A long ramble on Shin from Goong...

[dangermousie]

Because I was talking about Goong with smartylibrarian yesterday and because I love to meta about Goong at the drop of a hat, I ended up thinking about Shin.

It’s funny, I started out loving Chae-Gyung and only mildly aware of Shin in a ‘wow, HE is going to be in love with her? How?’ sort of way.

But by the end, even though I never stopped loving CG, Shin ended up being my favorite character in the drama, in all his glorious, reserved, messed-up self.



I think he is probably the most reserved drama hero I’ve ever seen. In fact, to call him reserved is an understatement because in him, suppression of emotion and of impulse has gone so far at to make him almost dysfunctional in interpersonal relationships and in real world. It’s not that he doesn’t want to feel or to express those feelings. He feels entirely too much. And I think he does want to express himself. It’s that he doesn’t know how, it’s that he’s built protective walls miles thick. (I could strangle BOTH his parents).

I keep thinking about the scene that precedes The Kiss. How hard it is for him to even admit that he wants her, that he is vulnerable, even after she’s told him she loves him and all he has to do is say he wants her by his side.

It’s not that he is too proud or whatever. It’s just that opening up is incredibly hard for him, terrifying even. And yes, in part it’s because he’s told her he loved her (in an awesome awesome scene) and got his heart danced on with cleated boots for the trouble, but I really think it’s much deeper than that. He is incredibly emotionally reticent. He needs someone as warm and bubbly and impulsive like CG because no one else could ever get through.

Every time I see it, see how it’s scaring him to even blurt out ‘Don’t leave me alone’ I want to hug him (he’d be horrified, LOL) and tell him it’s OK, it’s safe to come out from beneath the shell, he won’t be repulsed by nearest and dearest for showing emotion this time. He seems to have gotten smacked down (metaphorically) for years every time he even attempted to open up or act human, so no wonder he has difficulties now.

Because really, his parents? Should be boiled in oil. There is his Mother. The scene where he stammers out ‘Mom?’ (after staying at CG’s place and seeing how real families interact) and she looks at him as if he is a rare species of toad and goes ‘You forget yourself, Prince’ is when I literally screamed (!!) ‘bitch’ at the TV.

WOMAN. He is your son. UGH.

I think it was probably the hardest on Shin, the sudden move, because his sister is rather older and was already more ‘established’ in herself (and also she seems a lot more of a pushy extravert, by nature). And unlike Yul who was brought up to the position from infancy (not that Yul doesn’t have his own trauma, but this isn’t a Yul meta), he had to shift from a semi-normal family life to the emotionless formality.

And then there is his father. Who wins the tough competition of ‘worst drama parent.’ I would (and could) rant about him for ages, but I already covered it in a post to kitsune714 so I am lazy and will just copy them here. (I'd link but it's flocked :))


I think in a way, Shin's almost complete inability to express emotions stems from a very similar upbringing that gave Domyouji such rage and control issues. If Domyuji is the 'bad kid' who lashes out and rebels by showing he cannot be controlled and won't be told 'no' too, Shin is the 'good kid' who deals with the pressure and the stress by suppressing any emotion of his own and just doing what everyone else wants of him, and doing it really well. Part of the reason for the difference, IMO, is because Shin has a very elaborate set of duties and a lot to do, every day. While Domyouji? Really is left utterly to himself with nothing to do at all except raise hell.

It's also a reaction to the parent(s), I think. I think a part of Shin learned, since he was a child, that he will only get validation from his parents if he is a perfect little toy prince and does everything just right. And he thinks (rightly) his father disapproves of him and he has a feeling of him not being good enough so he keeps doing more and more to sort of achieve that ideal. While a lot of Domyouji's early acting out is also a cry for attention but of a different sort. If he was a perfect controlled upper class prince type person, Kaede wouldn't even look twice at him because she only deals with him when there is trouble or when she wants something. (And of course, he is also lashing out at all the control).

