One Spring Night took me aback with it's poignant anecdotes and life lessons spoken from those in different positions in life. I originally had this drama on hold after the first episode because I believed it would be slow paced and boring, but I deeply regret not picking it up sooner. This is such a beautiful, gentle show that contains almost everything I could ever ask for in romance storytelling.

STORY - 10/10

The general setting of One Spring Night circulates between the love story of a woman who seems to have the rest of her life planned out for her and a man who struggles trying to make plans for himself, and the many societal issues that correspond to them falling for one another. The situations the leads placed themselves in were unlike anything I had ever witnessed before in a drama - they were so grounded, realistic, and handled that way too. It wasn't exaggerated or taken into a dramatic approach for the sake of the drama's contingency. The concept of a woman in a dying relationship and a single father who only lives for his son is one I could not have picked up simply if not for the amazing way the drama was written and directed. Alongside this, the side stories between Jeong-in's sisters became a reminder that this is what love may resort to. Love may become diluted and dark, or merely simple and fleeting, not always the shiny bright sparks and cherry blossoms that many kdramas seem to provide us.

However, the writers give us their own interpretation of such a love with the main leads in such a deep and devoted manner. While countless romance dramas and films have made me feel envious towards relationships and the usual feeling of "wanting romance in my life", this one really takes the cake. Jeong-in and Ji-ho's developing love for one another is so gentle and natural that it almost feels like slow burn. You constantly root for them to finally be happy together and individually, and you're left with the realization that this is what love is SUPPOSED to be. Forget the cheesy skinships and the inevitable heart racing moments - two people who remain devoted to supporting and loving each other despite the countless difficulties that unravel just from the thought of being together? That's what I want.

The overall reason I gave this story a 10/10 is because while the plot is not outlandish and the kind that garners attention or extra viewing points, it's a real love story with real people. It makes me feel like I'm experiencing it myself and feeling it for myself. The aesthetic that comes from such a concept served a lot for how much I loved the show, too.

ACTING/CAST - 10/10

God, where do I begin? I loved the cast so much. I initially started watching this show for it's two main leads. Han Jimin, who starred in my other favorite drama, The Light In Your Eyes, and Jung Hae-in, who I just adore in general regardless of what character he plays. Their chemistry was out of this world and added onto the realistic touch this show loved to go for. While skinship wasn't exactly as excessive as, for example, Weightlifting Fairy, they take their character's ages and personalities into consideration to develop the perfect formula of a couple in their late 20s-early 30s. Each character served a purpose in the story and almost none could really be considered an antagonist in their own sense (except for the abusive husband. He could go screw himself lol), which is what amplifies my love for this drama even deeper.

MUSIC - 9/10

I usually never listen to all of a drama's OSTs after watching, but this came as an exception. Although I finished One Spring Night several months ago, I still find myself listening to the OST every now and then. The music is so soft and calming and suits the drama perfectly. I loved the old retro feel the music gave to the show as well as how it precisely gave that sense of belonging, fear and slowness the story represented.

REWATCH VALUE - 7/10

I usually never rewatch heavy dramas, and the slow pace of this one certainly contributes to why I wouldn't prefer rewatching the entire show again. I'll certainly stick around for their adorable romance moments, though.

OVERALL - 9/10

Beautiful storytelling, a wonderful cast with a gorgeous soundtrack. If you love slow paced yet satisfying romance with touches of realism and lack of cliches, then this drama is definitely for you.

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an ode to love in all its highs and lows

As another review suggested, this gave a very similar feel to the film One Day, though the themes that surrounded Us and Them felt a little different in contrast.

Us and Them offers a very realistic, everyday outlook to a couple living in Beijing. They're unlucky financially and do anything they can to make it, with the usual daydreams and goals of becoming successful in their dreams and rich enough to make the other happy. The eventual development of their romantic love towards one another, although couldn't be expressed in the proper 'slow burn' that they clearly wanted to portray (for the sake of screentime, understandably), their close friendship beforehand felt like I was simply watching a pair of best friends living their lives together. And even in the happiest moments of their relationship to the eventual separation, they were real people with real reactions, thought processes and gestures.

Their corresponding personalities were never outright displayed or expressed in a way to make the audience have an idea of what they are directly - instead we are left to assume through small hints and expressions of personality throughout the film, just like what we would achieve from meeting strangers.

This also contributes to the amazing leading cast. Having this be one of my first Chinese films, I was delighted in how amazing the two main leads were in their respective roles. The cinematography made very interesting choices that contributed to how I absorbed the story. The scene when they share their first kiss (and more) where it pans out to reveal how the rest of their 'neighborhood' is spending their New Years was one of my favorites. It really pushes how their story is one of many.

Overall, this is the story of two people who seem to consider each other their 'greatest love.' And even when that love is over and done with, and life has already moved on for them, their fates always seemed to be intertwined just for that perfect closure. The questions that always arise between us, as the audience, and even between our leads as we watch the story come to a close - the What Ifs and the If Onlys that would prompt their happy ending. We tend to forget that the real happy ending doesn't need to involve the both of them together.

Because for Xiao-xiao and Jian-ping, with a love that allowed them to survive even the hardest parts of their lives, they are reminded of the sacrifices and the effort they made for one another and how none of that went to waste. They pay homage to the good times and the bad times of their journey together, and the permanent impact they placed on each other's lives. And I find such a message so, SO important for those who are undergoing heartbreak or tough breakups after separating with someone you once believed would be your 'endgame'.

