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Naturally, this will draw comparisons to Something In The Rain. Similar backroom staff, same male lead, similar vibe in the story but this plays out much smoothly and has a way more satifying ending. The love story is heartfelt and relatable even if you're not in the same situations. The ordeal with the parents and side characters is more bearable and fleshed out. I like that there was no real villain. Ki Seok's character is bullish and arrogant but in some way, he's still down to earth and you can feel for him at times despite the character's stalkerish tendencies. The marriage proposal was wonderfully laid out. It was so casual yet loving and perfect. Getting the kid to do it for you - a magical moment. The acting was super strong and nuanced. I can't rag on any of the cast for their performances. Whether it was the leads or the side characters, everyone had a distinct, interesting character. Everything seemed to natural and seemless. I had no probably parashuting into this world and accepting the characters for their choices.
The soundtrack might cause a few debates. The song list is limited but the songs are memerable and add to the scenes they are used for. That's all that's required.
I think the re-watch value is in the Jung Hae-In and Han Ji Min chemistry and on-screen relationship. Every scene is worth watching with them in, from the beginning of a reluctant friendship to a blossoming relationship.
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"We could still be happy"
There are some dramas that you just don't watch for mere entertainment instead they make you think, leave you speechless and leave an impact on you even after days of completing it. One Spring Night was exactly that for me.After watching the first episode itself I knew this one was going to hit me hard emotionally. I am not saying this drama was perfect because well, it's not everyone's cup of tea considering the fact that it's a slow burn and has minimal humour. But the way it portrayed the lives of some imperfect people perfectly was enough to get me hooked.
It tackled some of the very hard pressing problems of living in a prejudiced society in an extremely realistic way that every viewer might just find it relatable at one point or another. The main focus was obviously on the relationship between the leads but the inclusion of family traumas and taboos like single parenthood, infidelity, domestic violence and male chauvinistic pride in the plot as heavy and loud backdrop will make everyone sit up and take notice even if one doesn't wants to.
Coming to their take on relationship and intimacy. Oh, it was such a beautiful journey to watch. I could probably feel them fighting their emotions but at the same time also surrendering to it. As problematic as it seemed, it was dealt with absolute care. The romance wasn't rushed at all. The leads took their time at resolving both their inner and outer turmoils one by one (as it should be) while also acknowledging and accepting their feelings for one another. I mean every plot arc hits so close to the heart in this one. Which just shows the realistic and mature efforts put into it as a whole.
Cinematography was so breathtaking that every scene can be screenshoted and put up as wallpaper, no kidding.
The background music can come off as a little repetitive at times but that's only because the music matches the vibe of the drama perfectly and Rachel Yamagata's voice is so soothing that I couldn't possibly have complaints in this department.
At some moments you'll wish to fast forward this drama but control that urge, know that you're gonna miss out on its essence. This drama unapologetically sets its own pace and I had a wonderful time following through each and every second of it.
Also, bonus points to the writer for creating such independent, fierce and strong willed female protagonists. You hardly see that anymore.
So if you're tired of watching them cheesy rom-coms and need something close to reality that pulls on your heartstrings with great plot and even better acting, this one's probably it.
I gave this drama an 8.5 rating initially but considering the fact that it keeps replaying on my mind at random moments, I had to do the needful.
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I was not watching it at first because I already knew that it is going to be a very slow story. The plot seems very interesting to me so I started watching it but …………Overall it was good but slow and last 3-4 episodes were torcher to watch
Firstly
Lee Jung In and Kwon Ki Seok relationship creep me out. He was not her boyfriend but a stalker. How many time she try to breakup with him but he still keeps following her and still talking about marring her is ridiculously uncomfortable for me to watch
Secondly
Lee Tae Hak [Jung In's father]. Who want a father like him? He forcefully want to marry her second daughter for his personal benefits then when he get to know that her first daughter is assaulted he still forcing her to not to get divorce
These two points were very uncomfortable but it is good to watch female lead to stand for herself and she chooses her own path and fight with these two creepy persons in her life and find true love. Shin Hyung Seon [Jung In's mother] is a very nice character who struggle for her daughters to get them their rights.
