Jang Hanseo - Tumblr Posts
KWAK DONG YEON as Jang Han Seo Vincenzo | 2021
enjoying hanseo's cool old-fashioned high collared style vs seeing someone say he probably wears high collars to hide the bruises from his brother
precious boy. i want to give him the whole world and protect him
♡
“I’ll join hands with Vincenzo. I’ll team up with a pro.”
I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN
the chokehold this man has on me is INSANE
aND THIS SPECIFIC LOOK OF HIM, THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY PUT HIM IN THIS LOOK WITH THOSE WET BANGS!!
Kwak Dong Yeon as Jang Han Seo (ep.8)
there's a need to put it out in the universe further and i'm doing just that.
To begin with, I’ve never been related to any characters like Jang Han Seo. It was oblivious that he was suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD resulting from the abuse that he had been endured at home, but it seemed like he had the sign of social phobia as well. As we could see in the drama, his life completely revolved around his brother, he had no friends, no interested in dating or attracting to anyone (if we can count Han Seung Hyuk as his “friend” since he might be closer to him than anyone other than Han Seok and before Vincenzo). It might be because of the tittle as The Chairman of Babel and being born in a wealthy family which make him aware that people wanted to get close to him only for money or taking advantage of him to get what they wanted. But the things is, he seemed to avoid any chance of building relationships that have the potential to be more intimate or more complex than basic communication, rejecting even the slightest touch, not just with Han Seok - the one he’s afraid of but almost everyone else.
For example, back when Vincenzo (the one he became extremely close to later on) was only a stranger and he pretended to be a fan to approach Han Seo. He appeared to be extremely enthusiastic and just only showed the want of touching Han Seo, Han Seo immediately flinched away and made a clearly uncomfortable expression. He looked at his hand like a gun pointing at him.
Example 2, when Han Seung Hyuk - the one who had close relationship than anyone else besides his brother at that time, just about to go closer to him and he already gave the big “Don’t touch me bitch” energy and make a gesture for him to go away.
This is the first time he had met his sister-in-law (applying for both his blood and adopted brothers). It didn’t go well.
Han Seo himself had proven to be an extremely clingy person and liked to actively skinship towards the people he was close to, but for others, when being touched, his body will immediately generate rejection and fear as a reflex.
Jang Han Seo had another trait that he was completely used to people ignoring him, not taking him seriously, but if someone liked him, complimented him, spoke well of him, then he didn’t know how to react naturally as if his brain was immediately shut down. I totally understand this, because I have the same problem, if someone insults me even with the most hurtful things, I’ll be like “you say nothing that I don’t already know. I also insulted myself like that every day so we have the same opinion bro” xD But if people compliment me with kind words, I will be extremely surprised, even scared and panic. I will be worried sick about how to make people continue to think well of me and what if I do something wrong later that makes them no longer like me. But of course, when the anxiety reaches a certain level, my mood will turn into: "Nevermind, let’s care about it later. Who give a f*ck if they like me or not” lol But Jang Han Seo wasn’t like that. He remembered and held on to the praises of others stubbornly. Many people think that Han Seo betrayed Han Seok just because of Vincenzo, but in fact, the first person to put that thought into Han Seo’s head was Han Seung Hyuk. He did not convince him with the benefits, fame, and money of being the true chairman of Babel, but that how he, on behalf of Babel’s member and as an employee of the company, valued and needed him. He hyped him up as the “sharp, ambitious and not murderous” ideally chairman, the only hope of Babel’s bright future and the only person that the people in the company could depend on. Before that, although he was really angry that Han Seok constantly rejected his offers, Han Seo kept saying “Are you telling me to betray my brother? Do you even know what you are saying?” showed that he completely accepted that he wasn’t able to run the company and continued to live in Han Seok’s shadow, until Mr. Han