Mary Nanna

Slow and smokin'

There's a moment in the film where Mu Bi reflects on her father's film making career: his films were really boring and she wasn't quite sure with his story telling exactly what he wanted to say.

I feel this summed up this drama quite well. I wasn't quite sure what it wanted to say and at times I lost interest and stopped watching it. It had enough going for it for me to see it through but by end of it all, I still wasn't sure what it was that I had just watched.

I guess it's roughly themed around second chances, those that work out, those that don't, and those that are taken from you. I'm guessing the overall theme was something like , life is a journey and each person must live it their own way. Actually, I think one of the characters says something like that and it becomes a poignant moment of realisation that we are not responsible for everything that happens to other people.

I love the actors, they all did a great job. The chemistry between the second leads feels sparky, the main leads, it feels a little flat, I wasn't convinced despite both being great actors.

My big pet peeve of this drama though has to be the product placement. There was a lot of vaping, a lot of smoking. I was really shocked, in my country you can't portray young people smoking to look cool - it's considered really inappropriate. Same with the drinking - there's a couple of times where the beer label is really obviously flicked to the camera so we can notice the brand.

I guess I'm a bit old fashioned in that I don't like the alcohol or smoking industry trying to subtly influence young people to drink or smoke.

Overall, it's a pleasant enough way to spend the evening and enjoy some well known faces. Go in with low expectations and you might find yourself enjoying some of the slower and sweeter moments as well as the overall relaxed vibe.

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What it means to be human beautifully captured

Easy to watch, easy to become engrossed in, easy to relate to. That's why I enjoyed this K-Drama so much.
All of us are hurt at some point in our lives, all of us know the feeling of needing to protect ourselves from pain and the vulnerability that comes from our longing for connection and the fear of its loss. This story beautifully weaves threads around this most basic human need into a rich tapestry of human experience.

We know from the very outset that the happy ever after from season 1 did not stay that way. What follows is an exploration of vulnerability. Past losses and rejections, trauma, all leave their mark and condition the way the leads relate to their lives and each other. The drama unfolds as a dance, as each character steps forwards and then retreats, not sure how to be together.

It has it all, great chemistry between the leads, tender moments, pain and heart break, frustration at the lead for being his own worst enemy and a generous amount of affection to leave the ending fully resolved.

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