The end credits with real people sending messages to perhaps their lost Ian/Kelly truly brought tears to my eyes. As if the story of Us and Them has happened to so many people in this world, of any age, gender or race. It was a good touch that I appreciate.

To find our own 'greatest love', and the uncertainty of whether that love will be with you forever. That's what this film promises and delivers in such a bittersweet yet hopeful tone. Although it definitely had its imperfections, and while the story itself was far from original, the expression of such a plot was perfectly done. I definitely recommend it to those who are looking for a realistic love story.

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don't listen to the haters (even though they have a point)

Cheer Up is a drama that I am so glad I finished despite the negative reviews and the several setbacks. I initially dropped this mid first-episode but picked it up again out of boredom and as an attempt to get out of my kdrama-watching slump, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

STORY - 7.5/10

The main themes of Cheer Up are youth, romance and friendship. In those aspects, Cheer Up portrayed these concepts very well. Though the exposure we get to this story was not something that immediately caught my attention, the writing and the strong foundations of the relationships between characters, romantic, platonic and familial, how they developed and how the story progressed definitely kept my attention. The mystery aspect was interesting, and I liked how they tried to make it as unpredictable as possible – they would pin obvious suspects that would make us think certain characters were the culprit, when in fact all of them were wrong. There were plenty of twists and turns that, unlike a lot of other mystery plotlines in other romance dramas, felt like they were planned from the beginning, and I enjoyed how everything started to tie in together perfectly.

I enjoyed the main romance and how it developed. It felt so natural to me, in all of its mess and constant turns, in Haeyi’s constant confusion and Jungwoo’s reluctance. And I love, love the dialogue towards the end where Jungwoo tells Haeyi that she shouldn’t suffer alone. “Two is better than one.” It really defined the way I perceive their love for each other; the kind that perseveres, the kind that heals, and most importantly, the kind that holds your hand through even and especially the most difficult of days.

The friendship and the found family dynamic formed within Theia was something that also really stuck with me. I love found family dynamics – in fact, it’s a running theme in almost all my favourite media – and the one formed here definitely did not disappoint. I loved that they didn’t just focus on the romance and also placed importance on the friendships and comradery between the characters. It was extremely heartwarming as well as necessary for us, the viewers, to get a full scope of how much they’ve grown closer as a team.

I loved the ending. It was so beautifully done, and it definitely touched my heart. I loved the side couples, even though it funnily enough felt like a case of “pairing the spares”, I love that they at least built up enough chemistry to make me root for them. My favourite side couple had to be Minjae (who I felt was let off the hook too easily for what he did, but it is what it is) and Sunja. They were so cute, and I wish they had more screen time to fully delve into their development as a pairing. Also, am I the only one who caught the nicknames they gave each other? Sun and Min-min? They’re adorable.

Now, my main issue with the drama’s storyline is something everyone else has been complaining about. And that, you guessed it, is the love triangle. I don’t particularly care for love triangles anymore, but this one really took the cake. In fact, the love triangle was the very thing that made it difficult for me to continue, especially when Junho was at his worst. Let it be known that I did NOT like Junho, though he is definitely an interesting and complex character, just like the FL and ML, and has room to mature. He had no awareness of boundaries, even when Haeyi rejected him properly and indirectly countless times. Since the beginning, he was only chasing after her relentlessly because he couldn’t get over the fact that she was the only girl he couldn’t win over – then after the rejections, the fact that she lay out her baggage and the reasons she couldn’t like him back, he falls even more in love with her. It’s insane, and it ruined a drama I would’ve rated even higher if not for the frustrating dynamic he added onto the show.

Alongside this, there were a lot of plot holes in the mystery part of the story that I didn’t quite understand. A lot of things either didn’t add up or weren’t properly explained, when I wish they were. However, they weren’t bad enough to ultimately deter my experience watching this show further than it already had.

Overall, I feel like the strength of Cheer Up were its characters. Which makes sense, as once again, it ties in with the core themes of the show.

ACTING/CAST - 9/10

Han Jihyun and Bae Inhyuk absolutely pulled off their respective roles. The last I saw of Inhyuk was in My Roommate is a Gumiho, where he played a second male lead eerily similar (and just as annoying) as Sunho. However, I loved how he allowed a character like Jungwoo (who seldom allowed himself emotion) an ample amount of complexity to understand who he was as a person. In fact, I think if it weren’t for how well he played Jungwoo, he wouldn’t have become one of my favorite MLs in kdramas yet.

As for Han Jihyun, her acting was 100% my favorite out of all the other characters in the show, perhaps mainly because of her role as the protagonist. I love how diverse she can be in her facial expressions, and played the role of Haeyi perfectly.

I have nothing to say for the rest of the cast, as they all pulled it off perfectly. I hope Kim Hyunjin goes through the rite of passage and gets casted as a good ML just like Bae Inhyuk did, LOL. He acted very well.

MUSIC - 8/10

Most songs, mainly the cheer songs, are iconic and memorable, considering music is one of the integral aspects to what they do as a cheer squad. ‘Higher’ is still stuck in my head.

REWATCH VALUE - 6/10

I’m going to be honest, the love triangle focused episodes were already a struggle to get through. I felt like punching the screen because of how much the stupidity bothered me. Definitely wouldn’t want to go through that again, but I would love to relive the cute Jungwoo and Haeyi scenes again.

