See You in My 19th Life (2023)

A Dance with Destiny: See You In My 19th Life's Alluring Tale of Memory and Love!!

This drama stands out as the most beautiful and captivating production of the year, boasting top notch cinematography, mesmerizing OSTs, and exceptional performances from the cast.

Rather than being a direct adaptation of the Manhwa, the concept is taken from a webtoon, and the writers created their own world with beautiful characters. Although there were several changes from the webtoon, I found myself genuinely liking the drama, which left me spellbound. The storyline revolves around a female protagonist who recalls her past 18 lives, embarking on a journey to fulfill an unfinished love from her 18th life while uncovering intriguing mysteries.

One of the drama's standout elements is the portrayal of an unconventional relationship, where the female lead exudes strength while the male lead grapples with post traumatic issues. Their dynamic is refreshing as she takes the lead and he follows, creating a unique and endearing relationship.

The ending of the drama was satisfying, with the female protagonist starting afresh by forgetting all her past memories, putting an end to a 19-life-long curse.

The relationship between the female lead Ban Jieum and her 60+ year old niece Aegyeong from her 17th life was heartwarming to watch.

Among the many memorable scenes, the bridge scene in the 9th episode stood out for its creativity. It beautifully depicted all of Banjieum's past lives walking behind her, symbolizing the interconnectedness of her experiences across time.

Shin Hye Sun's portrayal of Ban Jieum was nothing short of phenomenal, impeccably capturing the emotional depth, strength, and love for her closed ones from past lives.

Equally, Ahn Boh Hyun's casting as Seo Ha initially raised doubts, but he skillfully displayed Seo Ha's vulnerabilities and romantic side, proving himself to be an excellent fit for the role.

The chemistry between the main leads was undeniable, making them my favorite on screen pair from 2023. While the second leads had limited screen time, they also did well, with Ha Yoon Kyung shining in the role of Cho Won.

A character that left lasting impression was Mingi, whose mysterious aura captivated the audience from the beginning until the end. Lee Chae Min's portrayal was stellar, much like his performance in his previous drama CCIR.

The chemistry between the actress playing Aegyeong and Shin Hye Sun was palpable, just as evident as their on screen chemistry in their previous drama, Mr. Queen.

The drama was masterfully filled with numerous plot twists, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. The character portrayal was praiseworthy, as none of the villains were entirely negative; instead, they were complex and shaded with grey, making them more realistic and intriguing.

The cinematography of the drama was simply breathtaking, elevating every scene to an awe inspiring level. Notably, Episode 9 stood out for its exceptional cinematography, making it an unforgettable visual experience.

The OSTs were perfect additions to the narrative. "Juicy Juicy" by Jo Yuri and "Star" by Colde has to be my most favourite OSTs of 2023.
However, BGM department could have been better as some scenes didn't align well with the background music.

In conclusion this drama is an absolute masterpiece, with brilliant performances and flawless execution. Fantasy lovers should not miss out on this mesmerizing series.

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Charming hanger, to tell the same old story about Cupid's arrow in a refreshing crisp new way

"See you in my 19th Life" is first and foremost a love story. However, there is this particular, dramaturgically appealing impulse, since the protagonist has been incarnating on this planet again and again since 980 AND is actually able of recalling all of her 19 multifaceted lives so far quite well. So the protagonist is neither ghost nor demon, but a human being like you and me – only with more knowledge and experience from her previous lives with different gender. She brought all she has ever learned and known along with her.

A nice hanger, I think. A great (not necessarily brand new, though,) idea to tell the same old story about Cupid's arrow in a refreshing crisp new way. The idea goes back to a web toon. As tvN-KDrama it comes along in 12 episodes. Here Shin Hye-sun once more took the chance to break down female stereotypes, as she had already successfully stirred up gender-specific behavior patterns with her acting in "Mr Queen". Wonderful.

I think the concept overall works very well. The KDrama presents a Rom+Com in a light-footed pace. However, the protagonists certainly have their bags to carry. So the story doesn't just sail along on the surface. And then, of course, there are also mischievous characters, e.g. in the Jaebeol milieu, adding some extra excitement. In addition, the subplots are quite elaborated in a charming manner, too.

So: If you're in the mood for Rom+Com, you'll be well taken care of with this KDrama. The story draws with pleasure from the large pot of possibilities that arise from the idea of ​​awareness in reincarnation, thus lovingly spicing up a solid love story. Predictable it may still be, yet it is fun, heartwarming and including some surprising twists, too.

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