Come and Hug Me (2018)

TL;DR? Not for everyone, but worth giving a shot if you like the genre.

It's been so long since I have written a review, I barely know where to begin! This show has quite a mixed bag of ratings. It seems as if people either loved it or really hated it. I definitely think this isn't a drama for everyone, but you might be surprised at how much you end up liking it. Buckle up, I think this is going to be a long ride. I have a lot of feelings :p

Things you have to love in order to give this drama a chance:
Long, tense silences full of longing gazes.
Lack of clear motivations for bad guys.
Very little character growth.
A lot of crying. And I mean A LOT.

That all sounds pretty critical, huh? But it's really not! I enjoyed this drama a lot, but that doesn't absolve it from its drama sins. I think it's important to be forewarned so that your expectations aren't shattered.

This story is sad. But, unless you just went in completely blind to the synopsis, I don't think that would be a surprise to anyone. This is some heavy stuff right here, so of course it is going to be sad. However, there are dramas that deal with similarly sad, heartbreaking stuff, and they manage to find a good balance between melodrama and levity. And while there are quite a few cute, happy moments in Come and Hug Me, the majority of it was just silent longing.

The real problem with this regards depth and character growth. There just really isn't any. Well, one or two characters might have developed and grown throughout the show, but for the most part, everyone is pretty stagnant. This really hurt the drama, because it meant that it was harder to connect with the characters.

But it's not just the heroes and their lack of character development that makes it hard to connect with them. The villains have their fair share of stagnancy, in terms of motivation. There are so many characters doing bad things without really explaining to us why they were doing them. For example, the reporter. Why on earth was she so hell bent on destroying lives? And the lady toward the second half of the show, why the heck was she so hell bent on watching the world burn?

Alright, alright. That is a whole lot of negative for a show I legitimately enjoyed. The acting in this drama was just absolutely top notch. Just about everyone really blew me away with how much they were putting into their roles. You know how sometimes when you watch a drama and you can see the script in your head, cause the actors are just following directions, not really connecting. This was so not the case with CAHM. I never once was pulled out from the drama by thinking about the script.

The music was really good, too! It really fit the tone of the drama really well. This drama reminded me a lot of Missing You, so if you like that drama, you might want to give this one a try. And there is a scene, of which I am not going to mention specifically here that felt like it was pulled from I Hear Your Voice.

The last 10 or so episodes is what really made this drama great. Earlier episodes were just fraught with so much guilt and anxiety. And the last 10 episodes are, as well. However, you have so much more cuteness and levity at this point that the drama was sorely lacking.

All in all, I really did like this drama. It kept me interested throughout, and I am really glad that I gave it a shot in spite of some of the comments I read about it. Seriously, if you like sad dramas with lots of crying and some murdering, this is the drama for you!

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Very long and the plot should be more simple...

Well, I love happy endings. When that happens, usually in rom-com's, I don't really care about the plot and coherence.
This drama has a beautiful romance (despite of repetition, useless flashbacks) that endure a sad and horrible story.
But it's too much for me.

STORY - Monotonous, one note with too many protagonists. Older brother, journalist, copycat guy, woman In love with the psychopath. Don't understand why Jang Yong always let the copycat loose. How can a coo protect his paradise like that?

ROMANCE - beautiful and strong. After healing themselves, they understand that they could and deserve being happy, no matter what society thinks.

ACTING - very well done, most of the cast was very good.

MUSIC - can't remember any song so...

ENDING - slow, with most of the characters stories being closed. Like it but ( and I like romance) it was very mellow without necessity.

Some loose ends, some incongruence in the plot. Can't understand why blood relations have something to do with personality or psychopathology.

I would never REWATCH it. It is tooooooooo long, I found myself wishing I could skip some scenes. But I think I like it. At least the idea that the couple and the families have future!

If the drama is more about feelings and hurtful moments, I prefer a simple story. With this kind of acting, a shorter drama, should be better!

