Lovestruck in the City (2020)

It’s a frustrating journey of two heart broken people in love

This show takes time to develop, so you’ll either like it or you won’t I don’t think there’s any in between, but if you do intend to watch give it time.

The concept is definitely fresh and all the characters have distinct personalities and the actors do a very good job in bringing those out (even if I put my love for JCW aside and see, he’s mind blowing in all the emotional scenes and always delivers).

The side characters are more interesting to me in this show and they don’t get enough screen time in my eyes.

My issue is that the 2 main characters are not as likeable. I did not root for them to be together- I wanted them to develop but separately. It takes time for them to come around one another and their journey made me believe they were better off. The way they were written came across as whiny (ML) and Selfish (FL) and made me loose empathy for them. If frustrating character decisions get to you then you should keep this into account while watching. Also lack of communication is the source of all problems in this drama- between literally most of the characters.

There are episodes in the middle of the show which could easily be counted as ‘filler’. Nothing develops for a while in between and the later episodes are comparatively faster (in a good way). The ending was also not really satisfying and I feel some stories had much more to offer even though they wrapped most of them up as they could.

The epsiode length really works in the show’s favour as I never realise when the time passes. However as mentioned earlier, nothing happens in some and thus a 12 episode format could have worked better.

These were enough reasons for me to keep going- however I don’t think everyone would like it.
I do think this show would be enjoyed more if binged watch at once. Give it a try for it’s performances, cinematography and OST!

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THE MOST FRUSTRATING LEADS EVER...

I was super excited when this project was announced and literally checked on its update every month after it was announced and the excitement was there till ep 5-6 and after that, the main leads became extremely frustrating and i watched it the same way we watch soap opera or makjang... you know, frustrating characters but still want to know what will happen next... for a drama that's advertised as a realistic drama that's not a good thing...



lets start with the good aspects of the show which surprisingly are many
1. the acting is very good esp by jcw... kjw was good in the present but very over the top and artificial in the flashback... the rest of the cast also did well... the only thing realistic with this drama is the acting...
2. the cinematography is amazing and the scenes on yangyang were well shot...
3. the ost is amazing...
4. i personally liked the iv format which made it look like the characters are talking to the viwers and every character gets to express their inner thoughts...
5. the comedy scenes were really good and weren't overdone or too animated...
6. minho's extended cameo...

there is only one single aspect that just destroys the entire drama for me and that was the so-called deep love of the main leads and unfortunately, it takes up 60-70% of the screentime...
it started off well but the writer just overdid the flaws of the character to the level their relationship looked right out unhealthy.... jaewon has so little to no self-respect, is whining and wont take anyone else's pov other than his own... his love looked like an obsession... eunoh is extremely selfish and is emerged in self-pity to the level she is unfit for a relationship and the only person who can have a relationship with her is jaewon... sometimes i felt the writers degraded jaewon just so he will fit with someone like eunoh... she claims to love the guy but lied to him from the get-go, dumbed him out of the blue then didnt care about him even when he became a borderline alcoholic for more than a year, stalked him occasionally for more than a year and when he finally found her instead of sitting down and talk with him she lied more, insulted him in every chance she got (which apparently is supposed to be seen as bickering b/w lovers), treated him like shit, played with his emotions a little bit more by kissing him and then when he cornered her and she had no other option but to talk to him, she said he isnt her priority anymore even though she likes him but within a week or so goes back on her words and goes after him only because she didnt know the meaning on the pentant he gave her and he wasnt showering her with the attention she wanted and was getting for so long... since jaewon is such a pushover and have little to no self respect he dont care for the fact that she treated him like shit for more than an year as long as she says she likes him which is very hard to belive as a viewer... there isnt a single moment where eunoh even considered jaewon's feelings and that too for more than a year... she admits she is completely messed up but still wants to get back with him because she knows if she stays silent he will move on and find a better person...
also to justify all of her messed up unhealthy behavior we get a look into her past which only gives a reason for her behaviors and not justify her actions... the drama literally romanticizes an extremely unhealthy relationship b/w two people who need counseling asap esp the FL...
the happy ending looked very artificial and forced... these two ended up together only for the sake of a happy ending and nothing else...

also, all the female characters behave and blame the guys as if these guys are some psychics who will understand every actions of them even if they hide things from him or behave the exact opposite of what they want... not a single female character even try to communicate with the male characters and then point fingers at them for not understanding them...