In a way (and it's a paradox because Shin is so icy and Domyouji so the opposite), Domyouji acts out the way he does because he has nothing to care for (witness how he becomes so scarily focused when he falls for Makino) and Shin acts the way he does because he has too much he cares for…

[snip kitshune714’s brilliant reply]

Definitely. I am also thinking of the scene in Goong which contrasts CG's happy crazy family argument about who gets the barbeque at the table with Shin's very formal recital event thingy. And the scene in HYD where Tsukushi's warm family dinner is contrasted with the dinner in Casa de Evil with Domyouji and Kaede on opposite sides of a really long table, in chilly silence, and her firing the chef in the middle. While I think both Kaede and Shin's parents are awful, I confess I hate Shin’s Dad more than Kaede, even though Kaede is Queen of Evil. Maybe it's because Domyouji is actually going majorly against Kaede's wishes, but Shin tries so heartbreakingly hard to be the best son he can. Or maybe because Domyouji pretty much gave up all hope for Kaede being a 'mommy' and doesn't expect anything from that quarter (perhaps except on a very subconscious level) but Shin is still clearly desperately wanting to be loved…

[snip more replying]

The sad thing? His horrid mother is the better parent of the two. Shin has done everything he can (food tasting, OMG) but in a way, because Shin is a living reminder he married the Queen but loved Yul's Mom, Shin's Dad never really reciprocates Shin's love. But forget just being formal or cold. He is actively horrible. He blames him for things that could not possibly be Shin's fault, he fails to relent in any way. Oh, just thinking about the whole thing makes me so pissed off. There are SO many scenes that just made me livid. And honestly speaking, Shin is the son any sane parent would be proud of: hard-working and intelligent and trying his best. But all the King sees are the failures (and who can always do everything right all the time. Events don't always work out after all) probably because he sees his own failure reflected in this living reminder of his guilt and his unfulfillment. In a way, I think the more Shin tries, the less the King wants to see anything, because if Shin is 'good' than he, the King, is at fault for not warming up to him.

And of course, due to the psycho upbringing, it's really hard for Shin to open up to anyone. Easygoing (though screwed up in other ways) Yul can interact much better.

I think in a way, both Shin and Domyouji (and some other drama heroes) attach themselves so much like limpets to their OTPs because they have no one else to love or to love them back.

I think part of the reason Yul can interact so well is because his Mother, while undoubtedly a horrible woman, is clearly devoted to him (even if it's for messed up reasons). Yul and his Mother have a close relationship, however dysfunctional. And in a lot of ways, it's a relationship of equals, with Yul having to be the caretaker for this nutjob woman who think trying to kill herself is a good way to get her way. Yul is in no doubt of her love for him, but he doesn't think it's enough for her, as he is not enough to keep her alive. In a way, he is also trying to be the best son he can be, but there it probably required amusing her and making her forget her losses by being overly affectionate and making her feel wanted and important.

Shin is always three inches tall in the presence of his parents and kept severely apart from them. They don't need consolation or any care from him. If Yul's relationship with his mother is too personal (you should NOT make your son try to prevent you from suicide on a regular basis) and he is warped because he is always walking on eggshells in that way, Shin's relationship with his parents is too cold however he tries to render a personal service: he food-tastes dishes for his father and what not. He wants a little of what Yul has too much of: taking care of a parent in a family fashion.


So, basically? Shin’s father? Does not seem to love him, knows how it makes his son feel and withholds approval as means of control. Is constantly blaming him for everything that could not possibly be his son’s fault. Shin ends up striving and striving and it never being enough.

So what does it leave Shin with? Things are pretty lousy when your biggest source of comfort is an old teddy bear toy. And that is the thing. Shin really has so little of his own. He is always in the public eye, and the public interaction/persona is all he has as his parents do not want any further interaction, subsuming emotion into form. His girlfriend didn’t even want to marry him and at first CG married him because he was a Prince (she would have married Yul just as well obviously). So he feels trapped by his position and he cannot even lash out because he is always on display. So he tries to be the ‘best he can be’ but it’s sucking him dry of any personality. No wonder he tries so hard to hold on to few personal things (I am thinking of his convo with CG about that).

