[SPOILER ALERT!]
I honestly thought the series ended here. I mean I can see it an open- yet very fitting and hopeful ending. Do-San x Dal-Mi shippers won’t agree with me on this, but that is my personal opinion. Up until this episode we have seen the characters grow immensely–discovering the masks they wear in sometimes heartbreaking ways and become true to themselves–and more importantly, mustering the courage to confront the consequences of their actions. And for some, making painful decisions to the path they think is right.
I am loving just about every bit of this show–except for the use of that “I love you but I have to push you away because this is best for both of us / I do not want to get away with your dreams” plot device. That always makes me cringe. Anyways. I have to admit, my bias for being in the tech world and admiration for startups is playing a factor in my love for this show. But can you blame me? This series has brought me back to that love and rekindled that fire in me again. And by sheer fate, I am also in a season where I am contemplating about where I am at the moment and coming to terms with the painful truth that where I am is not the elevator that will lead me where I really want to go. On top of that, the prospect of working for a startup here in Japan with a clear purpose I can resonate with and serve with my heart, which I have silently given up on, might just happen because of an opportunity that has come my way by fate–it can only be God if that happens I tell you.
But I am not here to talk about my journey, but rather to share some takeaways and learnings I have from the show.
First, the importance of Starting with the Why, as my favorite speaker and author Simon Sinek strongly advocates for. Having a clear Why means having a clear purpose, which consequently mean having a firm grasp of the pain point and problem you are trying to address. This is what ultimately differentiated Dal-Mi and In-Jae, which Sandbox CEO Yoon also mentioned in the series. In other words, “Fall in love with the problem”, as my friend recently told me too.
Second, the importance of having a growth mindset, grit, or if I were to go further, the Stockdale Paradox as Jim Collins coined in Good to Great. Plus the fact that creating a start-up is really not a joke. I see this especially with the tragedy that happened to Yong-San’s brother Dong-Su. The pressure to succeed must have been so great on Dong-su, considering he even gave up grad school for this. “How will I face my parents? What will they think of me?” and such shame thoughts might have plagued his mind and I feel sorry for him. But the sad thing is, ending your life puts a finality on a setback that could have actually made you stronger and better, had you held on to hope. And not just blind hope and faith, but a kind of hope that confronts the brutal facts as well, as the Stockdale Paradox tells us. People die of heartbreak, sadly, and one factor leading to heartbreak is being too hopeful and optimistic yet overlooking the harsh reality that you are actually facing. Makes you wish someone told Dong-Su that having a start-up is not easy, it is hard. And you need to have the resilience, grit, resolve, and a strong support system you can open up to, to be able to handle it along with its setbacks.
To add further to the second point, we see the issue on mental health awareness tackled here too. I am not saying that Han Ji-Pyeong should have been nicer, no. Aside from the fact that I adore him lol Even without his brutally frank but necessary wake-up call through his questioning, Dong-Su would have nonetheless still had face the harsh reality of the world he has chosen sooner or later. Worse, there might even be more implications and risks had he realized it later. My point is, where was his team when all this happened? How was his support system? For sure they were probably clueless as to the raging storm in Dong-Su’s mind. And for that, I believe that having friends we can confide with about our deepest pain and hurts, and be openly vulnerable with, is extremely important. The importance of compassion, getting to know people around us in a deeper way to reach their soul. Because we never know the weight of what someone might be going through. And that simple, “Hi, how are you feeling right now?” might just be the way to save someone’s life.
Thirdly, ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive’. This does not need much explanation, but just a reminder to all of us that every decision we make has its consequences and we cannot escape that. Consequences involving other people might come sooner or later, but its impact in our heart and soul is immediate, planting a seed that can only be cut by awareness and the courage to confront it. And the more we deceive (be it others or ourselves), the more time we take to acknowledge the wrong we have done, the heavier the burden becomes, so does the repercussions that come along with it. “You are free to choose but You are not free to escape its consequences,” as I often hear Pastor Peter of CCF share in his message.
Fourthly (and I will end here), the importance of self-awareness. I am particularly referring to Han Ji-Pyeong’s lack of self-awareness with this. All those years he was exchanging letters with Dal-Mi, I am sure somewhere in his heart he was feeling something for her already then. But he was guarded, sadly, and most likely denied those feelings or just pretended it was nothing. By the time he realizes he does have feelings for her, it’s already too late. Dude, you had all those formative childhood years advantage, and you did not even appreciate what you had! You two could have really been something you know? So while I adore Han Ji-Pyeong, on this aspect, sorry to say but this is the consequence of what he did/not did. He needed a Nam Do-San to make him realize what he had been missing all along–which was ironically and heartbreakingly–could have been his all along too.
Aaaand that’s it! Been a while since I let out my fangirl self come out of the hive and just happy to have been able to rave and reflect about a series again. Here’s to hoping I can ruminate further and churn out a reflective post again as I watch the rest of the series.
