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#jun woong is the heart of jumadeung
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Episode 6 was so incredibly touching and poignant. It was heartstring-tugging, moving and absolutely beautiful. I filled an ocean with my tears this episode. This episode will leave you emotionally drained and even thinking about it will make you cycle through all of these emotions again.
This episode was different from all that came before it. Primarily, it was an arc that was told within the span of one episode. This did not lessen the feels in any way whatsoever but I wonder if it signals a shift in story telling going forward. Will the arcs be self-contained within one episode? Will this change the messages that each case brings with it? Will this lead to focusing more on the Grim Reapers themselves? Only time will tell. Secondly, the person they were tasked to save only had a limited time left to live afterwards.
The focus of this episode was an elderly Korean War Veteran. He had the kindest disposition. He reminded me of a polished river stone in that time and life experiences had worn away all of the impulsive emotions and what was left was a quiet enduring wisdom. I think what really got to me is that he reminds me of people I knew who grew up in that generation. The generation that faced unimaginable pain and hardship and who grew up to have this otherworldly patience and outlook. The people who would save every penny but wouldn't hesitate to give you the shirt off of their back if you need it. The people who are givers and put everyone else before themselves. The generation that is quickly passing away. He reminded me of all those I lost and made me miss and treasure them even more. Safe to say, just like Jun Woong, I quickly became attached.
The Risk Management Team took a different approach to this case than I was expecting. They not only told him that they were Grim Reapers but that he had one day left in his lifespan. They gave him all of the facts upfront. You learn that the only reason he was considering taking his life was because he didn't want to die alone. They told him that he could do anything he wanted to do for his last day and all he wanted to do was peacefully do what he did every day. 
You got a glimpse into his life during those twenty four hours. The Risk Management Team saw how he viewed trash as treasure and was grateful for everything. You saw him give all of his hard earned money to the person who ran the dump and told him to use the money for meals for his family. I think seeing his enduring optimism and kindness really moved them. It is so frustrating how easily he was dismissed in the beginning of the episode for his livelihood and how he was used as a cautionary tale by the woman to her daughter. Just seeing how he chose to spend the last day of his life exemplifies that a person’s character is not defined by their job and what they have to do to survive. 
Seeing his backstory really broke me. You learned that he volunteered for the war, that he couldn’t just stand by as people younger than him gave their lives for their country. Watching all that he had to go through during the war from having his commanding officer die right in front of him, to getting reluctantly attached to someone who later yelled at him for saving his life, to returning home to realize his home was destroyed and his mother had died while he had been gone, was absolutely heartbreaking. Seeing how PTSD drastically changed his life afterwards while those who never fought could live their lives successfully felt so cruel after everything he lost. Hearing that he had regretted his choice of joining the war meant that for over eighty years he had carried this burden in his heart hurt. Knowing that he thought his life a waste, meaningless and useless for so many years absolutely destroyed me. It reminds me of so many others who fought in the war and survived the war only to come home and never talk about it again. So many have passed without realizing that there are so many people who are grateful for their sacrifice. 
I am so so glad that Ryeon was able to convey that to him. That in no way shape or form was his life meaningless or useless.  That his sacrifice created the country they lived in now, the bright night lights of a bustling Seoul. Without him, it would not have been possible. I cried as he realized the magnitude of what he achieved through his sacrifice. That he did not sacrifice through war and did not suffer through its aftermath for nothing. 
His last moments really got to me. A man who was scared of dying because he would be dying alone ended up having so many people around him. The Risk Management Team stayed by his side (even though Jun Woong had to step out for a little bit because he couldn’t stand to see Grandfather Veteran in pain). Seeing Joong Gil show up confirmed to me that he could be gentle if the situation called for it. There was a truce in those moments between all of the Reapers because there was something more important at hand - paying respects to a kind soul. Joong Gil told Grandfather Veteran that he remembered the last time he saw his back (knowing that he was there that day also tugged on all of my heartstrings). He gave the comfort that only someone who had been there with you could give. I think he was absolutely vital in bringing peace to Grandfather Veteran’s past. I want to pay my respects to the courage you had for your country so we will all accompany you in your last moment. When you saw Grim Reapers arrive from every direction, you began to feel the importance of this moment. Hearing that it was a special case and the Director must have approved for this to happen means that even the Director softened her heart for this case (despite her firm standing on no special treatment earlier in the episode). The fact that the girls of the Escort Team had never seen this happen before shows just what a kind soul Grandfather Veteran had to make such an impact. An impact so great that the Director herself showed up which made me lose it seeing how many people have come to honor him. 