Their love story literally looks like the gender-reversed version of playful kiss... the ML of playful kiss don't even stand a candle in front of eunoh when it comes to being self-centered....

the bad aspect that i said might only be a bad aspect just for me and if people watch it only to see jcw and kjw together then its a perfectly fine drama for them... personally as a fan of jcw, i seriously hope he dont even do a cameo as jaewon in s2 of this drama... i would never want to see him as park jaewon ever again...

for people who want to watch it should watch it and judge it on their own as its a complete hit or a miss and the liking for the drama depends entirely on the individual... i personally didn't like it but there are people who loved it...

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LOVESTRUCKING WITH JCW & KJW

WOW I can only say WOW to this new, chill, easy to watch, refreshingly warm and light drama. Refreshing because of its new format -- mockumentary where the characters are being interviewed while their own story are being presented from current time to flashbacking their stories in the past.

STORY is simple, 6 people trying to love and receive love differently on their own story. More than you giving love, it is you loving yourself first and finding your self worth in the process. The writer is so creative in presenting the stories of the six people. The story telling is crisp, brief, creative from flashback, to interviews to narration.

All the CHARACTERS are believable and relatable and that's how special this drama is. One can just be nostalgic in her / his own lovestory. The viewers will be given so many thoughts to ponder and to look deeper into their lives. There are many introspects that one can deal with. It's like you are watching your past self, or dealing a present dillemas. It's a drama where you can say "been-there", "done-that" while watching.

The SCRIPT is well-written and is worthy of the actor's dramatic talent. Both Ji Chang Wook and Kim Jiwon has such great onscreen presence that their portrayal and depiction excites the passion and senses of the viewers interest that one cannot wait for the next episodes to happen.

CINEMATOGRAPHY and VISUALS are what makes this drama so magical. The settings and the vibes gives you a 70s to 80s vibes. It is like you are watching a Hollywood movie sets in the countryside with the beautiful background of the East seas. The picturesque background one cannot help but fall in love. The visuals of the actors are exquisitely palpable and the sizzling NATURAL CHEMISRTY of Jichangwook and KimJiwon cant help but to feel fluttered everytime you see them in the screen. You will surely fall in love with them that one can say that they are not acting at all especially in the flashback stories.

Directing are well executed and shows the creativity in its presentation. Since it is a new format, predictability has no room in the flow of the plot. Every scenes were well thought thus providing an overall fantastic presentation of the drama.

MUSIC and OSTs are undeniably my favorites too. They are packed with songs with perfect melodies that are feel-good and highly-listenable that fits the past happy life of the couple and the present time city life of the couples.

Overall this drama provides a new door in drama watching, with its short 30 minutes duration, one can hardly notice that you already finished one charming, happy episode and excited to divulge in the next episodes.

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Fun, Relatable, Full of Lessons

From the title and synopsis, the impression was this is a part comedy, part cheesy, part romantic, series. It was so easy to dismiss but I am glad I did not. Each episode are around 30 minutes long and they did well in telling the stories of the characters and their relationships while staying to a particular topic or subject in each episode.

I like the OST, at least what was used so far in the first 8 episodes. Good acting, the chemistry between the actors were great. Relatable story, romantic and yet light--not cheesy, not teenage drama, no serious political and family drama.

If you're looking for a TV show to break your existing serious line-ups, definitely pickup "Lovestruck in the City".

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NEW FORMAT......A REFRESHING ONE

I watched this drama ongoing......From the very first episode I enjoyed JCW and KJW chemistry....Their sizzling chemistry was out of the world...I don't know why people find this drama slow pace...It was only 30 mins so it was not possible to show everything in detail...
JCW and KJW portrayed their character very well and they did a great job...But there was something off with the writing..the writer could show us more after they were reunited...I just hope that they make a 2nd season with the same cast...cause the chemistry between the leads were very strong which I didn't see lately in other dramas....

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The concept of this drama is so refreshing. I loved the 'reality interviews' with the main cast individuals, and their supporting stories, all different yet laced together.
Great characters and I was surprised by how several that I found really irritating and/or unlikable, I ended up rooting for, as their real personalities and reasons for behaving as they do, emerged.
The cast were excellent (all favourites) and I totally fell in love with all 3 main guys and a certain shining Police Officer ;)
It was also an absolute joy to have couples behave naturally ~ no gawping eyes-wide-open females in the numerous kiss scenes. No reactions on hand holding that would be more fitting to being groped! Realistic bed scenes (doesn't need nudity to portray sex) and almost all experiences and issues being pretty representative of the highs and lows of falling in and out of love.
I only found 1 character's reaction to breaking up somewhat overdone. A particular scene where a dumped boyfriend was humiliated in public, was a step too far. I absolutely hated her at that point.
The OST is great, the locations varied (surfing never looked so appealing) and even the ending was good... true to life, which is rarely neatly tied up.
I don't feel a second series is needed, but they could easily make one, featuringing the characters whose love lives weren't concluded and maybe a couple of new ones to fill in those that were; I'd definitely watch it.
Very enjoyable and hard to turn off (binge addicts like me, beware).