opened a new vision for him. Han Seung Hyuk’s words couldn’t tell that he was really meant it or not, and maybe Han Seo already knew he was untrustworthy, but it sparked the thought that he could actually do better than his brother and be capable of turning Babel into something good. When negotiating with Vincenzo, he mentioned not only that he wanted Vincenzo to spare his life but also Babel (not just the company itself or its property, but also the employees whose life depended on the company’s survival) Then Vincenzo came. Before Vin hyung appeared, Jang Han Seok was completely Han Seo’s ideal model for him to look up to and learn from. He yelled at people’s face and throw hockey balls to their stomach to show his authority (like how his brother beated the shit out of him with a hockey stick when he messed up in the previous episode), making people afraid so they could listen to him (but most of his efforts failed miserably because he just looked like an adorable bratty angry kitten). Then Vin hyung appeared, encouraged him to study harder and gave him a completely different role model, the man he wanted to become. And that’s when he started to change, showing his true self, he let his hair down, started to wear clothes that looked comfortable and youthful, laughed more often and looked more alive. After his brother went to prison, he turned into a friendly, gentle and loving chairman and didn’t shout at anyone anymore xD Continued to episode 19, when Vincenzo mentioned the possibility of Han Seok being released from prison early and would come to him first, advising him to fly away to a foreign country, Han Seo, although trying to hide it, clearly shows his fear (of course when you’ve been terrified of something all your life, fear can’t disappear within a day or two), but still refuses to run away because “I made a promise to you.” Even when Vincenzo made it clear that “you can keep your promise to me later” and still tried to convince him, Han Seo was still determined to stay and fight to the end. Simply because Vincenzo showed his belief in Han Seo, that he had potential, he could change and become a better person, a trustworthy person that could count on, and because of that, he would do it everything to live up to that expectation (which he has proven he could - or at least tried to - do everything, except murders xD). Others’ faith in him is Han Seo’s biggest motivation, because he’s probably used to being seen as a useless person without any value, a piece of trash that doesn’t deserve to exist, not only for his brother, but also for his parents, who see his birth as an accident, a mistake of a casual cheating hook up, not a miracle result of their desire to have a child. That is also the reason why Han Seok completely failed to convince his little brother to betray Vincenzo by promising to give him all of Babel, it could be seen in Han Seo’s reaction that there was not a bit of greed or joy, but a complete shock at his brother’s brutal request, and he still didn’t move at all. It was only when Vincenzo took the initiative to kneel and asked him to do what Han Seok told him to do, Han Seo finally was able to stand up, and when Vincenzo said “It’s okay”, implying that he would’ve fully understood if Han Seo had chose to kill him for survival, in that moment he already knew what he had to do, even at the cost of the life that he treasured the most. Because what Han Seo longed from the beginning was never Babel, but rather to become a kind of meaningful existence, not only for others but also for himself.
sir- EXCUSE ME SIR HOW ARE YOU SO HOT
Han Seo dressing up in his 80's koreatown outfit after another beating:
they’re the same person i swear
THE REASON THAT THEY DIDN'T SHOW JANG HANSEO'S FUNERAL IS BECAUSE HE DIDN'T DIE
oh FUCK YOU, THIS HAS BROKEN ME SO MUCH MORE NOW
Vincenzo + Hancenzo + "Did you mean to forget me?"
Hanseo watches the exchange with a heaviness in his heart that he hasn't felt in a very long time. He knows exactly why that is, but he doesn't quite understand it all at the same time. He should be happy that everything worked out, shouldn't he? It's definitely good to be alive, and he is for the most part pain-free nowadays, but...well, it's more complicated than that.
In Vincenzo's defense, it has been a good couple of years since everything that happened the last time he was in Korea for more than a few moments. Hanseo knows from hearing Chayoung say it that he's visited, but on a very limited schedule. Which means that also in Vincenzo's defense, he's a criminal and has to stay under the radar.
