This review may contain spoilers
So much to love, but...
I'll start by saying that if you want a slow-paced drama, this is one that has a lot going for it. My overall impressions -OST - exquisite. The music is perfect, blending the beauty of classical piano with the sadness of a cello, and some beautiful songs that flow effortlessly throughout the show. The music was excellent at pulling emotion out when the script itself wasn't able to accomplish it.
Cinematography - I think this is the most beautifully filmed K-drama that I've seen. The camera filters that give so many scenes the filmy/artsy look. The play of light and shadow was brilliant. Some very good slow motion work, and I loved how most of the show was dressed up in pastels, nothing bright and jarring, save an occasional pop from a red sweater. Him walking through the woods near his childhood home was gorgeous, and the snow scenes were amazing. So, actually, I'd have to say that most of my love for this show vacillated between the OST and the cinematography. In my mind, while I was watching, I kept saying, "pretty!"
Costuming - nothing too attention-getting here, but I had to mention the trench coat that Jung Hae In wore in ep 11 with the leather collar and accents. It was just beautiful and it conveyed power and anger in the scene that he was doing at that time.
Acting - excellent. Jung Hae In as Ha Won was very understated and had wounds from his past, though I didn't really lfeel sorry for him because of the reasoning (to be discussed in storyline). Chae Soo Bin as Seo Woo - she is really lovely. She has those sad eyes but a perkiness about her that is so endearing. She ran a lot in this show and it was so cute, her running down the alleyways from place to place. The rest of the cast was very good - I loved Lee Jung Eun as Min-Jung, the grieving mother.
Chemistry - the main couple was cute together, but no off the charts chemistry. This was a "comfortable" relationship (kind of like an old pair of shoes), they spent time together, supporting one another and learning more about one another, but I didn't feel any progression of their relationship. There was one kiss.
Storyline - Overall, this was a story of healing. Healing from loss, healing from loneliness, healing from aspirations unachieved, and healing from secrets coming out too late. Each person in the story dealt with their losses in a different way, and I really liked how the writers delved into ways of healing - opening up to friendships, being brave to put yourself out there to someone you like, turning loose of old hurts. I especially loved the scenes in the boarding house, where the boarders would sit on the floor in the kitchen and drink and talk and laugh. They were each getting something special from this bonding. Again, Lee Jung Eun was wonderful as a mom that feels guilt and despair and has closed herself off from emotional contacts. Watching her open up was a treat.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Writing - here's where my problem came in. First, I'm sure others have mentioned it, but the fact that this show was shortened from 16 to 12 episodes because of low ratings is telling. There was a subtle shift in the pacing of the last couple of episodes as they tried to tie up all loose ends. Ha Won and his 10-year unrequited love for someone that went and married someone else was just pathetic (and why did she, anyway?). A lot of the scenes between Ha won and Seo Woo didn't ring true, because he'd been in love with an ideal for a decade, and then after a few conversations with Seo Woo he's moved on? Plus I felt that Seo Woo was kind of a doormat. I know she was supposed to be understanding of his dilemma, but really, anyone in real life would say "snap out of it!" And the AI aspect was not believable and just kind of creepy. The ending was very abrupt and unsatisfying.
Was this review helpful to you?
Like sunlight on closed eyes
I don't know where to start, apart form the fact that this drama is extremely underrated? Maybe it's just me, but it felt like a breath of fresh air. I got mad with the characters, frustrated, sad, happy, surprised, in love. This drama made me feel things.It's true that it's a slow series, but there are moments in life where that's exactly what you need. When you want to take a break from the 'Healer' or 'Descendants of the Sun' type dramas, and just take a rest. The palette was gorgeous, the story raw, without too many turns and frills. The feelings of falling in love, acceptance, moving on, they were all so present and God, so relatable. Not to mention the leads; Jung Haein is born for such roles, and Chae Soobin was just adorable.
Watch this drama when you're a little down and in need of softness and fluff, it'll make you smile, I'm sure.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Slow burn, more like no burn.
