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It could have been a beautiful touching story capturing the life's hardships, the struggles to adapt and learn, to overcome one's flaws. Instead, I think it only captures people unable or unwilling to learn from their mistakes, and an assumption that all romantic relationships are doomed to be unhealthy.*
I think I see what they were trying to do, but imho, it did not work out. But first, here are some aspects I enjoyed:
• From all of their storylines, FL's brother's one was the most interesting to watch to me, as he went through several stages of character development. It was genuinely engaging! We first met him when his life was quite good, but then he faced truly hard moments, he reached very very low points. Through outside help, his determination, and a bit of luck, things turned around. Then he faced new obstacles but kept on learning from it. I did not really like him as a person, but I enjoyed following his journey.
• I was also initially invested in FL's boss, but then they changed her course in a deus-ex-machina way instead of allowing her to learn from her mistakes. It honestly felt like she was being punished by fate for wanting a relationship and being unable to love herself. I was looking forward to one of her breakdowns leading to a realization, but she was not allowed that. In the very end, her character had some interesting growth too.
• My favorite episode is when ML leaves the country and pursues his dreams. The episode had a different vibe, he got into a loving relationship and worked on his career; he was making progress. Of course, though, they couldn't let him have it. I still don't fully understand why the writers were so determined to destroy his relationship with the second FL, their breakup looked unnatural and forced. People can fall out of love, but this felt... wrong, like they both suddenly stopped caring for each other. It usually happens for a reason, and it could have been interesting to explore, but that didn't happen. We only got a few awkward moments of tense silence and teary-eyed calls, out of nowhere.
Now for the parts that did not sit right with me:
• FL started out as a manic pixie girl. I don't think I need to elaborate on that.
• Even during the fun "spring" part, ML and FL had an uncomfortable dynamic: FL left him guessing, withdrawing her attention ("I might arrive, I might not. You'll see!") and forced him into activities he wasn't comfortable with (but it was played off as comedic), and then left him, completely wasted, alone on a night bus. He was drunk and asleep and she just left him there. But the writers did not address any of this, and she never realized she treated him poorly; no, there's just a cut scene and he's, SOMEHOW, safely home. Okay. Clearly, they did not want to address it, it did not need any character development despite being glaring flaws.
• There is just not enough growth on either of their sides for the relationship to work in the future. FL is busy dealing with trauma, but she's STILL emotionally distant and detached. Perhaps understandably so, but it does not say anything good about their future if – through her whole life – she did not make much progress.
• ML still copes with difficult situations by lying through his teeth and not being able to draw his boundaries (though he made some small progress in that, the tragedy of FL's life makes him unable to stand his ground anyways). On that note, I honestly suspect ML is a pathological liar. It's definitely a pattern in his romantic relationships and he never learns from that, either.
• When the second FL asked ML why he loves her, he said, among other things, that he is comfortable around her. Some people in comments thought that's the proof he doesn't love her. But to be honest? That's exactly how a long-term, loving relationship feels like: you are a comfort for each other, the familiarity is grounding. It's not the initial passion or the attraction to the forbidden (like one-sided love or painful crushes), but it's good, it feels good. I feel like this sends the wrong message.
• As for ML's sister, I guess it was a fun concept for them: a reversed trope! Emotionally distant wife, clingy stay-at-home husband! But their relationship was just painful to watch, it did not feel fun, it did not feel like a creative reversal, it felt like she was treating him like trash, making him work hard for a hint of affection as if it were a gift, giving him just enough to make him want more (that's controlling and abusive btw). And they knew from the beginning that they weren't compatible at all. What even IS the message of their relationship? I know that people like this exist, but ML's sister's partner was called out on his mistakes. Her mistakes go on, unchallenged.
