I was thinking about external factors which prime the agents to be so attached to a spy they barely know (besides him saving their lives and being a Good PersonTM, which, to be fair, weighs a lot), and my friend @stierhai mentioned the fact that they probably don't ever get people back. You lose someone to darkness and they're gone forever, you rarely even get a body to bury. So Grapes returning feels like a miracle that must be held onto. And I think that's probably the biggest factor.
But in addition... this is my more romanticized/indulgent take than a serious one, I think of Kim Soleum as someone who is a lot of first for Jaekwan and a lot of lasts for Choi.
Even tho Jaekwan seems like a pretty experienced agent, he still holds on to a lot of naivety. And at the beginning you can tell he really struggles with what to make of KSE. KSE is someone who proved him wrong about his preconception for Daydream employee. Heck, it might be the first time Jaekwan was saved by a civilian (from committing murders at the Lodge), or be so indebted to someone he was meant to take care of (at Looky Mart). And KSE kept making miracles at each turn, creating situations where everyone lives while disregarding bureau standards. That must have been eye-opening.
On the other hand, Choi has lost a lot of people over the years and you can tell he has doubt in how the bureau has changed. In DER timeline he lost Jaekwan at the lodge and then, like, died not too long after at Looky Mart. Maybe he got reckless without someone to take care of. When he thought KSE was still loyal to Daydream he went on a bit about futility of trusting people. It really seemed like he was at a pretty shaky place in terms of faith in both people and the system. So I feel like his hoobeas really are the last straws for him. He really can't stand to lose anyone anymore.
I mean... to be fair... the reasons which applies to jaekwan does also apply to choi and vice-versa. So my framing is cherry-picking. Still I like to think of it that way cause I think it's cute...
yo isnt it fucked up that jin nasol is revealed to be a disabled woman unable to save up for permanent treatment because she'd die without medication in the meantime, and when her savings run out and she's shit outta luck, the first painkiller she gets her hands on thanks to kim soleum is a bottle of beer
As she exhaled sharply, the can fell from Jin Nasol’s hand to the floor.
Thud.
“I wasn’t planning on drinking.”
"The real horror was capitalism all along" is going STRONG with our new chronic pain warrior Jin Nasol.
Cute first date idea: you try to convince me to stay and rebuild my home with you but there's nothing I want more than to actually go home so I resign from our job and disappear for months only for us to be reunited while I'm something distinctly barely human anymore and cannot communicate with you verbally. And also I've been lying to you for as long as we've known each other
He didn't contaminate him when he went on the show (as far as I'm aware) he contaminated him when he went to check the bathroom stall KSE got disappeared in, he saw a big gloved hand that pushed him and was contaminated for most of the month kse was gone 😭
Braun just slapped 600mg of corruption into him for no damn reason.
I technically was kinda doing this but it's very long haha I'm missing some lines too
It's Bronze who said some secret to Braun.
I'll put them under a cut. It's a mess tho. Mostly lines from book 2
Choi:
– Nice to meet you! Oh, that scar on your neck is quite stylish. I hope you’ll tell us the story behind it someday
Choi: Sorry. I was a bit harsh to your friend earlier! Calling it a ghost and all. Right?”
– Hm. Now he tries to make amends. I’ll let it slide.
(Choi:) “Oh, is it supposed to work like this? Hello, children! I’m Braun!"
[Good grief.]
(130666 relaying Brauns feelings):
Not bad :
► Being placed on a cushion and occasionally helped with grooming
► Being told updates on Agent Grapes’s whereabouts
“Oh.”
Not so pleasant :
► The act of pretending to feed him
► Being referred to as ‘pink’
[Mr. Roe Deer, this one has decent manners. Although considering his financial situation, it’d be wise not to expect much in the quality of the gift!]
[This is difficult to understand, Mr. Roe Deer. That Underground Laboratory was a place my friend discovered in the first place, so why is that public servant taking credit for it?]
[Hmph. Still an excessive fellow, feigning friendliness.]
[Goodness. After all the help my friend has bestowed upon him, to make such an insolent and cold-hearted remark!]
(About his cooking) [It's a composition that seems like he tried hard with what little he had.]
[He's a really persistent fellow. Phew!]
Choi: You vicious bastard."
KSE: "It sounds like you're introducing yourself, Agent-nim.”
[Hahaha!]
[Haha, oh, aren't we old acquaintances? We met before when I was in the form of a small stuffed doll.]
...!!
[Hmm, don't worry too much about the humble reception. Not all viewers can be wealthy.]
[Since you all made the effort to prepare a place for the little stuffed animal, I too made the effort to enjoy that place. However….Pink.]
Agent Choi broke out in a cold sweat as he thought,
[That teasing nickname didn't sit well with me.]
[However, your eloquence, wit, and unique circumstances aren't bad.... Hmm, I might invite you as a one-off guest.]
[The owner of this resort places great importance on etiquette. If you're not careful, you could easily end up buried under an astronomical debt pile that a poor government official like you couldn't possibly handle. Better be cautious.]
That remark just now was an indirect provocation, huh? A method you use often? Of course, the viewers will love it. However.]
The voice softened.
[If you make it a habit, you'll start hearing voices demanding other pleasures too….]
"......"
[The voice of the masses demanding karmic retribution.]
[Hoo, that was quite witty just now!]
