Nikolean
So this has got to be one of my favourite dramas of all time because of so many reasons, and what made me discover my love for Jung Hae-In!
THE STORY
The story doesn't follow the typical romance tropes I see in Kdramas- there's no chaebols, deadly family secrets, nor is it a cinderella story. While there are typical family dynamics here, it all felt so real. The story pits Jin Ah and Joon Hee in not a "forbidden romance" but rather a romance that places them in an incredibly awkward situation. They're sort-of-friends (through their siblings) and live fairly average lives. There's the crazy mother obsessed with the family image that also pushes the plotline through. There are many mixed thoughts on the story, but I will acknowledge that a lot of times the story was very suffocating. I just wished for these two to catch a break- from work lives and home lives. Jin Ah reminds me of a lot of Asian girls I know and her family even mirrors a lot of my family dynamics. Many people will dislike much of her actions, but in the grand scheme, it's understandable how she's ended up in a lukewarm state because of how she was brought up. I also like the other plot happening at work- the director really knows how to make two large situations together to create one suffocating problem, but one that makes sense and doesn't take away from the other problem. The story leads you to sympathize and hate different decisions, but it's life. Neither Joon Hee nor Jin Ah were perfect, and that's what made it real and believable. You really need tissues and to make sure you're in the right state of mind for this one, but the skillful writing was very well-done.
THE CAST
Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In are two of my favourite actors. They both executed their roles perfectly and the tender nuances in their gazes- wow. I melted, cried and laughed with them. While I love both of them, I was very pleasantly surprised by Hae-In's skill in acting and how he completely charmed me and swept me off my feet. I could feel the emotion from the other side of the screen. Hae-In has the nuances of Joon Hee so down and you can see that he's been interested in his noona for a while but never really acted or even realized it himself hahaha. I also admire the improv skills they have, and their amazing chemistry. I watched a lot of behind the scenes and I saw how much improv they've done and I was shocked silly. Honestly, Hae-In is a very skilled improv actor and he really knows how to place himself in the shoes of his character. Ye Jin also is an actor that you can sense the experience of right off the bat and she really brought her Noona role to life here. Also, I appreciated how the director kept a lot of the improv and encouraged it all! Honestly, the same director as One Spring Night and they're both so well directed!
MUSIC
God, do not get me started. The music here was amazing and really set the scene. The arrangements were perfect and set the whole kind of "flashback/vintage" vibe immediately. Whoever arranged the set and the music did a phenomenal job. They complimented each other beautifully and I actually had all the songs from the soundtrack on repeat for a month. I literally play this music whenever I sit in the rain and the scenes with just music and their crazy antics were executed beautifully.
REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, I'd watch this 100 more times. I've watched it about five times now (though not completely). I wouldn't watch every single episode again if I didn't want to feel the suffocation from the angst (don't get me wrong I loved the angst) but you know my heart can't take breaking that much all the time hahah. Honestly, flag your favourite episodes and rewatch those or rewatch it all with a couple of friends- this drama is bound to bring a lot of discussions.
CONCLUSION
A beautiful and well-told story. Honestly, the director and videographers did an amazing job and the shots were timed perfectly and chosen perfectly for each scene. Honestly, I'm keeping an eye on this director because all his works are similar vibe and are skillful pieces of art. Ahn Pan-seok is a rare talent and also so funny during filming! All the production crew did a great job as well. I loved this and the story will always live in me and I don't have enough words of praise to fully express my appreciation and love.
THE STORY
The story doesn't follow the typical romance tropes I see in Kdramas- there's no chaebols, deadly family secrets, nor is it a cinderella story. While there are typical family dynamics here, it all felt so real. The story pits Jin Ah and Joon Hee in not a "forbidden romance" but rather a romance that places them in an incredibly awkward situation. They're sort-of-friends (through their siblings) and live fairly average lives. There's the crazy mother obsessed with the family image that also pushes the plotline through. There are many mixed thoughts on the story, but I will acknowledge that a lot of times the story was very suffocating. I just wished for these two to catch a break- from work lives and home lives. Jin Ah reminds me of a lot of Asian girls I know and her family even mirrors a lot of my family dynamics. Many people will dislike much of her actions, but in the grand scheme, it's understandable how she's ended up in a lukewarm state because of how she was brought up. I also like the other plot happening at work- the director really knows how to make two large situations together to create one suffocating problem, but one that makes sense and doesn't take away from the other problem. The story leads you to sympathize and hate different decisions, but it's life. Neither Joon Hee nor Jin Ah were perfect, and that's what made it real and believable. You really need tissues and to make sure you're in the right state of mind for this one, but the skillful writing was very well-done.
THE CAST
Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In are two of my favourite actors. They both executed their roles perfectly and the tender nuances in their gazes- wow. I melted, cried and laughed with them. While I love both of them, I was very pleasantly surprised by Hae-In's skill in acting and how he completely charmed me and swept me off my feet. I could feel the emotion from the other side of the screen. Hae-In has the nuances of Joon Hee so down and you can see that he's been interested in his noona for a while but never really acted or even realized it himself hahaha. I also admire the improv skills they have, and their amazing chemistry. I watched a lot of behind the scenes and I saw how much improv they've done and I was shocked silly. Honestly, Hae-In is a very skilled improv actor and he really knows how to place himself in the shoes of his character. Ye Jin also is an actor that you can sense the experience of right off the bat and she really brought her Noona role to life here. Also, I appreciated how the director kept a lot of the improv and encouraged it all! Honestly, the same director as One Spring Night and they're both so well directed!
MUSIC
God, do not get me started. The music here was amazing and really set the scene. The arrangements were perfect and set the whole kind of "flashback/vintage" vibe immediately. Whoever arranged the set and the music did a phenomenal job. They complimented each other beautifully and I actually had all the songs from the soundtrack on repeat for a month. I literally play this music whenever I sit in the rain and the scenes with just music and their crazy antics were executed beautifully.
REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, I'd watch this 100 more times. I've watched it about five times now (though not completely). I wouldn't watch every single episode again if I didn't want to feel the suffocation from the angst (don't get me wrong I loved the angst) but you know my heart can't take breaking that much all the time hahah. Honestly, flag your favourite episodes and rewatch those or rewatch it all with a couple of friends- this drama is bound to bring a lot of discussions.
CONCLUSION
A beautiful and well-told story. Honestly, the director and videographers did an amazing job and the shots were timed perfectly and chosen perfectly for each scene. Honestly, I'm keeping an eye on this director because all his works are similar vibe and are skillful pieces of art. Ahn Pan-seok is a rare talent and also so funny during filming! All the production crew did a great job as well. I loved this and the story will always live in me and I don't have enough words of praise to fully express my appreciation and love.
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