Editorials 
Trauma =/= good drama
I've watched a couple a k-dramas over the last weeks and apparently I've forgot to say something about them.So, about this one. I've watched this drama 7 days ago I think and I've already forgot a lot about it but here it goes.
One of the few dramas with a consistent plot. Usually you get a story that can happen no matter the background story. Here, it kinda needs this particular one, so that's a big plus. For the most part, obviously. A couple of things don't make sense and exist only to add drama and such.
Next, the acting. Amazing acting for the Male Lead. At the opposite pole, Female Lead sucks big time. Thinking a bit more, almost any other actress did a decent to phenomenal job, except the Lead one. The fact that she got maybe 2 scenes done ok, doesn't mean she's good. Yeah, sometimes (only sometimes) she looks kinda cute, but I prefer acting over looks.
Lets see, what next? Soundtrack. I don't remember exactly but I think it was something lousy/annoying.
I don't know what more to say. This drama will try and hit you at the feels. Its about trauma, how someone is affected and how they deal with it. Some reviewers think that trauma = carte blanche and they praise it and gave it top notes. I don't do that. I'm interested in the story and the acting, as one should be, no matter the subject. But I will say that you can go for this one. Mostly because the main Lead Actor carries this whose drama by itself as he's charismatic and his acting skills are quite good. Plus the second lead and a couple of supporting ones. Next to them, some of the ladies. Except for the Main Lead Actress.
I guess thats it. Have a lovely evening.
Was this review helpful to you?
Let me review this title after 4 years
This was my first ever drama back in 2019, I rewatched it recently for the second time. Of all dramas I’ve watched, this is the most realistic. Actors play their roles perfectly, the plot is creative, the storyline is simple, yet with a lot of conflicts that are realistic and really tugs at your heart. Everything is flowing at a perfect pace. This drama deserves an endless amount of awards. This drama really holds a unique charm like no other. In terms of cinematography I can confidently say I have never, in my years of watching k- dramas, seen anything quite like it. Every shot has an amazing authenticity to it and the palette for each frame is stunning, it feels just like a movie. It’s good at focusing on the details that create a view of life seen through the eyes of those living it. It strays from the widespread use of commercial lighting and taking one shot from 20+ angles and instead focuses on the brilliant visual storytelling and the raw emotion between characters.Was this review helpful to you?
It’s a small world after all
Call it coincidence or fate but it’s a small world after all..I like the drama because it is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.. Our past has its own way of haunting us even after a long time especially if it’s unpleasant, that is why it’s important to have someone to share those unpleasant memories to unload the burden, That is exactly how I understand what the drama is trying to relay..
Another plus factor of this drama is the soundtrack it raises the mode one more notch.
Was this review helpful to you?
The story and plot revolve around the initial trauma of a building collapse. Throughout the story, I found myself wondering both what happened under the building and what was going to happen next. Though some plot lines you could tell where going to happen in the next couple of episodes, instead of feeling bored with guessing, I found myself wanting to watch it be delivered. Growing from Trauma, dealing with the the aftermath and the effects of it, never truly go away, yet you are just trying to move one day at a time until you find yourself moving on thinking about the future days. This drama perfectly captures that and so much more. I highly recommend to people who need a healing drama. The user Fanitha wrote an article about healing dramas, and I couldn’t picture another drama being in the number one spot. A must for Korean drama lovers anywhere. (Link to article below)
Acting / Cast - 10
This is the type of acting and casting I love to see. Everyone, and I mean everyone, to me was perfect to a capital T. The relationship between the characters is all that I wanted it to be and more. There was more depth to the chemistry of the whole cast, which is something I haven’t seen many times. The whole cast, shined brightly also due to the chemistry of the two leads. It would be hard for me to pick out a relationship or line I didn’t think was well acted or well thought through.
I have only seen Lee Jun Ho’s one other time in the movie Twenty, but even then I knew he’s acting was great. This honestly put him on my favorite list. I’m excited to see how his career goes from here.
Music - 10
The music….guys, the music! There is this one song that plays and I know, my heart is going to go! This was it for me, regarding music. I always let everyone know, I’m not a music person, but this is fantastic. It didn’t distract me from what was on screen, in fact it helped pull me in. A++ for whoever was in charge of this, it was fantastic. (I already downloaded the OST to my spotify playlist. One of my favorites)
Rewatch Value - 8.5
The subject matter is heavy, definitely not something I would recommended to watch every month, but there is something in it, that seems to heal you as you go. This drama is something I would definitely watch again, and would recommended to my friends who do watch dramas. Even those who don’t. Trauma is Trauma, and the way the depict each person’s journey and growth to overcoming is relatable to many. This drama left me with a good feeling and one I hope to keep onto the next one. It felt complete.
Overall Score: 9.6
Links:
Healing Drama article by Fanitha - https://mydramalist.com/article/5-healing-dramas-recommendations-063182533
User Fanitha (Check out her many other articles! She definitely knows what is talking about!)
https://mydramalist.com/profile/fanitha
Was this review helpful to you?
1) The story is heavy. Its about trauma, losing people, youth and yourself in the journey called life. Its about facing your fears, forgiving yourself, others and eventually picking your life's pieces and moving on. The story deals with human emotions....almost philosophically. One can write volumes of literature analysis on how beautifully it depicts loss, pain, wounds and healing. The story is poignantly complex on a human level but very simple from the perspective of story plot. No words can do justice to how fascinating this show is, you have to watch it and experience it.