And actually, that is why I love the kiss scene so much. Yeah, it’s hot and young, and sweet. But it’s also him losing control, losing those barriers (and not because of anger or misery, yay!) and the thing is, I just love how utterly happy, and at peace and relaxed he appears afterwards. Maybe he maintained those walls so much because once inside, all the defenses are made of paper? This is a fanciful way to put it, but what I mean is, once he gives in, he has no reserves or defenses with CG: he has been so lonely and it is so wonderful to have someone to share things with, to be emotionally open with and connected to someone and to be secure in it, that it’s like all the repressed stuff of 20 or so years is just ready to flood out. As I said above, he has no one else, so he attaches himself like a limpet.

Comments

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

yeah i thought shin was just this awesomely repressed character and joo ji hoon is one awesome actor. shin's parents are the royal family but before they ruled it was supposed to be the king's brother and shin at a young age lost the caring parents he had prior and then he just had to obey and suppress his own wants and needs. it's completely sad to see him trying to express his feelings to chae gyung but doesn't know how. i think it was on the 5th episode when he was having a birthday party and she gave him shoes and when he was along he tried them on, i love goong, wishing that i had the money to finally buy the dvd and that there will be a true season 2 cause goongs is okay but i want more chae gyung and shin.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

before they ruled it was supposed to be the king's brother and shin at a young age lost the caring parents he had prior and then he just had to obey and suppress his own wants and needs.

Oh exactly. It must have been really bewildering. And I wonder if it plays into the inadequacy: he is 'the spare,' someone who wasn't supposed to be doing this.

it's completely sad to see him trying to express his feelings to chae gyung but doesn't know how.

Exactly. And he seems to want to conceal any good deed the way other people conceal crimes. I keep thinking of the scene where he brings her junkfood (and toys??) to cheer her up but pretends it's from Yul. Because he's been trained out of being human and nice, and trained that to show caring is as bad as it is to show any other human weakness. After all, wax figures do not feel sorry for anyone...

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

totally true and when he sees her upset because she misses her family and he tries to make it up to her but because his been conditioned to not show emotions he seemed kinda cold but his worried about her as well. thinking about it min hyorin wasn't a great mate for him because she's like his parents, very controlled and he needed someone like chae gyung who is more real, she's a person who shows what she feels and acts the way she wants. it's like a breath of fresh air for him and he learns that emotions aren't bad and that sometimes it's an asset.

although serisouly his parents are just messed up but then again they didn't know they were going to rule and the whole heir and spare is kinda true since shin's dad became king after his brother's death that could make him overcompensate when it comes to appearances and hence the whole crappy childhood for shin since his father and mother set the standards in the country.

[gingifere.livejournal.com]

It's interesting because I've never really given Shin's parents much thought. I hate them from the go (his mother's an absolute bitch!) but now that you mention it in a way it was fate that he'd fall in love with Chae-Gyung. I mean Min Hyorin was simply too cold to be able to understand him fully.

I agree with the Doumouyji/Shin comparisons. Both of them have been forced into this position where they're expected to take responsibility and honestly neither of them are happy about it. I mean Shin let his sister become queen at the end of Goong and Doumouyji was all for packing in leading DC for Makino.

And in a way makino and CG are similar; neither cares that their other half are wealthy and both of them emphasise this by treated them normally. In a way both Doumouyji and Shin would have self destructed if they hadn't met and fallen in love with two women who merely treated them like another person.

God I ramble! Sorry! I really want to re-watch Goong. It was simply gorgeous! And it put me in the greatest mood!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

when he sees her upset because she misses her family and he tries to make it up to her but because his been conditioned to not show emotions he seemed kinda cold but his worried about her as well.