I am really disappointed they did not do anything with Kwon Ki Seok in the end. He really needs some learning of ethics but he still got a nice end
I started watching it but i forced myself to complete it
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What makes me fall in love with this show is that it doesn't dilute the intensity of character progression with plot and is paced perfectly. There are times when the main leads just sit and do nothing, it makes you think and understand what is going on in their heads and how they are feeling. The OST fills these silences perfectly. I can keep rewatching the conversations between the main leads forever. The side characters are fun and play a good role in supporting the main cast.
This drama is simple, beautiful and satisfying. I hope you give this a try.
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Not a favourite thats for sure
I glanced at some other reviews so I'll also preface this by saying I haven’t seen Something in the Rain either. I randomly decided to watch this after not starting anything new for a while after fishing Rain or Shine. If I'm remembering correctly, I believe I saw it suggested as a drama I'd like if liked Rain or Shine.Unfortunately the mundane mood I enjoyed in my last drama felt annoying in this one. There were so many food scenes. Like I get that ppl eat and eat out and maybe it's a cultural thing too, but it felt excessive here. Like I saw more eating than action.
The drama felt like it dragged on and on and took me a while to finish because it was so frustrating. For instance the FL takes forever to break it off with her bf like more than 8 eps. I also found her annoying tbh. In fact most of the characters in this were annoying and not really memorable besides the ML, his friends, and family. Tbh the only thing keeping me going was seeing more of the son and my stubbornness to finish it at least.
I also found that I only laughed twice throughout 16 eps which sucks ?
The ost is also super repetitive to the point where I got annoyed.
As someone who loves sharing kdrama with others this is one I don't deem worthy of showing to my mom.
I'm glad I'm done it and I don't plan on a rewatch ever.
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I think what makes this show and SITR a bit different is that it takes out the abnormal, the "other worldly" aspects out of the picture and SLOWS IT DOWN. This forces the drama to find emotional highs and lows, conflicts, and character development elsewhere like in realistic social issues, duty vs desire, and a realistic romance. I love the scenes where they sit and do nothing sometimes not even looking or talking to each other BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN LIFE SOMETIMES. When reading music the goal of silence is to carry the tension and this show does just that. In the silence the viewer is forced to think about what the character's might be thinking about and creates a tension through just silence itself.
The OST itself reflects the simplicity and beauty of the drama. A lot of people have complained at the short and often repeated songs. I think that the OST is brilliant because it accentuates normality; life is normal, repetitive, and quiet most of the time. Now some songs individually I think could have been written better but the soundtrack as a whole I thoroughly enjoy.
Most dramas take you out of your world to take you into theirs and that's what makes it enjoyable and fun; but this leaves a dissatisfaction when you know that it's not real and it would never happen in your life. This drama and SITR takes you out of your world and into a world that could be your neighbor's or your friend's or maybe even back into your own world. I might not have that same 'high' of riding the lows and highs of most kdramas but I am confident that I will have left this show thinking that it seemed real and that it could happen somewhere in the real world even in mine. That's what makes this show exciting and fresh.
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Hooked up so far!! I also love the acting of the actors. The support is also amazing! Keep up the good work!
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Most Realistic | Relatable drama EVER
Jung Hae In's portrayal of his character was absolutely mesmerizing. We were shocked to hear that he "struggled" to get into character (or so he thinks). We struggle to think of any way in which he could have been any better. He did it brilliantly.We've lost count of how many times we've watched this drama and we aren't going to stop anytime soon.
The story is so well written.
We are seeing a lot of people watching these type of dramas and not understanding it or interpreting it incorrectly.
Han Ji Min's portrayal of Lee Jung In was also done brilliantly. And NO she did not cheat. She "cheated" after calling off their relationship two to three times already.
This is what happens when your family decides who you marry and who not. You partner thinks whatever you say can be ignored.
She told him they should end it and he even agreed after a few times only to go back to his ways because of Yoo Ji Ho.
The whole journey was just emotional, but so real and it just could not have been done better.
The OST is also truly beautiful.
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So refreshing
I genuinely fell in love with this show instantly. It felt very real and palpable in a way that dramas in this genre never really fully grasp. I cried and got goosebumps so many times and it wasn't even necessarily because of the main couple. The drama deals with so many real and important topics and does so in a very healthy manner, without romanticizing or downplaying them, which was so refreshing to witness.They build up all the characters really well, maybe even too well. Because my one complaint about this drama would simply be the ending, or more specifically the last two episodes... The characters just simply acted way out of character in the end, I guess it was to add to the suspense or whatnot, but that would be the singular turn off for me. They built these characters up so well that at the end you could really go "Ah, this isn't what the character stands for." if that makes sense. I think the ending could have been used a bit better to tie up some more loose ends, exactly because they spent a lot of time building up side characters, and then only tying up the few main ones.
