One thing I really liked about this Liar were the many ways it explored the theme of lying, but there are two lies I really want to talk about.
First, and most relevant, there was the titular lying hero who lied to the heroine from nearly the start of their relationship. The most interesting thing about Han-gyul’s lies is that they were never big ones, just small white lies, only just sidestepping the truth. He lied about being a professional songwriter, he lied about how he felt about the song, he lied about what he did for a living, etc. These small lies built up a wall around himself specifically for the purpose of keeping So-rim out. It was interesting to see that his character’s journey was to learn to stop lying. By the time the drama ended he had broken down these walls and was finally able to be honest about how he felt and what he loved.
But this leads to the second major lie of the show: the Crude Play Lie. This lie was a singular lie that had been allowed to keep growing until one day it could no longer be sustained. The result of this lie was that it created cracks within the band and caused them to no longer see where the lie ended and their passion began. These cracks in Crude Play’s foundation were almost enough to destroy them. I think that the real reason the original members put the “Real Crude Play” videos out was really a cry for help. They could no longer stand being a lie onstage, so instead they put their (less-than-perfect) truth out there for the world to see.
This lie finally bursting led to my favorite storyline of the series, when the band finally realized they needed to essentially start over. In-ho’s accident, the lies he told from the pressure, the lies Han-gyul told himself about the band, the lies the band made in front of the world every single day – they were unsustainable. There was nothing left to feed the lie, so they risked everything and told the truth. And it was beautiful. The tension between them was finally gone, the passion was back. The music and talent were still lacking, but that was their truth – if they had never taken the time to lie, they never would have had to start over.
Everyone in this drama has lied, from Jin Woo to Sooyeon to Crude Play to the adults, either to protect themselves, or to protect someone they cared about. But the lies and hiding made them unhappy, and others around them unhappy as a consequence. This is where Sorim’s influence was so big, as she influenced Hangyul and others with how open she was. It was maybe in ep 2 when she told Hangyul that there is happiness in having the freedom to be honest as yourself (regarding how confessing her love so directly might open her to hurt), and she showed that even though she was afraid of being hurt by being truthful to herself and others, it also brings her a freedom that brightens her into a person who brings joy and comfort to others.
Exactly. All the different lies were toxic, no matter how big or small they were, the truth always was better in the end. It really gives new perspective to the idea that “the truth will set you free.”
It’s not presented as black and white as that. Ceo Yoo for example, thinks that lying would protect the band, and all the people in the company. Inwoo thinks that staying silent will avoid hurt for many. This is not just that telling the truth is always better, but it was better for those characters specifically, given their personalities, grievances, and wants and wishes.
Chanyoung and Jinwoo both stay silent for her sake.
Sorim also learns the hard way that being discreet would also benefit her, and she changed from wanting to date openly, to being ok with dating in secret. So both sides are presented, it depends on the situation.
I think the show makes a point to show that there’s a difference between outright lying, like the two lies I discussed, and when someone omits a portion of the truth, which is what the silence is. Yes, technically these are lies, but really, they’re not straight-up falsehoods, and therefore less damaging.
100% agree — but the end result with all the lies was that there were more problems. Personally, in real life, there are reasons to lie a little or omit the truth, I know that; but in the context of the show we see how lying, even with the best of intentions, can actually create more problems.
It’s only by being honest and recognizing and confronting the truth about oneself that everyone in Liar were able to find themselves again, and begin fixing themselves, if fixing was needed, or begin healing, if healing was needed, or begin to move on, if moving on was wanted. Just the act of admitting the truth to someone else is liberating enough to start moving things along. Sorim’s confession. Hangyul’s anger at his father. Hangyul confronting Inho and Jinhyuk. Chanyoung confronting others. Sejung. Shihyun and Sooyeon. And I could go on and on.
In that sense, it’s not just “the liar and his lover” but “the liars and lovers”
Everyone were liars, but they were liars because they were all lovers. Lovers of music, and as our heroine never forgot, most importantly, lovers of people and people who lived and loved music with them.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 7:19 PM
Lying in The Liar and His Lover
One thing I really liked about this Liar were the many ways it explored the theme of lying, but there are two lies I really want to talk about.
