This review may contain spoilers
Late to the CLOY party, but in Awe!
EDIT: I've re-read my review after 6 months and it honestly doesn't do justice to this series, simply because I relied heavily on AI to put my observations and thoughts in to words. So I've decided to re-write my review in my own words. I'll keep the original one. If you're interested in reading that, you can scroll all the way down. ( But be prepared to cringe a lot).
06.2025
I watched CLOY for the first time in December 2025. My K-drama journey had just begun and I was still dependent on Netflix for recommendations. But something in the CLOY previews they kept pushing on me was off-putting, so I kept clicking next and wasting my time with other fluff. Eight fluffy dramas later, I was scrolling through the catalogue when a CLOY preview started playing automatically.
As if someone whispered in my ear to “just do it”, I clicked play and never ever looked back. I went in with zero expectations and finished it a day later, surrounded by snacks, tissues, and snot. What a masterpiece of a series this was.
It started quite tame with the introduction of the smart, beautiful, and a bit arrogant chaebol heiress and then the introduction of the highly skilled, handsome, but (seemingly) ordinary soldier. It honestly felt a bit mweh and I almost dropped it. But then came the crazy paragliding accident and I felt the déjà vu hit me like a brick. Could this be the Korean Outlander-ish type of drama? Who doesn’t love fantasy romance with a hint of impossibility?
Of course I knew (even with my then limited knowledge of K-dramas) this would be a very different series because Outlander is a highly sexual and gory watch. Still, the parallels made me stick with CLOY, and friends, I’m so glad I did.
If you haven’t watched CLOY yet, beware of spoilers; it’s impossible to rave about this series without revealing a bit. I won’t get into the story too much, because a lot of other reviewers have done that already. I’ll just stick to the things that stood out to me.
1. The chemistry. This thing between Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok is the real, real deal. I mean, they did get married irl, right? The moment they met on screen, I knew this was going to be good. At first, he came across as this stoic and aloof soldier, but the first epilogue shows us how mesmerized he was by her. Se-ri is a rich heiress, but still so bubbly and easygoing, it honestly isn’t that hard to like her. I mean, the ducklings were in awe of her also, except for Chi-soo, but he’s like that one crazy uncle everyone has, nothing to take too seriously.
What I loved about their first meeting is that you could immediately see what kind of man RJH is. Very principled, but caring. Even though they were in a tight, crazy spot, he made sure to try and help her. We’ll never know if he’d make the same choice if he wasn’t hindered by the landmine, but still. YSR on the other hand, was so unserious I couldn’t help but laugh, especially when she told RJH they should meet after reunification because he was just her type. Crazy woman, you just landed in NK and you’re joking about trivial things. But I’m getting too much into details, so back to the review.
2. The experience. Even at the first watch you notice that the world the writers created was a rich and detailed one. The few dramas I had seen at this point stayed superficial. But CLOY did a thing to try and portray life in NK as accurately as possible. After watching, I dived deep into the CLOY rabbit hole and found out they interviewed deserters to get to that level of accuracy. It wasn’t only about the buildings, but everything was thought out, from the wardrobe to the dialect to the everyday life of the village ahjummas. I honestly felt like I was experiencing it myself. In the second episode I loved the shower scene, where RJH was telling YSR how to create a sauna-like experience. These are things we aren’t thinking about in the modern world. This also showed the resilience of YSR. She didn’t really accept her fate, but she wasn’t acting overly spoiled either. I mean, she’s a billionaire chaebol heiress, yes she was bragging about it, but there weren’t any extreme expectations from her part. He told her how to assemble the thing, she just did it. Also, the writers did a great thing showing us early on that she wasn’t a helpless damsel, but also not a coldhearted self-sufficient woman. Her breaking down after he brought her the “wrong” candle is proof of that. I often wonder how any other woman would’ve handled the situation. But here I am, once again going into detail.
3. The characters. Every character was fleshed out and had a story. I loved that. It’s as if I fell into an existing world and got to know everyone. Of course YSR and RJH are my absolute #1s but Pyo Chi-soo is a close second. That man is hilarious. His constant indignant bickering with YSR. Through him and his indignation we actually could see RJH fall for YSR. My number 3 is Dan’s mom. She had me cackling like a crazy chicken. Her antics were so much fun to watch. I especially loved the makeup scene, where they went to meet up with RJH and his parents. Dan’s face had me howling. The writers did a very good job picking the actors. All of them seemingly worked well together and the chemistry between all of them was great. I hated Dan, but I absolutely despised Cho Cheol-gang. What a nasty, slimy, unlikeable asshole that was. The show wouldn’t have been as good had not everyone just excelled at their parts.
