manager Park. In the three months that I’ve worked here… I’ve felt warmer than I’ve ever felt in my 21 years. Whenever I pass by and see this building, I’m happy… and I’ll always… wish the best for Saman E&C.”
Lee Ji Ah as Yoon Hee
My siblings and I are still at the hype of Penthouse that we're so excited to see Ahjumma! :)
Yoon Hee is Dong Hoon's wife. She's a lawyer and during the first episodes she was introduced as a viewer you would already know that she's having an affair with Dong Hoon's Boss/Hoobae. From the tell all, her character is really a bit eerie and I just don't like cheating. No matter what explanation, no matter what reason cheating is cheating.
I never liked her character in this one, but Lee Ji Ah is just as elegant as she is! I can't help but say she's really pretty.
Park Ho San as Park Sang Hun
Park Sang Hun is the eldest among three brothers. He was just recently or was fired in the company he was working at and had two failing businesses that ended with so many debts. He was kicked out in his own home, his wife is aggravated in him but despite everything, he always finds happiness in little things.
For me, his character is really swabe yet very emotional; an older brother with so much baggage on his shoulder. He always had this line to his brothers that his younger siblings find it irritating, because he always say sorry for being a failure, that as an older brother he must set an example to his younger siblings but he ended up failing from his previous job and businesses. Despite failing he always looked into the brighter side of things, he seems very calm in listening to his brother's rants and talks.
SPOILER
There is this one scene where he really showed his emotions when they found out Dong Hoon's wife had an affair. They were at this small place where they ordered some drinks He really gave him comfort even if he had a few words to say.
Song Sae Byuk as Park Gi Hun
The youngest among three brothers. He is a movie director and was once invited to the Cannes Film festival because of an independent film he did but his glory days are over after 20 years of not releasing a movie as a movie director.
Gi Hun is really the youngest in the family. He admires his brothers by the way he looks at them but he always appear as the grumpy little brother who doesn't liked to be tease. His a bit hot-headed too! He also had this certain charm like his brothers I may seem to be not caring but I really do care awra.
Jang Ki Young as Kwang Ill
My blood waves are making me so angry in this guy! I liked him so much in Go Back Couple but this one guy here, oh no words!
(SPOILER) Kwang Ill and Ji Eun used to be childhood friends before the whole murder happened and before he took his father's job as a nasty mean jerk loan shark. The way he treated Ji Eun is beyond I couldn't imagine. How could a tall huge man hit a small fragile woman! TOO MUCH!!!!!
Kim Young Min as Dong Do Joon
Why in the world is this man always a cheater and a not so good person! Hahahah hello World of Married! He's very insecure in himself. No matter how high he was, he was always thinking of ways to let Donghoon out of his sight. His character is such an overall coward. Hiding from the walls of his little office and title.
I just love the way he acts when his acts where found out by Dong Hoon. The way his eyes scream "Oh Sh*T!" Like there's a huge lightning bolt fired up in front of him. The way his body gestures scream "I won't be scared but I am scared", it's just so satisfying to watch because all we can say is "You'll never win dude" and my brothers and I would be clapping at our heroine because you can really see in his eyes that he lost!
Kwon Nara
I didn't understand her character at first, I thought she was just making fun of Gi Hun losing the directorial job that she even invites friends to see him. She was brutally honest/rude, about talking about Gi Hun's failure that it made me kinda not like her character. But in one episode (SPOILER), she just simply explain the reason why she acted that way.
Learnings from the Drama (Quotes and Other Characters) and What I like about the drama
Goo Do Shim as the Brothers Mom
I really love the little details Eommonie was in this series. From packing the boys lunch, to seeing his eldest son got hurt, to her squeal when she founds out Dong Hoon became a director and the constant worrying about his sons. There is also one instant in the series where Dong Hoon asked his mom why she always worries about him, and she said that it's because he was a quiet child. She may never explained why but it's because she felt there is so much more to him.
What I learned from seeing her is that even if we get older, our parents will always be worried about us, they will also be extremely happy for our achievements no matter how big or small it is. Even when we get older they still see us as the little kids before. They are hurt when we get hurt.
