The Story: Its a slice of life drama revolving around 5 twenty-something girls. I was pleasantly surprised by how relatable and realistic it was. And for a person who often googles "Realistic drama/manga/novel" you have nooo idea how pleased I was. I caught myself thinking " That is so me" many a times while watching AOY.
Here are some quotes from the drama to give you an idea of what a gem it is:
“Every time I have to face new situations, I have a nightmare. To me, new things make me anxious rather than excited.”
“Everyone has their own circumstances to deal with. And until you know the circumstances they’re in, you can’t tell people how to live their lives. I’m sure you have something like that about you, too. Something that others can’t understand about you, but you can’t help. That’s why you can’t judge people willy-nilly…”
The cast: Though I'm a bit biased towards crazy Ji Won, the entire cast did a phenomenal job and it's as if they were meant for their roles. Perfection!
Music: Butterfly!!!!
Rewatch value: This drama will never get old.
Overall: Brilliant. Praying for a season 2! Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeease!
Similar dramas: Reply 1988.
And that is all folks. Hope this review was helpful. Sooo, if you haven't watched this already, watch it NOW. Like right now....go on. Now!!
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Either way this drama is a must watch. I would give this a trigger warning for violence especially against females.
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I completely fell in love with each of these girls. They were all unique and interesting. And even as a guy, I find them all very relatable. While of course there are still extremes, like multiple characters having dark pasts coming back to haunt them (as well as a psycho ex), it still never fell into cliches or silly situations that we are so used to in most dramas. It told it's story with care, with mostly relying on the girls' relationship with each other to push the story further, rather than throwing extreme situations or crazy plot twists at them. They had such great chemistry with each other that you really felt that they were roommates. They were close and friendly, yet also awkward and weary of each other, and that felt real.
I did not want it to end. Twelve episodes was not enough. The way it ended didn't even feel like it should have ended there. They could come out with another episode now, and it wouldn't even feel like a new season, just a proper continuation. I really hope there is another season, but that is a rare thing in K-dramaland, so I won't get my hopes up.
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This show is a gem.
Story:Age of Youth took me by surprise. I came to find out about the show through recommendations that summarised the show in a way that led me to believe that it would be a simple slice of life show following the lives of 5 people in their twenties. This is true but I didn't expect it to go in the direction it did. I expected relatable but more light-hearted and even surface-level situations and instead I got in-depth storylines that made me take a step back and evaluate some aspects of my own life and ideologies.
The storylines for each character felt real and relatable. My favourite plotline is Yoon sunbae's because of how at first I didn't expect much from it but by the end of it, I felt so invested in not only her plotline but also her character and the burdens she bears. Seeing her being able to be willing to try something out freely by the end of the show warmed my heart.
The show managed to balance both light-hearted/humourous moments with more serious and darker ones. I cried and laughed in so many moments and it didn't feel forced.
Acting/Cast:
The cast is simply amazing. Each character felt fleshed out to certain degrees and that's something I truly appreciate. Their struggles and how they coped with them in their own unique ways made this even more enjoyable to watch. Yoon sunbae is my favourite character for the development she shows by the end of the show and Ji Won a close second because her personality just made me happy.
The cast's acting was phenomenal. They brought their characters to life and made me actually want to be friends with the characters if it was possible.
Park Hye Soo's portrayal of Eun Jae is my favourite. The way she portrayed Eun Jae's introverted-ness and shyness is something to be treasured. She doesn't make the character come off as unbearable or annoying. I remember thinking I wouldn't like her character but to my shock by episode 3 I realized I quite like her character and seeing her slowly get more comfortable with the other girls was a treat.
Han Ye Ri also did a stellar job with her portrayal of Yoon sunbae. I felt the character's pain, burdens, loss, relief and hope throughout the show.
They all did an amazing job, even the supporting cast did well and I commend the entire cast.
Music:
The OST for this show is probably my favourite and I'm going to look for the OST album and play it on repeat for a couple of days. I barely pay attention to drama OSTs because sometimes I find them either too distracting as they don't blend with the show or I find them dull and forgettable. So, the way the music of Age of Youth encapsulates the themes of the show while not being too distracting is something I'm grateful for.
Rewatch Value:
I'd say the rewatch value is pretty high for this show. The friendship between the five is something I could watch over and over again.
Overall:
Age of Youth, a story about women in their twenties trying to navigate life while forming bonds, is a true gem of a show.
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One of the biggest upsets I have with Korean dramas in general is the weak female characters. Often times, they're portrayed as a damsel in distress (see Park Shin Hye's Eun Sang in Heirs) or "Candy" girls (see Han Hyo Joo's Go Eun Sung in Shining Inheritance), which can be frustrating when you're wanting a strong female lead with development and with more spunk instead of being dragged around all the time. Age of Youth, being a slice-of-life and romantic drama, manages to avoid that by showcasing the different personalities of five different women who each have their own story to tell.
While romance and lovelines certainly do play a part in the drama, it's really the relationships between the girls that really give this drama that special touch. It's about letting down your walls and allowing your friends, roommates, and significant others to care for you and tell you that it's okay when you're feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Through this drama, you'll discover (or maybe rediscover) just how precious friends can be, sometimes even more so than family.
Park Eunbin is perhaps quite easily the most breakout star of this drama. She certainly has this wonderful presence on the screen that grabs your attention and is one of the most memorable characters as well. Han Yeri is also one of the more memorable characters as well. She has this great control of subtle facial expressions and is able to convey many emotions through her gaze, which is quite impressive. Ryu Hwayoung also deserves an honorable mention, as she's been playing side characters for a while and has continued to show steady improvement and growth in her acting. Her character was perhaps my favorite; strong on the outside and very straightforward in her words but she knows when to soften up and really take care of people.
