[Note: This post contains spoilers for episodes 8 and 9 of Nevertheless]
While Jae-eon (Song Kang) and Nabi (Han So-hee) painfully flip flop between attraction and drawing up healthy boundaries, viewers are *nevertheless* still tuning in for all the other characters and blossoming relationships around them.
Two fan favourite pairings are #Byuhyun (Bit-na and Kyu-hyun) and #SolJiwan (Sol and Ji-wan). They’ve been lauded for balancing both the realistic and sweet bits of falling in love—with one couple being straight and the other flying the flag for LGBTQ+ representation on Korean television.
Reflecting South Korea’s conservative culture, it’s still not all that common to see same-sex pairings in K-dramas, especially mainstream ones such as Nevertheless. Hence, it’s not surprising that the Internet can’t seem to get enough of Sol and Ji-wan’s heartwarming love story.
#soljiwan: you could be my one and only pic.twitter.com/izLCIpYOED
— quién (@gaysinmedia) August 9, 2021
Sol is also one of the most popular characters in Nevertheless, not just for her frank and free-spirited personality, but also for her unique yet stylish take on the bohemian aesthetic. It also helps that Lee Ho-jung, who plays Sol, is deeply in tune with her character—to the extent of contributing clothing from her own wardrobe for Sol’s on-screen fits.
How Sol and Ji-wan got together
#SOLJIWAN : sorry for liking you pic.twitter.com/i8acy5pKZw
— Park Love Fans Kwangya (@OddEyeFelix) August 9, 2021
In episode 8, which aired on 7 August (8 August in Malaysia on Netflix), Sol finally confessed her feelings to Ji-wan by making it clear she likes her “not as a friend”. That nail-biting scene is relatable even if you’re straight, as they’re best friends who are afraid to rock the boat by taking their mutual attraction to the next level.
It’s more painful with the subtitles #soljiwan pic.twitter.com/tWsFoe7usO
— maki (@maki123__) August 7, 2021
In episode 9, which aired on 14 August, they finally had “the talk” with Ji-wan (played by Yoon Seo-a) opening up to Sol about her true feelings and insecurities. Following that, the pair kissed (!) and they’re now official!
How Twitter reacted:
#1 Cupid has been busy
Am I the only one who kept repeating the “Smirk” of Yoon Sol in this part??! DAMN SHE LITERALLY STRIKED MY HEART!! I HAVE SUCCUMBED TO LOVE! #NeverthelessEp9 #SolJiwan pic.twitter.com/1TaB6Dbghy
— Camilla (@camillaandmoney) August 14, 2021
#2 The temperature’s rising
when SolJiwan’s kiss scene really happens#SolJiwan #Nevertheless pic.twitter.com/Vf9Th4onMJ
— intosoljiwan (@hollyseyes) August 10, 2021
#3 A win for representation
this is what good, realistic representation does…it makes people feel happy, included and not just an afterthought… sol’s story is so important to many people. jiwan’s too. a lot of women have been scared to confront that they have feelings for another woman and what it means
— Soljionce Global Union (@jeongyeonnation) August 7, 2021
#4 Context: Sol thinks Jae-eon and Nabi should be #endgame
Ma’am, thank god you’re gay cause you’re a terrible judge of men #soljiwan pic.twitter.com/48h9HeGPon
— baby_moo (@MMMs_baby) August 15, 2021
#5 Nothing gets past Bit-na’s radar
Bitna knows everything about SolJiwan“ does Sol even like guys? ““ I guess Jiwan can only see Sol ““Jiwan ah, how will you live without Sol?“Oh Bitna the queen of quotes #SolJiwan #Nevertheless pic.twitter.com/USBBYsWupU
— intosoljiwan (@hollyseyes) August 8, 2021
#6 This is superior attention to detail
A round of applause for the director #솔지완 #Nevertheless #Soljiwan #Yoonsol #Jiwan #wlw #kdrama #JTBC pic.twitter.com/yGyaGtsrnB
— JeonNeezy1712 (@joenneezy) August 7, 2021
#7 And another one
Sol always grabbed jiwan by her wrist but never her hand, probably because she was afraid that jiwan would take it as an act of friendship, yet sol knew she was feeling more than that.That’s why jiwan’s heart fluttered when sol held her hand tightly on the ferris wheel#soljiwan pic.twitter.com/YkjWoqxbis
— kkim_chaeng_(@woollimz_zone) August 12, 2021
#8 If you know, you know
Main couple Sol and Jiwanof Nevertheless; #SolJiwan Nation; pic.twitter.com/UG4lLKuFdm
— Louise (@zaki_minatozaki) August 7, 2021
The last episode of Nevertheless airs this Sunday, 22 August on Netflix.
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