I think I am almost scared to even write anything about this drama due to all the negative comments and the back and forth arguments between people who liked the drama vs the people who were disgusted. And before I even go into this review, I want to put a disclaimer - I am not romanticizing domestic violence. I do not think it is okay. I wish we lived in a world where men and women were treated as complete equals and wouldn't lay a hand on one another in a negative manner, but unfortunately, it happens.

When I first started watching this, I kept watching it because the drama came off very nostalgic - it reminded me of old dramas I used to watch as a child (now realizing that they were mostly Australian shows) such as the Saddle Club and H2O. It had that very sitcom reality tv feel. I also kept watching it because Push Puttichai Kasetsin who played Sibtis was very attractive and looked like a combination of JHOPE (BTS), Ji Chang-wook, but mostly a young Aaron Yan. He nailed Aaron Yan's arrogant demeanor when he acts.

I liked the whole childhood first loves, but then separated for 10 years, to reunite and fall in love again. But as we went more into the drama, I got the same vibes I got fromThe Saddle Club, but I also got a kind of intensity like when I first started watching Korean Dramas, and watched Boys Over Flowers for the first time. If you want to watch a drama about a "bad boy" who has to hit ABSOLUTE rock bottom for him to realize he is a piece of shit, and needs to completely change, this is the drama for you. And the lead actor did an amazing job becoming this piece of shit character that reminds me why I personally have trust issues. I loved his sweet and smooth taking side, who was playful and acted as that big brother figure. But I HATED his playboy side who was possessive, sexist, two-faced and always seeking attention. Every time he attempted to make a pinky promise with Prikkang, it broke my heart. He seemed so genuine that I am not surprised that she gave him a few chances. He genuinely wanted to be that man for her, but I also believe that he loved the playboy life more. I think that we would have a different view on him if we learned how and why he became this way. Shoot, even in the movie/ book series AFTER, we get a backstory of Hardin. But I also believe that regardless if we got that backstory or not, it doesn't excuse him for being an abusive drunk.

I also believe that this drama wasn't romanticizing domestic violence, even though everyone was acting like it was a normal everyday thing. It made me think about different cultures and what some people might think is acceptable while others don't. I am not saying that I believe Thailand thinks domestic violence is acceptable, but it reminded me of my anthropology, religion, and gender role studies when I learned about different societies around the world where women had zero power (and some societies where women had complete power, while men had zero). This drama also "tackled" a very complicated subject that is uncomfortable to some people, while not to others. I did like how there was some representation of domestic violence as we normally don't see that in this cutesy romance shows. I liked that it was included to tell this story of this couple who's relationship wasn't this typical cutesy sunshine and rainbows first love. It was a story about two people who were each other's first loves, who went through REALLY LOW lows with one another, finding out who they were and who they want to be.

I am an "emotional" drama watcher and reviewer - I typically give good scores to shows and movies that make me feel any kind of way, either it being absolute happiness or complete dread. That tells me, as a watcher, that the writer, director, producer, etc are doing their job and doing it well. This drama made me feel complete disappointment in the male lead. It made me think about different cultures and their viewpoints on gender (can we take a second to talk about how Prikkang was always at fault not only because of her age but also because of her gender. She lacked a bit of responsibility, but she was the least worst person in this drama). This drama also opened up a conversation that I see in the comment section for this drama.

As a drama itself, I truly enjoyed this non-original, yet nostalgic script and feel. It told me as a viewer that love isn't easy and not everyone's relationship is a typical cookie-cutter Korean drama plot. Would I have taken Sibtis back? I don't know. But I do think that Prikkang was strong for an average college student girl. I believe if this drama was trying to "romanticize" or "normalize" abuse, Prikkang would have given him infinite changes because "she loves him." But I believe she wasn't "stupid" for giving him a second chance. Then when he broke her heart and trust for the second time, she put her foot down and tried to remove herself. She rejected all his advances and promises, even to the very end, and attempted to move on. Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending itself - I knew that she had to read the letters at some point which would make her "give in" to her feelings even after he stomped all over them twice. I didn't get how his letters justified the person he became. I understand that he wanted to become the man she deserves before approaching and meeting her again, and he felt like he was not that person yet when he finally did (understatement of the year), but that doesn't explain how he became this womanizer, especially when they got together. It's like he knew better and wanted to be better but didn't, just a little more, at the same time.

I feel like there could have been a better ending, but I also feel like there could have been a worse one too. All I know is that regardless of what happened, this drama made us all feel a certain kind of way that might be uncomfortable, but it got us talking. So please don't chew me out