OVERALL - 8.5/10

A drama that was worth it all despite its imperfections. Definitely for people who’re looking for something to get invested in, both in a good and a bad way.

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Reply 1988 is a bittersweet and uplifting ode to youth, life, family and a culture that defined the lives of many. This drama made me appreciate the simpler things in life, and how much grander they seem in perspective. I truly adored this series in almost every aspect of its storytelling, plot and direction.

The general synopsis of the show isn't exactly something that draws you on off the bat. It is in fact, word for word, the textbook definition of the slice of life genre. In the streets of Ssangmun during 1988, its people and their lives become the main driving point of this drama's storyline. Each character, no matter how big or small, possesses their own unique charm and personality that fleshes out in the most realistic way - and I believe that's what makes this drama so special.

The whole point of this show is to foster nostalgia and to address relatable family issues that may not be spoken about on a regular basis, as well as to remind us to not waste our time dwelling on the future, for we would be sure to miss the past as soon as it leaves. Having been one who tends to worry about my future too much, I tend to forget that the time I live now will be the one of the greatest times I've ever lived. The daily routine of household/family life, going to school, creating memories with people that will define the prime of my youth, and the liberty of merely pondering how I'll be living in my adulthood - all of these are things I take for granted. After watching Reply 1988, I feel more appreciative and hung up on the many aspects that defined my childhood - from the films and songs to the inside jokes and the hangout spots. To think that these little things will be what I will yearn to return to after several decades makes me regretful as much as it makes me strive to live in the moment.

While not exactly a bingeworthy show, it became a series that exuded coziness and a sense of belonging whenever I turned on to the next episode. I grew attached to each and every one of the characters as if they were my own close friends and family - and cared for them and their different situations respectively. I love ensemble casts, and every one of the actors and actresses chosen for this drama were absolutely perfect in their roles to create this sense of family and desire to never stray away from them and their story (which is why I was in tears during the final episode).

Although their attempts of second lead syndrome worked perfectly for this fellow viewer (team Jung-hwan forever, even though Taek is absolutely adorable), the romance was so innocent and simple that it didn't need to be defined in a grander sense just for the plot. A lot of love stories in real life aren't full of cheesy words and passionate proclamations - merely from the simple things, and I love (!) how this drama creates such a realistic image perfectly.

While certain jokes tend to be overused (i.e, the annoying goat sound effect, and literally just that), it perhaps adds to the homely effect R1988 was going for. All in all, this show got the exact message they were trying to portray and expressed it perfectly. This clearly has become one of my favorite shows and I will definitely rewatch it just to return to their neighborhood again. Definitely recommended for a viewer who doesn't mind a slow romance, a lot of cultural references you may or may not understand, and has a love for ensemble casts.

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Good Morning Call serves its title as the representative of nearly every shoujo manga ever. It presents itself with a very cute and fresh ambience, an example of what a shoujo manga would be like and how it would be received if turned into a live action (as the show itself is based off of a shoujo).

STORY:
Many reviews have pointed out the lack of originality in the general plot. And I agree, at first, it's predictability generally pissed me off a little and made me a bit hesitant to continue watching. As someone who has read shoujo ever since their elementary school years, the story is a textbook stereotype and so were all the twists and turns and arcs. The only thing missing was the beach arc.

However, this does not formulate into a god awful show, as everyone loves a good cliché. Although it does not bring anything new and refreshing to the table, it was quite a nostalgic watch for me, and garnered several comments as I went through the episodes as if I was seeing these clichés for the very first time. It's a simple and sweet story that caters to the exact audience it's made for, and for that I give props. I do wish Netflix adapted a more original shoujo, however. This show is literally L-DK except their apartment is bigger.

CAST/ACTING:
Acting, at most, was slightly above mediocre for me. I'm used to the way Japanese actors act in these romance dramas, but how they presented their characters — especially Uehara — gave a very poor performance of making us like them in general. Marina seemed rather annoying, and Uehara's expressions never seemed to soften even when he laughed or supposedly softens up in front of Nao.
Nao's actress definitely pursued that awkward, shy, idiotic and pouty atmosphere I believe the character is supposed to have, which was a good performance on her part.

However, their characters are not supposed to be dramatically realistic anyway as the drama itself is rather comedic. As per usual, I rooted for the second male leads throughout the entire thing, and by far the most likable character to me was Kitaura for some reason.

MUSIC:
Nothing I can remember from the top of my head, so easily forgettable. It could be rather cheery and matches with the mood.

REWATCH VALUE:
Not very high. Perhaps I should head over to reading the manga instead, as people say Uehara is much nicer in the original adaption and shows more genuine emotion. I may also watch the second season to pass the time, as I wasn't exactly very obsessed with the show to begin with.

OVERALL:
A sweet, simple and predictable romance drama which is ideal to pass the time. Although I am a lover of clichés and did find myself liking this drama somewhere in between, it really is about time they start changing it up a bit before the audience really does get bored of it. I would definitely recommend if you love shoujo manga and all its cute little stereotypes, but not if you're looking for something different.

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Pinocchio gave a very fresh look at the inside view of being a reporter, as unlike many of the others who have reviewed this k-drama, I have yet to actually watch I Can Hear Your Voice for comparison. I noticed the constant theme of the episode names being references to different fairy tales, which was quite a fun touch for consistency that was too fun for me to dismiss.