It makes sense. Really, it does. But now that Vincenzo is here again and visiting with everyone, Hanseo just...doesn't see where he himself belongs. Vincenzo connects so fluidly and so naturally with everyone else that Hanseo feels as if he doesn't stand a chance.
No...it's more than that. Hanseo is trying desperately not to let it get to him, but it's not working. Over the course of Vincenzo's time away, the man has been on Hanseo's mind constantly. Vincenzo, at the time, had been the only thing Hanseo had left. He had been the last voice Hanseo had heard on the night he'd thought he was going to die.
It's not like Hanseo thought Vincenzo would come flying in and greeting him with big hugs and tears in his eyes or anything, either. It's more like...the man hasn't acknowledged him much at all. They've locked eyes, but Vincenzo has been too busy getting swept up by everyone staying at the Plaza.
Maybe he doesn't mean it like that. Hanseo knows he's not the only person who missed Vincenzo, so maybe it's more like he hasn't had the chance to talk to him. But they've passed enough drinks around that Hanseo thinks Vincenzo has completely and utterly forgotten he's here. He'd backed up to give Vincenzo his space, and he's been patiently waiting for him ever since.
But Vincenzo never comes. He and the others push all the tables in the restaurant together and sit down for a round of Mafia. Hanseo watches from a seat in the back as they continue drinking and carrying on, playing their game. His heart and stomach sink lower. He feels sick.
Even after having escaped his brother, Hanseo still doesn't feel free. He hasn't even after knowing Hanseok was dead. It's because loneliness has filtered in and consumed the empty spaces that were cleared up when fear disappeared. It doesn't feel any better. It feels miserable. Sometimes, Hanseo wonders if he'd be happier not being alive.
He gets up and walks toward the open doorway, turning once more to give the group one last glance. A sigh escapes him, and as he turns to leave, he thinks that maybe he sees Vincenzo's gaze turn up toward him.
Still, he goes. He starts down the hallway and tucks his hands into his pockets, his gaze heavy and sullen. He's so lost in thought that he doesn't hear his own footsteps echoing through the dark halls of the plaza.
But he does, however, hear someone else's footsteps. They're coming at him fast, in a dead sprint, and Hanseo can't even turn around in time to acknowledge them before the form of the person cuts past him and moves to stop directly in front of him. Just like that, Hanseo is staring straight into the eyes of none other than Vincenzo Cassano.
Who looks very, uncharacteristically, genuinely shocked. He's gaping at Hanseo, panting, scanning him up and down, as if he can't believe what he's seeing.
"...Jang Hanseo."
Hanseo frowns and the words slip out before he can try and control himself. "Did you mean to forget me?"
It's Vincenzo's turn to frown, before his head cocks to the side. "...I don't understand."
Hanseo thinks he should be furious at that statement. What's not to understand? Hanseo feels left out, and as he'd just voiced, forgotten. But at the same time, Vincenzo doesn't look like his confusion has anything to do with that or the question Hanseo just asked him. He keeps looking him up and down like something's wrong.
Hanseo relaxes a little there. He's more concerned about why Vincenzo can't stop staring now.
"...Hyung...?"
Vincenzo's gaze snaps up and locks with Hanseo's at that, and he seems to compose himself. For a split second, he almost looks like the hardcore mafioso Hanseo had grown to admire so deeply. But he still looks perplexed...and maybe even a bit fearful. It's Hanseo's turn to not understand.
"You..." Vincenzo reaches forward with one hand as he speaks, aiming straight for Hanseo's torso. Hanseo doubles back, shocked by the sudden gesture. Vincenzo freezes, attempts to maintain calm, and then approaches once more. "...there's no way."
Hanseo is more afraid of the look on Vincenzo's face than anything. He looks so unlike himself. Even more so than the man who had been partying with everyone in the restaurant. He looks almost frightened, and maybe Hanseo's eyes are playing tricks on him, but it looks as if there's moisture in Vincenzo's stare. He backs up more as Vincenzo reaches out again, and when he feels his back hit one of the walls alongside the hallway, he inhales sharply and looks down at the hand drawing closer.
