It's very different then any drama i recently watched, the psychological stuff is really well handled and feels real not like its tacked on in certain other dramas.
The romance takes a bit to take off but when it does it does a good job at lifting the heavyness of the trauma that some of the characters while not making it all peachy.
The cast and subcast do a good job of portraying the different sides of the coin of the tragedy when the drama starts and when it ends you may feel differently about some of its characters
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A well-constructed delight
This show's synopsis drew me in and it didn't disappoint. The story juggled some heavy themes whilst balancing with a degree of humour that didn't turn the show into a queasy mesh of comedy and grief-laden moments. I liked how the tragedy wasn't the actual focus, and that rather the story centred around how those who either survived or lost loved ones were forced to move on. Often with stories focusing on fatal incidents, it's the aftermath that is the most interesting. So it proved with this show.The two characters, Gang-Dun and Mun-Su were exceptionally well-written. Both characters are hurting but repressing it through very different ways of living. One is in a state of gradual self-destruction seeing life through nihilism while the other lives but without much hope and a lot of guilt. The show expertly navigates the issue of guilt of surviving a loved one, of feeling like you are cheating their memory whether you cope well or don't. I give this show a lot of credit for how it handled grief and guilt, showing how things like self-imposed isolation, alcohol abuse, seeking violence and self-harm were reactions to trauma.
I also really liked that while the mall's collapse wasn't the focal point of the show, it was the focal point of the lead characters. This is good storytelling. The music complemented the show's tunes throughout. I liked that as we delved more into the show, characters gave very nuanced and complex responses to situations, new relationships formed organically and felt authentic and meaningful. We were given time to care about characters and their attachments and bonds, given time to understand that these people were suffering.
There were only two things I didn't really like: Gang-Dun's sister, the doctor, struck me as oddly cold and indifferent. Whether that was by design or bad acting, she often came across as unsympathetic to what her brother was experiencing, bereft of even any gratitude or guilt that she lives well because he suffers greatly.
I also didn't like Mun-su's boss. He was unprofessional in his conduct towards her, his behaviour often creepy and inappropriate and she even called it out. I thought that was a really unnecessary angle the show didn't need, especially as it was clear from the first episode who the love story had to be about. This show was about Mun-Su and Gang-Dun healing together by finding each other, falling in love and letting go of their shared trauma.
Overall, I massively enjoyed this show.
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You should definitely give it a try. I'm sure of it, you are going to love it.
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Wow! Sweet and tender love story that caught me off-guard.
A moving K-drama about a young architect and a street urchin dealing with their grief and guilt after having been dug out of the rubble of a collapsed department store 10 years earlier. It is at times tinder and sweet; melancholy without being too maudlin. Except for the very end when things get wrapped up a little too neatly, this wonderful story explores love and loss from a variety perspectives, all of which feel very real. The cast is fantastic, starting with the two first-time leads. Won Jin Ah plays the young architect Ha Moon Soo, who has become adept at assuaging others pain and tamping down conflict while burying her own pain and anguish. Lee Jun Ho plays the street urchin Lee Kang Doo, haunted by his experience and forced to live by his wits while attempting to take care of a motley group of downtrodden friends. The supporting cast is terrific. I especially liked Yoon Se Ah as the madam Ma Ri and one of Korea's national treasures, Na Moon Hee, as Grandmother. Finally, this maybe the best OST ever. The music and lyrics supported the moods and dialog flawlessly. Great story, well told.Was this review helpful to you?
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Imbalanced Romance Between the Heroic Kang Doo and the Immature, Cowardly Moon Soo
Kang Doo and Granny end up being the only two truly noble and likeable characters in this entire series with Ma Ri and Jung Yoo Jin being right behind them. The show would have been so much stronger and better if even Moon Soo had even half the character of Kang doo. In the end, we realize that she doesn’t even remotely deserve him.Kang Doo and Moon Soo are survivors of a horrific accident; a newly built shopping mall that collapses on them when they were teenagers. As the story unfolds, we find that Kang Doo is about as noble and heroic as a person can be. Yes, he’s got a temper, and for a while, he feels pathetic and unworthy. But not only does he rebound, he is always looking after people; looking after those he cares about; and even beyond that, he’s always THERE for them. That’s the mark of a truly noble person. Jun Ho Lee should’ve won every single acting award out there for giving us a harrowing and complex depiction of a Kang Doo who is always in pain, always struggling, always fighting, and always doing right by people. He mirrors the famous quote of Rocky Balboa of, “Life ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Does Kang Doo stumble and make poor decisions? Yes, but he always quickly sees that there is a better way. He’s a man who’s continuously tormented.
Moon Soo, unfortunately, is someone who finds it safer and easier to just stay within her little bubble world. One could argue that Kang Doo has had a much harder road in life, and yet Moon Soo lacks the courage and even the conviction to fight and be there for those who need it. Actress Jin Ah Won is almost a complete opposite from Jun Ho Lee. In fact, she’s easily the weakest actor of the ensemble. Her expressions are often stoic and bland. She looks like a 15-year-old and she gives us a Moon Soo who acts like it too. It’s nearly laughable the times that Kang Doo tries to hug her, and she recoils like an 8-year-old child who’s had a spider dropped down her shirt! It shows her level of immaturity.