From my title, you might be thinking that the leads had no chemistry. And let me just quickly clarify that the leads had some of the best chemistry I've seen in a drama in a while. The gentle and sudden contact from a hand on her shoulder, or grabbing her sleeve to lead her through the dark, they showed this kind of tension throughout the show. But the thing with tension is it needs a good release to really make the tension worth while.Actually, this can be said about the whole show. So much tension for little release. The build up to what happened between KIW and KJS to make KJS so depressed was deep and kept me on my toes. I needed to know what had led them there but when I found out, I was kind of disappointed.
Also, I've said this about previous shows but I dislike when a show is trying to sell me a profound love story only to have no intimacy. Sure they had a little peck in a car finally in EP 10 but with the amount of build up that just wasn't enough. Like it doesn't have to be anything crazy but I am sure they could have replaced one of the hugs with something more.
The other thing that was disappointing to me is rude HSW was towards KIW after she found out about what happened. She kept saying how she's uncomfortable with talking about HIS WIFE because she had this high and mighty approach where she believed it was up to her to decide whether he was worthy. She had known her for a couple weeks before she passed and then talked to a device which isn't ACTUALLY her but had her personality. He was married to her for 9 years and like her for 10 years before that. And he was distraught over her death but still she just thinks she can play judge and condemn him for a childish mistake he made. This really irked me and is when the show plummeted from a 10/10 to an 8/10.
I do think the show captured emotion really well and what it is like to miss someone you love. This was done so beautifully that it makes it even more upsetting that the last few episodes went in the direction it did. I still would recommend this to someone but only if they were looking for something a little depressing and they had already watched my other recommendations.
Was this review helpful to you?
BEST HEALING AND REAL LIFE DRAMA EVER
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect!Plot, storylines, characters, emotions, visuals, all is greatly produced.
This is like very first kdrama that I fall in love with every characters in it. From Ha Won, Seo Woo, Ji Soo, Kang In Gook, Soon Ho, they teaches us so many values of life.
I understand some would fine this drama is in slow paced, but it's the reason why the drama itself exist. To give healing to person whose watching it, to give some fluttering moments that a person like me enjoyed it so much. I love how the leads always having a matured and understanding conversations with each other. Chae Soo Bin & Jung Hae In, I gave thumbs up for their superb acting.
As well as Ji Soo, her presence are just for a while, but so impactful. Kang In Wook emotions, I totally can feel it. Soon Ho, is a very lovable character and I can relate to her whining so much hahaha.
This drama is such a perfect one. Even the OST is so perfect. I recommended listen to
"Who I strolled with". That OST touched my heart everytime I listen to it.
I am still dejected and frustrated because TVN decided to cut it short just because the rating is low. They should've think about the fans like me whose actually enjoyed the drama and wish for better ending.
Thank you, A Piece of Your Mind team. You guys are amazing!
Was this review helpful to you?
Special.
What I want to say about this drama, aside from that I really liked it, was that it reminded me yet again how Korea knows how to write good love stories.This was a very different drama. Different pace, and different style of storytelling. I found that it all really started coming together at episode 9. Which is very rare to see. But it came together beautiful. The story was unrushed. The ending was wonderful. They didn't go over the top, and it was just right. I highly recommend this drama, but know that going in to it, you're going to be getting something out of the ordinary.Was this review helpful to you?
Flying under the radar!
This drama is definitely flying under the radar. Loved the acting and chemistry of the both the ML. Story was so so but it was played really well, character development as the story progresses can be seen for all characters. The understanding between the leads and the development between their relationship was slow and steady. I felt could have been more sweet and intimate moments. That is where i thought it was bit lacking. Otherwise i think i am going to watch this again and again. Jung Hae In has a soothing personality someone who does not have to try to smile face which is always smiling. Chae Soo Bin i liked her too, i have watched her where stars Land and i think she acts well. Its a good watch have patience.Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece: the combination of feelings and emotions
There is no word to describe the feeling & emotions. It's very deep story that directly connected to your heart.In a one word, its the great masterpiece.