The Director’s speech to him was so touching. Hearing that he had a gentle face and had lived a kind life. People face choices every moment of the lives. All those various choices come together to make their lives. The choice you made during your youth were honorable. You have lost so much yet you have protected so many lives and brought about the world of today. Thank you for protecting the lives of so many. Seeing the tears in the Grim Reapers eyes and the tears that fell down her face as she helped him pass on peacefully and comfortably really spoke to how Lee Young Chun (Grandfather Veteran) moved them. I was crying alongside them. I am so glad that his soul will be blessed beyond what his life has been worth because he deserves so much peace and happiness in every life to come after having such a difficult life. Thank you for your hard work. 
His send-off was so incredibly moving. I am so happy he saw the scale of his send-off because it just cements that though he thought that he did not change any lives, he in fact impacted the lives of so many (Grim Reapers included). I’ve lived regretting the choice I made that day for a very long time. But fighting for my country was the noblest choice I have made and it was worth it. Thank you for being with me during my final tomorrow. The HUG he gave Jun Woong MY HEART. The salute Jun Woong gave him. The moment of silence for the soul of the fallen hero who protected this country...I could not stop the tears from falling. It was the honorable and respecful send off he deserved and I hope that all those who gave their lives to protect the lives of so many, all those who endured so much pain and suffering, got a send off just like his. They deserve it too.
When the Risk Management Team first approached Young Chun, he was like a wilted flower bush who had not seen the sun of other people’s company or gotten any water of a meaningful life. He was alone and thought his life to be worthless and meaningless. Through the Risk Management Team and Jumadeung and in his final moments, he bloomed because he was no longer alone and everyone showed him just how important and meaningful his life actually was. He was given the sun and water he was deprived of for so long. He spent his final moments with good company and then was escorted to the afterlife surrounded by people. He was surrounded by the warmth of people who cared about him and then reunited with his mother who never stopped caring.
This episode also made me treasure Jun Woong so much. I think he was critical to Young Chun’s final days. He was really the turning point for Young Chun’s perspective on his own life. Up until Young Chun met Jun Woong for the first time, he was struggling to get by, getting bettlitled by people on the street and then bullied by the thugs of the neighborhood. Jun Woong stepping in showed him that someone cared and someone noticed. The Risk Management team treated him with kindness and respect but Jun Woong went one step further and treated him like family. He immediately adopted him as his Grandfather. Family like affection was something that Young Chun hadn’t received since he said goodbye to his mother. It carries a different type of warmth. It was also through Jun Woong, that Young Chun learnt the friend he thought resented him for saving his life actually saw Young Chun as a source of strength and used his words to get him through. The friend was grateful and thankful and appreciative of Young Chun’s actions and he would have gone to the grave not knowing that if it had not been for Jun Woong. The hug they shared gives off very Grandparent vibes which just speaks to the bond Jun Woong was able to develop with him through such a short period of time. The epilogue also shows the softer side of Young Chun that Jun Woong was able to draw out as he persuaded him to get his photo taken. Also, his dynamic with Ryeon and the Director is always such a pleasure to see. He is truly the heart of Jumadeung and its missing piece.
You also get a glimpse into the world of the Grim Reaper and that they can also be moved by humans as well. When Ryeon went to plead with the Director that he be given a peaceful passing, the Director implied that Ryeon was not the first person to ask this of her. Given that Ryeon and Joong Gil met right before and she asked him to escort Grandfather Veteran to the afterlife, you can assume that Joong Gil had gone in first to ask the Director to pull some strings. Which means that Joong Gil possesses some warmth to him hidden under his icy cold persona because he can be moved by the lives and the sacrifices of the living too. Ryung Gu also tells Jun Woong that because of the scale of the war, multiple Grim Reapers were called on to assist people to the afterlife which means they also were witness to the horrors of war and it weighed on them too. You also later learn that the reason that Ryeon only wanted to escort criminals was because she had a hard time watching people in their last moments.  