Oh yes. I love how he gets her to visit her family though. Eeeee!

min hyorin wasn't a great mate for him because she's like his parents, very controlled and he needed someone like chae gyung who is more real

Exactly. She is the only one he seems to be human with, to be a real warm person and to have fun with. I just keep thinking about their normal day out or when they go to the beach, or grocery shopping *dies of the cute*

He needs someone warm and fun, not closed off: he has a tendency to close off himself too easily. And he needs to be very secure in the other person tangibly caring for him (the way CG does through her warmth and poor concealment skills).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I love your rambles! Don't stop!

And I agree on the self-destruction. Domyouji would have eventually rampaged out of control and killed someone or beat someone up who wasn't willing to be hushed up and ended up behind bars or in a cushy medical institution. Kaede keeps driving Makino away but she doesn't realize she is what keeps her off-beat son stable.

And Shin? He would have eventually locked away all his emotions and then either have a spectacular nervous break-down in 10 years (most likely outcome) or would have frozen internally so much that there would be no person left, just facade and I really think just keel over one day from the stress and emptiness and sheer misery.

And in a way makino and CG are similar; neither cares that their other half are wealthy and both of them emphasise this by treated them normally.

That is so true. I love the bit where CG tells Shin she doesn't love him because he is a Royal Prince, she loves him for himself (when he says he'll have to resign) and it must be such a revelation for Shin, not just because she loves him, but because she loves the person that is him: the prickly boy, not the ornamental public figure. And of course for Domyouji that Makino couldn't care less about his family is so liberating.

Plus, they both make home-made gifts (cookies and shoes :D)

[hope-fuleigh.livejournal.com]

I love just how, in so many ways, CG is Shin's source of freedom. Not just of repression and his ginormous barriers and loneliness, and all his emotional issues and shows him how to do things based on want and need (he WANTS her to stay, he NEEDS to have her around), but she's also a LITERAL source of freedom - he even says that one of the reasons he agreed to the marriage is so that they could live in the other part of the palace, away from the elders.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

You always put things so succincly and so much better than I can. That is all so true!

Re: moving away from the elders. It struck me that even compared to adolescents in countries other than NA/EU, Shin has incredibly little control over anything. He can't move away without major maneuvering (he has to do manipulation to be able to do that, how insane is that), he has to do activities like all these classical sports and music regardless of whether he has any interest in any of them or not, and I bet, even most of his wardrobe is probably not picked out by him. Yikes.

If this life was sucking even the bubbly CG dry (and she was there for a relatively short period of time), I can definitely believe it did a number on Shin.

[hope-fuleigh.livejournal.com]

struck me that even compared to adolescents in countries other than NA/EU, Shin has incredibly little control over anything.

I think that's why it's just so TELLING when he always seems to be on the edge of losing control with CG - always just on the edge of losing his temper, always biting back a smile or a laugh. It's a lot like Zhi Shu from ISWAK, the most telling aspect of his feelings for Jian Qing was the way he "became human" around her, the way he could be mean and yell and laugh, and it holds very true for Shin as well.

I do think a lot of his initial hostility/grumpiness towards CG when she first came to the palace was that she was just SO very free from it all - she has almost no inhibitions, and still has that childlike excitement for everything - and he was jealous. But when he starts to see the way it starts to crush her spirit, that's part of what makes is so hard for him to just SAY that he wants her to stay, because doing so is not only letting down those barriers and setting himself up (again), but also because he's asking her to stay in the environment that HE (who grew up in it) finds repressive.

I've been contemplating a Goong rewatch, but I think I must now move it to the top of my list of things to do.