What really angered me was when Moon Soo finds out about Kang Doo’s health condition. At this point, she’s not even talking to him at all. She’s ignoring him. He goes to her house to tell her about his problem. Without even opening the door, he faints. She then gets angry with him for not telling him! How exactly does THAT work?!? I was like, “Are you kidding me?! You were ignoring him and you blame HIM for that?!” That was my last straw with Moon Soo. From then on, I had no heart or sympathy for such a cold, cowardly character who is unable to see past her own pain. Throughout the series, Kang Doo is always there for her. And throughout the series, Moon Soo constantly comes up short because she can’t be there for him when he needs help, and she invariably and conveniently ignores and forgets all that Kang Doo has been through. She completely dismisses it and even his condition when she hasn’t the guts to deal with it.
I’ve been watching K-dramas for nearly 5 years now. I’ve seen so many good ones and a few bad ones. However, I can’t remember one where I’ve found the leading lady so unappealing.
I can’t even sympathize with Moon Soo when she tearfully asks her friend, “Why does Kang Doo have to go through this? Hasn’t he been through enough? Why is this happening to us?” Funny questions from a person who can’t even be with him when needed, and by someone who’s blatantly ignored him. How can there even be an “us” when you refuse to be a participant or even show up!
The characters of Granny and Kang Doo keep this series afloat. By the last episode, I nearly decided to forget the whole thing as I was so fed up with Moon Soo. I wouldn’t wish a “Moon Soo” on anyone. She’s about as supportive as a piece of used tissue.
Kang Doo and Granny make this series a “10” for me. Moon Soo makes it about a “3” or “4”. Not to mention that actress Jin Ah Won is about the worst kisser I’ve ever seen! Kissing her must be like kissing a dead fish. No heart. No feeling. It says a lot about Won’s comfort level and her ability to even act out a simple scene like that.
While the story is an intriguing one, this definitely isn’t a series I’d watch again. It deserved a much better actress than Jin Ah Won; someone seasoned and professional enough to really give us a likeable and intriguing character with a complexity to match Jun Ho Lee’s performance. The imbalance really hurt this series. I certainly won’t look to watch anything else by Jin Ah Won. She sticks out like a sore thumb in this series against far better performances by nearly everyone else who all overshadowed her.
Kang Doo’s sister is almost as bad. Not even a hug or word of support for a brother who’s dying. Was it the writer’s intention to give us such cold, unfeeling women in this show? If so, he succeeded! He gave us two mothers who aren’t even worthy of the title.
Kang Doo is a hero in every sense of the word for always doing right by others; for always looking out and caring for others. The true shame is how no one was able to do the same for him.
The series also ends way too conveniently with a "magical" and unlikely ending. The writer didn't have the guts to go down the road less traveled and realize that Moon Soo might have actually learned the most about herself and appreciated Kang Doo had he not survived. The ending was a real cop-out which undermined much of the premise of the series.
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Tissues…you will need a lot of them
This drama is near perfect. It is a roller coaster of emotions. The first half has many sad moments and emotions, and keeps you guessing what direction it’s going. The second half, when the story really starts to develop, has moments when I actually had to stop it because I was getting too emotional. The last two episodes really got me good, and kept me guessing how it would end, right up to the last minute. Only watch this if you want your heart ripped out of your chest while you use mountains of tissues. The acting was excellent, but at times the female lead seemed a little awkward during romantic scenes. If you want a drama that is on the serious side, keeps you guessing, and leaves you feeling sad and happy all at once, I highly recommend this one.Was this review helpful to you?
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THE MOST PRECIOUS ROMANCE <3
If you are looking for a drama where the leads are in love with each other without anyone coming in between them, then this drama is perfect for you. The things I liked in this drama:i. The leads: Their chemistry and acting is very real that you'll really think that you are watching a real story. The FL is soft and very strong mentally, doesn't break off easily and is very understanding to the ML. The ML is rough but behaves so calmly in front of FL and never has he disrespected her in any ways. No misunderstandings and no evil characters will break them off. They totally believe in each other and they only have eyes for each other throughout the series.
ii. The story progression: The story flows naturally from the time they both had gotten into the accident and then they fall in love with each other.
iii. The casts: Not only the main leads but the support casts are also exceptional in their roles especially the grandmother, the ML's Noona ,his brother and sister, the CEO and his ex gf and the director.
iv. Music: The music was perfect for the drama with right emotions at the right time.
v. The melo portion of the drama: The emotions were just right and you'll cry a lot in this drama especially the acting will make you fell the pain in real.
Lastly, I would like to say that do not miss this gem as it is one of a kind with perfect emotion and execution. I wish, in some world or some dimension there is Kang Doo and Man Soo continuing their story, living happily with each other as well as the other supporting casts, growing old together and loving each other unconditionally.
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The story was good. Childhood accident follows into adult life. They find each other by pure coincidence, romance ensues then follows their hardship. I was a bit lost as to what i supposed to be engaged in .. the romance or the story.