I think that a greater understanding between the Grim Reapers grew this episode. Joong Gil showing up to accompany Young Chun in his last moments and Ryeon looking surprised to learn that Joong Gil also does not find it easy to watch people in their last moments indicated to Ryeon that Joong Gil has layers and is not unfeeling (and somewhere deep down there is warmth). Joong Gil also saw how Ryeon has changed in that she stayed by Young Chun’s side even though she still found it difficult to watch people in their last moments. They are both more than each other thought they were. I hope that there can be tentative positive growth in their dynamic because they are so much better working together than they are butting heads. It was also nice in general to see the relative warmth that Joong Gil had at Young Chun’s bedside (which I think also speaks to how much Joong Gil respects Young Chun in comparison to the other souls he has escorted). How he softened when he told Ryeon that no one finds it easy, but that is the work of a Reaper. To watch until the very end. I am invested in the complex character of Joong Gil and his many layers (not just the by-the-rules ice cube) and I hope to see more of it on screen as time goes by.  
I think that this episode will always bring me to tears. Always.
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royaltysuite · 2 years
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My Tomorrow Is With You... (A Tomorrow Kdrama x Reader)
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Synopsis: For all her life up until her death at the age of 22, Kim Y/n was simply a lost soul who wanted revenge on the men that hurt her. That day was promised to her when she was released from her hell by the Jade Emperor, who employed her to be the punisher of all criminal souls. Now at 425, she gets closer and closer to her wish coming true, only now she's tasked with helping the Risk Management Team stay afloat while also keeping their newbie in check. Along the way, she crosses many obstacles with the Team Manager of the Escort Team, Park Jung-gil and the stoic Lim Ryung-gu. Said obstacles develop into feelings and she now has to choose. Revenge or a happy ending?
WARNING: Has mentions of torture and sexual assault of a child. If you can't continue reading after this point, please leave. MINOR DO NOT INTERACT!!!!! If found, you will be blocked from this blog. Continue at your own risk....
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Chapter One: Who's The New Kid?
No One's Pov
It was never an easy task for a person's soul to rest easy in the Afterlife. Many believe that once you die, there's just darkness. But, that's not entirely true. You see, here in Jumadeung, resurrection is the main goal for a soul to find peace, no matter how deep their wounds may be.
But, for the souls that had committed many crimes in their past life, they are faced with a Judgement Day. Said day determines how long and how severe your punishment will be. And there's only two people that a soul sees last before finding their eternal resting place. The Director and their Punisher.
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"Soo.....now that I'll be working with you guys, is there anything I should know before meeting the Director?" A young voice chimed with curiosity. There was a short silence in the room before a woman spoke, her tone serious.
"There is. Legend has it that the Director has only one person that takes care of all the work behind the scenes of souls coming in and out of Jumadeung. When it comes to her role here at Jumadeung, she is known throughout the company as the Director's sole punisher. With each soul's trial that ends in punishment, Kim Y/n is always there to torture those souls with the crimes they've committed in the Land of the Living before sending them off to the hell assigned to them. I even heard that she transforms into the soul's victim which makes her even more terrifying." Ryeon explained.
"Is that what you think of me?" Y/n said, popping up behind Ryeon and scaring the wits out of her. "When did you get here?" "Just now, when you said my name. You know, I'm not as scary as those rumors make me out to be. I'm a very childish person at heart." Y/n explained, moving closer into the room and circling around Jun-woong. "Now, let's get to work, shall we?" She said, skipping down the steps and plopping herself on the couch across from Jun-woong.
"So, this is your mission's mistake? The half-and-half?" Y/n chirped. "Ah, yes, my name is Choi Jun-woong. It's nice to meet you, Miss Kim." Jun-woong replied, giving a slight bow. "No need to be polite, just call me Y/n. Miss Kim makes me feel old." "Oh okay."
"Y/n, do you happen to know where the Director is?" Ryeon asked. "I don't know, they could be out running some errands. They did ask for me to tell you to meet in the conference room to discuss Half-And-Half's placement. I would take him under my wing, but he might actually die in my care, so..." Y/n answered, her words trailing off into a whistle.