4. The story. Yes, it had a few tropes. Yes, I did discover some minor inconsistencies. Yes, there were some parts I liked less. Even so, I still think it’s a masterpiece as far as romcoms can be one. It had drama, it had humor, it gave butterflies, it made you cry and it was finished. No plotholes, no idiotic and unnecessary plot devices, just a well-written and well-executed story. I loved the pacing, I loved that everything was related, there were no filler episodes. In fact, I think they could’ve gone with two more episodes to properly finish the story. As most dramas, the ending felt a bit rushed, but maybe I just wanted more of these two. I often tell others I’d like to have a mini series which fills in blanks, like the epilogues did in a way. I’d like to have seen the first moments after YSR crossed the border, how did she get home? But also a bit more details on RJH after he was back in NK after living with her in SK. How the hell do you get back from that? It’s only wishful thinking though.
5. The romance. I love me some romance and to me this one was the best of all. Normally in dramas I’m wondering why the leads fell for each other, especially in chaebol dramas. In this one however, it was so organic that you just had to believe it. They were so careful with their love. The yearning was top tier, everything they were supposed to feel for each other was transmitted to the viewer. A few of my favorite romantic scenes are: The bike scene, back from the birthday party, the clam scene, where they’re stealing glances at each other, of course the candle-market scene. This is where I locked in even more. The scene in the field waiting for the train, the chicken and beer scene, their very first real kiss at the hospital, their very first hug in the snow, his confessional monologue at his parents’ place, their teary goodbyes at the border and there are a few more. But my absolute favorite scene is the ring scene on her birthday. Just wow. It made me tear up, while laughing at YSR’s antics once again. My only grievance with this drama is the lack of intimacy. I found out it was due to the timeslot and also the PG12 rating. But come on. How could they have given us such a beautiful and realistic love progression and no hint of intimacy? At times these two were standing like 2 meters apart, it made me want to yank my hair out.
6. The comedy. This was maybe the best of all. The writers inserted the funny moments at exactly the right time. I hate slapstick or just dumb and clumsy humor. In CLOY it was just witty and funny. A little example is when they boat mission failed and she was so disappointed, she was ranting at RJH, accusing him of this and that, I loved how dumbfounded he was. His expressions were everything. But the best of all is the awards scene. I hadn’t laughed that hard in a good while. YSR was so smug and RJH once again dumbfounded, aghast even. Pyo Chi-soo also delivers his crazy comebacks in such a natural but funny way.
All in all, I can’t stop talking about or recommending this drama. You just have to watch it for yourself to understand what I mean. Of course this show won’t win awards for accuracy. But it does what it’s supposed to do. Make you feel butterflies, but in a mature and muted way. It’s not flashy and it’s not overly stylized. Everything was just in balance and felt refined. I truly hope to come across another drama which leaves almost no stone unturned like this one. To date CLOY is my only 10/10 and I wish I could watch it for the first time again and again.
Thank you for reading my review. If you need more insights, or would like to read discussions regarding CLOY, please check out the CLOY subreddit on Reddit. We are pretty active there.
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Old AI review:
Crash Landing on You is only my eighth K-drama, and I was not prepared for how deeply it would affect me. I watched it in one go, cried through most of it, and when it ended, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I am now on my second rewatch and already know a third one is coming. Honestly, it has ruined other dramas for me for now. This is not a series you finish and move on from.
Here is my honest review, even though I'm late to the party.
What makes this drama so powerful is not just the premise, but the execution. The writing trusts silence. Again and again, the most important moments between Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri are carried by pauses, by looks, by what is not said. The stillness between them is never empty. It is heavy with feeling, restraint, fear, and love. That choice alone elevates this series far above many others.
What becomes especially clear on a rewatch is how carefully this story is constructed. The creators pay close attention to detail, planting moments early on that quietly gain meaning later. There are visual and emotional echoes throughout the series that only fully land the second or third time you watch. It creates that rare feeling where you suddenly understand why a moment mattered, why a line was delivered a certain way, or why a scene felt heavier than it seemed at first. This is a series that genuinely rewards attention.
At the same time, the show knows exactly when to let you breathe. The humor is smart and well timed. It is never forced, never childish, and never breaks the emotional flow. The comedy grows naturally out of character and situation. You laugh not because something is exaggerated, but because the writing is sharp and the timing is right.
