Danielle Dillon
To cut to the chase, this drama was an absolute delight to watch.
I went into this expecting a pretty typical light hearted dramedy about tumbling. It had a common setup; a rundown sports club with too few members, new talented rookie comes in and joins for whatever reason, they slowly build up from a rag tag team to underdog champs, etc. But in the end despite those (somewhat low) expectations, what I got was an impressively well written story about friendship.
Although unique, the tumbling part is not what makes this show stand out, it's the characters. I was not prepared for such a genuine exploration of human emotion. I picked up this drama for the gymnastics but I finished it for the characters; with each episode, we get a deeper look into each one, fleshing them out as a human being-- what makes them unique, what hardships they're going through. And each of them were relatable in their own way. I was kind of shocked with how in touch with reality this show was and how many times it hit close to home. I very rarely become emotionally moved by shows/movies but despite myself I found myself tearing up on several occasions for various reasons.
This drama may not be groundbreaking. It may not have an overly unique premise. It may not be high budget and intense. And it may not make your heart race. I definitely don't see it being particularly popular among the masses. But damn if it doesn't have a simple charm that sneaks up on you and does something to your heart. And despite my use of the word "typical", much of the content material is far from it. The writers did not shy away from incorporating controversial and weighty topics, some of which certainly reverberated with me on a personal level. I can tell that the writers really wanted to tell a story that accurately captures some of the things people go through in life. And perhaps I'm biased since I can relate to many things here personally (like being a gymnast for one thing), but I think anyone can appreciate the sincerity of the characters.
Shows centered around sports can be pretty tricky. For more typical contact sports like soccer, basketball, or even martial arts, it can be a bit easier. But for something like gymnastics, it gets dicey. The reason being the actors. These guys have to convincingly come off as skilled athletes in a sport that they likely have zero experience in. All that considered, the actors in this show are amazing for having learned such an extensive set of difficult skills. I know from personal experience how hard they must have all trained; all to bring an extra sense of realism to their characters. That dedication is worthy of respect.
Ultimately, I don't know if I would place this drama in a list of 'best shows ever' but it will definitely stick with me. It made me feel things, made me remember things from my own past, and even made me interested in a new sport. Those sorts of things are impactful. I think I'll always have a special place in my heart for this drama.
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