I really love this drama.
There is no word to describe the feeling & emotions. It's very deep story that directly connected to your heart.
In a one word, its the great masterpiece.
I really love this drama.
There is no word to describe the feeling & emotions. It's very deep story that directly connected to your heart.
In a one word, its the great masterpiece.
I really love this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great drama
I love this drama so much. It begins sadly and it is very melancholic. It develops very slowly, too . Until episodes 7-8, Ha Won ( Jung Hae In ) doesn't even talk to much. Some people think it is very boring show. However, this is not the case. Beautiful story line . Great cinematography. Jung Hae In performs his role as Ha Won brilliantly (as always). He is great actor. And for his acting here I give him 10 stars. Chae So Been performance is just ok, maybe because of the role. Kim Sung Kyu as the pianist is acting great, too. The soundtrack is very nice. This is a drama for true connoisseurs of film art. This drama need more support and recognition. It is really worth to watch. I love it and it is s one of my favorite dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
all your grief and axiety will be lulled to rest when watching this
What I loved most about this drama was how gentle it was. I felt so peaceful and at ease watching it. Relatively low-stress and not too dramatic. It's an artistic and unique approach to the subjects of grief, loneliness, and healing. All around it was a refreshing and very therapeutic watch.Because it is a more deep and poetic type of series, it's worth watching it from beginning to end and really ~feeling~ it out ~thoroughly~. I really do appreciate heartwarming and calming dramas like this, plus it was great to see a modern drama where the main characters weren't doctors or lawyers! Some new and fresh occupations.
One thing for me was that I felt so bad for Ji Soo's husband, the pianist. The shaming and looking down on him were not my favorite.
Okay, rant:
The negative attitude toward Ji Soo's husband was ridiculous to me and was stretched out far too long in my opinion. It was very clear that he was often acting poorly because his pain was very intense BECAUSE of what he'd inadvertently caused and done as a teenager. He had no peace. So yea, he was not the happiest of humans. What I didn't understand is everyone's reaction to him. If he wasn't at all remorseful, then I would have felt different, but he was literally haunted and struggling like no other to forgive himself. Nobody, except the sweetheart niece, even tried to extend a little hint of mercy toward him at all. Even though HIS WIFE DIED. Instead, they all felt like they had some sort of personal claim on Ji Soo and her death, that somehow trumped her husband. What??
This bugged me most of all. Nobody seemed to care that Ji Soo was his wife. And that he was Ji Soo's husband. That struck me as odd because they were each other's -actual- family. Yet he got no sympathy for the fact that he was grieving the sudden death of his SPOUSE ... with zero closure or context around it, oh by the way. Or that he felt responsible for it because it happened at a time of misunderstanding and conflict in their marriage. He was just floating around, waiting for any hint of closure from the person closest to him in his life (his wife!!! I don't know how many times that needs to be said for it to get across). They were married. They were FAMILY and they both clearly cared about each other, kindly and sincerely.
Even the female lead, Soo Bin, looked down on him as Ji Soo's husband. It was as if she took on the role of Ji Soo's oldest and most loyal friend, but Soo Bin only knew Ji Soo for a literal. MINUTE! They were practically strangers. I sure didn't understand why Soo Bin felt she had more of a right to the pianist's wife than her own husband did. It made absolutely zero sense that she, a new acquaintance and budding friend of Ji Soo, surpassed Ji Soo's --husband-- in regards to closure and grief concerning Ji Soo.
absolutely. no. sense.
More importantly, Ji Soo clearly loved her husband. Otherwise, Ji Soo wouldn't have been miserable about him-duh, that's obvious from the first episode. So if Soo Bin really cherished Ji Soo (this person she knew all of a couple of days/hours) as much as the show made her out to treasure her as a friend, she would have had more respect toward Ji Soo's husband as well. But instead, her attitude was judgemental.
What's more, Ji Soo's husband clearly loved Ji Soo dearly himself (which is why he was so obsessed with understanding whether she sided with her childhood friend more than him---it wasn't about control or jealousy given the context and reveal of his past--he obviously was desperate for peace because he felt his wife couldn't love him and trust him because of this terrible weight and thing he couldn't forget).