Casting is a major reason why this series works as well as it does. The characters are well written, but they only resonate because the actors clearly understand what the story asks of them. The creators have described Crash Landing on You as a pure romance, and that choice is reflected in the restrained performances. The distance between the leads is physical, not emotional. Their feelings are fully visible, but touch is held back on purpose. Behind-the-scenes footage only reinforces this, showing how strong the chemistry actually was. On screen, the actors rely on silence, timing, and eye contact rather than physical closeness, which gives the romance its depth and emotional weight.
The supporting characters are just as strong and never feel like filler. Seo Dan and her storyline add real emotional weight and contrast to the main couple. Her arc deepens the themes of duty, longing, and loss without pulling focus away. Family members, authority figures, and rivals are written as people, not just plot devices. Sometimes they are frustrating, sometimes unexpectedly kind, but always believable. That makes the world around the main couple feel real, not staged.
Then there is the community around them. The ducklings are genuinely funny and warm, not slapstick or forced. They become a chosen family, adding heart and humor in a very natural way. The village women and everyday moments bring grounding and texture to the story. Love in this series is not only romantic. It shows up in care, protection, shared food, teasing, and loyalty. That sense of community is a big part of why the emotional moments hit as hard as they do.
All of this builds toward moments like the ring scene, for example. That scene works precisely because of everything that comes before it. It is quiet, intimate, and understated, yet emotionally overwhelming. There is no big speech or dramatic declaration. Just thoughtfulness, mutual recognition, and a shared moment that says everything without spelling anything out. It stayed with me long after watching because it captures the heart of their relationship.
The only critical points I have are that I would have liked to see slightly more intimacy, not sex or explicit scenes but more physical closeness through touch, hugs, and presence, and that I missed more acknowledgement of Ri Jeong-hyeok from Se-ri’s world, where he is introduced as a bodyguard despite clearly being far more, and where subtle recognition would have added emotional closure.
Even though the series ended a few years back, the community around Crash Landing on You is still active. People continue to discuss details, scenes, and emotions because the series resonates on a shared level. If you love this drama, you tend to recognize that love in others without much explanation.
Of course, there are small flaws, and you notice them more the more you rewatch. Normally, I am very critical of those things. But with this series, I accepted them without resistance. That alone says everything. I fell completely in love with the cast, the setting, the story, the music, and the emotional world it created.
Crash Landing on You is not just a drama. It is an experience. It shows how powerful love can be, how deeply people can change each other, and why connection matters so much in this world. For me, this is a solid 10 out of 10.
06.2025
I watched CLOY for the first time in December 2025. My K-drama journey had just begun and I was still dependent on Netflix for recommendations. But something in the CLOY previews they kept pushing on me was off-putting, so I kept clicking next and wasting my time with other fluff. Eight fluffy dramas later, I was scrolling through the catalogue when a CLOY preview started playing automatically.
As if someone whispered in my ear to “just do it”, I clicked play and never ever looked back. I went in with zero expectations and finished it a day later, surrounded by snacks, tissues, and snot. What a masterpiece of a series this was.
It started quite tame with the introduction of the smart, beautiful, and a bit arrogant chaebol heiress and then the introduction of the highly skilled, handsome, but (seemingly) ordinary soldier. It honestly felt a bit mweh and I almost dropped it. But then came the crazy paragliding accident and I felt the déjà vu hit me like a brick. Could this be the Korean Outlander-ish type of drama? Who doesn’t love fantasy romance with a hint of impossibility?
Of course I knew (even with my then limited knowledge of K-dramas) this would be a very different series because Outlander is a highly sexual and gory watch. Still, the parallels made me stick with CLOY, and friends, I’m so glad I did.
If you haven’t watched CLOY yet, beware of spoilers; it’s impossible to rave about this series without revealing a bit. I won’t get into the story too much, because a lot of other reviewers have done that already. I’ll just stick to the things that stood out to me.
1. The chemistry. This thing between Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok is the real, real deal. I mean, they did get married irl, right? The moment they met on screen, I knew this was going to be good. At first, he came across as this stoic and aloof soldier, but the first epilogue shows us how mesmerized he was by her. Se-ri is a rich heiress, but still so bubbly and easygoing, it honestly isn’t that hard to like her. I mean, the ducklings were in awe of her also, except for Chi-soo, but he’s like that one crazy uncle everyone has, nothing to take too seriously.