"What?" Jun-woong let out a small squeak in fear. "Oh, just so know, all those rumors that Ryeon said about me is true. Anyways, newbie, I should get going. Duty calls." With those being her last words, Y/n hopped up from the couch and left the room.
"Should I be afraid of her?" Jun-woong questioned the two members of the Risk Management Team, who looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "Only if you get on her bad side and trust me, it won't be a pretty sight to see." Ryung-gu said, his deadpanned look sent chills down Jun-woong's spine.
"Well, we have to get going. More like I do since Assistant Team Manager Ryung-gu is off the clock now. All you have to do, Choi Jun-woong, is to stay here until the Director gets here to discuss how these next six months are going to go." Ryeon explained before she and Ryung-gu left, leaving Jun-woong to his thoughts.
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Grunts and shouts echoed in the empty room as punches and slaps landed on the soul chained to the ground. "How does it feel, Papa? Do you like it when I give you a taste of your own medicine?" A small voice screamed with cruel laughter tied into it.
"Mi-yeon, please, Papa is sorry! He never meant to hurt you!" The soul cried out in pain, sobs shaking his body. "You never meant to hurt her? Did you feel sorry when you slapped her multiple times for getting one bad grade? Did you feel sorry when you came home drunk and started choking her? Or did you feel sorry when you would go into her room at night and start touching her? I don't think you were sorry at all or even felt a shred of remorse." Y/n whispered into his ear.
The soul, now bruised and bloody, began to cry even harder and started begging for the torture to stop. "Please...please, I'm sorry, Mi-yeon, I'm so sorry..." "No amount of 'sorry's or apologies will fix anything. Your daughter is gone and it's all your fault. So, for the rest of your afterlife, you will never be resurrected again. You'll spend the rest of your eternal afterlife will be spent in Hell, reliving all the pain and suffering you've inflicted on your daughter. Your five year old daughter."
The whimpers dwindled down into silent sobs as he finally realized that he'd never get another chance to right his wrongs with his child. He fell limp in Y/n's arms and stayed that way as she began to drag his limp body to the door leading her down to Hell.
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On her way back into Jumadeung, Y/n stopped by the front desk to return the keys to the receptionist. Y/n turned around and started making her way to the elevator when all of a sudden, she felt a hard shove push her down to the ground. But, before she could hit the cold floor, strong hands wrapped themselves around her soft waist and she was pulled into a hard chest.
"Are you okay?" A deep voice rumbled quietly. Y/n, snapping out of her small trance, pulled away from whoever caught her and looked up to see Park Jung-gil, Leader of the Escort Team, holding her by the waist. She quickly pushed him away, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
"U-uhh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm okay. Thanks though, for helping me." She stuttered out. She then stepped to the side and went on her way, not feeling the lingering eyes on her as she walked into the elevator. "Hmm, interesting..."
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Author's Note: Now introducing, the full version of Chapter One of the 'My Tomorrow Is With You...' series. This series is a polyamorous love story between the reader, Jung-gil and Ryung-gu. The reader is slightly described to be mid-size to plus-sized, but can be read as whatever descriptors that you, the reader, would like to be.
I hope you all enjoy reading this as I know you've all have been waiting for it after the preview was released. If you would like to added to taglist, leave a message on this post.
Taglist: @omg-lexiloveyou, @etherealcherrie, @roroswitherose, @purplelandsworld
This is what I listened to while writing out the rest of this chapter~~~
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royaltysuite · 2 years
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!NEW SERIES ALERT!
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Title: 'My Tomorrow Is With You...'
Warnings: Canon Angst, Mentions of Death, Abuse, Sexual Assault, Fluff, NSFW! Smut, Rough Sex, Mutual Masturbation, Unprotected Sex, !MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!
Synopsis: For all her life up until her death at the age of 22, Kim Y/n was simply a lost soul who wanted revenge on the men that hurt her. That day was promised to her when she was released from her hell by the Jade Emperor, who employed her to be the punisher of all criminal souls. Now at 425, she gets closer and closer to her wish coming true, only now she's tasked with helping the Risk Management stay afloat while also keeping their newbie in check. Along the way, she crosses many obstacles with the Team Manager of the Escort Team, Park Jung-gil and the stoic Lim Ryung-gu. Said obstacles develop into feelings and she now has to choose. Revenge or a happy ending?
