Early Access: More Than Friends E2 (Patreon)

E2. Two episodes in, I am having mixed feelings about this show.

On the upside, it's prettily filmed, and episode 2 is mostly on Jeju Island, so it's extra pretty. It feels laidback and uncomplicated, and unoffensive and simple.

On the downside, there's nothing that really makes this one stand out, so far. It feels simple to the extent that right now it leans predictable and tropey, and reminds me of a web drama, in terms of its vibe.

But, I rationalize that we're still in set-up, so things might gain momentum yet. Also, we're still getting to know our characters, so there's still a good chance that I'll feel for these characters. Of course, the downside is that right now I don't quite feel for our characters. Yet. The good news is, I've heard that this show gets better after episode 2.

For most of our first two episodes, I've felt bemused at Woo Yeon for nursing feelings for Lee Soo for so many years, even though he'd made it clear that he only likes her as a friend. I don't personally understand this thing that Show keeps reiterating, that you can't control your heart and you can't control who you like. Maybe I'm the weird one, but each time I've had feelings for someone and those feelings weren't reciprocated, I'd mope and be sad, sure, but I'd also move on. So this inability to move on puzzles me. It's a thing that many dramas refer to and use as plot points, so I can't fault Show too much for using it too. I just.. can't relate.

On the bright side, I am pleased that Woo Yeon finally makes a stand about this, despite Lee Soo insisting that he still wants to see her, as a friend. She even does it twice, because despite her determination to cut him out of her life, they still eventually cross paths while on Jeju Island, and so she tells him that she never wants to see him again, again. I appreciate that she recognizes that she needs to do this, for her own sake, even though she still has feelings for him. I like this thing where feelings don't dictate her actions; it shows mental strength, and it also shows a measure of maturity.

Right now, I have to admit that I'm not enjoying Lee Soo very much. I get that he's scarred from his parents' divorce, and I feel sympathetic that he still suffers from nightmares, but I am not liking his aloof and distant facade. He does come off as a self-centered jerk, so far, although I admit it is somewhat softened by the nicer things that he does for Woo Yeon.

So far, it seems that he does care about her, but not as much as he cares about himself. Also, it seems to me that his reason for creating this hard shell to protect himself, while keeping people at arm's length, is kind of underwhelming? I'm assuming that this is all because he's been emotionally scarred from his parents' divorce, but lots of people have divorced parents and don't do what he does. But ok, there could be more to it than that, so let's see. Also, I could interpret this to mean that he's just that sensitive of a soul, beneath that hard shell.