Entertaining but problematic

This Kdrama is very entertaining; the characters are appealing and the storyline is engrossing. But, as explained below, the ending wasn’t just bad, it was offensive. Recommendation: Watch it, then read the spoilers, not just mine but others. What’s nice about this story is that its the characters are well-developed and memorable. And because of that, the conclusion provokes a powerful reaction. That’s also part of the fun.Spoiler: Let's talk about the ending. Here's the setup: The endearing Goo Ra-ra befriends, then falls in love with, Sunwoo Joon. Despite his independence, he's actually a much younger runaway high school student. Joon leaves Ra-ra to study abroad. Ra-ra hosts a Christmas party, which is also a homecoming party for Joon. His mom shows up instead and reveals Joon had gone overseas for cancer treatment and sadly passed away. Five years later, the last few minutes of the show, Joon returns to a joyful reunion.Wait, what? He didn't die? Is this suppose to be a happy ending?The Problems:First, it didn’t just undermined a very touching and well-earned reconciliation scene between Joon’s mother and Ra-ra; it perverted it. To tell someone their beloved just died, when it fact that person is alive, is beyond mean - it’s evil.Second, what does it say about Joon’s character? Again, lying about his death and not keeping in touch for 5 years? It doesn't matter how you spin it (was he saving Ra-ra from the heartache of watching a loved one wither away?), most viewers will come away with negative feelings. What would you prefer? To be told someone you loved one had died and live without him for 5 years. Or be told he is sick and be by his side to provide aid and comfort while enjoying his companionship and hopefully recovering? Basic humanity solves this simple question. What on earth were the writers trying to achieve? Tacking on a crude Hollywood happy ending undercut the magic of this show.So let’s propose a couple of alternative endings.Alternative 1; He’s dead. Leave it at that. It’s still a sweet love story with a bittersweet ending that mature adults could appreciate.Alternative 2: Mom arrives at the party, reveals Joon’s illness and that he’s too sick to travel. Ra-ra goes to visit. That sets up two possibilities for the epilogue: Five years later, they’re married with a kid studying the piano and playing their homecoming song on their wedding anniversary. Or five years later, Joon has died, but she had his child who is learning to play the piano, starting with the homecoming song. (And of course, Mimi the Dog is there playing the piano when nobody is looking.) Your pick, sweet or bittersweet (I like the latter), both work much better. Also, did anyone else feel Mimi got the short shrift? This charismatic dog was a scene stealer. We needed her in more episodes.And while we're critiquing the show, one scene in particular was just embarrassingly stupid. Suspecting her father's business associate had committed fraud, Ra-ra tracks him down, finding him in a car at parking lot where she observes him abusing his wife. When Ra-ra confronts him, he informs her he had become an actor and they were, in actuality, just filming a scene. Really? So you mean to tell me Ra-ra didn't notice a film crew and equipment nearby? Not buying it.Having said all this, it was still a great show.

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