Kang San Hyeok is an absolutely loathsome arrogant cold-hearted businessman with a hidden psychological trauma. I say this lovingly, he’s super compelling to watch. In the beginning he says and does so many cold, nasty things, despite his trauma there’s very little to redeem him. Of course, meeting Jung Yeong Jae triggers a change in his demeanor, though it’s a slow one, and makes him a more likeable character.
Jung Yeong Jae is much more emphatic and always wants to do the right thing. In the beginning she can’t stand Kang San Hyeok, but they’re inevitably drawn to one another. The two leads have amazing chemistry, both when they can’t get along and when their relationship evolves.

Besides the ML and FL, I really liked the other characters too. Choi Chang is very charming and a delight every time he’s on screen. Oh Bo Mi starts off as an annoying busybody whom you eventually can’t help but like. Park Hyun Soo is the perfect dependable right-hand man.

As for the story, it took a few episodes to get into it. The business aspects went over my head and there was a lot of that in the beginning. It became more interesting when the characters were more settled in their Miryeong lives. I liked how slowly the relationship between Kang San Hyeok and Jung Yeong Jae developed, as well as the mystery of Miryeong forest. I liked how the possible love triangle was quickly dismissed. Some of the vagueness of the past trauma was too drawn out though, while new information about it was squeezed in too late.

Speaking of Miryeong forest, THAT SCENERY. Absolutely gorgeous, lush, dreamy. So much of the story took place in the forest, which gave us many beautiful green scenes to look at.

One of the few things that irked me in this drama was the inconsistency of Kang San Hyeok’s character, mainly in the second half. In some ways he becomes kinder and less selfish through his love for Jung Yeong Jae. He becomes the perfect caring boyfriend to her, but then he seems to stay exactly the same in his work and his relationships with other people. Even towards his colleagues in the rescue squad, despite all they go through together, he barely changes.

Another thing was the dancey electronic music. At first certain tracks just completely tore me out of my immersion and all I could think was how terrible this music was. It didn’t match the overall mood and aesthetic at all. However, it did grow on me later on.

Other than those few things, I loved Forest. It has some flaws and I could see why people don’t like it, but there’s more than enough to keep you invested. It’s definitely worth giving a try.