STORY:
The overall story was very gripping and captivating, and kept me on my toes as I went along the series. It had a very kdrama-esque feel to it, which always usually prompts the audience to move on to the next episode. It had many twists, turns and reveals and occasionally the absurdity of how sharp every character's memory is almost got to me (but that sharp memory is exactly what keeps the story in its correct flow, anyway). While the main plot of the story did keep me extremely interested in the show, the main romance can only be briefly described as blandly sweet and barely did much to genuinely move me in any way. Towards the end of the drama, I started to root more for a certain couple than I did for In Ha and Ha Myung, and they didn't even get a proper ending (which may or may not have left me in emotional distress, but I can look past it).

To describe the romance between them — In Ha and Ha Myung — although it is very soft, sincere and sweet, it's not the usual kind that garners a reaction from the audience and therefore did not for me (not completely, anyway). I could look past them most of the time, really, and was very "meh" at the ending they were given, too. The conclusion that was given in the drama seemed a bit lacking for me in some characters, but that's usually irrelevant to the overall flow and is something I can look over. I really wanted to know how That Certain Couple turned out, and also know the current state of In Ha and her mother's relationship, too, and got neither.

Otherwise, the storyline had many intellectual points about human morals and occasionally made me reflect on a few things while watching. It has also made me realize the hardships reporters can go through to reach that lifelong status they yearn for in life.

ACTING/CAST:
All characters were lovable, even the bad ones. The whole cast was very good at their job and gave a — once more — kdrama-esque perspective to the story. Lee Jong Suk, as an infamous actor at this point, gave an outstanding job with his acting, and so did the actor for his older brother. The comedic relief, Nosy Jang, was a likable character as well, along with our cutie Yoon Yu Rae and Chan Soo with his family. I even started developing a little crush on Cap Hwang!
All actors gave their dialogues and characters justice and depth to them in their own way. In Ha is definitely a heroine I don't see everyday, and respected her decisions throughout the way as a Pinocchio and as a reporter. I found her a little badass, too!

MUSIC:
Didn't really stand out to me, but I can certainly remember that one song since it's fresh in my memory. But it probably won't be as stuck in my head as do the songs in other dramas; but the music itself gave a very refreshing outlook to the story.

REWATCH VALUE:
As I don't really every fully rewatch any Asian dramas besides looking at specific scenes on YouTube, Pinocchio doesn't really change my ongoing streak despite the impact it has left on me. Perhaps I'll just rewatch scenes of that aforementioned "certain couple". Who knows.
In general, however, mystery shows can come off as boring to me after you know how all mysteries will be solved anyways, so rewatch value is rather low for me.

OVERALL:
Served justice as a crime/mystery drama, not completely as a romance kdrama. It proved itself to be captivating, partially philosophical and rather insightful. It didn't really provide anything new for me as a Korean drama, but it certainly provides a heavily enjoyable watch for everyone.

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The Light In Your Eyes is a drama that fed us all the expectations that would make us excited, and completely twisted us on our heels and left us feeling something we didn't expect to feel after watching it. It's fresh, emotional, and absolutely made me ugly cry at all the different hours of the day.

STORY:
At first, I would've thought the plot was something very The Girl Who Leapt Through Time-esque. I came excited for the romance, but then found myself invested in the poetry hidden within the story; although the progression was always slow in the story, and I couldn't comprehend why she immediately accepted her fate at first without even trying to find other ways to return to her original state, I found myself reflecting on human life and how this drama has made me want to respect elders more than any school play or kids show I have ever seen.

The infamous plot twist was something that took me completely aback at first, in a partial negative manner. This was probably because I felt as if I wasted all my emotional investment on the characters from the original story the drama was following, only to find out the truth of it all after the twist that seemed to make no sense. However, it avoided dropping the bomb and leaving it there for us to gawk at it, and presented itself in a way that made slightly more sense.

The story overall is well thought out, and knew exactly how to leave an audience in tears. The final monologue in the last episode is something I absolutely needed the day I watched it, and it made me appreciate being alive and young in the slightest.

ACTING/CAST:
I would be lying if I said I didn't decide to watch this drama because of Nam Joo Hyuk, because I feel like most of us did. And who knew he looked great with a mullet.
Thee entire cast gave an exceptional performance, especially the elder actors who made me feel their struggles and pain through the screen although I couldn't exactly relate to them. Because of this drama as well, I now know that the beautiful Han Jimin (and Kim Hye Ja) exists, and will be looking out for them in future dramas.
Everyone's acting touched me greatly. The contrast between Yeong Soo and Min-Su was so great, and the way the actor made them appear so different successfully made me laugh.

MUSIC:
It didn't have the same repetitive Kpop song playing whenever a touching moment happened, which I appreciate. I loved Song Sang Eun's voice and loved whenever she sang, even the older version of her. The music perfectly fit the aesthetic of each scene and the entire drama as well, and although this may be biased, played the exact type of music I listen to and love.

REWATCH VALUE;
I feel that the emotional and poetic value of the drama may be ruined for me if I rewatch it, knowing what's going to happen. It's like I'll be watching it hoping it ends differently, or the way I originally expected it to be. Perhaps I might watch certain scenes again, but not really the whole drama.

OVERALL:
A beautiful, bittersweet ode to life and all its wonders in the little things. This is one of the first dramas that made me full on Japanese-romance-film-ending cry, both happily and sadly. Life isn't as long as I thought it would be, and this drama teaches you to hold on to the small moments that may hold so much meaning to you in the grand scheme of things. The romance was in just the right level, and the overall drama felt very heartfelt and genuine, with gentle comedy to soften the blow, and a message that'll keep you smiling for quite a while.