2) Both the lead actors are phenomenal. Junho is just mind blowing. No words can do justice to his mastery in this show. I had no idea he was part of a group called 2pm (yes I know I am late to the party), had not seen any of his previous shows. But after watching this, I can assure you he's one of my favorite. He deserves all kinds of awards and publicity for the acting chops he showed in this one. His profound attention to detail, his ability to empathize with his character and ingenious ability to be raw on screen is magical to witness. I can't wait to see whats more in store from him. I read somewhere that Won Jin Ah got this role after beating many prospects in a countrywide audition. After seeing her in this show, I would like to say kudos to the casting directors. Great job. This woman has a bright career ahead, she was spectacular as the female lead.
3) No matter how hard I try I can't fault anything in this show. The editing, cinematography, background score, supporting cast.......everything was at its best. Visually this show is breathtaking. The direction is consistent, mellow, thoughtful and very wholesome. Its fairly evident that the makers have put a lot of thought in every detail of the show which makes it a gem that no one should miss.
If you're not someone who gets bored with slow shows with heavy topics or enjoys slow burn romances over hollow fast paced cliche rom coms.....I highly recommend it to you.
Was this review helpful to you?
Marvelous acting
Junho and Won Jin Ah are both marvelous in this. I loved their storyline and their connection to each other from the past. The secondary story lines? Not so much. HATED her mother - she was a mess and seemed to be uncaring that she had a living daughter. It started to go south for me at about episode 13, when it appeared that I was not going to be happy about the ending. The writers turned it around, but it was rushed. The connection between Junho and Won Jin Ah was amazing, The looks they would give each other, the little smiles, the hand holding. She has a somewhat sexy deep voice, which I found fascinating as well.Was this review helpful to you?
Rain or Shine
Another successful K Drama .Good story , brilliant acting . Nothing is glossed over , it shows the plain reality of traumatic experiences and how to survive them in a harsh world where money and power often dictate . The past always catching up with one is a common theme in Korean drama . The likeable characters all impact of one another and manage to bring the best in one another through kindness and sheer determination to make things better for all. At the end they embrace the future positively and move forward through love , friendship and humour ! A great show . May require a box of tissues at hand !
Was this review helpful to you?
The thing that really stands out with Just Between Lovers is that it really highlights life in itself, there are ups and downs, no one is perfect and even if you feel like you've hit rock bottom, you probably still haven't reached your lowest point. Both the leads are troubled people that despite their shared tragedy, one remains optimistic and tries to live a better life while the other seems to fall behind and can never catch a break.
The chemistry between Gang Doo and Moon Soo is incredible so I really need to give a hats off to Junho and Jinah for really bringing such life and passion behind their characters. This is my first time seeing Junho apart from the idol shows and kpop scene and let me just say that I am extremely impressed with his acting. He really played his part of a troubled and rough-around-the-edges young man perfectly and I could feel it from every line. I was also very impressed with Jinah's acting and her own portrayal of the bright Moon Soo. There wasn't too much crying on her part (as I tend to get very annoyed with scenes like those as they are usually over done and unnecessary and more often then not makes the female lead look weak as instead of trying to face the problem she just wallows in self pity and cries), but not Moon Soo! Those scenes just showed raw emotion and made sense with what was happening in the scene.
This drama never felt like it was getting boring or that they were giving you filler scenes, it was always good quality content and it will leave you wanting more. I was getting major withdrawal symptoms when I finished the last episode and was honestly pondering the meaning of life for a while. Jokes aside I'm just going to come right out and say that I have never in my life sworn so much at a drama before. This drama will evict so so many emotions from you, both happy and sad, frustrating and heart-wrenching. I found myself yelling at my laptop screen and throwing pillows because that's what this drama does, it gives you a real story, a story that could happen any day , it gives you raw emotion and that's what you respond with, more raw emotion. I cried more times than I'd like to admit, keep in mind that this isn't a drama you watch just because "you're bored" this is a commitment. This isn't some light and fluffy drama you watch when you have nothing else better to do and you don't want to think too hard, this is the opposite, don't let yourself be consumed if you can't commit.
All in all I could actually go on for hours about the greatness of Just Between Lovers but I'm sure you all get the gist. Amazing, amazing,amazing, that's all I can say.
Was this review helpful to you?
It is pretty dark, explores the demons that people have especially after a stressful situation, it also lt open the vision about the poverty in Korea. In this drama, there are no Cheabols, no money, just the most normal people that you can find among all the dramas.
I loved it, is pretty strong not to cry in many scenes, Junho made a wonderful work to impersonate a person with so many problems, both physically and mentally that you can't love him.
Also the whole cast made a wonderful work, from the old grandma till each people that appeared here!
Absolutely worth the time spent by watching it!
Was this review helpful to you?
Sad series , well acted
Nice series , if a tad sad, so not one to watch if your down in dumps. Drags a tad in parts , but then it was as if they wrote 20 episodes and tried to push the last 4 into episode 16. Super acting from most leads. They left me hanging in the air about who owned the bones they found, that part of story should have been solved for the family concerned. It would have capped the end of it nicely .But worst of all....we had 14 eposides deciding what the death memorial was going to look like, visiting families getting beautiful emotional stories , shots of plans and maps of layouts and then OMG we were not shown the finished memorial. What the hell lads, did no one preview this ??? Where was the director for that ??
The romance story was really nice . I like these 2 leads, lovely chemistry .
I'd have personally drowned her mother in the bath...did she never consider that she had 2 daughters !!!
Was this review helpful to you?
I don't think there was good chemistry between the two main characters, whether it was because of the actors who didn't have good chemistry or it was because the director didn't give enough instructions, but I think they could convey the story better.
I won't rewatch it, same as all korean series except for one, I don't believe there is a value here to rewatch it. Its a story that needs to be told only once, in the second time I think my rating will be less attractive then now.
The OST wasn't good enough either I didn't have even one song I can listen to it over and over, the same as it was in Scarlet Heart.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