And he and Vincenzo watch together in horror as Vincenzo's hand passes right through his middle and flattens against the wall behind him.
It's funny, how everything suddenly makes sense there. Hanseo has paid the plaza multiple visits ever since his brother's death. He's greeted them, tried to strike up conversation with them, even attempted to spend whole afternoons with them, and they've all just...acted as if he wasn't there. Hanseo had taken it as a form of punishment, honestly--felt as if they were ignoring him because of everything that happened. Hanseo, on their side or not, would have to do a lot to earn their trust. But now that he knows they probably couldn't see him...it hurts.
How in the hell does a dead person not even know they're dead?
"You don't understand," Vincenzo finally says, his voice a valiant effort at composed, but not quite there. "I watched you die."
Hanseo glances down, and he thinks for a second that he can almost see the blood welling up on his front again. He doesn't know why on earth Vincenzo can see him but nobody else can, but he knows in that very moment that he's never been forgotten. Vincenzo looks as close to devastated as Hanseo has ever seen him right now.
As Vincenzo speaks up once more, Hanseo breaks down and cries.
"I never forgot you. I just didn't expect to see you."
ooOOHHH I LOVE THIS ANALYSIS SOOO MUCH!!
putting it out further in the (tumblr) universe
Random analysis of Jang Han Seo's clothing! @56707
The high collars - The high collars were essentially there to mimic Han Seok's hands on his throat and presumably to hide bruising. Throughout the day, if Han Seo even turned his head a little his neck would've made contact with the material of the high collars, repeatedly reminding him of his brother so that Han Seok didn't even need to be in the room for Han Seo to be afraid of violence.
His hair - Han Seo's hair is only ever down when his defenses are: at the gym when he is caught off guard, in the waiting room of the hospital and when he's with Vincenzo. His hair is gelled up other times, symbolising his defenses being up and how he was locked into a role he didn't want to have.
The giant safety pin - The giant safety pin served as a constant reminder that Han Seo's life was in his brother's hands. To have a sharp metal object placed around your neck by your abuser would've constantly reminded Han Seo that Han Seok was more than happy to be the cause for his death. For me, it mirrors the scene where Han Seok put a knife to his own throat, manipulating Han Seo into subservience by threatening to end his life.
The glasses - We only see him wear glasses twice in the show. Once, during the scene where Han Seo is waiting outside his fathers hospital room and another time where Han Seo is in his 'disguise'. In the flashback to his fathers death, Han Seo's glasses are clear and round, symbolising how he can see clearly now just how awful his brother could be. The pink glasses he wears in the 80's Korea town outfit showcase how Han Seo was blinded by the exciting possibility of escaping his abuser as seeing the world through pink coloured lenses would make it incredibly difficult to spot any red flags as the red flags would've essentially been barely visible at most.
The 80s Korea town clothes - Han Seo most likely lived most of his life in formal wear after the death of their father so Han Seo's Korea town outfit most likely was there to truly showcase how out of touch Han Seo was with the common person. Han Seo's time was usually spent around people in Babel uniforms or suits themselves and he definitely had no close friends, causing him to not really understand how the average person dressed. His colourful choice shows us this because Han Seo thought it would help him blend in more when in reality it made him stand out because Han Seo doesn't know what normal people who get a choice would choose.
this screams dongyeon's characters
dongyeon's characters aren't his if there's no sadness in them. am i right or am i right.?
wow what a pretty boy...he would look beautiful writhing in pain and crying in agony
me @ kwak dongyeon
i think of u every single day
everyday is hanseo day for me.
um uh ummm thinking about jang hanseo again kill meee
when i have to follow an Arab fan page for him to get updates
want him to be more appreciated yet wanna gatekeep him too (chat am i weird for that)
When you never find anything about you favorite kdrama actor beacuse he is so underrated<<<):