In general, I think they could have handled many things better, I never saw the "OTP" as romantic or compatible (in fact, they seemed really bad for each other), and if they wanted realism, there should have been their friends, telling them it's a really bad idea to re-enter a dysfunctional relationship, or shaking ML by his shoulders to make him realize that being concerned for a person he loved for a long time before is NOT a reason to start lying to his fiancée or to break up. Caring for more people is not wrong. Lying about it and hiding that they dated in past and then, when he was called out on it, leaving instead of apologizing? That's just messed up and so, so emotionally immature, that I don't know why we were supposed to get invested in his "growth" at all. :/
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You should NOT watch this one.
You would NOT recommend this to others.
If you could watch this once and want to watch it again, I will treat you to dinner.
I still am trying to figure out what this drama was all about???? How the story starts and where it goes and where it ends is too bizarre. I am not sure what was the purpose of such a medley. The actors individually are good performers but put together with a bad plotline and what you get it something undefined.
I would not recommend it to anyone.
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The Third Charm started good and funny but eventually the story gets too emotional and was dragged down but I still give a good rate on this drama. Why? Because if you will think outside of the box, you'll realized that every scene they showed to us really do happened in real life relationship. Lovey-dovey on the first phase of relationship then later on when problems arise, fights and break up surface and if you're lucky enough second chances will come.
The writer probably wants to convey a realistic story that was true to life but end up messing the story because they insert a lot of true to life issues in a relationship. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion while watching this drama but for me the ending was very satisfying and realistic. Not the usual happy ending that we always want on a kdrama but we know that their love will always be there. :)
Seo Kang Joon's acting is superb especially when he cries and acts unique characters but for Esom? I dunno, I'm not a fan of her coz' there's a part in the drama that makes me really hate her or her character. I just hope that Seo Kang Joon's management would picked a drama with a great story and writer on his next projects.
This is a good watch for broken hearted pips, i think. :)
There's a lot of love lessons to be learn on this drama.
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From the beginning until around half of it, the story was really interesting. It is fun, unusual and MATURE. But, I have to admit that the last 1/4 part were seems in a hustle. It makes the whole plot kinda messy. On the other hand, the problems in the story handled differently than we usually do or imagine but pretty realistic, and it is nice. The twists were good. I love how the scenes go. It is slow, calm and tranquil.
I personally think that I'm gonna rewatch this, because there are so many part of the story that were beautiful (happy or sad) that will be missed.
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So the drama is in 3 phases : high school , mid 20s , early 30s. Although the first phase is very boring and so is the second , I think it's all because of how immature the main characters still are. Once they reach their 30s and their lives have completely changed the story becomes deeper because they will have to deal with serious problems and face their demons like proper adults. If I would re-watch it , it would be only for the final episodes.
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This review may contain spoilers
After finishing every eps of the drama + reading comments about it, I suddenly feel like defending "The third charm".It definitely has a meaning for me. The plot, no matter how frustrating and "unreal" ppl claimed it had been, tbh I believe it was realistic enough. After all you can't be so sure about life occasions, can you? Even irl someone can be such foolish , selfish, annoying, stubborn, quick-tempered and contradictory like the main characters in love. That's why I'm telling you gonna feel it so much if you experienced it before, like me :). If the writer meant to entangle us watcher's feeling, they succeeded on me. Cuz no matter how much I want a happy ending, in the end it really makes sense that the characters chose their path like that. I won't reveal more of the plot, but I guarantee they all make sense, just not in a comfortable way! Although I won't rewatch it, it was bc the drama didn't make me cry even a drop of tear, but cause me a lot of thinking, so...not touching, but irritating. Our cast did well enough, but I'm especially prasing Seo Kang Joon, the look in his eyes conveys so much, just... killed me every time! All in all, rather than hating the drama, I'd say sometimes a small dose of twisted feeling is fine.
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Pathetic romance Depressing story
Didn't know what to make of this. Beginning was interesting. Middle was selfish. End was pathetic.Definitely not a comedy.
A selfish FL made it very hard to appreciate the sensitive ML who ended up looking like a loser for not being able to love without pity.