[kitsune714.livejournal.com]

This is total synchronicity, because I was rewatching bits and pieces of "Goong" last night! I gave up on "Goong S" about a month and a half ago (I don't know if I'll ever return to it), and your "The Devil" picspam was inspiring enough to make me want to go back and re-squee at Shin/CG. The manhwa is really, really excellent, because it ramps up the tension between all the characters, even more so than the drama does. The manhwa makes a very strong point of demonstrating Shin's angst and really lets you extrapolate his feelings on Yul, Chae-Gyeong, and life. You can really see the way that he struggles with this competition with his cousin, the fact that Yul is so dangerously close to taking everything that he wants, needs, used to be able to have claim to, away from him (i.e., his father's love, his throne, his position, the respect of the people around him, and most importantly, his wife), and it's one of my favorite things about the manhwa. I understand that the drama format didn't really allow for the voiceovers and "thought bubbles" that manhwa does, so comparing the two is kind of like comparing apples to oranges, you know? I still love Shin in all forms, though. :)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I do think a lot of his initial hostility/grumpiness towards CG when she first came to the palace was that she was just SO very free from it all - she has almost no inhibitions, and still has that childlike excitement for everything - and he was jealous.

Agreed. He seems to be rather helplessly fascinated AND jealous by people who can emotionally open easily: CG, Yul, his sister. I am struck by the scene where his sister calls the Queen 'Mom' and when she scolds ignores the scolding and continues anyway and you can see the Queen be OK with it (or at least disapproving in a pleased fashion, if it makes any sense). And the camera cuts to Shin and the look on his face! He cannot shrug things off, bulldoze cheerfully and he envies those who can. I think in some ways he sees himself as too damaged.

He knows he doesn't have the easy charm of Yul. He has to work for things, but he knows he doesn't really inspire instinctive liking the way Yul (or his sister) do and...

I think that is part of the reason CG's love is crucial. I think this is the first time he's unequivacally 'first' for someone, not a substitute, not a second choice, but someone important and irreplaceable. His Dad would prefer Yul, his Mom seems fonder of his sister (and certainly doesn't see him as a person) etc etc...CG wants him.

I've been contemplating a Goong rewatch, but I think I must now move it to the top of my list of things to do.

I've been rewatching 'The Kiss' (purely research, which confirmed that it's my favorite drama kiss ever) and you know what struck me this time (other than 'tongue!':D) is how she keeps stroking his face and his hair...It's a very tender kiss. I don't think we've ever seen Shin physically close in any way (hugging, or even more casual body contact) to another person, certainly not in his family. But she is very different. And all hs physical gestures of affection with her seem very unpracticed: you get the sense he never got to do anything like that before. Or maybe it's just little tender gestures (OMG! I love how he tenderly moves the bangs away from her eyes when she is lying on top of him, talking, post kiss) seem so huge and in contrast with his usual demeanor for someone as reserved as Shin.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, this is inspiring me to restart the manga. I read the first volume and liked it but somehow got sidetracked.

You know what impresses me in the drama? How much of the above it actually gets across even though Shin is incredibly reserved and we also don't get lengthy fake-explanation-dialogue about Shin by others.

I am so in love with the character. Because I started by thinking of Shin as (to quote fivil) "a cold bitch" but ended up really loving him even though he never changed drastically. He warmed up somewhat and because more human, but he will always be reserved, always have some trouble with expression (but that is what makes his sweetness to CG even more awesome). And I love that in the drama (no idea how it will go in the manhwa) he was able to get out of the prison that is the palace and travel and do his own things.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Whoa. Very, very comprehensive meta on Shin :) What I find really touching about CG and Shin's relationship is that both sides make the effort to get their relationship working, and it's not something easy to do 'cause they come from polar opposites (in terms of upbringing and 'environment'). And because of that process they both mature and the happiness they feel when finally manage to understand and be with each other without anymore reserves... it's just... sweet. :)

Errr. Okay that rambling wasn't about Shin, but I love Shin & CG so I hope it still counts ^^

PS. The kiss. Hmmm I really want to see that again but my sister has been hogging my Goong CDs for ages now XD

[hope-fuleigh.livejournal.com]

I think that is part of the reason CG's love is crucial. I think this is the first time he's unequivacally 'first' for someone, not a substitute, not a second choice, but someone important and irreplaceable. His Dad would prefer Yul, his Mom seems fonder of his sister (and certainly doesn't see him as a person) etc etc...CG wants him.

