This review may contain spoilers
Make sure you are in the right mood
Spoilers ahead.
I feel conflicted about this series. It was recommended to me after 18 again, bizarrely. I think this was due to the fantasy element. On this vein, I was enjoying it as fantasy drama, including and up to when the FML accidentally ages herself. From here in started to go downhill for me. The plot seemed to drag with the FML spending most of her time moping around. Even Nam Joo-hyuk's visuals couldn't keep me engaged. The emotional scenes were well acted but the story felt very dreary.
Part of this I will blame on myself. Normally I like to watch dramas because they are uplifting and funny. Occasionally though, a series like Youth of May will demonstrate that they don't have to be tropey or fluffy. Unfortunately I don't feel like this series got the balance right. The romance didn't feel fleshed out and I struggled to root for the characters.
By the time the big reveal came I was already pretty exhausted with this series. The promise of a big twist kept me going but when it finally I arrived I was disappointed. It just seemed to add more dreariness rather than shock factor. I will guiltily confess that I was enjoying the fantasy escape from the care home.
I don't want to sound too harsh though. I think prior to watching this series it's important to manage your expectations. It's not a particularly happy or thrilling watch. It does however deal with a timely issue that many will face. The acting is solid, particularly from Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Hye-ja. It's also unlike any other k-dramas I've watched.
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