What was going on between these two was, yes, a bit complicated and also very personal to THEM. BECAUSE THEY WERE MARRIED. Seriously this drove me crazy. It just felt so insensitive toward their marriage for such a length of the series. Even going so far as to villainize him when he wasn't a villain at all.
He did make a huge mistake very foolishly (and also very young) that turned out to have significantly permanent consequences, which affected people's lives drastically (including his own). But it wasn't premeditated or deliberate; it was a thoughtless, impulsive mistake. Which he immediately regretted, btw, it was just too late to fix. He deserved SOME sympathy and forgiveness --perhaps most of all-- because it was such a grave mistake and because he was clearly so tortured by it.
Instead, the writing was almost approaching it as if he didn't care about anyone but himself, which was clearly not true. He did care. A lot. Otherwise, why would it tear him and his marriage to pieces? Not to mention the fact his wife -whom he cherished- also died because he wasn't ready or able to deal with / face his guilt yet. Because she herself was struggling to live with the guilt and awareness of it, she went off on her own to sort out her guilt (foolishly)...and that was it. This guy was buried in impossible-to-resolve pain. He was selfish and rude at times and didn't always react and deal with people around him well -- but the reason behind it made a lot of sense. He wasn't able to forgive himself or receive any forgiveness, either. Even from his own wife!
He was also a moody artist, so ya know.
I didn't love how everyone put Ji Soo on a pedestal. Ji Soo was selfish too. Regarding both her husband and Ha Won. Refusing to talk to them and give them closure for so dang long--just to protect her own feelings and guilt? She was more focused on her own stress and pity party concerning her feelings about her relationships than she was on being engaged in working with the people and relationships themselves.
Ji Soo was always running away, avoiding, and hiding -- but that's not someone who isn't wrapped up in their own world? They played it off like she was this graceful and tragic person for doing so, but she was simply not being honest with herself or anyone else close to her. She was too POLR (path of least resistance).
Regarding Ha Won especially. He was at the center of it, after all. I know Ji Soo was torn internally by this & divided between Ha Won and her husband because she understood that. Though it was selfish to refuse to speak to Ha Won and not give him any closure about his one-sided feelings, their old friendship, and her newfound indifference toward him...especially considering everything she knew! It just felt like she was more focused on prioritizing her feelings. Her guilt was more important than anything else??
It was the biggest relief when Ha Won finally got enough closure for himself to let Ji Soo go. I would have stopped watching if they would have stretched that out another minute. Ji Soo did not need to treat him in the way she did. I don't care how torn up she was, it was about HIM, not her. There were better alternatives than stone-cold let-me-treat-you-like-you-don't-or-shouldn't-exist. She was guilt-ridden & she was making that his problem? Rather than managing her feelings and respecting him enough to face him, or speak to him at the very least. The fact that she was bottling it all up didn't achieve anything for his sake, it put more on his shoulders. Even though Ji Soo was a bright, kind-hearted, and cool character -- she too could have dealt with things differently. Her husband could have dealt differently too, but so could she have.
If her husband wasn't so traumatized and deeply pained with what he did I would have understood the judgment and patronizing attitude toward him more. I understood it coming from Ha Won--because he was the one directly affected by it, and grappling with the information. Though, ironically, he managed it more reasonably than anyone, mostly just wanting closure and answers.
I did not understand the critique coming from everyone else though (yet complete lack of critique toward Ji Soo and her short-sightedness / mean way of trying to be nice or whatever). I guess they loved Ha Won and were upset for his sake, but still. The pianist was clearly deep in his grief and a tortured soul that desperately needed to be freed. It FINALLY got worked out in the end, but I do wish it hadn't been dragged out so long. At the very least just making it reasonable, as if the fact he was once happily married to Ji Soo, mattered at all. Sheesh.
Okay, rant over.
