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While You Were Sleeping korean drama review
Completed
While You Were Sleeping
0 people found this review helpful
by Doril
Mar 23, 2022
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Great Use of Star Power Blended Together with a Unique Premise

Because I am late to the game in watching older, beloved Kdramas, I am always a little skeptical when considering watching a so-called "Idol drama," where two mega-popular celebrities are cast in the starring roles. In my opinion, some of these dramas are a little overrated because of how beloved the real life actors/actresses are, so that their ratings are always just a little inflated. However, my experience with this show is that it deserves all the hype that it received: take Suzy and Lee Jong Suk, two of the most popular, contemporary Kdrama performers, mesh them together with a skilled production crew, including the screenwriter of the popular Dream High and Pinocchio, as well as the director from Hotel Del Luna, add a pretty unique story and backdrop, and you've got an intensely enjoyable Kdrama.

Don't let the title fool you: the plotline has little to do with the similarly named American movie, other than the fact that at some point, the characters do fall asleep. The show explores the fantasy of people involved with the justice system who happen to have the power of precognition. The series blends together the feeling of a thriller, a comedy, and a romance in a coherent way. I found myself enjoying the often-silly humor, invested in hoping that the bad guys get caught and punished, while rooting for the sweet romance between the characters. For me, these contrasting feelings never really felt out of place and the transitions between these moods were well done. My one gripe is that this show suffers from the often-seen, rushed Kdrama ending phenomenon, where I felt some plot contrivances, due solely to the fact that they had to wrap everything up. Still, it wasn't the worst ending I've seen, and everything did make sense.

Acting-wise, I got the sense that the characters were tailor-made for Suzy and Lee Jong Suk - for better or worse, each of them tends to play characters with a certain persona, and I thought they matched really well in this story. Suzy is often the prototypical, quirky but competent, strong-willed, attractive girl-next-door character and I feel that is Nam Hong Ju to a capital T. Lee Jong Suk is often the suave, kinda-seems-arrogant-but-actually-kind-hearted, attractive, and earnest lead and I also feel that that perfectly describes Jung Jae Chan. The rest of the cast is equally excellent in playing the roles they need to: Jung Hae In is very earnest in being the third peg of the precognitive trio. Lee Sang Yeob did his job well as the laughably evil, maniacal bad lawyer. Solid performances for all.

The OST is what I would expect from a Kdrama: well-produced, full of recognizable songs.

Overall, this has sort of become my go-to "background drama": I can turn it on for a casual rewatch and feel good about it. Every element of it just falls into place so effectively that I find it to be a great watch: it's got enough levity that you can laugh. It's got enough romance to live vicariously through the butterfly and warm feelings. It's got enough thriller elements to make you feel indignant, as well as having a sense of justice. Give this drama a shot: I don't think you'll regret it.
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