Story Preview: ........."When it comes to her role here at Jumadeung, she is known throughout the company as the Director's sole punisher. With each soul's trial that ends in punishment, Kim Y/n is always there to torture those souls with the crimes they've committed in the Land of the Living before sending them off to the hell assigned to them. I even heard that she transforms into the soul's victim which makes her even more terrifying." Ryeon explained.
"Is that what you think of me?" Y/n said, popping up behind Ryeon and scaring the wits out of her. "When did you get here?" "Just now, when you said my name. You know, I'm not as scary as those rumors make me out to be. I'm a very childish person at heart." Y/n explained, moving closer into the room and circling around Jun-woong. "Now, let's get to work, shall we?"
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"Director, is it really necessary for Jung-gil and Ryung-gu to watch me? I've been fine for the last few years and nothing bad has happen-" "But, something could happen. It's only a matter of time, and a short amount at that, until that seal is broken. You need to find your other halves so that your soul can finally balance and you can have peace." The Director explained, staring right at me. I sighed in disbelief. 'Why does it have to be those two? They don't even like each other.' I thought to myself.
"Now, if you are ready to accept the help I'm offering, I will set up a cabin in a private location. You'll be there for at least two weeks under the careful watch of those two. I will also handle any personal needs that you three might have, so I need you to compile a list of things that are important and have it on my desk by tonight before you leave." "Yes, ma'am. Is there anything else you need me to do?" "No, that is all. You may leave now." She said, returning her attention to her work.
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"Whatever happens in this cabin must STAY in this cabin. To make sure that that happens, I've written up contracts for all three of us to sign. Once we sign them, there's no turning back. So, I need both verbal and written consent from the two of you or you can go back to Jumadeung and go about your separate ways." I explained, placing down two contracts in front of Jung-gil and Ryung-gu.
After a few seconds of them scanning over, they signed their contracts and handed back over to me. "I think it's safe to say that the both of us agree to whatever happens in this cabin."
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'What did I do, what did I do, what did I do?' I thought, panic quickly rising in my body. This was never supposed to happen. HE was never supposed to be here and this should've never happened. "WHERE ARE THEY?!" I shouted, busting open the doors in the middle of the meeting of the team leaders. Marching into the middle of the room, I came face-to-face with Ha Dae-su, the King of Hell.
"Hmm, well if it isn't Kim Y/n, the Director's little....pet....." He jeered, leaning close to my face. "I'm no one's pet, Dae-su. Now, answer my question, where are they?" I seethed.
"Hmm, well if it isn't Kim Y/n, the Director's little....pet....." He jeered, leaning close to my face. "I'm no one's pet, Dae-su. Now, answer my question, where are they?" I seethed.
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royaltysuite · 2 years
Text
My Tomorrow Is With You... Chapter One Preview (A Tomorrow Kdrama x Reader)
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Synopsis: For all her life up until her death at the age of 22, Kim Y/n was simply a lost soul who wanted revenge on the men that hurt her. That day was promised to her when she was released from her hell by the Jade Emperor, who employed her to be the punisher of all criminal souls. Now at 425, she gets closer and closer to her wish coming true, only now she's tasked with helping the Risk Management stay afloat while also keeping their newbie in check. Along the way, she crosses many obstacles with the Team Manager of the Escort Team, Park Jung-gil and the stoic Lim Ryung-gu. Said obstacles develop into feelings and she now has to choose. Revenge or a happy ending?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter One: Who's The New Kid?
No One's Pov
It was never an easy task for a person's soul to rest easy in the Afterlife. Many believe that once you die, there's just darkness. But, that's not entirely true. You see, here in Jumadeung, resurrection is the main goal for a soul to find peace, no matter how deep their wounds may be.
But, for the souls that had committed many crimes in their past life, they are faced with a Judgement Day. Said day determines how long and how severe your punishment will be. And there's only two people that a soul sees last before finding their eternal resting place. The Director and their Punisher.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Soo.....now that I'll be working with you guys, is there anything I should know before meeting the Director?" A young voice chimed with curiosity. There was a short silence in the room before a woman spoke, her tone serious.