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I'm not big on thriller, murder mystery or anything like that. Except for I've watched a few shows now where a lot of gruesome murder or court and cases are involved so maybe I am. To each their own with this show, I understand where people are coming from why they say it could've been a movie, but honestly, if you're a gigantic drama fan, you just like being able to watch drama's and enjoy the show and I honestly truly enjoyed the show. The chemistry between the 2 main characters was heart wrenching, especially because we all knew the fate of the two right in the beginning, I didn't except the plot twist by the dad and all the crazy stuff going on, I didn't expect a lot of stuff but I also anticipated it but it didn't stop me from panicking or my heart racing at these crazy moments. Also shout out to the young boy that played the younger male lead because he does amazing in every show. I liked that the main girl was just strong; she was just wonderful and strong and she stuck by her love and who she wanted and how she wanted to grow and I admire that. I liked that the male lead was a wonderful and sweet, heart warming guy. I liked the family. Hated the bad characters; I went through massive rounds of anger and tears and anticipation and anxiety. And that's what I love from these drama's, that's how you know it's a real amazing drama because the characters do so well at their jobs and their emotions convince you to be emotional and that's wonderful. They make you feel some type of way, even though the story is cliche murder mystery; we've all seen it, we've all heard it, it plays on that psychological part and thriller but has the hint of sweetness all in tact. Good show, good show.

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Incrível. É tudo o que define esse drama. Uma história bem diferente do que assistimos e que tem várias reviravoltas, e quando você acha alguma coisa, algo acontece e sua opinião muda drasticamente sobre.

Vou comentar um pouco sobre cada personagem.

Psicopata Hui Jae: Eu nunca pensei que ficaria tão intrigada por um psicopata, pelo modo dele pensar e agir. O nível de manipulação desse homem é incrivelmente assustador. Como ele conseguiu esconder toda essa loucura por anos, criar uma família, ter um emprego e ainda sim ser um asno doente? Mas é por isso que dizem que psicopatas são super inteligentes.

O jeito como ele manipulou POR ANOS toda sua própria família é assustador. Ele conseguiu deixar o filho mais velho totalmente dependente emocionalmente dele, sempre procurando a aceitação do pai e ele via isso como uma fraqueza.

A sua obsessão pelo Na Moo mostra extremamente o contrário, o contraste de personalidade dele. Ele via a infância, o menino doce que ele era vivendo de um jeito bom. Isso era o que ele queria para ele, Uma família companheira, onde ele seria o filho doce que ajudaria os pais e irmãos. Dá pra perceber isso principalmente na cena onde fala calorosamente sobre como ele vinha recebe-lo de noite assim que ele chegava do trabalho, o jeito como ele enxergava a sí mesmo como uma criança amorosa no filho.

Sobre a filha, não percebi muitas interações. Mas percebi que ele também era bem doce para ela, acredito que seja o mesmo caso do Nam Moo. Mas acredito que ainda sim, seria capaz de mata-la.

Como ele manipulou a terceira e última esposa a pensar que por ela ter fugido em ato de desespero, ela se torna cúmplice de seus atos. Como ele consegue rasgar, bater, esmagar alguém apenas com palavras, manipulando a mente para ela se achar culpada pelos pais da principal.

O príncipal da história dele mesmo, é a obsessão dele com o filho do meio mesmo. Tanto que na cena do ônibus onde ele tem um flash de realidade (por que o filho está sorrindo e sendo feliz com uma figura fraternal), ele muda a expressão e sai fora do encanto da mente dele onde ele era amado e apreciado pelo filho.
Sinceramente, assustador e incrível. Incrível pelo ator ter uma performance maravilhosa, transmitindo todo sentimento e a mente perturbada do personagem.

Sendo sincera, eu gostaria que tivesse mais cenas onde explicavam como foi a infância dele, já que foi mostrado que toda a autobiografia dele foi forjada pela repórter e ele.