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It's genre limitations made for wasted potential

Doom at Your Service was a show I watched blindly, without reading anything about it prior to watching besides knowing who it's main characters would be played by. In the beginning, I was instantly hooked by it's characters and the general plot line or "concept" of the story. Unfortunately, due to it's desire to be pandering to the romance which is what this drama decides to be defined by, it eventually lost it's initial spark.

The initial idea that was presented into this drama was my favorite thing about it as a whole. We have the physical manifestation of doom itself, falling in love with a girl who embraces her incoming death, and is faced with many misfortunes, but instead of moaning about it, chooses to embrace it and move on with her life, perhaps a metaphor for how willingly she accepts her "doom." This dynamic was such an interesting concept to me in terms of fantasy Kdramas, instead of the usual mythological being (like a demon, a god, etc) being the main lead. I loved that Doom himself was something created by humans , for humans - he causes balance within the universe simply from existing in various different forms. He's a fluid, abstract being, and Dongkyung, our main lead, is someone that embraces him for all that he is. The contract was such a good hook to the story, too, and kept me wanting more.

So, as you can tell, the other main aspect of the drama that I loved were its characters. Dongkyung was such a well written and realistic main lead - she was headstrong, stood her ground no matter what, and was far from your damsel in distress/clueless FL. Her reactions to things never felt out of character in that way, too. Although she had a soft side that resided in her natural kindness and empathy towards others, and was stubborn when it came to things involving her self worth. This made her a perfect match to Doom, and because of their dynamic, their chemistry was amazing right from the start.

Besides that, this was when I began to feel the drama lacking. Its side story felt like another drama in it's entirety because of how contrasted its plot line was in comparison to the main story. Like, the main story was so dramatic and had dark, metaphorical elements scattered all over it, then the episode would switch to your typical office romance love triangle with some slice of life level angst involved. And while I loved Ji-Na and Joo-Ik as characters, by all means, I just found the emphasis on their love story to be so unneeded? Especially with the bigger underlying problem in the drama? But I suppose fluff is probably needed to keep viewers entertained, in some way...

And speaking of fluff, another thing that was making me lose interest was when they began to usher out all the fantasy elements, or at least sidelined to the point where it felt like it wasn't there at all, and put heavy emphasis on the romance. While the profound love between Dongkyung and Doom was indeed important to show how they both affect each others' lives, I'd have appreciated it if they didn't try so hard for it be some kind of tearjerker, especially towards the end. What is it with fantasy romance dramas and having the ML disappear for some time, have the FL think he's dead and just try to move on with her life, and then have him appear again out of nowhere? The trope is so tiring and predictable when it's obvious you just want the drama to drag on a little longer..like, there are other ways you can provide a good and exhilarating addition to the story without making him die and then come back, you know?

Overall, I feel like Doom at Your Service had so much potential to be an amazing and well written drama if it had a higher budget, per se. It's fantasy elements were so interesting to me lore-wise, but unfortunately, it's classification as a romance could only limit it to Powerpoint Presentation transitions. I loved the characters, but besides the main leads, I couldn't find myself being attached to anyone else on an emotional level. Even the ending itself was wrapped up perfectly with a pretty bow, with no consequences for either of them whatsoever. Seriously.

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this is a long one but theres a LOT to unpack here

A drama that went against most of the conventional cliches and cookie cutter structures that romance dramas these days seem to follow. It was frustrating as much as it was heart warming, and a beautiful ode to the sacrifices and efforts mothers make for their children.

The story of a single mother against the world hit very close to home, as I was in a similar situation to Pil-Gu growing up. Until my stepfather came into my life when I was around his age, I was always asked constant questions about my father just like Pil-Gu. And similarly, many people would maintain this warped perception of my mother. However, she was and still is the toughest and most hardworking woman I've ever met, and despite all her hardships, still manages to be so kind and forgiving, just like Dongbaek. Which is why I came to adore her character almost right off the bat.

I fell in love with the compassion she has for humanity despite the love-hate relationship she has with it. Her character development from meek and vulnerable to fearless and brutally honest came as a surprise to me, but utterly satisfactory. This drama not only was a romance, a mystery, and a story of overcoming all the toughest things life throws at you, but the eventual growth that everyone must go through to truly be at peace with themselves and those around them. Not just for Dongbaek, but for the whole cast as well.

Like most people, I found the romance part of When The Camellia Blooms absolutely ADORABLE. Yong-sik wasn't your typical closed off and partially emotionless male lead, and I loved that so much. We need male leads that are not afraid to express their mind - in ways that are dorky and endearing, not only 'badass' or what classifies as 'harshly honest'. Their love was, in any other terms, the truest form of trust and compassion. Yong-sik never took credit for Dongbaek's growth and always cheered for her despite her constant warning signs. I love how their relationship developed with eventuality, and I found myself invested in rooting for them. Especially when Dongbaek started to reciprocate, too.
A man that is proud of their love for their partner and chooses to express it as much as he pleases feels so much more healthy than the possessive, hard-to-get chaebols of the romance genre. But to each his own, right?

That being said, the whole story seemed to be handled somewhat realistically. I say somewhat due to the murder mystery undertones and the whole debacle between Dongbaek and her mother, but that doesn't mean those aspects of the story were bad or out of place. Almost every character held an important part to the story, let it be from No Gyu Tae to Jessica. Each one of them had their own struggles, just like Dongbaek, and each one of them had to face the societal pressures that came from their situations. None of them (besides the main antagonist) ended up being bad people at the end unlike what we expected, which was a very authentic twist.