Acting - another stellar performance by Lee Jun Ho, For a relatively amateur actor, he plays his parts very convincingly. I did think though that his acting was brought down by a rookie actress. Nothing against the girl, she did her best ... she can cry but i didn't feel her feelings. Too much push and pull for totally ridiculous reasons and unfortunately she can't kiss .. which for a romance, is quite important. Seo Joo Won i also thought was a weak character. Wasn't enthralled with any of his story line. a few contradictions and .. well he did absolutely nothing to try and woo Moon Soo despite him saying that he liked her. All other parts were played really well especially the grandma. total thumbs up.
Music - a good OST. All ballads. Well used but same few songs over and over. You tend to not listen to the songs in the end as 'you've heard them all before'.
Re-watch - I'm not sure i would re-watch it again. Objectively, there isn't anything wrong with the show, i just personally, don't re-watch dramas unless i find them exceptional.
Overall - not a bad watch. I wouldn't watch because of the romance aspect as it's overshadowed by the story. I rate it as a 8.5
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Might change the rating to 10 stars
I've been wanting to watch this show for a very long time. The plot seemed really interesting but a bit depressing so I kept putting it off. I finally made myself watch this show this week and I was hooked since the first scene. I guess my type of drama really is the heartbreaking type of story? haha! There's not a lot I can say about this story because I feel like it's one of those dramas you can only truly understand while watching it and receiving the feelings it provokes on the viewers. It's so good I might even change this rating to 10 stars, depending on how I digest the whole thing, but I couldn't give it less than 9.5 stars.The characters are sooo well written! As someone who loves complex characters more than a complex plot, I was really happy with how they managed to make me interested in every character's story. The protagonists (I would say there are 4 protagonists, right??) are all amazing and likeable, even if frustrating at times. Kang Doo hecame one of my favorite characters ever because of how simple he was in everything that he did (by the way, simple doesn't mean not complex! ...right?). I was just very in tune with him and could understand his emotions and choices very clearly, even if I've never been through anything similar to his situation. Jun Ho did a fantastic job with his character. Now I want to watch more dramas with him! And then we have Moon Soo, who was just so likeable (although not perfect) since the beginning. I love how we also got to see her parents and their relationship and how their family dealt with such a tragic loss. Seo Joo Won... I felt so sorry for him. He just had all that pain in his eyes!! I loved that he was a warm-hearted and kind person who was struggling to deal with his own demons. And Yoo Jin... I just loved her character, even if at first I couldn't care less about her... she definitely grew on me!
I cried so much in the last episode. I was scared (I literally paused the episode and calmed down hahaha if you've watched it, you know what I mean) and then I was sad because it was over. I wish we had more time with these characters (not only the main ones but also Moon Soon's friend, as well as our dear Sang Man and the others) because even though the plot isn't anything crazy and fast-paced, it was never boring. Not even a single scene! And the ending was so satisfying... because it made sense and it wasn't forced.
More than a story about a tragedy, this show is about the story of those who live on and have to deal with the consequences of said tragedy. I feel like I learned a lot while watching this show. I'm not sure what but I know I did. It made me think about life and death and put me in all these characters' shoes. I wish I had watched it sooner because this is one of those dramas that make me happy I started watching dramas in the first place and reassure me I'm not just wasting my time.
Unforgettable.
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lil boring to watch.
Very nice and sweet drama. I like the build up of the relationship between Moon Soo and Kang Doo. Lots of sad and crying moments. Only thing I didn't like was the character Jung Yoo Taek - found him and his storyline rather annoying. Also all the politics storyline I found rather boring and skipped most of it. The romance between the second leads was also meh. For the ending I would have liked to see all of them attend the opening of the memorial park. It would have been nice to see the actual thing after all the hard work and effort put in. (Don't worry... not a sad ending ;))Was this review helpful to you?
Honestly, I tend to ignore dramas where not a lot of people are talking about, thus, I only watched JBL months after it had finished. And it's a shame that I went pass this when it was still airing months ago.
What I loved the most about this one is although some may say that it lacked the usual pace of a Korean drama, the thorough story telling made us feel the depth of its plot and characters as they unravel right before our eyes. They also molded everyone as real people. And what I meant by 'real' is the capability of the characters to convey their thoughts and feelings, making our emotions bind with them as we go on a journey in each episode. Despite the fact that some characters were kind of annoying at some point of the story, they made sense. They were annoying for some of us but on the other hand, we as audience agonized with them for we felt their hearts. Moreover, the love that Moon Soo and Gang Doo shared was clearly seen through Won Jin Ah's and Lee Junho's eyes (kudos to these two actors.) Their chemistry was no joke.
On this note, I have to commend the casting director for choosing these actors. Such a refreshing feeling to see new faces with such potentials. They did a great job for portarying their characters absolutely well.
All in all, I cried and laugh and felt the warmness. Not all dramas that were highly rated mean they were really good, and with this, we could also say that not all underrated dramas were bad. They were what we call "undiscovered gems".
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