Dohyuk as a Filler Character (01 August 21)

 Hate to break it to DH stans but the boy is a filler character. He doesn’t have his own plot line or character arc apart from being the childhood friend in love with the main character. He’s portrayed as perfect without room for growth.


This is in no way to hate on him. He’s a very kind person who is obviously genuine about his feelings for NB. But the way the story is written, and how his character is portrayed, he’s an ideal match for her, which is exactly why I don’t think he’ll be endgame. 


There is a reason why their relationship hasn’t been established as strongly as NB and JE. If the story was heading towards childhood friends to lovers, their history would be shown more explicitly — specifically with flashback scenes.


We only ever hear and see about their pre-established relationship through their conversations. Even with that one flashback scene with DH seeing NB outside the museum, she doesn’t see him. They definitely have a connection but viewers aren’t privy to their history.


What does that tell me as a viewer? Personally, I can’t root for a couple without history. I have to be there for when they met, how they developed feelings, how they grew apart, what was said, etc. But that’s just me. I’m the same when reading books. 


Think about how DH re-appears in NB’s life just when her conflicting feelings for JE reaches a boiling point. For some, it hurts to think that DH is a fallback guy, but baby, he literally is. That’s his role in this story.


Here comes the perfect, polite, honest, always smiling guy who is upfront about his feelings and has never dated anyone before. Almost like he’s the exact opposite of someone. Hmmm.


In literature, opposing characters are presented in such a way that viewers relate to one over the other. But, personally, I can’t do that with DH because, again, his character isn’t as strongly established as JE. Who *is* he apart from being NB’s childhood friend?


And this is intentional. It’s not lazy writing because even the teaching assistants have their own mini plot line. Not giving DH a history tells you exactly what you need to know about his character — he’s here in the present but he won’t be in the long run.


You won’t grow attached to him as a viewer because there’s nothing to be attached to. No problematic family you want him to stand up to. No big bad bully to defeat. No inner conflict to be resolved. Just him and his trusty little camera and his yummy noodles.


DH is there to create tension, drama, and conflict. Some audiences have projected personal feelings onto his character. Which is good! It means the storytelling is effective. But you have to remember this is NB’s story, not yours. 


What might seem “dumb” to you is actually befitting for her character. Remember, she has lots of personal baggage and the trauma of being groomed by her first love. Two steps forward and one step back will always be Na Bi. It’s still progress though. Still growth.


herlittledramas

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