Because of this, we end up with the anecdote the drama tells. That while the world is filled with evil and harshness, there is also so much goodness that we should never undermine the world as a whole. There will always be people who are willing to help, someone to express support and compassion towards your situation. I find that so beautiful, and something not only Dongbaek always needed when she struggled the most, but for everyone in similar situations of hopelessness.

However, the only criticism I can place is how, for someone who claims to not want to be pitied by others, Dongbaek would always wallow about how unlucky she is almost every chance she gets (until her eventual epiphany in the end, when she finally says her life was nothing short of a miracle). While I can't blame her for this, it just came off as slightly hypocritical to me.

Now, onto the cast. I absolutely fell in love with Gong Hyo-jin because of this drama. She's so beautiful - if a flower were personified, it would look like her - and she expressed her role perfectly. No one could play Kwak Yong-sik better than Kang Han-eul, and I can't imagine Yong-sik to be anyone else but him. He's the only one who could express his loud and free spirited personality in a way that wasn't overboard or outright annoying. Kim Kang-hoon is such a talented child actor with so much potential - in fact, he's one of the best child actors in Korean media that I've ever seen. What a star!

It came as a surprise to see Oh Jung Se here after watching It's Okay Not To Be Okay, playing a character that is neurotypical. I adored him and his character in that drama. And while his character here was quirky and sometimes just annoying, he had that naive, can't-help-but-pity aura around him just because I like him as an actor. Also, this is just a comment, but his fashion here was lowkey how I dress irl so he gets brownie points for that LOL

All in all, while this drama was definitely slow paced (I had to fast forward some bits because I got a little bored), the premise of the show is inspiring and pulls on your heartstrings. It made me laugh, cry and feel for each and everyone of the characters. It lives up to becoming one of the best dramas of 2019, and if you don't mind slow pacing, I definitely recommend you give When The Camellia Blooms a chance.

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I came to watch this series purely for the way it presented itself as a fluffy, simple romance - something I needed after watching all the heart aching melodrama I've been watching recently. And that's exactly what it was.

STORY: 7.5/10

There are many things I liked about the general synopsis of the story. The main female lead's situation was unlike anything I had heard of before in fluffy romance; especially their age difference. It gave some sort of message that even after you've peaked in your youth, and it seems life is over for you - there's still hope that things will get better. I loved the whole concept of the book metaphors being used throughout the series, and the entire thing taking place within a publishing company - as a writer and aspiring editor myself, many of the dialogues about how much books can affect and change the world, and how much they mean to the writers and everyone behind it touched my heart and made it easy to relate. The direction of the story was well written and left us with a cute, sentimental yet open ending.

Dani's struggle through her career and the many subplots that circulated around the company, however, were the main thing that kept me going through the series. As the other reviews may suggest, there was a point where they were just dragging everything along, and I found the melodrama undertone of the story to be a bit lacking and weak when it came to the intensity of it all. I feel like the main point of this drama was just to showcase those "cute couple moments," since that's most of what came out of it between the main leads. In the beginning, I was far from hating it, but it kept going on in the most random situations that it just seemed out of place and way too corny for even me, the romance enthusiast's, taste.

Not only that, I found it a bit weird that Eunho just assumed she liked him back and that's what started their relationship. There was a lack of that realization of "Woah, I've loved her for so long and now she finally returns my feelings!" that I was incredibly hopeful for. I also wanted more on Dani's part on how she started seeing him differently, and how her feelings for him were different from the other men she's dated previously. Simply put, I wanted more depth in how their romantic relationship developed instead of it just flashing into this whole cutefest of snuggling and kissing. I also wanted there to be more about Dani as a mother - that was the main thing that disappointed me about this drama. Her daughter literally appeared once or twice and was only mentioned once in the last episode - but it would've been nice to have the main female lead of a romance drama be seen as someone who is mature and motherly more often.

ACTING/CAST: 7/10

There was nothing remarkable about the acting between the cast members. The chemistry between the main leads was perfect and cute, allowing them to really seem like lifelong best friends (I heard somewhere that LJS said that Lee Na Young was his ideal type? Good for him). I loved some side characters (I will protect Ji Seo-jun with my LIFE), and also really liked the feminist undertones when it came to Dani, Ji-yul, Ms. Go, and Ms. Seo. Each woman sacrificed the lives planned out for them because they wanted to live the way they wanted to.

The publishing employees were all very lovable in general and their dynamic as a whole hardworking family was very fun. The comedy (with the trenchcoats, especially) made this series much more lighthearted and rendered some smiles and giggles from my part. Overall, the cast had great chemistry with one another and made me feel like I was even a part of their gang.

MUSIC: 8/10

I am a BIG The Black Skirts fan, so having some of their songs being played was absolutely wonderful. The music, in general, was very soft and fitted into the whole aesthetic of the show just right.

REWATCH VALUE: 8/10

As this doesn't allow any big emotional toll, I might give this show a rewatch in the future, simply for the cute moments.

OVERALL: 7.5/10

Although the concept of the drama was interesting, the way it played out didn't amount to what I actually expected and had much more potential plot-wise. However, it did perfectly as a way to have the audience go "Awww" at Lee Jong Suk being a cute boyfriend and tried it's best to remain interesting and poetically consistent. With lovable characters and beautiful imagery of the literature and writing world, it is a drama that is absolutely perfect for those who simply want some lighthearted fluff and to leave with a full heart and a smile on their face.

