The “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” final episode, while delivering a satisfying happily-ever-after for its central couple, fell short of its potential by prioritizing romance over resolving lingering thematic threads and offering genuinely novel conflict. It sacrificed nuanced character development for predictable tropes, leaving viewers with a feel-good ending that, while enjoyable, lacked significant depth.
The Dissatisfying Resolution: Predictability and Missed Opportunities
While many Korean dramas aim for a feel-good resolution, the final episode of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” arguably took this approach too far, smoothing over potentially intriguing complexities. The show skillfully built up tension surrounding Lee Young-joon’s (Park Seo-joon) trauma and Kim Mi-so’s (Park Min-young) personal growth, but the finale seemed to rush through these elements in favor of a picturesque wedding and reaffirmation of their love.
The central issue isn’t that they ended up together – that was expected and desired. The problem lies in the simplification of the characters’ internal struggles. Young-joon’s past trauma, while acknowledged, felt conveniently resolved. Similarly, Mi-so’s journey of self-discovery, which was a compelling part of her arc throughout the series, plateaued. The final episode became a celebration of their relationship rather than a culmination of their individual character arcs.
The Lack of Novel Conflict
A strong finale often introduces a final, compelling conflict that tests the characters and forces them to confront their vulnerabilities. In “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” the conflict was almost non-existent. The wedding preparations served as a superficial distraction, but they lacked the emotional weight necessary to truly engage the audience. The brief scare involving Mi-so’s family felt contrived and quickly resolved, failing to add any meaningful tension.
This absence of genuine conflict resulted in a finale that felt overly saccharine and predictable. It relied heavily on familiar romantic tropes, such as grand gestures and tearful confessions, without offering any fresh perspectives or surprising twists.
Unresolved Thematic Threads
Beyond the romantic storyline, the series hinted at deeper themes related to societal expectations, workplace dynamics, and the pressures of family obligations. The finale, however, largely ignored these threads, focusing instead on the romantic fairytale.
For example, the show explored the complex relationship between Mi-so and her sisters, hinting at unresolved resentments and differing life paths. The finale offered only a cursory glance at these dynamics, failing to provide a satisfying resolution. Similarly, the portrayal of workplace hierarchies and the pressures faced by employees in a demanding corporate environment were largely sidelined. The focus shifted entirely to the central couple, leaving the supporting characters and their stories underdeveloped.
The Marginalization of Supporting Characters
One of the strengths of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” was its ensemble cast of supporting characters, each with their own unique quirks and personalities. However, the finale relegated these characters to the sidelines, using them primarily as comedic relief or to facilitate the central couple’s romance.
Characters like Bong Se-ra (Hwang Bo-ra) and Go Gwi-nam (Chansung) were reduced to caricatures, their storylines unresolved and their potential unexplored. This marginalization of supporting characters diminished the overall impact of the finale and robbed viewers of the opportunity to see these individuals grow and evolve.
FAQs About “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” Final Episode
Here are some frequently asked questions about the final episode of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” providing further insight into the concerns and critiques surrounding its ending.
FAQ 1: Why do some viewers feel the ending was rushed?
The ending feels rushed because the series devoted a significant portion of its runtime to building up complex character arcs and thematic threads, only to resolve them superficially in the final episode. The pacing shifted dramatically, prioritizing romantic gestures over meaningful character development. This abrupt shift in focus left viewers feeling like the writers crammed too much into a single episode, sacrificing nuance and depth in the process. The culmination of the mystery surrounding the kidnapping also seemed to happen too quickly.
FAQ 2: Was Young-joon’s trauma adequately addressed?
While the series acknowledged Young-joon’s trauma stemming from the kidnapping incident, the finale’s resolution felt somewhat simplistic. The episode offered a brief flashback and a declaration of love, but it didn’t delve deeply into the long-term psychological effects of his experience. This lack of exploration made the resolution feel superficial and unsatisfying to some viewers. A more nuanced approach would have involved showcasing his ongoing struggles and his gradual healing process.
FAQ 3: Did Mi-so’s personal growth arc reach a satisfying conclusion?
Mi-so’s journey of self-discovery, which was a compelling aspect of her character arc, stagnated in the finale. While she ultimately achieved her romantic goals, her individual ambitions and aspirations were largely sidelined. The episode failed to provide a clear sense of her future beyond her relationship with Young-joon, leaving viewers wondering if she had truly achieved her full potential.
FAQ 4: What could have been done differently to improve the finale?
Several changes could have improved the finale, including:
- A more substantial conflict: Introducing a final challenge that tested the couple’s relationship and forced them to confront their vulnerabilities.
- A deeper exploration of thematic threads: Addressing the unresolved issues related to family dynamics, workplace pressures, and societal expectations.
- A more nuanced portrayal of character development: Showcasing the characters’ ongoing struggles and their gradual healing process.
- A greater focus on supporting characters: Providing meaningful storylines and resolutions for the ensemble cast.
FAQ 5: Was the wedding scene necessary and effective?
The wedding scene, while visually appealing, felt overly predictable and trope-filled. It served primarily as a visual representation of the couple’s happiness but lacked any significant emotional depth or narrative purpose. The scene could have been made more effective by incorporating elements that reflected the characters’ individual journeys and the challenges they had overcome.
FAQ 6: Did the show rely too heavily on romantic tropes?
The finale relied heavily on familiar romantic tropes, such as grand gestures, tearful confessions, and a fairytale wedding. While these tropes can be enjoyable, their overuse detracted from the overall impact of the finale and made it feel somewhat predictable. A more innovative approach would have involved subverting these tropes or incorporating them in a more subtle and nuanced manner.
FAQ 7: Were there any missed opportunities for character development?
Several characters, including Mi-so’s sisters and Young-joon’s brother, could have been given more substantial storylines. The finale missed opportunities to explore these characters’ internal struggles and their relationships with the main couple.
FAQ 8: How does the finale compare to other K-drama endings?
Compared to other K-drama endings, the “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” finale is generally considered to be less complex and more predictable. While many K-dramas strive for a happy ending, they often do so while addressing deeper thematic issues and providing satisfying resolutions for all of their characters. The “Secretary Kim” finale, in contrast, prioritized romance over these other elements.
FAQ 9: Was the comedic aspect of the show maintained in the finale?
While the finale retained some comedic elements, the overall tone shifted towards melodrama and romance. The comedic moments felt less organic and more forced, serving primarily as lighthearted distractions from the central romantic storyline.
FAQ 10: Did the music choices enhance or detract from the finale?
The music choices in the finale were generally appropriate and helped to create a romantic atmosphere. However, some viewers felt that the soundtrack relied too heavily on familiar K-drama tropes, further contributing to the episode’s predictability.
FAQ 11: What is the overall consensus among viewers regarding the finale?
The overall consensus among viewers is mixed. While many appreciated the happy ending and the visual appeal of the finale, others felt that it was too predictable and lacked the depth and nuance that characterized the earlier episodes. Many viewers have expressed disappointment that the show did not fully realize its potential.
FAQ 12: Would you recommend watching “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” despite the finale?
Despite the shortcomings of the finale, “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” is still worth watching for its charming characters, engaging storyline, and lighthearted humor. The journey to the finale is filled with enjoyable moments and compelling character interactions. Just be prepared for an ending that, while satisfying on a superficial level, may leave you wanting more. The central performances are strong enough to carry the series, even if the ending is a bit of a letdown.