What I loved about their first meeting is that you could immediately see what kind of man RJH is. Very principled, but caring. Even though they were in a tight, crazy spot, he made sure to try and help her. We’ll never know if he’d make the same choice if he wasn’t hindered by the landmine, but still. YSR on the other hand, was so unserious I couldn’t help but laugh, especially when she told RJH they should meet after reunification because he was just her type. Crazy woman, you just landed in NK and you’re joking about trivial things. But I’m getting too much into details, so back to the review.
2. The experience. Even at the first watch you notice that the world the writers created was a rich and detailed one. The few dramas I had seen at this point stayed superficial. But CLOY did a thing to try and portray life in NK as accurately as possible. After watching, I dived deep into the CLOY rabbit hole and found out they interviewed deserters to get to that level of accuracy. It wasn’t only about the buildings, but everything was thought out, from the wardrobe to the dialect to the everyday life of the village ahjummas. I honestly felt like I was experiencing it myself. In the second episode I loved the shower scene, where RJH was telling YSR how to create a sauna-like experience. These are things we aren’t thinking about in the modern world. This also showed the resilience of YSR. She didn’t really accept her fate, but she wasn’t acting overly spoiled either. I mean, she’s a billionaire chaebol heiress, yes she was bragging about it, but there weren’t any extreme expectations from her part. He told her how to assemble the thing, she just did it. Also, the writers did a great thing showing us early on that she wasn’t a helpless damsel, but also not a coldhearted self-sufficient woman. Her breaking down after he brought her the “wrong” candle is proof of that. I often wonder how any other woman would’ve handled the situation. But here I am, once again going into detail.
3. The characters. Every character was fleshed out and had a story. I loved that. It’s as if I fell into an existing world and got to know everyone. Of course YSR and RJH are my absolute #1s but Pyo Chi-soo is a close second. That man is hilarious. His constant indignant bickering with YSR. Through him and his indignation we actually could see RJH fall for YSR. My number 3 is Dan’s mom. She had me cackling like a crazy chicken. Her antics were so much fun to watch. I especially loved the makeup scene, where they went to meet up with RJH and his parents. Dan’s face had me howling. The writers did a very good job picking the actors. All of them seemingly worked well together and the chemistry between all of them was great. I hated Dan, but I absolutely despised Cho Cheol-gang. What a nasty, slimy, unlikeable asshole that was. The show wouldn’t have been as good had not everyone just excelled at their parts.
4. The story. Yes, it had a few tropes. Yes, I did discover some minor inconsistencies. Yes, there were some parts I liked less. Even so, I still think it’s a masterpiece as far as romcoms can be one. It had drama, it had humor, it gave butterflies, it made you cry and it was finished. No plotholes, no idiotic and unnecessary plot devices, just a well-written and well-executed story. I loved the pacing, I loved that everything was related, there were no filler episodes. In fact, I think they could’ve gone with two more episodes to properly finish the story. As most dramas, the ending felt a bit rushed, but maybe I just wanted more of these two. I often tell others I’d like to have a mini series which fills in blanks, like the epilogues did in a way. I’d like to have seen the first moments after YSR crossed the border, how did she get home? But also a bit more details on RJH after he was back in NK after living with her in SK. How the hell do you get back from that? It’s only wishful thinking though.
5. The romance. I love me some romance and to me this one was the best of all. Normally in dramas I’m wondering why the leads fell for each other, especially in chaebol dramas. In this one however, it was so organic that you just had to believe it. They were so careful with their love. The yearning was top tier, everything they were supposed to feel for each other was transmitted to the viewer. A few of my favorite romantic scenes are: The bike scene, back from the birthday party, the clam scene, where they’re stealing glances at each other, of course the candle-market scene. This is where I locked in even more. The scene in the field waiting for the train, the chicken and beer scene, their very first real kiss at the hospital, their very first hug in the snow, his confessional monologue at his parents’ place, their teary goodbyes at the border and there are a few more. But my absolute favorite scene is the ring scene on her birthday. Just wow. It made me tear up, while laughing at YSR’s antics once again. My only grievance with this drama is the lack of intimacy. I found out it was due to the timeslot and also the PG12 rating. But come on. How could they have given us such a beautiful and realistic love progression and no hint of intimacy? At times these two were standing like 2 meters apart, it made me want to yank my hair out.
6. The comedy. This was maybe the best of all. The writers inserted the funny moments at exactly the right time. I hate slapstick or just dumb and clumsy humor. In CLOY it was just witty and funny. A little example is when they boat mission failed and she was so disappointed, she was ranting at RJH, accusing him of this and that, I loved how dumbfounded he was. His expressions were everything. But the best of all is the awards scene. I hadn’t laughed that hard in a good while. YSR was so smug and RJH once again dumbfounded, aghast even. Pyo Chi-soo also delivers his crazy comebacks in such a natural but funny way.