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There wasn't much I could find about this drama online, so I came in headfirst not exactly knowing what was to come. I'm Not A Robot brought a fresh, whimsical and heartfelt show about concepts I haven't heard since my Vocaloid phase in middle school.

STORY: 7.5/10

The general plot was something that seemed so absurd - something that certainly drove my interest in watching the drama. The rich and obnoxious yet lonely due to their depressing past stereotype of a main male lead with an allergy to human touch falls for a human girl disguised as his personal robot. A lot of chaos, drama, and cute moments ensue.

Starting into my watch, I started to feel slightly bored by the way everything was being introduced. The factor of him not knowing that Aji 3 isn't actually a robot and the real, human Jia barely having her screentime was dragged on for so long that it almost became filler. Mingyu, in the beginning, was so annoying and rude it almost made it unbearable - yet I kept telling myself that his behavior would change and develop to make him more of a decent human being as soon as he fell in love with who he thought was a robot. And then, similar to the way Ji-a felt towards him, I began to feel more bad for him than hate him, really. However, I found it really funny about how Mingyu was supposed to have an IQ of 159 but never figured out the truth himself (which everyone in the show was aware of, even himself after he found out, which was hilarious).

However, I feel the story needed time to become the way it was. Falling in love, recovering from trauma, and developing the side characters' relationships and plots needed time to make it realistic. Even if certain aspects of the show were never really given bigger depth, I conclude that it presented itself well enough for it to be enjoyable, albeit not perfect.

ACTING/CAST: 8/10

The main cast's acting was amazing. Mingyu's actor, Yoo Seung Ho, was absolutely exceptional in his role. Every emotion he felt as the character felt so realistic and clear in his facial expressions right from his gestures to the expressiveness in his eyes. Chae Soo Bin was also very good - their chemistry was so frickin' adorable, and their kisses were unlike anything from any other Asian drama I've ever seen PERIOD.

I also feel like I'm the only one who thinks the scientist/professor, Baekhyun, was attractive despite being a bit dense when it came to human interaction. Pai, Sun Hye, Ssanip and Hoktal were all very lovable characters and made me relive my love for the "different characters from varying backgrounds consider each other a family" cliché. I also developed a HUGE, FAT crush on Ri-El's actress, and loved her subplot as well.

Although the foreign actors' acting was somewhat laughable, there's nothing to be surprised about in that aspect when it came to the English of the Korean actors' as well. Overall, the acting was more than tolerable, and surely allowed me to immerse into the story's depth.

MUSIC: 6/10

The music was not exactly memorable for me, but it certainly fit into each scene of the drama perfectly and in it's own sneaky ways. The lyrics expressed the mood of each situation, making it all the more heartfelt and emotional for me. Nothing was exactly different or strong about the OST of this, but I certainly did not hate it.

REWATCH VALUE: 7/10

It guarantees a 50/50. I don't watch series with over 25 episodes (unless I'm genuinely invested in the story/it comes in different seasons) so I don't think I'll be watching the whole thing again from the beginning. Perhaps certain scenes (like the ones between Mingyu and Jia! Gosh!) will garner a rewatch just for the purpose of it being so darn cute.

OVERALL: 8.5/10

There were many flaws, but not enough to delude the fact that I Am Not A Robot was an enjoyable, cute drama with many lovable characters and great chemistry between the main leads. It also begs the question of technology and how fast it's developing - if there was something like Aji 3 in real life, would they be used for good as she did? Or would they appease the memes that showcase Sophia the robot, as it gains sentience and plans world domination? LMAO. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but it certainly deserves a watch.

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Although the acting is definitely mediocre, the story balances the romance (which was what brought most of us to this series in the first place) and it's other important plot points: Sea Sons, Chiaki's relationship with Kaede, Touma's personal battles, and Kanata's situation (revealed in around the somewhat climax of the story) along with Misaki and Kanata's cooking adventures.

For the first time in quite a while, this series has kept me eager to watch the next episode not only for the romantic drama. Whilst keeping me interested with the plot, it also provides beautiful scenery and places of Enoshima, Onomichi, etc. etc. that certainly prompt me to visit, and food that makes my stomach grumble (I want to try Kanata's omelette burger so bad!). Let's not forget the infamous seaside in which nearly the entire cast has had a dramatic sprint through.

Though this is only a comment, I disliked how they handled Kanata's character. It is very commonplace for the romantic hero to be cold-hearted and mysterious, but they usually experience some sort of character development. And whenever he DOES show his brooding soft side and kind heart, he ruins it later on by calling our heroine names. Kanata made it a routine to push Misaki away and degrade her to no end without explanation, only to make up for it at the very last minute when she decides to step up. This routine does not change, nor was it ever explained why his rude and apathetic personality came to surface in the first place, even if it turned out to be self-explanatory. Yes, deep down he is not as tough shelled as he is, but how he decides to handle certain situations is really annoying. As Chiaki says, "you're an idiot."

Also what was the villain's purpose in the first place? There was no proper conclusion of what he was going to do and just ended with him threatening Kanata. Like...uh, okay?

On the other hand, Chiaki was a very fill in the blanks stereotype character. The most basic person to ever fall in love with, and his actor practically plays all male leads who have bad timings. ;)

Touma was my favourite character! He's just so lovable and although definitely a background character, he made the series much more upbeat and lively with his antics with Misaki. Oh, and the couple who own the other restaurant follows that same step. They're so cute.

