The reason that I think that the narrative thinks Su-Mi deserves to be punished (by not getting what she wants in the former of the ministerial position) is that multiple side characters also say that she shouldn't have the job and there is not a single character in the show who indicates that she should. No one is on her side. If there were a mix of characters for and against her attaining the position, I would not have this complaint at all! But when not a single supporter is depicted, and then the she doesn't get it, and this is framed in a positive or at least neutral light, it makes me feel like the show is supporting the view that she is not worthy of the position. And there is zero reason given for why!
I agree that the depiction is more nuanced than it would be on a lot of other shows--the show lets her be a good mother to her son, which most shows would not have done! And certainly the show is not any worse in its depiction of ambitious women/women who don't want to be mothers than any number of other shows. But it's precisely because it's so good on some issues (humanizing Woo-young, the lesbian couple, the Children's Liberation Army episode, etc.) that it disappoints me that it's not good on this one.
The writers could have either included a handful of lines showing that, actually, Su-Mi is qualified for this position OR alternatively a handful of lines telling us why she's not. It would have taken so little for me to feel completely differently about it!
I hope the Hanbada CEO becomes a more openly concerning figure, because she very much is behind those closed doors!
Agreed. She's shady!
I also did not realize that there was going to be a season 2 or that such a season was planned! If this was not, as most Asian dramas are, a complete series in one season, then there's plenty of room for them to change my mind about things! And I definitely hope they dive more into Hanbada's CEO who, I agree, has is an unsavory character!
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I agree that the depiction is more nuanced than it would be on a lot of other shows--the show lets her be a good mother to her son, which most shows would not have done! And certainly the show is not any worse in its depiction of ambitious women/women who don't want to be mothers than any number of other shows. But it's precisely because it's so good on some issues (humanizing Woo-young, the lesbian couple, the Children's Liberation Army episode, etc.) that it disappoints me that it's not good on this one.
The writers could have either included a handful of lines showing that, actually, Su-Mi is qualified for this position OR alternatively a handful of lines telling us why she's not. It would have taken so little for me to feel completely differently about it!
I hope the Hanbada CEO becomes a more openly concerning figure, because she very much is behind those closed doors!
Agreed. She's shady!
I also did not realize that there was going to be a season 2 or that such a season was planned! If this was not, as most Asian dramas are, a complete series in one season, then there's plenty of room for them to change my mind about things! And I definitely hope they dive more into Hanbada's CEO who, I agree, has is an unsavory character!