That was really my only beef with the writing^, but I can say too: it got sorted ~alright~ and it did bring to the surface a lot of interesting perspectives and questions which wrapped things in a more meaningful way. Though it was frustrating to me, everything else was so well done that it wasn't too much of a problem overall. Easy to skip over, just one of those pet peeves.
I genuinely did appreciate the reveal of Ji Soo being more truthfully tied up and focused toward her husband, and Ha Won toward his mother and Soo Bin. I thought they tied things up appropriately by the very end. It was cool in one way because I felt like if Ji Soo hadn't married the pianist guy and loved him as much as she did, I wonder if it would've been more difficult for Ha Won to ultimately find peace with what happened and release that pianist from his despair? This show definitely had a way of making you think.
It was *nearly* perfect. Certainly, a very daring script and approach to take. I loved the refreshing perspective.
I also enjoyed the characters and acting as well. The niece, Ha Na, was so kind and thoughtful -- I came to treasure her character so much by the end. I really wished for her to find a guy who fully appreciates her kindness and "waters" her and "gives her sun" as she tries to do for everyone else (+ her plants).
Ha Won was such a stable and gentle soul that your heart went out to him and cheered for him, from beginning to end. I liked Soo Bin because she was just herself, simply and honestly. Even though she was unreasonable at some key points, I liked that she tried to face things authentically. The pianist actor, Kang In Wook, definitely made me feel his character's turmoil too well (hence the rant). All the side characters were so cool in their own respects. Great performances.
I'd say that this was among the better, and undoubtedly more intriguing, dramas I've ever seen. Everyone had a lot of healing to get through and it was achieved in a warm way. Definitely going to be a winner for all the deep thinkers out there (or some old-school SciFi enthusiasts). A unique approach.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I LOVE HAE IN ACTING
I so love how hae in act in this series and even soo bin, they give justice to their drama... i just hope more affectionate in their story.. and make the episode a little longer, and focus on ha won and seo woon love story... but for me the story is good and clam but a little disappointed in focusing on their love story...wish more hae in will give him more drama cause he so cool and so handsome... and he is a good actor i love how clam he is in the story and how he handle every situation its make him more handsome and making me fall in love to him...
but u must watched this series... at the end of the story u will say what ive comment...
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Watch if you're into a slow melodrama!
This drama wow'd me to the point of writing my first ever review on mydramalist. I can't say it was mind-blowing, no. not in that aspect, but I definitely cried, laughed, got frustrated, and everything. It was a rollercoaster to me.I don't know what changed for me exactly, and importantly, I highly suggest this drama for more mature audiences, the younger me would not have loved this as much as current me does. I believe the characters just resonated with me so soundly,
I found home in Seo Woo and this innocent mature aura she brought with her. Ha Won was like a jigsaw ragged puzzle piece that just seamlessly fit together with her. I absolutely believe this was a story of soulmates.
The two loved each other in their own ways, Seo Woo with the little things she noticed, falling for the different ways he missed Ji Soo. And Ha Won, noticing the small details and being able to understand the little actions she does. It was so refreshing to see, and of course, I understand the comments of the plot being "boring" and "slow" but that's what love is. When I fell in love it was so slow, it took so much time to simply just fall in love. I think the two depicted the months I spent pining and I felt so understood.
The aspects of unrequited love, loss, soulmates, pining, everything was so perfect to me. The only reason I would choose to not rewatch it is mainly do to how many tears I shed over the show. I was constantly so overwhelmed by the beautiful acting. and scenes that seemed to speak to me. I fell in love with this show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best drama after a hard time in life
The best drama I've ever seen, I've never seen something so well written, the timing for things to happen was perfect and everything has a reason (that’s something I find hard to find in somes dramas), and the actors were amazing with a lot of chemistry together. I was so curios to find about theirs history, i didn’t skip any minute, I loved how they made me be so into it. If you are looking for something deep and beautiful this is the perfect drama. Besides that my favorite thing are the musics, they had one for every moment and you can see they were well planed, you will definitely add them to your playlist!Was this review helpful to you?
