MPL Ep 35 - Author Chat

(Posted on Jun 7th)

I have quite a bit to talk, for about this episode. But this time round, I'm going to just type it all out in a stream-of-consciousness-type post. Please forgive me for not being able to organise my thoughts - because I can't 😱

1. My apologies for not being able to respond to all the comments in the High-Res discussion thread. I usually try to get to as many as I can, but there this time round, there were so many amazing comments, and I didn't know where, or how to begin responding. So I hope it will be enough for you to know that I've gone through ALL of your comments and I am completely blown away by how well received this episode was. SO MUCH LOVE, FOR ALL OF YOU, my dearest angels. I really have no words to say, but the simplest 'thank you'.

2. MPL Milestone
This episode marks a huge personal milestone, and MPL milestone. To give y'all a brief history of this scene - it was one of the very first ones I wrote out, when I started working on the very first MPL Webtoon episodes, back in Sept 2017. Which means this scene has been sitting in my hard disk for almost 3 FREAKING whole years, now, wtf 😱 Literally, this was one of the scenes that kept me going whenever I hit a rough patch, or a very bad slump. And I kept telling (screaming at) myself - "keep going!!! you need to get to THE ROOFTOP KISS scene!!!"

In MPL Version 1, I didn't make it to this ROOFTOP KISS scene, TWICE. First was when Asura's Bride happened. Second was when I was offered to be Featured as a Webtoon Original. And finally... FINALLY, I have arrived. So yeah, this is a milestone.

2. Mr Lam and Tora
I know most of the talk for this episode has revolved around the kiss (and I am HERE FOR IT). But as a few of you have also pointed out, this is a big (or at least, a meaningful) moment for Tora, so I wanted to talk about it, for a bit.

What started out as an impromptu decision to help an unknown girl (Poppy) out, because a notebook he was ordered to retrieve by his boss, lead to an entire sequence of events - Operation "Rescue Mr Lam". And now, coming full-circle, Tora gets to meet Mr Lam - again completely by accident.

Through an unintentional and random act of kindness, Tora, who had all his life been thought of (and thought of himself) as a 'destroyer', has now become a 'saviour'. And finally, coming face-to-face with the man whose life he had indirectly helped to save, Tora's act of kindness is returned by Mr Lam (albeit unknowingly), with a simple but deep affirmation - that Tora is worthy of dignity and respect, from himself, and from others.

Whether or not they will cross paths again, we don't know. Whether or not, Mr Lam would have said the same if he'd known that Tora is a "Balthuman", we don't know either. Putting all that aside, I see this meeting between Mr. Lam and Tora as one of those fleeting moments in our lives, when we are touched by a stranger, that can sometimes leave the deepest and most profound impact on us. (<-- sorry for the very awkward sentence structure but y'all know what I mean 😂😂) 

Tora isn't thinking about it, obviously completely LOST and basking  in his daydream about THE KISS, but I have a feeling he'll be returning to this moment when he comes to his senses lol.

3. When I was working on this Mr Lam x Tora scene, I felt very, very sad for Tora.
Not to cast him in a 'victim' role, because I don't see him as a victim. He has been dealt a completely shitty hand in life, but he rarely stops to complain. The man just keeps going with whatever shit cards he was dealt. And in my eyes, this makes him a (dark) hero. 

But in this scene, we have Tora who, in his eagerness (and earnestness 😭😭) to complete his errand for his little Poppy, makes a mad dash for the airport and finally spots Mr Lam. But as he approaches, he realises that he is completely out of his element. Here he is, not in an 'intimidation' or 'destruction' role, but as someone who's just running a very simple, mundane errand. And in this instant, Tora is completely lost and bewildered. His flight-or-fight (mainly fight) response is immediately triggered by Mr Lam's two bodyguards. At this point, my gut is just completely wrenched, by sympathy for him. This is a rare moment in Tora's life, when he is voluntarily carrying out a simple act of kindness (instead of another of the many heinous deeds he has had to carry out), that so many of us do, everyday, with ease - and he is about to be shat on, again. And that FUCKING sucks.

And then, two things happen:

1. Tora restrains himself, with all his might, because he doesn't want to ruin this for Poppy. 2. Mr Lam comes in clutch with the very same goodness and compassion that Poppy saw, when she first came across his work interview, and when she first met him (anyone remembers Mr. Lam was patting a pooch and waving goodbye to pooch and its owner?).

In this scene, I see it as Miss Poppy sending Tora out on a lil mission, and Tora surviving, and successfully completing his mission with flying colours. And I am so, so proud of our Tora boy.

And that is all. Thanks for reading and I hope y'all enjoyed my little chat. PLEASE PLEASE leave your thoughts, if you have any. Whether it's more thoughts on the kiss (y'all have covered it BEAUTIFULLY, but your author is just greedy 😂), or whatever. Don't be shy - as we always say, here in The Secret Garden, THE LONGER THE BETTER. 🥰🥰🔥 Have a great week, and I love you all <33