OMG, I couldn't agree more! I was so taken aback when I discovered that people hated the sequel because, to me, as you mentioned, it adds so much depth to the relationship. These are real struggles and insecurities that are realistic. Plus, there is so much more than can be addressed. For example, there is a 15-year difference between them. I mean it is a fact and it needs to be acknowledged clearly - of course, it might create a different dynamic, but that is the point - to be a faithful portrayal of a mature and time-resistent relationship.
Right, I don’t think some of these people have genuinely experienced a genuine relationship or choose to be ignorant. No offense meant but cmon now.
While I did find dohyun annoying, as any readers are supposed to probably, I don’t hate the story. Exactly, 15 year age gap, no wonder the older one feels more insecure. It’s not that Kang is ready to let go of Yiyoung, he is just forcing himself that if Yiyoung wants to, he will have to let go. He is insecure, cmon guys!!
There are a lot of differences but I’m sure they can work it out. I’ve seen way older age gaps like 20–25 max..any more is a bit odd but that’s just me.
agree!! i just re-read "on or off" and it felt like it just ended on a happily ever after of some sort. i'm so happy that director's insecurities are now being talked about i know the feeling of not wanting to be clingy if your partner wants to be with another person... people may downplay it as "being mature" but it's actually the insecurity that's talking!!
moreover, based on kang's dating history, i think the reason he's only dated successful people is because of his inferiority complex. deep inside, director kang wants someone to choose him over and over again, but he's afraid to ask that from yiyoung bc all his exes has left him for their careers. yes, he has come into terms with them, but it left him thinking that he needs to let go of people for them to stay successful bc he's not good enough to stay with them. obviously, he thinks yiyoung is an accomplished person (although yiyoung thinks he's ordinary) just like how he thought about his exes, and if he wants yiyoung to stay amazing, he has to accept that there are other people more amazing than him who could be a better pair w yiyoung.
to put it simply, this is just a couple who thinks they're dating amazing people but looks at themselves not being good enough for them.
i hope they talk about it soon! i love the director's character, even more so in this series. the author did a great job depicting the emotional impact of being abandoned repeatedly by your past lovers. we got a glimpse of it in the first series, but we're getting a more detailed explanation on this one hehe
I don’t know how readers don’t realize that Kang is obviously insecure about himself, hence why he said that. It’s not because he is confident that he’s saying it.
daddy long legs said this and it’s the best answer;
“-"Work Love Balance" isn't ruining the story. It's deepening it.
What you're seeing—those disagreements, miscommunications, doubts—is what happens when love leaves the fantasy space and enters real life. Especially in a workplace, with career pressure, expectations, and personal baggage in play, these struggles make Yiyoung and Daehyung feel more human.
It gives them more opportunities to explore themselves and each other and what they want for the future.
Romance isn't just about being happy together—it's about learning how to stay together through uncertainty, how to listen when it's hard, and how to choose each other over and over again, even when life gets complicated.
If anything, Love Work Balance is honoring the relationship by showing that it’s strong enough to be tested. Not all readers want that. And that is just sad“
—Honestly while I don’t like the third party, I hope they can sort out their shit. Hope Kang can fully reject him and talk about his insecurities with Yiyoung. And I hope Yiyoung is more aware next time. Also funny how people were low-key promoting borderline cheating when they thought Dohyun liked Yiyoung, but get upset that it’s the ML he likes. Probably because ML is already pretty popular and experienced, but cmon.