O fofo do Na Moo: Esse personagem passou, por tanta coisa e sempre quis se mostrar forte por isso. Não acho que se ele tivesse matado alguém, ele teria de tornado igual o pai. Por que pra isso ele teria de ter uma mente pertubada tão quanto a do pai, o que é EXPLICITAMENTE dito de começo ao fim. Que ele é o contrário do pai e uma boa pessoa.

Fiquei com muita raiva todas as vezes que ele foi culpado por ser filho de um assasino e nem mesmo ter reagido. Ele não tinha culpa e ainda mesmo se desculpava pelos erros dos outros. Me sentia mal por isso.

Enquanto lia os comentários no Viki, vi muita gente falando sobre como o personagem mais novo do Na Moo trazia mais personaldiade. Só que pra mim, não teve diferença alguma. Dois atores maravilhosos, que conseguiram atender todos os requisitos de uma pessoa sequelada pela dor. Incrível. E tenho que dizer, QUE HOMEM LINDO.

Nak Won: Vou ser sincera e dizer que esperava mais dessa personagem. Um desenvolvimento maior pelo menos nos últimos episódios.

Eu entendo tudo que ela passou, os gatilhos e sequelas que deixaram pra ela. Mas as vezes eu sentia que a personagem só estava ali pra tapar buraco, por se dizer. Quando era pra chamar a polícia, ela não chamava. Quando era pra reagir a algo, ela não reagia. MESMO NO FINAL.

Fiquei triste por essa personagen no final não ter tido nenhuma "melhora". Porém, gosto muito da Nak Won.

Porém, a atriz desempenhou-se muito bem. Adorei o contraste de papéis que a atriz teve. Plus, ela é muito bonita, né?

Hyun Moo: O personagem que mais me fez chorar, esse. Eu nem sei explicar o quão empatica eu fui enquanto assistia as cenas dele.

Nasceu sendo manipulado pelo pai e por ser diferente do amável do irmão, sempre tentou de tudo pra chamar atenção do pai.

Sempre agiu como o mais forte, como se fosse uma fortaleza. Mas se mostrou bem diferente, mesmo idolatrando o pai.

O jeito bruto de amar a família sempre me fez ponderar por ele, eu sentia que ele só era mal por estar tentando. Ele é uma pessoa boa que infelizmente não conseguiu melhorar a tempo.

Tantos poblemas psicológicos e ainda foi preso de novo, e eu não entendi isso. Ele não matou ninguém, cooperou com a polícia e etc, mas ainda sim parece que recebeu uma pena grande.

Queria muito poder ver a evolução, como no sonho dele.

Moo Won, irmão da Nak Won: Um superprotetor fofo, que no final entendeu tudo.

Eu super entendi toda a proteção que ele dava pra irmã, afinal ele quando jovem foi machucado diversas vezes. Ele sabia a dor.

Mas uma coisa, de novo, os comentários do Viki trouxeram uma visão pra mim. Como as pessoas estavam forçando um relação entre eles e odiando ele por isso, sendo que o personagem apenas estava protegendo ela.
Acredito que muito disso tenha vindo por causa do olhar doce que o Yoon Jong Hoon tem, um fofo.

Eu não tenho muito pra falar em particular dos outros personagens. Só gostaria de resaltar como a atuação de todos foi ótima e me tocou bastante. Principalmente a da madrasta.

Achava que ia ser um drama mais policial, mas fiquei indignada em como a polícia desse drama é burra. Poucos policiais, detetives que parecem que não foram treinados, como um detetive passa informações para mídia e ninguém descobre. Fiquei bem pertubada com isso, esperava mais inteligência da parte policial kkkkk

Pra quem gosta de dramas policial, que tem romance e sofrência, esse é pra você.

Super recomendo a todos, mesmo se não for o seu tipo favorito.

Que você que esteja lendo aproveite assim como eu aproveitei!

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Jang Ki-Yong and Jin Ki-Joo Are Both Perfect for Their Roles!

Definitely a masterpiece! My pick for the best drama in 2018!