All in all, I can’t stop talking about or recommending this drama. You just have to watch it for yourself to understand what I mean. Of course this show won’t win awards for accuracy. But it does what it’s supposed to do. Make you feel butterflies, but in a mature and muted way. It’s not flashy and it’s not overly stylized. Everything was just in balance and felt refined. I truly hope to come across another drama which leaves almost no stone unturned like this one. To date CLOY is my only 10/10 and I wish I could watch it for the first time again and again.
Thank you for reading my review. If you need more insights, or would like to read discussions regarding CLOY, please check out the CLOY subreddit on Reddit. We are pretty active there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Old AI review:
Crash Landing on You is only my eighth K-drama, and I was not prepared for how deeply it would affect me. I watched it in one go, cried through most of it, and when it ended, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I am now on my second rewatch and already know a third one is coming. Honestly, it has ruined other dramas for me for now. This is not a series you finish and move on from.
Here is my honest review, even though I'm late to the party.
What makes this drama so powerful is not just the premise, but the execution. The writing trusts silence. Again and again, the most important moments between Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri are carried by pauses, by looks, by what is not said. The stillness between them is never empty. It is heavy with feeling, restraint, fear, and love. That choice alone elevates this series far above many others.
What becomes especially clear on a rewatch is how carefully this story is constructed. The creators pay close attention to detail, planting moments early on that quietly gain meaning later. There are visual and emotional echoes throughout the series that only fully land the second or third time you watch. It creates that rare feeling where you suddenly understand why a moment mattered, why a line was delivered a certain way, or why a scene felt heavier than it seemed at first. This is a series that genuinely rewards attention.
At the same time, the show knows exactly when to let you breathe. The humor is smart and well timed. It is never forced, never childish, and never breaks the emotional flow. The comedy grows naturally out of character and situation. You laugh not because something is exaggerated, but because the writing is sharp and the timing is right.
Casting is a major reason why this series works as well as it does. The characters are well written, but they only resonate because the actors clearly understand what the story asks of them. The creators have described Crash Landing on You as a pure romance, and that choice is reflected in the restrained performances. The distance between the leads is physical, not emotional. Their feelings are fully visible, but touch is held back on purpose. Behind-the-scenes footage only reinforces this, showing how strong the chemistry actually was. On screen, the actors rely on silence, timing, and eye contact rather than physical closeness, which gives the romance its depth and emotional weight.
The supporting characters are just as strong and never feel like filler. Seo Dan and her storyline add real emotional weight and contrast to the main couple. Her arc deepens the themes of duty, longing, and loss without pulling focus away. Family members, authority figures, and rivals are written as people, not just plot devices. Sometimes they are frustrating, sometimes unexpectedly kind, but always believable. That makes the world around the main couple feel real, not staged.
Then there is the community around them. The ducklings are genuinely funny and warm, not slapstick or forced. They become a chosen family, adding heart and humor in a very natural way. The village women and everyday moments bring grounding and texture to the story. Love in this series is not only romantic. It shows up in care, protection, shared food, teasing, and loyalty. That sense of community is a big part of why the emotional moments hit as hard as they do.
All of this builds toward moments like the ring scene, for example. That scene works precisely because of everything that comes before it. It is quiet, intimate, and understated, yet emotionally overwhelming. There is no big speech or dramatic declaration. Just thoughtfulness, mutual recognition, and a shared moment that says everything without spelling anything out. It stayed with me long after watching because it captures the heart of their relationship.
The only critical points I have are that I would have liked to see slightly more intimacy, not sex or explicit scenes but more physical closeness through touch, hugs, and presence, and that I missed more acknowledgement of Ri Jeong-hyeok from Se-ri’s world, where he is introduced as a bodyguard despite clearly being far more, and where subtle recognition would have added emotional closure.
Even though the series ended a few years back, the community around Crash Landing on You is still active. People continue to discuss details, scenes, and emotions because the series resonates on a shared level. If you love this drama, you tend to recognize that love in others without much explanation.
Of course, there are small flaws, and you notice them more the more you rewatch. Normally, I am very critical of those things. But with this series, I accepted them without resistance. That alone says everything. I fell completely in love with the cast, the setting, the story, the music, and the emotional world it created.
Crash Landing on You is not just a drama. It is an experience. It shows how powerful love can be, how deeply people can change each other, and why connection matters so much in this world. For me, this is a solid 10 out of 10.
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