"There is. Legend has it that the Director has only one person that takes care of all the work behind the scenes of souls coming in and out of Jumadeung. When it comes to her role here at Jumadeung, she is known throughout the company as the Director's sole punisher. With each soul's trial that ends in punishment, Kim Y/n is always there to torture those souls with the crimes they've committed in the Land of the Living before sending them off to the hell assigned to them. I even heard that she transforms into the soul's victim which makes her even more terrifying." Ryeon explained.
"Is that what you think of me?" Y/n said, popping up behind Ryeon and scaring the wits out of her. "When did you get here?" "Just now, when you said my name. You know, I'm not as scary as those rumors make me out to be. I'm a very childish person at heart." Y/n explained, moving closer into the room and circling around Jun-woong. "Now, let's get to work, shall we?" She said, skipping down the steps and plopping herself on the couch across from Jun-woong.
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Episode 4 was both heartwarming and bittersweet. It continued the trend of bringing me to tears constantly for many different reasons. I am excited for the rest of the season to come. One thing to note is though Netflix has decided to stop showing the trigger warnings, please know that they are always in place and it is okay to step away from this drama if you are not in the right headspace. 
I really enjoyed how they wrapped up Jae Soo’s storyline. I am surprised (and thankful) that they were able to stop Jae Soo’s father from colliding with that truck and got him to realize that there are so many things he has to life for. Got him to understand that his wife and his son would rather have him with them than the life insurance money. Looking back, this approach echoed some of Joong Gil’s words in that those who make that decision often do not realize the number of people who are left devastated by their absence. With Ryeon and Jun Woong’s encouragement he goes back to his family who are waiting in the hospital. They did not significantly alter history but they made sure that Jae Soo could celebrate his birthday with both of his parents. A small adjustment that made all of the difference. The fried chicken sequence within this scene was also pure perfection. I love how every single fried chicken place was closed except Jumadeung Chicken. Also all of the ingredients were right there. It was like the Director was giving her divine support for their plan. I also really love that the fried chicken that Jae Soo treasures ends up being made by his best friend. The phrase that his dad constantly uses was introduced to him by Ryeon and Jun Woong because that is what Jae Soo always said. I really love how they tied everything together. Them also wearing chicken onesies to deliver the fried chicken was perfection and how Ryeon was swayed to participate even though you could tell she was incredibly reluctant. Once again, that Jun Woong was the source of indirect joy for one of Jae Soo’s memories speaks to the depth of their friendship and the importance of Jun Woong in the lives of not only Jae Soo but everyone the Risk Management Team helps. 
I am also incredibly thankful for Ryeon for giving Jun Woong the time to make a small adjustment to his own history. I didn’t even realize what it meant that he lived in the same part of town as Jae Soo when he was younger until he started running. He was young enough that his father was still alive. I adore the personality that young Jun Woong had with so much self-confidence. The way Jun Woong picked up his younger self and kept running until he reached his dad’s car both tugged on my heart strings and made me laugh because you thought he would miss the opportunity until his dad’s car was stopped by Ryeon. The way he just looks at his dad whom he hasn’t seen alive in so many years made me cry. I am so glad that he was able to say everything that he wanted to say to him even if he had to pretend like his younger self had told him to do so. Gave his younger self the opportunity to say goodbye to his dad for the last time and hug him for the last time, things he probably regretted not doing before. The face-off between current Jun Woong and younger Jun Woong was perfect. I also do not have words for the happiness I feel that they were able to have a family photo with his dad in it. His mom mentioned in the last episode how his dad was always behind the camera instead of in front of it and if she had known that he was not coming back she would have gotten a photo with him in it. They got their photo! The meaning behind the photo is tripled when you know that it is taken by current Jun Woong. Once again, there was no significant altering of history. Jun Woong still lost his dad but this time they had a family photo to remember him by. A small adjustment that made all of the difference. 