To be honest, I started Come and Hug Me with little to no expectations at all. This was my first time watching a drama with new and upcoming actors, and I must tell you that I'm totally impressed. Both the male and female lead immediately captivated me from the start. Now, I understood why Jang Ki-Yong won two awards: Excellent Actor for the BaekSang Arts Awards, and the Best New Actor for the 2018 MBC Drama Awards.

The story got me hooked until the end. Nak Won and Na Moo told an emotional story of love and loss. The main leads might be newbies to the mainstream world, but they were able to convey such intense emotions. Their facial expressions needed no words because they shone through the TV screen. I must say that Jang Ki-Yong and Jin Ki-Joo are both a revelation. They are perfect for their roles!

Each episode had a purpose to the main story. Even if it was an emotional rollercoaster ride, I did not mind going through the ups and downs. I enjoyed every second of it, and I loved every emotion it made me feel. Congratulations to writer Lee Ah Ram for writing such a gem. If you are looking for something new, please give Come and Hug Me a chance. It will surely keep you at the edge of your seat! Prepare to hold your breath, and enjoy this remarkable ride!

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Come and Hug Me was honestly a drama that far exceeded my expectations in every way. Before watching the drama, I hadn't seen very much of Jang Ki Yong or Jin Ki Joo, but each of them portrayed their characters beautifully. The way both of them were able to portray the emotional scars and trauma enacted upon them by their shared horror story from when they were children was simply breathtaking. Their budding romance as the story went on is like a light at the end of the tunnel and was seamlessly integrated into the story by the writers.

Overall, if you are a fan of dark, psychological dramas but still have a heart, this is the perfect drama for you. It has the crime and the painful. memory aspects but also manages to contrast those images with the light of their romance.

This drama fully made me a fan of Jin Ki Joo, and I started gaining more and more respect for Jang Ki Yong as the episodes passed by. The writers and actors for this drama deserve infinite awards for the utter masterpiece they were able to put together.

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could've been more than this

Honestly.. im not that kinda ppl whos into thriller, mystery, and such. i prefer romance dramas w/ fluffy scenes,clingy boyfie etc.. but sometimes i wanna make myself suffer from sadness! therefore i gave it a try :D
imho, it wasn't bad after all as i could feel their emotions..yet somehow i'd rather the teenage part than the adult part. teenage main leads genuinely dive into their own character, let alone the crime that took place 12 years ago was more hurtful as well as shiver me up. this drama has fewer romantic moments indeed, i could understand it. as for the massacre scenes in the present, it should've been way more sadistic for me lol

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!! Contains VERY minor Spoilers !!==

This is a show I went in to fully expecting the melodrama and pain. I honestly did not read that much about it and was just kind of expecting something akin to “Just Between Lovers.” I was pleasantly surprised to find that, despite the darker story elements and the nature of the plot, it really wasn’t all that melodramatic or painful. It was intense and emotional, for sure. But nothing too “makjang” or over-the-top. I loved the character of Nak Won and how she went against the stereotype of what her character would typically be in this sort of story (ie full of blame, self-pity, and anger). Instead, she was warm-hearted and strong despite having to deal with some serious PTSD. Her love and support of Na Moo truly warmed my heart…she never blamed him for what his father did and the scene of her younger self getting out of the car and giving him a hug, telling him he had to keep on living...gave me goosebumps.

Na Moo himself was a heartwarming character—steadfast and loyal. He was so, so sweet. But something about him (I don’t know if this is a flaw in the writing or simply elements of his actor, Jang Ki Yong) just never had me that engaged with his character. There was virtually no chemistry between him and Nak Won, except with their younger counter-parts who were A-MA-ZING. And I think because of this, I couldn’t really get that into later parts of this drama. Even though the pace of the story was fine, it felt like it lagged and I just wanted it to be over, which is a shame given the initial fervor I went into it with. I still think this is a lovely and entertaining drama. I just wish I had loved it more in the end.