As much as I was hoping he would dump her, the open ending was dissatisfactory.
Just hope he never gets back with her the FL - the first time in k drama romance history that I'm wishing this.
For such a feisty female who had extra fine morals, to end up dumping her boyfriend for a rich doctor and then coming back to call the boyfriend whenin need......yikes. And destroying the relationship of that poor cop lady......
I only watch the romance genre and have a lot of tolerance for fluff, but this was not digestable.
Sorry to the full team......your hard work showed through but the story didn't cut it.
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I started watching this drama after I saw a spoiler when they broke up. Every episode begins to be interesting and fun to watch, until I reach the finales two (episode 15 and episode 16). I wont criticize the actor who play On Joon Young, I’m criticize Joon Young as a character itself. First I don’t find justified the reason or the way he break up his engagement, it was poor and childish for him to think that if he cares o worries about someone that he used to loved that means he love her again. Love just dosen’t work in that way. People offen are worried and care for other people, besides they love one’s and that dosen't implies that they feel love through them in a romantic (woman and men) way.
He just broke up a 4 years of relationship, again a 4 YEAR OF RELATIONSHIP, base on (and this is my conclusion) nothing. He just made up the triangle movie himself. And I stronger belive that Young Jae didn’t see him o plan to be with him in a romantic way, she was dealing with way to much stuff for even care if he cries or not.
I’m glad the way the writer give an end to her, but for him I saw that so pitiful and lac of maturity. I mean Young Jae just show up after 4 or 5 year later and just from nowhere he says he can’t control his feelings, someone should say to him, “bro you need to get your sh*t together”
I’m glad that they didn’t end up together, I feel relieve about it, but that Oh Joon Young character... sadly he could have a better ending
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I like how the characters potrayed their roles when they were in high school and became adults.
I recommend this for kdrama lovers who like different plot of story with twist and turns. I like this because many can relate to their love story and a lesson will be taught to you that true love will never forget the love you shared with each other for the first, second and third time you meet. That's all hehe
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read my full review and actual rating for this drama: https://drammmajjigae.com/2018/12/02/the-third-charm/
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This review may contain spoilers
Felt realistic
Just finished watching this drama which lead me on that it was a Romcom but turned to a melodrama towards the end....I also liked that it stars Kang Joon (from Are You Human too...you can't just get enough of him!)I agree that this is not the best romance Kdrama ever. However, it felt realistic. Like, the FL had a daughter who died so she definitely needs a lot of time to grieve. Like, it may take forever to heal... And it is not fair that she will just jump into a relationship with ML just because she needs comfort. FL first needs to heal herself, find herself and then she can be happy again...
As for the ML, good for him that he is just continuing his life as a chef, and furthering his career in the process, because when he heard the sad story of FL on Ep 15, he thought that he can be the comfort through the rain of FL, but FL decided that she should handle her sorrow by herself, which I feel is very mature of her.
ML is just really this emotionally sensitive guy that easily empathizes with anyone with a sad story. He is really in touch with his feelings, coming from a whole family with full set of parents, unlike with FL, who is an orphan and is just too distant from her own feelings in general. (except when she had her own daughter that she just gave all the love she had not experienced as a child growing up so when the daughter died, FL was literally devastated)
So, in the end, I must admit, it sucks that's its an open ending. But, for me, I feel that, the 2 main leads, needs healing...and probably they will come around. Since they have known each other for so long, there could be a possibility of getting back together....or not...I mean, it doesn't matter really.
As long broken hearts are healed through time...Like what happened to the brother and the FL's bestfriend. Its been so long since they are friends only, and they stopped wanting to be each other's special someone.
But in the end, since they are friends, (the brother of FL and the bestfriend of FL), they finally took the plunge and got married....That is what I see the future of FL and ML later on...since its open...this is only my imagination....only my opinion....
I hope that we view this drama with an open mind, not how other viewers complained about this drama. It definitely has good and bad points. But overall, its fine. Not the best, but its fine.
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