And she wants him even after knowing his cranky side, and the restrictive reality of life in the palace, after all the glamour and "ooh, I'm married to a prince!" factor has worn off.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Re: kiss. I really do think it's the best kiss in kdramas (other competitor is the ALTK kiss).

What I find really touching about CG and Shin's relationship is that both sides make the effort to get their relationship working, and it's not something easy to do 'cause they come from polar opposites (in terms of upbringing and 'environment'). And because of that process they both mature and the happiness they feel when finally manage to understand and be with each other without anymore reserves... it's just... sweet. :)

So true. I love how their differences compliment each other. He needs someone warm and bouncy and with a sense of fun and she needs someone steady who can protect her...

[shinystory.livejournal.com]

Hi, I wandered over from doing research. It's my first time to read the scanlations of the manga and one random link lead to another.

I'm just now watching the series, although I've been spoiled (really bad.) This is a very nice analysis. I really enjoyed reading it.

Sometimes I wonder if it's the Palace, as an institution and a way of life, that severely affected Shin's emotional growth. But then again, there's also his parents who, while bound by the rules of the palace, could have found in themselves the humanity to care for their heir.

Maybe it was also the way they were raised? But that doesn't explain their treatment of their daughter.

Thanks for sharing this.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Hi! *waves*

Re: Shin's parents. I think for his mother, he was different because he was the 'boy' so he would be future King and basically a vindication of her empty life: she is married to a man she knows never loved her, she really has nothing except formality and the fact that it's her son, not her rival's who will become King. She is more lenient with the daughter because she expects less of her, she is less emotionally bound with her success.

And for Shin's father, once again, the gender thing comes into play (a lot of parents treat daughters and sons differently. This is certainly common in abuse cases, not that King was beating Shin with belt-buckles, however horrible emotional abuse is, but you know what I mean) but also, I think it's because he doesn't have to see his daughter every day.

And, I think most importantly, the daughter is older. If the marriage of the Royal Couple began disintegrating after her birth, if the King fell for Sis-in-law after her birth, at some point before the death of his brother, I think that would affect the view of his daughter (because he's had her when he was OK enough with his situation and his wife even if not in love with her) versus the view of Shin (and also explain his favor to Yul).

And I think a lot of it plays into their respective personalities: the Princess seems to be able to shrug things off and be eas with her affection and thus inspire more warmth through openness. Which is where her being older when everything abruptly changed helps. Because before King became King, while I don't think the family were the Bradys or anything, it was OK enough for Shin. But he had to lose all that at a very young age and deal with it when a kid shouldn't. Princess was older so she's had more of the relative normalcy of 'before.'

[magalamb.livejournal.com]

Shin = love. He just... guh. And the whole scene where Shin and Chaegyung are supposed to be on their wedding night is pretty much hilarious... and the one where he tries to kiss her and tell her hes her husband and she slaps him...

I cheated a bit with Goong. I watched ep. 1 and then ep. 23, because those were the only two I could get my hands on at first, and so I was in love with Shin right from the beginning...

I was amused by the fact that people initially didn't want JJH to play Shin because he'd never been in a drama or movie before, but he does the most amazing job! ♥ I love all the scenes with Alfred the bear and how Shin talks about how Alfred was his ony friend and made life in the palace bearable... with the subtext being that CG does the same thing...

[shinystory.livejournal.com]

Hi, *waves back*

I agree with you: the Queen actually just sees Shin as the son she wants to protect and have her comeuppance with. Shin is "heir" first, the Crown Prince, and "son" second (or even least.) Her daughter is not as important in that sense because she's not directly in competition for the throne.