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Superb drama that explores the grey areas in life

First of, this drama gives off a new flavor on the romance genre, it has that unique charm that other dramas lack of which is warmth and sincerity. At first, I was hesitant because crime and romance isn't really a genre that mix together quite well but through this drama, I realized it is possible. What I love about this drama is that more than romance, they focused on the complexity of each characters development and explored the relationships between the characters on a deeper level. On the downside, I wasn't really happy about some parts where they try to give off piece by piece information about the past because personally for me doing the flashbacks are only effective if there's an impact or tension but on this one it's like they're giving out Q&A. You know the answer but you're just waiting to confirm if you're correct. I just thought it would be better if they completed the past then gave flashbacks only if necessary. Nonetheless, this drama is still great because it's not too dreamy and really close to reality.

Anyway another thing I really commend on this drama are the casts and their excellent acting skills. I felt the continuity of the story from the past and present. I really felt like the younger ones grew up for real. They had the same facial expression, same attitude and characteristics. Out of all dramas I watched that dealt with past and present, I can confidently say that this is the best among them. I am also shocked to see myself empathizing on an antagonist which lies on the grey area, portraying as the bad guy but is really warm inside. The best part of this drama is that, the events are negative and unfortunate but the characters remain positive and tried to solve the problem without getting swayed by it. Other dramas usually gives tragic scenes where it is completely unfair that the characters were forced to change, sometimes sacrificing something that's really precious to them but this drama is different. It allowed the characters to grow together while fighting together and also grow individually on their own as time passes.

This is really a hidden gem as indicated on the article where I discover this drama. I didn't mind being sad with the characters because I feel their sincerity and care towards each other which makes me believe that sadness is something we feel because we are human. Instead of running away, we must embrace it so that we can grow for the better.

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This is an excellent drama! This drama is a thriller with a heart! Full of raw emotions, it depicts the lives of those that are impacted by the actions of a psychopath and also the determination to not let such tragic and inhuman events destroyed the lives of those affected. This drama portrays every character’s strengths and weaknesses in such a crude and natural way that doesn’t foment any sympathy or desire to understand the nature of the psychopath but it immerses the viewer into the heart of the protagonists and those around them. Although considered a romantic thriller by many, I would say that it is not; the drama is a thriller where individuals are still able to love beyond the circumstances. Everything in this drama is carefully done and the performances are stellar. Enjoy it!

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Perfect portrayal of characters made possible with their top-tier acting skills

The title itself fits the whole story; the warmth of a hug that can soothe one’s uneasy feelings. The show established a great flow of storyline that is unique and well-written. Every episode manages to get my attention throughout without getting any hint of tiredness or boringness. Especially since it will give you an absolute vibe of creepiness. That irksome aura can be seen overflowing in the psychopath’s devilish stares and smiles.

The best element of this drama is the way that the actors offer excellence in handling their roles perfectly. Each one of them contributes more than enough and carries on filling their part to the fullest. From the main characters up to the supporting roles, super deserves to get praise from the audience.

My favorite episode will be from EP17. The face-off fight between the two brothers was dramatically intense. Loving the fact that Do Jin, his mother, and his younger sister never gave up to save their older brother. Since they all knew that he was badly influenced by their ill father. That scene when Do Jin was accidentally stabbed by Hyun Moo’s knife and the way he hugged his brother was such an impactful tension of feelings.

I may be late finishing this fantastic show, but the important part is I enjoyed every element it has to present to us. The series deserves more recognition. The actors are incredible, have a fine foundation of conflicts, have consistency in providing interesting plots, and connect every single detail of the script to the actual happenings in the story. The ending hugs they both gave to their little selves are wholesome, a happy ending indeed.

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More like a emotional journey

This is one of the drama which makes you emotional and can make you feel the pain and happiness which they are going through.

Rather that psychological drama I would say it's a type of drama where you see realistic characters (characters with flaws they have their weaknesses and strength not some super cool idol character) and their emotional journey as well as their character development.

Both leads have done a good job especially female lead, she has done a good job and make you connect to her character and as for male lead I think it's good but not on point it's bit off but both child male and female lead was good and have done a good job I can even say that they are more good than the adult male and female lead.

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