First, and most relevant, there was the titular lying hero who lied to the heroine from nearly the start of their relationship. The most interesting thing about Han-gyul’s lies is that they were never big ones, just small white lies, only just sidestepping the truth. He lied about being a professional songwriter, he lied about how he felt about the song, he lied about what he did for a living, etc. These small lies built up a wall around himself specifically for the purpose of keeping So-rim out. It was interesting to see that his character’s journey was to learn to stop lying. By the time the drama ended he had broken down these walls and was finally able to be honest about how he felt and what he loved.
But this leads to the second major lie of the show: the Crude Play Lie. This lie was a singular lie that had been allowed to keep growing until one day it could no longer be sustained. The result of this lie was that it created cracks within the band and caused them to no longer see where the lie ended and their passion began. These cracks in Crude Play’s foundation were almost enough to destroy them. I think that the real reason the original members put the “Real Crude Play” videos out was really a cry for help. They could no longer stand being a lie onstage, so instead they put their (less-than-perfect) truth out there for the world to see.
This lie finally bursting led to my favorite storyline of the series, when the band finally realized they needed to essentially start over. In-ho’s accident, the lies he told from the pressure, the lies Han-gyul told himself about the band, the lies the band made in front of the world every single day – they were unsustainable. There was nothing left to feed the lie, so they risked everything and told the truth. And it was beautiful. The tension between them was finally gone, the passion was back. The music and talent were still lacking, but that was their truth – if they had never taken the time to lie, they never would have had to start over.
silverp
August 30, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Everyone in this drama has lied, from Jin Woo to Sooyeon to Crude Play to the adults, either to protect themselves, or to protect someone they cared about. But the lies and hiding made them unhappy, and others around them unhappy as a consequence. This is where Sorim’s influence was so big, as she influenced Hangyul and others with how open she was. It was maybe in ep 2 when she told Hangyul that there is happiness in having the freedom to be honest as yourself (regarding how confessing her love so directly might open her to hurt), and she showed that even though she was afraid of being hurt by being truthful to herself and others, it also brings her a freedom that brightens her into a person who brings joy and comfort to others.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Exactly. All the different lies were toxic, no matter how big or small they were, the truth always was better in the end. It really gives new perspective to the idea that “the truth will set you free.”
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:13 PM
It’s not presented as black and white as that. Ceo Yoo for example, thinks that lying would protect the band, and all the people in the company. Inwoo thinks that staying silent will avoid hurt for many. This is not just that telling the truth is always better, but it was better for those characters specifically, given their personalities, grievances, and wants and wishes.
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:15 PM
Chanyoung and Jinwoo both stay silent for her sake.
Sorim also learns the hard way that being discreet would also benefit her, and she changed from wanting to date openly, to being ok with dating in secret. So both sides are presented, it depends on the situation.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 8:20 PM
I think the show makes a point to show that there’s a difference between outright lying, like the two lies I discussed, and when someone omits a portion of the truth, which is what the silence is. Yes, technically these are lies, but really, they’re not straight-up falsehoods, and therefore less damaging.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 30, 2017 at 8:17 PM
100% agree — but the end result with all the lies was that there were more problems. Personally, in real life, there are reasons to lie a little or omit the truth, I know that; but in the context of the show we see how lying, even with the best of intentions, can actually create more problems.
Cesta B
August 30, 2017 at 8:00 PM
Well said! (You and Sorim and SnarkyJellyfish)
It’s only by being honest and recognizing and confronting the truth about oneself that everyone in Liar were able to find themselves again, and begin fixing themselves, if fixing was needed, or begin healing, if healing was needed, or begin to move on, if moving on was wanted. Just the act of admitting the truth to someone else is liberating enough to start moving things along. Sorim’s confession. Hangyul’s anger at his father. Hangyul confronting Inho and Jinhyuk. Chanyoung confronting others. Sejung. Shihyun and Sooyeon. And I could go on and on.
bananapurge
August 30, 2017 at 9:41 PM
On that note, let’s point out they had the courage to tell the truth because they each other’s love as a support system backing them up.
bananapurge
August 30, 2017 at 9:42 PM
*had
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:09 PM
“everyone in this drama has lied”
In that sense, it’s not just “the liar and his lover” but “the liars and lovers”
Everyone were liars, but they were liars because they were all lovers. Lovers of music, and as our heroine never forgot, most importantly, lovers of people and people who lived and loved music with them.
Jazlynn
August 30, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Comment was deleted
zgs1994
August 31, 2017 at 7:41 AM
Well said! <3
SnarkyJellyfish
August 31, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Thank you!