I do think, though, although I don't have any facts, that there's not much age difference between Shin and his sister: it's just that they're also treated differently, which enhanced the difference in their personality.

And yes, I think Shin protects himself by wearing his indifference like a coat, but inside, he can't deny that he cares...he cares a lot. Beyond what he thinks--or what's drilled into him, is necessary or appropriate. Given the choice, he'd just go with what he knows rather than swim in that unchartered territory. Like when he wouldn't call Chae-gyeung back when he was in Thailand. I also agree with you that *that* is the reason it's so touching when he breaks free of his shell. It's like he can't bear it any longer and his truth leaks out. And what a spectacular way he shows it, even though they're simple, everyday actions and not grand gestures.

Oh, wow, that was quite a lot.

Thanks, again, again for this little piece. It gives me a helpful guide when watching (the remaining episodes) now, and a good take-off point for when reviewing the old ones.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am not sure about the age difference between Shin and his sister myself. She has to be some years older, to have finished school and volunteered abroad, so I think she has to be at least 23-24 or so to Shin's 19. And she also acts older and more mature, but you are right, it could be due to different treatment.

Given the choice, he'd just go with what he knows rather than swim in that unchartered territory

Exactly. It's all so new to him, that he is really at a loss how to behave and considering that he likes to know things and also to have what control he can (because he really has so little) and he is so logical, it must be doubly hard. The thing with him being so logical and so over-thinking everything rationally strikes me as something that was forced on him, a defense mechanism, and also a necessary survival skill in the Palace: any time he does anything impulsive he seems to be smacked down for it: call his Mother 'Mom' and get it thrown in his face, have fun with Hyo-Rin in Thailand and have tabloids after him for weeks, smack Yul and almost get arrested, confess his love to CG and get turned down etc etc.

I think he also tries to view love with detachment as a defense mechanism as well. Because if it's something rational, not really existing too much, quantifiable, then the fact his parents do not love him isn't too bad or at least something explainable. If it exists and it's just he who doesn't have it, does it mean he is flawed and can't inspire love? Or that they are horrible? So he prefers to go with the rational option but I think inside he worries constantly that it's option number 2.

It's like he can't bear it any longer and his truth leaks out. And what a spectacular way he shows it, even though they're simple, everyday actions and not grand gestures.

Exactly. It's like all the pent up emotions had to have an outlet and it's Chae-Gyung. It kills me when he tells her he misses her even when he is with her.

I really love that even at the end, he will always be somewhat reserved and introverted. That's just how he is. I think he would have always been so even without the bad parents and the palace life, but those certainly set the seal on it. But he is capable of feeling, and having fun and just relaxing. He is wound so tightly during most of it, that it's just amazing when he lets go and relaxes (as he does before and only with CG). I keep thinking of the scene post-kiss where there is all this doom and gloom hanging over him and he was so freaked out he was throwing up earlier apparently but not he is just lying down, completely laid-back and just stroking her hair and smiling and looking as relaxed as it's possible for a person to be.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh yes.

with the subtext being that CG does the same thing...

Exactly. I keep thinking how lonely you have to be if a teddy bear is one thing keeping you from being unglued. It must feel horrid to have your personality b sucked out day after day.

And that is why I think CG is so much better for him that Hyo-Rin would have been. HR is much too reserved, much like Shin. She would never push, she would never be warm...

[shinystory.livejournal.com]

Amen! :) It's really nice to have come across you.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

I know that's a little old but I was doing the drama meme and I stumbled here. I love it when people do big essays on some characters. It enlightens everything and I loved reading this one. I never gave much thought about the parents apart from the "geez they are horrible" thing.
The actor did an amazing job with him, letting sometimes this little very joyful warming smile passing like shadows.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I agree, it's all about the little moments. I think I like Goong so much because it's a fun, colorful, fluffy story on so many levels, but there is also enough 'meat' there to meta :)