Yet, in the end, I am still glad how the show was concluded. Although it was very much expected (and ended so much like how it does in old American romance films) it was very refreshing. Plus the music was really catchy kek.

All in all, a great series!

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A change of scenery, though not as different as I thought it would be

I'd like to acknowledge that there were indeed many things about this drama I liked, just as much as I disliked.

First off, the pros. A lot of aspects in this drama felt fresh and new to me, a change from the immensely cliche conversations and the promises of some form of a happy ending for the main couple. Contrary to what many other reviews might say, I mostly enjoyed the use of dialogue between the characters. It took me aback at first - because why do most of the characters always know what to say, and in another case, why do they all speak similarly, following the same wavelength of "smart comebacks" within every tone of voice? - but then I chose to look at it in a positive light. The randomness of the main leads' conversations made me feel the playfulness they shared together, and offered their chemistry before they even became physically intimate. The script was written with the audience in mind, I could tell - they wanted to steer away from the cliches because the intent of the drama was to perceive the reality of youth in their 20s. A lot of people I've befriended and encountered in real life like talking about just anything that comes to mind, and that sense of relatability shined within these characters.

I like how they chose to perceive the main couple. Somehow, it felt like the perfect balance of cliche tinted with self awareness and reality to me. They choose to be this cheesy couple while also laughing about how cheesy they are. They choose to approach their problems maturely. And of course, when their relationship eventually fell apart, it completely washed over that sense of reality that this drama intended to have. I also like how there was no period in time where the two of them would just be endlessly pining for one another - they begun their relationship as real people do, and perhaps ended it the same way.. When it came to the second lead, it was such a nice change to see the male lead not get so aggressively jealous over their mere existence (which probably has a lot to do with their established close friendship). He instead thanks the second lead for being there when he couldn't be, but at the same time has realistic reactions when it came to it. Not a sprout of long term bad blood developed between the two men, and that was so refreshing to see.

I liked the theme of the drama. A lot. The whole "follow your dreams and work hard for it!" is never new when it comes to these romance dramas, and this was just another approach to the idea. I liked that all the characters were neither inherently bad nor good in an attempt to make them seem more human. It did a lot to make this drama different and less bizarre than others, and it would be a lie to say that I didn't get invested with the course of the plot. It didn't exactly motivate me, but I liked seeing the perspectives of people in show business, seeming as they're the most likely to be reaching for the stars, perhaps much more than others. They included more honest and blunt aspects to the world of Korean entertainment than I expected and enjoyed.

Also, the decision to make Hyejun the essential "main character" and Jeongha the clear "love interest lead" was interesting to me, because as we all know, female leads usually take the reins in leading the narrative of the story.

Now, onto the cons. I agree with several of the reviews that state that they should've expanded the other characters' stories, aside from the Sa family. I would spend several episodes wondering what Jeongha was upto, and was left unsatisfied when we saw none of the actual growth when it came to her career. Jinwoo and Haena's storyline quite literally went nowhere besides being some kind of anecdote about how you don't have the power to choose who you marry in your 20s, which was in itself....kind of weird.

Also, if one would dig deeper, one might find an important message to Haeyo's storyline. And sure, there may be - he decided to take initiative of what he wanted to do instead of being his mother's puppet. He cared less about what the public thought of him, and chose to love himself. However...that's literally it, and it's disappointing because it had so much potential. What of his career after his draft? What about his dreams, his goals, after that whole dilemma? They quite literally left us on such a bland note. Even when it came to his feelings for Jeongha. Because if I remember correctly, he oh-so proudly proclaimed how he decided to choose "love over friendship this time". and left his statement as it was. And to add to that, I have no idea why he even began to like her when they barely interacted at first. I could only understand why and how he fell for her when they started to get close. But the buildup of his own emotions came from absolutely nowhere.

The conclusion in itself wasn't as impactful as I thought it would be, but it worked. An open ending was an interesting choice, but it's funny how the only closure we get from Jeongha's story is "how is your salon doing?" "it's doing pretty well." Like, I thought we followed her journey career-wise to see her at the peak of her success? What about her parents, and how they feel about it?

I can bring up so many other questions this drama left unanswered, too. Not only that, but despite how it tries to push for realism, there were many instances that just felt too good to be true. Everything had to be convenient for our leads to get what they wanted. The plot went around in weird waves and didn't feel like there was a certain point I had to be on edge except for the couple breaking up (but then, I didn't know I had already reached the conclusion). And Charlie Jung's existence was just a push for an intense plot, one they barely did anything with. I did enjoy the whole "love has no gender!" and "loving people isn't a crime!" comments thrown around during that arc although it being the bare minimum, but besides that, getting involved in a scandal as big as that didn't feel....needed? Especially with the whole vibe the show was trying to give.

Waehyo and Haena's mother is the character that was truly left with minimal development. I found her character in itself to be very interesting, but they went nowhere with delving into her, which I kind of wish they did more of. Maybe I'd even throw Kyeong-jun in the list, but he got enough spotlight from being in the Sa family, haha.

In conclusion, I feel like they could've done much better in terms of direction and plot. This was a semi enjoyable watch, but the kind that you can really just consume only once. The actor cameos were really cute and surprising though (I think I screamed when I saw Lee Sungkyung and Hyeri LOL). I'd still definitely recommend it to people, despite it's nuances.

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