Early Access: Into The Ring E2 (Patreon)

E2. I can see why people have been calling this show a breath of fresh air. There isn't a predictable bone in this show, so far. From the fisheye lens which makes me feel like this story world is just weird and off-kilter, to the often unexpected narrative turns, I literally don't know what to expect next, from this show. Given that we exist in a drama landscape where most longtime drama fans can predict a good chunk of a show's plot points and story milestones, by virtue of how many dramas lean on similar trajectories and tropes to tell their story, this is a very welcome feeling indeed. The last time I felt this way, I was watching Be Melodramatic, and that turned out to be an extremely positive experience.

So far, I feel able to appreciate the general trajectory of the story, even though I am quite the politics noob, and that's a good thing. I think it's important that Show is accessible to even the average person who doesn't have political workings at their fingertips. Which is the excuse I'm giving myself to not specifically get educated about how this political system works - I need to speak for the innocent. Ha.

I like Se Ra's indefatigable nature. Even though the campaigning journey turns out to be really challenging, with way more obstacles and sudden hurdles than she'd expected, she remains resolute and determined, and continues to push her way through, on her own terms. Even when she's thrown out of her family home, and even when people don't pay attention to her, and even when best friend Woo Young refuses to vote for her, Se Ra just carries on. I honestly feel tired on her behalf, with all the campaigning that she's doing.

I also admire how principled Se Ra is. She refuses to be moved by bribery or threats, and marches right up to Chairman Cho, to return the ginseng that he'd given her dad. She's ballsy, and I love that.

When her friends drag her to the protest against the construction of the distribution center with a prepared speech and everything, Se Ra first refuses to go, and then, when she finds herself plonked into the spotlight, she declines the speech notes, and speaks from her heart instead. At first it seems a bit risky, since the audience cheers die down the moment she announces that she's Candidate 5, but by the end of her heartfelt speech, everyone's cheering for her. I think that's pretty awesome.

I like that Se Ra becomes aware of her childhood connection with Gong Myung now, rather than later. If we need a childhood connection, I would rather not have the secret dragged out for episodes on end. Having Se Ra realize it now, changes the tone of her interactions with Gong Myung immediately. She's no longer just an ex-colleague or the expert complainant Garden Tiger Moth; she's his ex-schoolmate and ice-cream sharing friend. This should be fun.

The way Show casually reveals that, 1, Gong Myung has a younger brother who'd died in a traffic accident, and 2, he's actually Chairman Cho's son, makes me do a double take. I'm all like, "Wait, what? What did you just say?" *blinks*

It does provide a bit of a rollercoaster quality to the watch experience, even though we aren't exactly going at a breakneck speed. It's quite nice.

Also, I'm glad that Gong Myung's identity as Chairman Cho's son is outed so early, not just to us, but to Se Ra as well. Usually, this type of information is saved for a later reveal (birth secret trope and all), in the same way that childhood connections tend to be milked for angst before being revealed. I'm pleased that Show has, right off the bat, placed these cards squarely on the table. It makes me feel like Show has better and more interesting narrative places to go.

Chairman Cho sure comes across as a greasy politician. The way he systematically takes Se Ra down, and makes her (I assume he's behind it) the subject of a smear campaign, such that even tenacious Se Ra is ready to turn in her withdrawal from candidacy, is so consummate and smooth. It feels like he's done this kind of thing many times before. Blech.

How interesting though, that Gong Myung steps in and refuses to let her withdraw. Are they going to join hands now, just like they did when they'd squabbled over ice-cream? Coz I would be down for that.