I am glad that they were able to reach Jae Soo in time because Ryung Gu had his hands full trying to prevent Jae Soo from running into traffic and throwing himself off buildings. Ryeon’s words of hope once again can resonate with so many people. Right now, you feel like you’re falling behind others. Even so, you should live. As you live, there will come a moment where you realize it was all for today. So, live. The message that life is worth living even if you feel like you are falling behind is so so important. I think what truly pulled Jae Soo away from the red light zone was the thought that Jun Woong had sent them. It is a testament to how important Jun Woong is to Jae Soo that the first thing he thinks of when he sees these three strangers that reached out to him when he wanted so badly to take his own life is my best friend sent you to save me...my best friend is watching out for me and looking over me. It was Jun Woong telling that he was right and to live so that he would see Jun Woong soon that truly brought him back. The hilarity that the fried chicken was actually terrible was just icing on the cake. It just goes to show that core memories become important not because of the quality of the little details but because of the people you were with and the feelings that were evoked. Jun Woong spitting out the fried chicken that he made with his cooking certificate was the best way to end that scene. 
I understand and I don’t understand at the same time why the Director punished Ryeon for what she did to save Jae Soo’s life. It makes sense because there is a code for Reapers that she broke. However, it very much seemed like the Director intended for them to go into the past and make the fried chicken at Jumadeung Chicken for heaven’s sake (with all of the ingredients right there). So, to not recognize that she meant for her employee to do what she did and punish her regardless makes no sense. Maybe the punishment would have been more severe otherwise. Because getting her powers taken away for a week when you take into consideration that Reapers live forever is but a slap on the wrist. However, she works in Risk Management who needs to save lives pretty regularly or the unit is disbanded and so the punishment makes things very complicated (though technically couldn’t Ryung Gu do all of the power parts of the job since his powers aren’t restricted). You also learn that Ryung Gu has a specific individual he is searching for. I wonder if this person is common knowledge to everyone in Jumadeung or just Ryeon. 
The glimpse into Ryeon’s backstory was eye opening. I really enjoyed her kicking the sex offender’s ass and you see how effective her rather no-nonsense personality is when directed at criminals. It also seems like up until the scene that she was shown she worked only with criminals, never having exposure to those who take their own lives. From the very beginning, I would guess even while she wandered around in Hell, she had the perspective on s**cide that she currently possesses. A perspective in which life may have driven them to the point where they feel like they have no other choice. Thus, from the beginning, or at least for a while, she was sympathetic towards people on the brink. She just lacked empathy as well as tact and compassion in her approach.
 What was really interesting was Joong Gil’s reaction to her attempting to save that man’s life. It definitely seems like he was taken aback and possibly even hurt that she did not consult him on her future job heading the Risk Management Team even though it was a direct order from the Director. I don’t know before this conversation if she knew his perspective on s**cide that he has repeated numerous times in the future (seems like his beliefs also stretch way back) but she seemed shocked about his perspective on pain. That pain was the essence of life and it is a living human’s fate to move on in spite of that pain. I have a feeling that Ryeon’s life while she was alive was full of pain and however she got to Hell was an effort to end that pain. She is very familiar with the pains of being alive and I think that Joong Gil has been a Reaper for so long that he has become numb to pain and has lost all sympathy and empathy for those who are struggling and suffering. Perhaps, additionally he used the logic of ~it is a living human’s fate to struggle and move on in spite of pain~ as a way of dealing with his pain while he was alive. The sort of not being kind to yourself mentality that Eun bi had in Episodes 1 and 2. He also said something that made my eyebrows raise in that he made a wrong decision keeping her by his side. Which means he chose to have her by his side to begin with. Maybe he took her under his wing from the beginning once she got out of Hell. Going even further back, maybe he was the Grim Reaper who escorted her when she first passed away. This only confirms that they go back a very long time and there is a long history between them. Additionally, up until very recently they were very close (she looked like his right hand woman). It was only recently that fractures and a chasm appeared. Especially in the “lifespan” of a Reaper, the wounds from their fractured partnership are still fresh which is most likely why he loses his composure so quickly when it involves her. I do hope that they are able to talk and reconcile throughout the season (please no last episode nonsense). I have a feeling that the free-spirited, empathetic, sunshine puppy who is Jun Woong will be the gateway into them being on better terms (which I hope would include Joong Gil understanding the validity of her perspective and being more open minded). 
