Vanny
Singapore
"I don’t want tomorrow to come."
EVERYONE THAT FATE BRINGS TOGETHER MUST PART AT LEAST ONCE, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT. — Koo Ryeon
Frankly I don't have anything to say regarding objective facts(statistics, data, quotes, etc.) about the kdrama. All I want to say is, this was a startlingly good kdrama.
My review is going to be heavily biased, as I really, really unashamedly love this kdrama with all my heart. So if you're expecting a relatively "objective" review with pros and cons, this isn't the review for you (actually, majority of my reviews aren't).
The series follows protagonists Jun-Woong, Ryon, and Ryung Goo as they traverse difficult and emotionally tense situations trying to save people from the brink of death under the crisis management team, "RM". RM is a temporary branch of Jumaedung, essentially this drama's version of South Korea's afterlife. I specifically point out South Korea because at some point in one of the episodes, it's possibly implied there's different afterlives depending on the country. I *think.*
Additionally, the trio deal with their own struggles with their pasts and presents. Jun-Woong is a likeable protagonist, written to mean well while at the same time still being as sensitive to issues as he can even if he doesn't have the experience or capability to fully understand and/or empathise. Ryon and Ryung Goo grow on you after 1 or 2 episodes with them. Especially when you find out why they're doing the job that they do...
I've struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation often in the past, and still do now. Every now and then there are those thoughts that haunt me and there's always the fear that one day I'll give in and, well, you know. But Tomorrow has provided me a drastically different lens to view my situation in. Not just about suicide, but about living and choosing how I live, too.
All these stories were poignant and wonderful, every episode made me tear up even if that wasn't the intention. Each episode is meaningful and there's always a takeaway from them no matter how small or subtle. Episodes 6 and 7(the latter being my absolute favourite) were the ones that stood out the most for me, everything from story to soundtrack and premise of it. Episode 2 comes in close as well.
For the sake of transparency, I will admit that Ep7 and 2 deal with issues that I myself have dealt with personally in my life, and the consequences of such mirror mine in some way. These fictional depictions of traumas are traumas that I myself can relate to.
Ep7's Bo Ram and her confidence was empowering. Ye-Na's backstory was emotional and beautifully poignant. I particularly liked the sequence at the end Ye-Na has in her mind, it was fantastically done even with no words.
I hardly grow attached to many kdrama characters, but after spending so many episodes with these three(and sometimes other Jumaedung staff) have made so much of an impact on me after seeing how they work and make decisions. The ideas this kdrama puts forth and the wonderful quotes that spawn from it are beautiful and very much worth witnessing.
This kdrama came at a time where despite faring better mentally and emotionally than past years, I was still very vulnerable and uncertain. As I've mentioned, there are times where I have felt suicidal and in those moments I desperately wish to hear certain things. My experiences don't account for every single person with similar struggles out there, and I don't claim they do, but this kdrama helped me personally. It reminded me of concepts, ideas, things I can keep in mind in the future and even now. The dialogue and thinking these characters have, like Joong Gil(the stoic reaper you'll see pretty soon), are realistic enough to be believable. I've heard, seen, and with some phrases even echoed, these sorts of thoughts and words. I've given, and I've been on the receiving end. Dealing with the suicidal often requires tact and caution, and despite how abrasive Ryon can be initially, it's surprisingly believable how the people they're helping react.
To conclude, I wasn't kidding when I said I really liked this kdrama. One of my top favourites in recent memory *for sure*, and it's probably staying that way for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't drop this when I wanted to, and finished it when I did. Worth a watch, and worth a rewatch too. If you're into social issues in S.Korea being depicted and grappled with in a kdrama, and can stomach suicide, you might enjoy this like I did.
Frankly I don't have anything to say regarding objective facts(statistics, data, quotes, etc.) about the kdrama. All I want to say is, this was a startlingly good kdrama.
My review is going to be heavily biased, as I really, really unashamedly love this kdrama with all my heart. So if you're expecting a relatively "objective" review with pros and cons, this isn't the review for you (actually, majority of my reviews aren't).
The series follows protagonists Jun-Woong, Ryon, and Ryung Goo as they traverse difficult and emotionally tense situations trying to save people from the brink of death under the crisis management team, "RM". RM is a temporary branch of Jumaedung, essentially this drama's version of South Korea's afterlife. I specifically point out South Korea because at some point in one of the episodes, it's possibly implied there's different afterlives depending on the country. I *think.*
Additionally, the trio deal with their own struggles with their pasts and presents. Jun-Woong is a likeable protagonist, written to mean well while at the same time still being as sensitive to issues as he can even if he doesn't have the experience or capability to fully understand and/or empathise. Ryon and Ryung Goo grow on you after 1 or 2 episodes with them. Especially when you find out why they're doing the job that they do...
I've struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation often in the past, and still do now. Every now and then there are those thoughts that haunt me and there's always the fear that one day I'll give in and, well, you know. But Tomorrow has provided me a drastically different lens to view my situation in. Not just about suicide, but about living and choosing how I live, too.
All these stories were poignant and wonderful, every episode made me tear up even if that wasn't the intention. Each episode is meaningful and there's always a takeaway from them no matter how small or subtle. Episodes 6 and 7(the latter being my absolute favourite) were the ones that stood out the most for me, everything from story to soundtrack and premise of it. Episode 2 comes in close as well.
For the sake of transparency, I will admit that Ep7 and 2 deal with issues that I myself have dealt with personally in my life, and the consequences of such mirror mine in some way. These fictional depictions of traumas are traumas that I myself can relate to.
Ep7's Bo Ram and her confidence was empowering. Ye-Na's backstory was emotional and beautifully poignant. I particularly liked the sequence at the end Ye-Na has in her mind, it was fantastically done even with no words.
I hardly grow attached to many kdrama characters, but after spending so many episodes with these three(and sometimes other Jumaedung staff) have made so much of an impact on me after seeing how they work and make decisions. The ideas this kdrama puts forth and the wonderful quotes that spawn from it are beautiful and very much worth witnessing.
This kdrama came at a time where despite faring better mentally and emotionally than past years, I was still very vulnerable and uncertain. As I've mentioned, there are times where I have felt suicidal and in those moments I desperately wish to hear certain things. My experiences don't account for every single person with similar struggles out there, and I don't claim they do, but this kdrama helped me personally. It reminded me of concepts, ideas, things I can keep in mind in the future and even now. The dialogue and thinking these characters have, like Joong Gil(the stoic reaper you'll see pretty soon), are realistic enough to be believable. I've heard, seen, and with some phrases even echoed, these sorts of thoughts and words. I've given, and I've been on the receiving end. Dealing with the suicidal often requires tact and caution, and despite how abrasive Ryon can be initially, it's surprisingly believable how the people they're helping react.
To conclude, I wasn't kidding when I said I really liked this kdrama. One of my top favourites in recent memory *for sure*, and it's probably staying that way for a long, long time. I'm glad I didn't drop this when I wanted to, and finished it when I did. Worth a watch, and worth a rewatch too. If you're into social issues in S.Korea being depicted and grappled with in a kdrama, and can stomach suicide, you might enjoy this like I did.
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