Son Sook as Gran
Lee Ji Eun's scenes with her grandmother always gave me a tweak in my heart. My siblings and I grew up being close with our grandmother and even if she's no longer with us her effect on us would always be carved in our hearts. Gran seems delicate and a very gentle character, I love how through her actions and sign language her affection towards Ji Eun is so beautiful. There's something about the way Grandmother looks at their Granchild, there's so much love beyond words that only through those sweet looks we know what it felt.
I really thought he was Lee Ji Eun's brother! (HINDI PALA!) Because when Ji Eun asked help, he was the first one he called and he accepts and followed everything she asked. He is actually one of her childhood friends. Though their relationship in the drama is only seen in some few episodes in the drama, his character showed towards the end of the drama that no matter what happens, whatever we did, I will protect you. Though not much words are said but the emotions of friendship was there.
The Power of Closure.
1. The art of letting go.
Why do we need it? Is it important? Jung Jung Hee's relationship with Monk Gyeomdok is a love story that happened way back when they were younger. It was the time when Jung Hee could never understand why Gyeomdok left her. It was one of the most painful feelings she felt and couldn't move on despite the years.
The art of letting go or closure is something we seek for answers of why. The ambiguity and confusion of feelings that were left unresolved is something or sometimes we needed to move on. And sometimes the closure we need is to know if our feelings for that person are still there or not. For years, Jung Hee had holdbacks with Monk Gyeomdok but in the end, she had finally accepted that things that lingers in her heart will only be and always be a part of her past.
2. The moment of parting ways
Another parting scene was the final goodbyes of Ji Eun and Ahjussi. For months Ji Eun could hear everything about Ahjussi, from his panting to his breathing to his soft talks and emotions, finally, it's time for her to let go of everything she knew about him. Letting go of being attached with his voice. And finally letting go of everything he meant for her. And a Hug is sometimes we need for our goodbyes.
3. The word "Sorry"
Saying your sorry as the older people say is one of the hardest yet easiest to say.
"Sometimes all we need is to take some time to rest"
-a getaway
-a prayer
one moment where we could ease the pain of our everyday.
And sometimes we all needed that one hug, that friend who would remind you that you can breathe for a while, everything will soon be okay.
Kwang Ill's change of heart (His way of being sorry)
I was actually waiting for some closure between Ill and Ji Eun, but I guess sometimes closure isn't what we need in life. But the acceptance that the other party may not ask forgiveness but forgiveness comes from you. At the same time some "Sorrys" happen by doing the Righ thing.
One of the most painful scenes in this drama when Yoon Hee finally said she cheated on her husband. One of the most painful sorry. I remember one line in a Filipino Movie "SORRY, Ganun ganun lang? Tapos kalimutan na?"
Sorry may be hard to say but sometimes sorry is also one of the words that a person who was hurt would say "Just to get out your guilt, you say sorry?" I feel really bad for ahjussi. Ahjussi tried his best to be the man of the house, to fill the gaps in their relationship. He may have some lapses too as a person, he is a man of few words that his wife interprets as if he never cares.
But I just have one question? Can sorry really heal everything? :)
The sense of community/family
I love how everyone is all for one and one for all. If there's someone who's on the lower hand, everyone would be there for you. I love how everyone knew each other, how everyone we're childhood friends. This made me miss my friends so much because they always have my back no matter what.
Simple Talks between Ahjussi and Ji Eun.
Another quote that struck me. This is also one of the few words my older friend used to tell me. We are all living our lives trying to prove ourselves to everyone. We used to say that our success will be our biggest revenge. But in the end, we just cross into circles that we get to the point where we asked ourselves what are we gaining out of this. What is the point of proving everyone else? Am I happy? Are they happy? Life is a continuous manner, if we let people control our lives, we can never be happy. Are we just going to run into circle just proving that we can do it? It may be a driving point for us to stand up but don't let it be the core of why we are doing the things we do.
Providing encouragement for one another.
My Ahjussi gave a lot of lessons and learnings in life. In the end, it's all about kindness, and knowing that everything you do may have good and bad consequences.