While I do love this drama, if there's one thing I would say I'm dissatisfied with, it would be the ghost storyline. I feel like we've only barely scratched the surface of the stories behind the girls, and some were barely touched upon (such as the backstory of Yoon Jinmyung's brother and Jiwon's tendency to overexaggerate or overdo things at times). It would be great if we had more episodes to really flesh out the stories and get to know them better. At the same time, I can understand why we only get glimpses of their backstories as well; it's not the past that matters, but who they are now and how they choose to move forward from here on out. As people, we shouldn't live in the past, but rather keep the memories in our hearts and move forward. That's the greatest service we can do for the people we care for and the people who are not here with us today to join in our happiness and sorrows.
I would definitely rewatch this drama again. It's a pretty light-hearted drama, so if you're looking for something to sort of pass the time with, I definitely recommend this.
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As I am writing this review,i am listening to the amazing ost of this drama "collar bone" and it's making me miss the drama even more.
I was hesitant to start an all female drama because I mostly watch dramas with cute oppa to drool over.
This drama is one of a kind.
A rare drama that is complete in itself.Everyone can relate to it to some extent.It is a drama which makes the viewers invest in emotionally. It will make you cry,laugh,curious and angsty.
Every character had a story of their own and was given enough screen time. And I ended up loving each and everyone of them.This show left a strong impression on me and it's going to be one of those dramas who have a special place in my heart.It beautifully portrays frienship,relationships and real life problems and tells us that "despite everything life goes on." All the actors did a great job and the acting was upto the mark.And I liked all the boys in the drama.(infact I have been stalking that senior kang's male friend who is actually 31 but looks twenty for the past thirty minutes ????~too bad he is only a supporting actor)
As am I a person, who practically breathes music;i must say they did a wonderful job with the ost.
They were perfectly timed and didn't overwhelm the scenes.
All i can say is if you are thinking whether to give this drama a try then stop thinking and start watching it right now.I dare you to leave it midway after watching the first episode. ????
I hope they make more dramas like this and I am desperately waiting for a miracle to somehow find another drama like this right now.
All the other dramas seem bland in comparison.It will take me a long time to start liking another drama after this.still hungover!
Oh! Why did it have to end so soon? ????
It's 2am and I have an exam tomorrow morning at 8am,and here I am writing reviews.(it's because i sarangheo this drama so much) better hit the bed!
Take care chingus!
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The friendship of this girls,are not the cheesy type but it will make your heart melt. It will make you wish you are living with them =)
Best casting they all act so good!
Gotta watch this! you are missing something out if you dont!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Soulless Trainwreck that Wastes Viewers Time
This is quite possibly the worst drama I have ever had the misfortune of watching. Normally I'd write an indepth review but this drama wasted enough of my time as is with it's nonsensical garbage plot that was completely all over the place. From murder to domestic violence to sexual assault it seemed like the writer wanted to throw in as much shocking plotlines in a story that could have just been a normal coming of age story. It's a completely emotionally flat drams that sucks the life out of you.Outside of the horrible script and plot the only saving grace for this drama is the cast, they really did a solid job in navigating this mess of a drama.
I held on for so long with this drama and it continued to disappoint even more so than the previous episode.
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without giving anything away this drama has a way of writing these characters that are so reletable but at the same time so painfully sad and complicated and confusing. and the more you think about why these characters do what they do you the more you understand why this drama is so brilliant. i usually don't like when aspects like mystery get into teenage dramas but this one made it blend in so well that i couldn't even complain, i just appreciated. it was so hard for me to pick a favorite character because they're all so beautifully written and acted but finally decided on yi na and jin myung(even tought i'm such a ji won) who i believe to be the most complicated characters.
as for the stroy it is one of those dramas where it looks very simple and light hearted but on the contrary it is very deep and philosophical. it's so well written and directed and acted. it has so many lines that i thought about for days (especially yi na's story about the smell) the realitonship between our main girls is just so beautifull and realistic. they fight and make up, they hate each other but love each other at the same time and no matter what they're always there for each other and i loved how that was the main theme of the show, friendship and not love.
and the ost fits the drama so perfectly with every song that plays at every scene. but my favorite and the most touching will always be butterfly. that ost still gives me the chills.
i'm sorry this review is a mess but i love this drama more than anything in life and just have so much feelings about it but i'm not very good with words, i'm good at feeling things and one think i can say for sure is this drama will make feel... a lot... i watched it 4 times and still cry like a little baby at some scenes and laugh my ass off at others. i recommend this drama to everyone who enjoys quailty.
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Well... this was definitely very different from what I've ever seen in Kdrama Land. Beware before watching this drama because you will most likely have withdrawal syndrome after finishing it.. just like me!
All of the characters are so relate able and the 5 protagonists' acting was superb! For someone who was watching 5 dramas simultaneously this summer (Including: Uncontrollably Fond and W) I always waited for the weekend for this drama to air.
I gave this drama an almost perfect score in all departments but felt that the ending left me wanting to know more of their individual stories! A second season for this one would be awesome. Male it happen JTBC!!
Oh and lets not forget the soundtrack of this drama which consisted mostly of english indie songs which I loved. However there was one korean song in the drama sang by a girl which was frequently played (it is probably named butterfly) that I could not find anywhere :( If anybody could let me know the name it'll be great! :)
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