Ryu Jaekwan:
– My goodness, isn’t this the man who took up the serial killer role at that mountain lodge? … Aha! Could it be you infiltrated under the pretense of falling for his persistent recruitment?
He also wishes it known that although he overheard Agent Bronze’s worries while in the team’s waiting room, he has not shared them with anyone, and promises that he will never use them as program material without the person’s explicit permission.
Go Youngeun:
– Ah, someone with an eye for quality. An appreciative audience is always a delight for an entertainer
(Abt GYE and BSH) Is this an intermission skit? They’re like a comedy duo.
[Oh dear. She offered up her ear as an admission fee at the exhibition too. She must be getting used to it.]
Lee Jaheon:
This rude brute still doesn’t know moderation.
[A villain who has committed such an atrocious crime must face a proper challenge— appropriate hardships and trials, and of course… PUNISHMENT!]
– If you’re present somewhere you weren’t invited, you should at least observe the unspoken rule of keeping your mouth shut
That my friend must spend his time for such a dull, unimaginative blade grunt, goodness!]
– Near the heart, hm. How fateful! Excellent. I shall generously forgive you for leaving me alone with that crazy, boring fellow for a full 23 minutes, because I am a Good Friend.
– Now, hurry up and kick him out. Quickly
[Oh, I’m hardly surprised. Such taste and eloquence from the rude blade grunt who bombed my studio and tried to kidnap my crew!]
[Here, we find the very reason this reptilian creature has no understanding of art or aesthetics.]
Mr. Roe Deer, this Braun here may have received the wrong signal. Good heavens, surely my friend didn’t just ask that I possess the body of a terrorist!]
[They possess a sensory system that interprets only what they deem necessary. Oh, how arrogant and primitive!]
[Oh, if it weren’t for the live broadcast, this lowly blade grunt sure speaks without any shame, even though he surely would’ve ended up as a wedding-cake decoration.]
— Show business, my god. Friend! To be of the same kind as that humorless, witless, classless blade grunt! What a terrible choice
[Of course, I hope you do not give this ignorant sword grunt a chance to lay a hand on my plush body. His gaze is lecherous.]
Kwak Jekang:
[Mr. Roe Deer, how about making the man before you into a dog? It could be an amusing practice stage for your art of disguise!]
[Goodness. This man’s comedic timing is so poor he’d be pelted with rotten eggs if he tried stand-up!]
Oh. Are you planning to use that vulgar researcher?
Eun Haje:
[Heavens. You dare speak of this Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show in such a crude manner? Goodness, even if the public craves cheap thrills, this is too far!]
[Still, though I can’t fathom why someone as sensitive as you, Mr. Roe Deer, would keep company with such a person, I will respect your judgment. Friend.]
J3:
[How can he be so shabby!]
that shabby, has-been beast….]
[Oh, I’m talking about that has-been.]
[Still, this has-been knows his place. The entertainment world is overflowing with people who, after realizing their own fall, give in to despair and bare their worthless jealousy.]
Lee Seonghae:
– Oh, what a group of striking companions you have!
Indeed. Even for a gambler with talent and luck, that wouldn’t be easy. Such unnaturally consecutive wins. Then… oh.]
[It seems she may have added a little magical ‘seasoning’.]
[Ah, it’s like a wolf among sheep. You could say it’s an innate difference.]
Director Ho:
EHJ: “Director, you got hurt?”
HYW: “Ah. This one’s hand is a bit heavy…”
[How shameless.]
What an ill-mannered fellow!
[Oh, it seems there isn’t a soul here inclined in that man’s favor. Well, who would ever like pestilence anyway? And he is insufferable, after all.]
[Good heavens. How insufferable.]
[Still, this Braun here can’t help but worry about my friend’s business. Accepting such a cunning plague like him as an employee seems certain to tarnish the resort’s dignity.]
[Oh my, friend… Isn't the host what's important for any gathering? A dinner party hosted by a Plague, it sounds dreadful just hearing about it. If it's your boss, it's even worse!]
(about Coin Ho) [Let's discard it, friend!]
[I suppose this Plush Body will be cast out now. To think you'd consider befriending a scrap of a coin like that instead of the only friend who gives Mr. Roe Deer his full support….]
[Very well. But I hope you won't place it next to me. A Plague, of all things.]
[Good heavens…. It's like I'm on some cheap therapy program.]
[Now… let me ask this trace of the Plague, who claims to be a counselor, gathered here today.]
[Persistent!]
Kang Yihak:
Kang Yihak threw up both hands and dropped to her knees with a dramatic thud.
“...?!”
[Oh! Are knees being offered at a discount now!]
She made a crisp, clear gesture, pressing her thumb and forefinger together in a circle.
[Heavens.]
Butterfly:
– Oh, what a group of striking companions you have!
Haegeum:
[Ah, indeed. The staff member who helped manage your resort!]
Blue dragon mascot:
[Thanks to you giving all the credit, that mascot, who now thinks he’s the star of a drama, will probably get even more full of himself.]
[Oh, what an ostentatious embrace! This mascot is still overly emotional and shameless.]
[Then again, it would be difficult for a swimming pool mascot to even know the word 'dignity.' Unlike my friend, who runs a resort with class.]
[Huh, such a show-off. This will look disgusting even on camera.]