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"How do you love?"

This drama is set up as a web series that answers dating life questions and answers. I'd say it's quite mature, I would not recommend it for a teenager/young adult because this is a set up with real life and realistically flawed people. If you are expecting some fairy tale of a story, this is not for you.

To me this drama is a cross between Because it's My First Life and Reply 1997. It's very slice-of-life with some sarcasm and comedy. Each episode is based around a specific dating question, like Reply 1997, and the story jumps around based on that question.

The chemistry between the two main leads was off the charts and my heart was palpitating hard at their every romantic moment. I knew a drama with Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won would be amazing and I couldn't be happier. I was also loving the other characters, their backstories and their chemistry but I agree with some other reviewers that their stories could have been tied up more nicely. Although I was in it for the two main leads who were the definite focus of the drama. I love how their story came about, how it flowed, their focus on the positive and negative. How they dealt with each other and each others flaws. It was amazing and I can't critique anything related to them.

I will say it ended abruptly. I was expecting more but I suppose it kept to their "web series interview" style, sort of. As I said this is not a clean, well laid-out fairy tale story with a start, middle and end. It's about the modern view on dating and different dating styles.

I loved it and was not expecting it to end any time soon, I think I watched the whole thing in 2 days. So now here I am reminiscing and wondering what other good dramas are out there that I could possibly watch after this one.

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Definitely a new & fresh concept ^^

This drama was definitely a stepping stone to more similar Kdramas in the future with this 'interview' type of concept. The starting was quite slow but started to get better and addicting from Episode 8 onwards. I like the concept of them having an interview while talking about their love stories, this drama also implemented some comedic elements so it wouldn't be as plain or boring. I don't really like how they wrapped up Rin-i and Kyeong Jun's story though, they were doing good until the end where they just broke up abruptly and no news from them onwards, it was quite disappointing. Was also hoping for Seon Young and Geon to get back together too along with Rin-i and Kyeong Jun. This drama tells us many love lessons and many life stories so it was interesting to see that. At the end they showed us another character story, so maybe hoping for a Season 2? Overall, a good drama. THE CINEMATOGRAPHY . Its so good, beach scenes were also aesthetically pleasing, the snow scenes, the raining scenes. It was healing. Chemistry between the actors and actresses too !!!!! The cast was amazing, Changwook and Jiwon.. wow , they did it again, they pulled off another good one.

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READ THIS IF YOU'RE UNCERTAIN ON WATCHING THIS DRAMA OR NOT

I think the drama brings out a new type of genre/story for K-Drama, after asking around, a lot of people dropped drama due to the "weirdness" of how the story of the drama unfolds (most of them dropped the drama in the second episode).

A lot of people aren't ready with this kind of concept yet in a drama, they expected this drama to be like another simple lovely love story. the love story in this drama is the closest thing to reality.

People are confused with the interview IN the drama, and since the drama has approximately 30min/episode, they find it hard to understand (for the on-going viewers). but after I suggest them to keep watching, they started to understand how the story goes, appreciating the uniqueness of the drama, and they ended up loving the drama. so if you want to understand how the drama goes, just keep watching, and I promise you, you will end up loving it.

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Deserve a higher overall rating

I started this drama with low expectations based on its reputation, never actually read the summary or any detailed reviews. However, Lovestruck in the City got me hooked since episode 1 and the hype has not stopped ever since. I understand that the beginning episodes might be repetitive and boring for others, but it was never the case for me. I thought it has got an okay pace, and love the interview format as well -- a small factor but manages to lighten the atmosphere.

As someone who is quite picky on K-dramas, I started thi drama as as a break from all the mysterious, thrilling dramas with betrayal and murders on air right now -- not that they are bad, I just prefer romance. Lovestruck in the City quickly became one of my favorites.

The acting is great. I fell in love with Yoon Seon A on the beach, the actress' charm and voice truly suits this image. Episode 2 already got me obsessed with the romantic scenes, and it's been a while since I have watched those scenes without having to skip for the awkwardness and lack of natural chemistry. Though I don't really like how Ji Changwook's character is quite similar to his other works and that this role is a bit underwhelming to his acting career, I still enjoyed the actors in general.

Two really important factors that made me adore this drama even more: The comedy and the music. I love the songs used, especially 'Kiss me kiss me' by BeetleJuice. After searching like crazy when I heard it for the first time, I could not wait for the full version to be released.

In conclusion, such an underrated drama and this rating is way too low. I also tried to watch True Beauty, which has got a much higher rating, but to my disappointment, I could not continue it. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this drama.

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