The love story of Na Young and Woo Jin is so bittersweet. Trust Tomorrow to give you such a sweet love story that has such a tragic ending. They both covered each other from the pouring rain and gave each other strength despite being strangers. His words to her don’t stand in the rain by yourself tugged at my heartstrings. The way she saw how lonely he was and was determined to make sure that he did not go through life by himself. Just by how she re-introduced herself it captured her warm and bubbly personality perfectly. I understand how he could be so devastated by her death because she was such a light. She brought life and joy back into his life. I liked how headstrong she was, always initiating everything. Her words to the Risk Management team that she wanted to be the one who saved Woo Jin because he was the one who saved her. I don’t think she realizes that she saved him every day that she was in his life. The big smiles and the happiness that we see were all caused by her. You got glimpses at the end of a really rough childhood in which he was blamed for everything. Just by staying by his side, she saved him every day from those dark thoughts. They loved each other so much and the only thing he could say at the hospital was her name. I don’t know how they are going to reach Woo Jin and convince him that it wasn’t his fault (especially considering it looked like she was behind the wheel) but I hope they can do so. You can tell that she is an incredibly empathetic soul and so she feels all of his pain so deeply and wishes she could help him so much. Only once she has eased the pain and the guilt of her husband can she go peacefully. I hope that the Director shows compassion in this instance as well and supports her because it is not like she will never go to Judgement and its not like she is a malevolent ghost... she just needs a little bit more time. 
I love that she immediately flocked towards Jun Woong and that she feels safe and comfortable in his presence. I have a feeling that he will be a safe haven for people both living and dead. He will be the magnet they all gather around. Who needs a support animal when you have a support Jun Woong?
I am gaining more and more respect and understanding of Ryeon as time goes on. I also appreciate the character growth I have been seeing in how she approaches the people she wants to save. You see more and more the extent to which she is willing to go to save them which only shows how important saving people are to her. With each person, she is caring more and more... I think because Jun Woong cares so deeply about the individuals themselves and not just as a check mark on a list, it is rubbing off on her as well. I feel like deep down she fundamentally cares too but because it has been so long and she has seen so much, she does not show it outwardly and that is what is changing with Jun Woong.   The way Jun Woong smiled at her after the conclusion of Jae Soo’s story was so warm and reminded me of a puppy and I think Ryeon was moved too because it made her be all defensive. He is the one who sees through her words to the sincerity of her actions and does not let her forget it. I have a feeling over the course of the series, he will make her admit and recognize that she is so much more than just “someone from Hell”. At some point, she will also reluctantly come to admit that she cares about him too. The epilogue was also just absolute perfection. How she sniped back at every place Jun Woong put his hands in order to anchor himself on the motorbike and he eventually just puts his hand on her helmet because she is the head of their team and the offense in her eyes made me crack up. How she just erupted and started swearing at him and how he brought down her visor while she was doing it was hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing when he carefully turned her head so that she wasn’t looking at him. It embodied their dynamic so perfectly. I can’t wait to see more. 
I think this episode emphasized just how important people are in each other’s lives. It was Jae Soo’s family that made the fried chicken memory so special even though the fried chicken was terrible. It was Jun Woong who Jae Soo felt sent people to come help him, Jun Woong who was additional motivation to keep on living so that they could reunite. It was how with the ability to alter the past, all Jun Woong did was have his younger self say and do with his father that he regretted not having the opportunity to do. The family photo was important because his dad was important to Jun Woong’s family and this was a way to remember him by. Na Young and Woo Jin were important to each other because they gave each other strength and support and joy when the world was looking bleak. You may not know how important you are to other people (just like a butterfly not knowing what its wings look like) but know that other people’s lives are better because you are in it. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t there. 
Next episode promises to be a tearjerker. The glimpses into Woo Jin’s past and the extent to how he is not coping with his wife’s death are heart breaking. I have a feeling that if they rescue him, they will rescue him even closer to the brink than Jae Soo was. I also think that Ryeon will use her powers and face the consequences since she is wearing that ring, because you see a shot of her hand all shriveled up with black veins. I hope that Na Young is not torn away from her husband before she can save him since Joong Gil is now personally hunting her. It definitely seems like they are currently devoting two episodes to every case so things will be resolved within the next episode but I hope they are resolved well. I really also don’t want to see a merciless side of the Director next episode either. Also I am incredibly impatient to see more sides of Joong Gil than just ruthless so can we please speed up his character development (and not just shove it into the final two episodes thanks). 
All in all, I appreciate the mix of serious topics, moments of light-hearted comedy and hopeful messages that Tomorrow has been delivering. Please continue being this consistent! 
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