But other than that, nothing but praise for this show. It handled a lot of interesting topics, from morality to how women are treated and viewed in the world while also keeping a somewhat light hearted atmosphere with the romance.
SPOILER ALERT!!
One of the most frustrating things for me how throughout half the show the entire future and love life of the main character was decided upon by three men who simply would not listen to a word she says. Especially her boyfriend at the time. All I could think was: THE AUDACITY!!!! And that really left me thinking a lot and then paired up with the domestic violence topic and how the men handled that one... It couldn't leave many unfazed I think and that's really what adds value to this show, in my opinion. Its ability to make you think about some sensitive topics and its ability to make you sympathize with the characters without downplaying these topics as the only thing they have going for them. It shows their struggles dealing with them rather than just going "All you have to do is say no more and it all goes away!"
So yeah, idk if this makes much sense and I'm about two years late watching this, but I had to let this all out somewhere. The show is an amazing watch, and I'd recommend it to anyone!
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Don't Fall Into the Trap of Allowing ANYONE To Tell You How To Live Your Life!
If there is one thing that the viewer will hopefully take away from this series, it’s this: never, NEVER let anyone tell you how to live your life. It doesn’t matter who it is—religious people, family, society, or anyone else. As soon as you allow others to dictate how you live your life, you’ve given away your power. And when things don’t work out, you have also lost any right to get angry or resent them for it because YOU allowed it to happen. And the only person who will be dealing with the fallout is you. Those who counseled you won’t be taking the hits. YOU will! Steer your own ship. Don’t let anyone else try to steer it for you.“One Spring Night” is hardly the most romantic series I’ve ever seen, and it’s not necessarily an easy series to get through. This isn’t necessarily a criticism as the series is very well-steeped in realism about people navigating the minefield of relationships and the problems that arise because of them.
The “Before Sunrise” film series is the most realistic series I’ve ever seen regarding relationships…how they start, where they go, and how two people who were once in love, struggle to find that spark that they once shared when they first met.
Ji Ho meets Jung in one random morning when she comes into his pharmacy to get hangover medicine. It’s easy to see that he’s immediately captivated by her, despite her brusque mannerisms and snippy attitude. However, he quickly finds out that she’s already in a relationship with Ki Seok, a guy he actually plays basketball with on weekends.
It becomes very obvious from the get-go that Jung In doesn’t love Ki Seok, and the viewer is even left to wonder if she ever has. It’s ironic how many people enter relationships out of convenience or simply to use the other person because of money or social status. It doesn’t take long for Jung In to realize that she’s quickly developing feelings for Ji Ho, and soon she breaks up with Ki Seok and begins a relationship with Ji Ho.
Of course, rarely are things so simple. And yet this dynamic is an interesting one because I haven’t really seen it in Korean dramas. Ji Ho has a son, but he’s not married. What I admire about Ji Ho is that he doesn’t try to hide this fact, and he’s very upfront with Jung In about it, letting her decide if it’s a problem or not. We also find that a single father is considered to be quite unappealing, especially if you’re a single woman who’s never been married. Pretty soon, everyone is voicing their opinions and concerns, from his family to hers and even their friends.
Ji Ho is easily the most mature character of the series, with Jung In’s older sister Seo In being right up there with him. Ji Ho is honest and seemingly unafraid. He views his son as a strength and not a weakness, and he makes it apparent right from the start that he won’t allow anyone to hurt his son, even Jung In. He’s also very understanding and considerate, and perhaps his greatest strength is his ability to empathize. He knows the pressures that Jung In will experience, and he gives her the space to figure out whether or not she wants to be in a relationship with him.
