namshiniii

This drama is pretty well paced, exhilarating, shows many futuristic elements, coupled with some surprising twists and turns. There are sweet and endearing moments but also heartbreaking instances and cold hard truths that we have to experience as part of life’s journey. It gives us many life lessons about handling interpersonal relationships, holding close what’s dear to us, how destructive human greed can be and how we have always neglected people around us.

This drama’s theme is very much about love & acceptance. We always talk about loving and accepting people for who they really are, even when they are so diversely different. Would it have been any different to show our love and acceptance towards Artificial Intelligent (A.I) Robots?

While many may be driven by greed and ambition, which leads them to a destructive mode or even irredeemable state, some are driven by love and acceptance to be who they really are and to do good.

The drama started off with a pace quick enough to keep you entertained while anticipating subsequent episodes. You wonder how Namshin could avoid being tracked down, how could the Robot Namshin III act like the real McCoy without having his cover blown & all the conspiracies that were brewing within.

We love the “interpersonal” relationships that Namshin III has forged or helped Namshin to do “damage repair”, and how the 2 Namshins had to go through much ordeal when one wants to co-exist but the other wants to be the 1 and only Namshin.

Why do we FEEL so much for Namshin III?

He was created as a “replacement” for Laura Oh’s human son, Namshin. 他只是为了精神寄托，而制造和设定出来的。It feels sad whenever he has this yearning look when his mum shows favouritism, especially when he asked his mum if he is not her son anymore, just because he doesn’t behave like the real Namshin?

He would never say no to his mum, even if he knew that he would be abandoned someday. He just wanted to be “useful” and “helpful”; otherwise it defeats the purpose of his existence.

He’s more thoughtful than Namshin, since he’s observant and would buy medication for his mum when she has a migraine. He could even tell she was lying without his lie detector on anymore. That’s how he evolves by studying and observing the environment and people around him, he could tell from their minor expressions and body language.

Over time, he would only listen to So Bong as she is the only one who accepts him for who he really is and sees him as an unique individual. He often said that he may understand what people say, but he would not be able to experience those feelings himself. The saddest was when, he wanted to cry like a human being, but he just couldn’t.

H e shouldn’t feel any emotions and he supposedly couldn’t but many a times, he proved that he has his own persona. He’s able to DIFFERENTIATE on his own, what the things he should or should not do are and IF he wanted to do it. There came this powerful force called “Love” that overwrites his programming. It is similar to how human beings learn about their feelings too.

He is self-aware and seeks affirmation that he’s being liked and needed. You can also sense his compassion, love, jealousy and sadness many a times too.
That’s already being human.

I like the intricate details that Seo Kang Joon puts in to distinguish the 2 Namshins. How effortless it seems for him to do the switch instantaneously. It’s not an easy job to act with “less expressions” since he is a robot, yet his actions need to prove that he genuinely cared.

He not just has to act as a robot and a human, but also a robot who’s acting like the human Namshin. That’s something on a deeper level. How the look in his eyes went a little blurry, 善良, innocent or what we call the “puppy eyes”, would show that he is Namshin III and how when he has this sharp glare or anguish look in his eyes, with that smirk on his face or snarky look, would mean that he is human Namshin.

Namshin is full of himself, has a terrible attitude, filled with hatred and so lack of love. However, there are times you could see beyond his pain & anger. You can rationalise his “irrational” and “bratty” behaviours.

Namshin has the absolute right to be angry. It is understandable that he may go through extreme measures to “secure” his position.

It is an act of self doubt, self-defence and lack of confidence.

If only he did not continue to wallow in self-pity, things might have changed for the better.

We can feel the pain in both Namshins. They are just little boys who yearn for their mum’s love.

It felt like a relief when Namshin III could announce to the world that he is a robot and what impressive things and good deeds he has done. He wants to co-exist with human beings, doesn’t have to fear that people will discover his identity anymore. We always wanted to just be who we really are and hope that others can accept us for being ourselves too.

A robot-human romance is TOTALLY viable in this drama.

Obviously So Bong would be confused after being with him 24/7, even Young Hoon, who’s closest to Namshin also waivered. Namshin III also treated Namshin’s little cousin Hee Dong with much care and affection that the little kid could TELL he is not his real cousin.

He’s like your Superhero boyfriend – Iron Man to be exact.

He could stop traffic light, piggyback you without ever feeling tired, stop cars with his bare hands, save you from a burning building, manipulate anything that’s to do with technology & protect you from harm. The way he looks at So Bong affectionately, fusses over her, rushes to her rescue and gets jealous, is just so “human”. It also evokes laughter when he kept having “imaginary hallucinations” when he misses So Bong.

He could be dense, but he learns how to make his loved ones happy.

The ever so kind and pure Namshin III went “bersek” and stared inflicting harm on people who love him, including So Bong and CEO Nam, when he was controlled via manual mode by Namshin. He was so afraid that he would harm human beings that he told So Bong to stay far away.
Namshin III would rather destroy himself than to harm others.

The times when So Bong told Namshin III that she hoped he is human and when Namshin III asked if things would be better if he were a real human, were heartbreaking.

She became the one who he opened his “heart” to. They remained steadfast to each other. They were protective, would comfort and go the extra mile to ensure each other is okay. She could almost always tell both Namshins apart, except when Namshin “pranked” her by acting like Namshin III.

The rude shock she had when she went into the auditorium to tell Namshin III that she likes him (not realising he is Namshin) and wanted to take him away from all humans trying to harm him, was impactful.

2 persons may look alike, but it is how they are at heart, that sets them apart.

It’s like a prelude that Laura would be torn between her 2 sons ultimately. We know that Namshin is a very rebellious and spoil brat. He would not be forgiving towards a mum who has abandoned him for 20 years.

While she may have thought that she didn’t feel for Namshin III, which mother could ever sacrifice her children, be it by birth or by creation?

While I understand where Young Joon is coming from by embracing ALL bad things that Namshin has done, it seems incredible as to how he can have such high tolerance level and is oblivious to all temptations. What we do know is, he truly cares for Namshin like a little brother.

I pity Ye Na, despite the wilful & awful things she did to Namshin III & So Bong. Being possessive and trying all ways and means to win the heart of Namshin for 20 years but failed to do so, would not do her any good.

She was being delusional, but she has always been on Namshin’s side and this over-indulgence made things worse. It’s only towards the end when she felt that she needed to do what’s right so that she could save Namshin.

CEO Nam & Seo Yong Gil are the biggest villains. Both are driven by immense greed and ambitions, trying to outdo each other, in a world where victory belongs to “survival of the fittest”.

It may be karma that CEO Nam eventually got played by his own prank that he really had dementia, but I wasn’t going to empathise how he could do such things to his son & grandson.

As for Yong Gil, his quest to protect his position and to wanting something more, which means owning the entire PK Group, eventually leads to a road of no return.

There was this scene when So Bong’s dad disagreed when Namshin III said that he would never have a change of heart. Since he is learning to become human, he may also have a change of heart some day.

Namshin III is constantly evolving and we have no idea if So Bong would be tired of him some day too. It’s common to have breakups if it doesn’t ultimately work towards marriage, which is definitely not so viable for them.

It is probably towards the end that we realise So Bong’s love for him would not likely change, that have us feeling more relieved.

Why think so deep into the future when we should live in the moment?

It’s just like what So Bong’s dad said, “Love and hate to your heart’s content, so that you won’t regret later”.

Come what may, I’m sure that’s what our lead couple would say.

We should just cherish the present.Read More →