Jung In—despite the actress being six years older than her male counterpart—has a number of issues. Don’t get me wrong as all of the characters are a bit flawed, but Ji Ho’s past experience has only made him stronger and more mature. Jung In’s greatest strength is her fierce independence. She has absolutely no problem standing up to anyone, including members of her own family. I LOVE this about her! She proves—at least in that regard—to be the type of companion that I think most men would love—someone who will walk through the fire with you and not look back. However, Jung In is also moody, temperamental, a bit conceited, judgmental, and tends to lack understanding and compassion when push comes to shove. Perhaps her greatest weakness is her inability to empathize. She doesn't smile very much, and it's quite evident that she's not a very happy person. She also has a tendency to be bossy. Ladies, remember this: no real man wants another mother for a wife! One mother is more than enough! That pledge was ridiculous, and if you’re in a relationship to try and change the other person, you’ve already entered into it for the wrong reasons.
In Episode 15, we find Jung In is angry by a “slip of the tongue” from a drunk Ji Ho when he asks her not to leave him or his son. She takes it as a sign that he doesn’t trust her—which is actually understandable to a point. Rather than talking it out and trying to understand why he has those feelings at all, she storms out and then tells him that they need to take a brief break. And then, immaturely, she gets angry when he doesn’t contact her. However, she never once stops to think about his past situation with the woman who left Ji Ho and his son and why that might be a source of fear and insecurity. If nothing else, this should have been a sign to both Ji Ho and Jung In that they needed more time to get to know each other. Relationships aren’t just about sharing happy, quality times. They are also about finding that person with whom you can confide and share your fears and insecurities. Every relationship is flawed and dysfunctional because everyone has those fears and insecurities. It’s how you navigate and BE there for each other during such moments that counts!
I’m not sure I’ve seen two more despicable characters in 45 years of watching shows than Ki Seok and Jung In’s “father.” I use the term “father” very loosely because such a man has no right to call himself one. Any father who uses his children for personal gain is no father. Any father who’s afraid of what people think rather than standing firm with his children is no father. Seo In has been physically and sexually abused by her husband (another deplorable man who won’t allow her to divorce him), and yet her father rants about how wrong divorce is and why she should try and work things out with her husband. That scenario literally made me sick to my stomach! And then we have Jung In’s father trying to marry her off to Ki Seok—without her consent—so that he can get a promotion at work. Utterly pathetic!
Ki Seok is almost as bad. This is a little boy masquerading as a “man.” After Jung In breaks up with him, he still contacts her, demands to see her, and unbelievably still insists that they are going to get married! Now, part of the problem is Jung In herself. She fails to see the obvious: to tell Ki Seok to his face that it’s over and then to break off all communication with him. Teasing him and stringing him along was cruel no matter how despicable he was. Ki Seok is an arrogant boy who views everyone as being beneath him, especially Ji Ho. Right up until the last episode, Ki Seok still believes that Jung In will marry him. Nobody—not even his own father—points out the obvious: that Jung In is in love with Ji Ho, and after all that he’s done, how in the world would he ever believe that she’d marry him?! Supreme delusion and arrogance.
Women are not property to be bargained off and used any way you see fit. This is something that many of the cowardly men in this world still fail to realize, and this series makes a very fine and bold point regarding this.
The series—for the most part—is well done. It’s not afraid to show the flaws, fears, insecurities, and concerns that many people have and why it’s important to find someone who’s strong enough to go through it all with you. The only thing better than being a person who won’t allow others to tell you how to live is finding a companion who lives their life the same way. Such a couple is an “iron couple” who can get through anything. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, then I’m not sure what does. And, frankly, that was my favorite part of the series—watching Ji Ho and Jung In standing firm together and holding off all of their attackers—and as they did so, they began to help others realize just how powerful and true they are together!
If I have one glaring complaint about the series, it’s the music. My God! I’ve never heard two songs repeated (often 5-6 times per episode!) so much. The songs aren’t bad, they just didn’t quite fit the series. And it was overkill to play them so much. I love the songs from K-dramas. I have a huge list on my iPod from so many shows. Needless to say, I won’t be adding any from this series as too often, they got stuck in my head. It got to the point where I was muting the show when the song came on. I had the subtitles to read the dialogue. I kept going, “Oh, God! Not again!”
This is a series that actually gets better the deeper into the show you get. I know a lot of people stopped after four or five episodes. Believe me, it actually did get quite better. “My Business Proposal” is still my all-time favorite series depicting strong women. Unlike Jung In, the two women in that series were also soft, loving, and romantic. I also love the female lead in “Hometown Cha Cha Cha.” By the time this series ended, I had hopes for Jung In that perhaps she might soften up a bit and not make everything about her. I’m sure that with Ji Ho’s help, she would ultimately allow that to happen.
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