From a webtoon reader's viewpoint

CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS ABOUT THE WEBTOON AND THE DRAMA

As a big fan of the original webtoon, I was ecstatic when I heard news of it getting a kdrama adaptation. Even more when I heard that Shin Hye sun was going to play Ban Ji eum. Now that I've seen it, I feel a little bit conflicted about it.

Story
The story itself is the same as the webtoon and it is unarguably beautiful. A girl who remembers her past lifes meets a boy, they have a tragic parting and now she wants to meet him again as a new self. It is quite simple but still really packing. As her new self she meets him again, finding out that he misses her as much as she does. Throughout their time together, they connect again, even if they start off a little hastily. She not only meets the boy again, but also her former sister. The girl who was so scared to connect with people, because of the memories of all those she lost already in her previous 18 lifes starts to make relationships with people again. Will this new 19th life have a happy ending for the girl?

NO.

The ending was absolutely tragic, why would the writers do this. I was absolutely heartbroken, especially because in the webtoon, she doesn't end up completely forgetting about her loved ones. I was so mad they changed it. Also another big issue I had with the drama was the pacing. I was shocked to find out that it had only 12 episodes, since the webtoon was quite slow paced. In the first part it really focused on the build up of Ji eum's and Seo ha's relationship. Not only theirs but all the other relationships between all the characters just felt so much deeper. The big scenes such as Ji eum's reveal or Do yoon's confession also had a much bigger impact thanks to the build up it had before. Those connections, those feelings of closeness and intimacy and growth was definitely the thing I missed the most in the drama. I wished to see more of their backstories or just literally see the. talk longer during a scene. Such a shame honestly, I found the relationships to be one of the best things about the original story. I think they gave too much screen time to trivial stuff that they forgot how to deliver emotions smh. They also made some big changes in the plot, such as the mistery behind the car crash, Min ki and the entirety of Ji eum's first life. Some of these changes such as Ji eum's first life, were so confusing and I just cannot get used to it. They also added a buch of things such as Min ki and the bells, the bad stepmother and Seo ha's reincarnated mother, which all in my opinion, barely added anything to the story. They could've really just followed the original a little bit more.

Acting/Cast
I think the cast did a really great in bringing the characters to life. To be completely honest, I was very critical to see Ahn Bo hyun as Seo ha, but he quickly changed my mind and I think the writers really did a great job at casting him. He brings out Seo ha's righteousness, but also does a great job at portraying all his trauma and his vulnerability. I could really see his growth from the traumatized boy to the Mun Seo ha at the end, just like in the webtoon, so I'm incredibly satisfied with him. The only thing I could maybe add is that we didn't see much of Seo ha's childdishness, but I'll blame that on the lack of episodes and so the lack of scenes we could've seen. And of course I will never not praise Shin Hye sun for her acting. Since the beginning, I saw her as the perfect fit for Ji eum and I never changed my mind. She absolutely nailed it, from Ji eum's mischievousness to her burden and hurt she carried through her 18 lifes. The subtle loving glances, the utter dispair in her eyes and every movement when she relived her first life, that woman is a true actress. As for the side characters they, also did a very stable job, especially Ha Yoon kyung as Yoon Cho won, but there's honestly not much more to say. Not to forget the child actors who I find to be one of the highlists. Also I loved that we could see court lady choi and the queen together again ;)

Music
I really love the ost for this drama, HEAVY ON COLDE'S SONG. No seriously i love it so much and also I didn't know that Bo hyun could sing. I don't think there's much more to say though, I mean it was great but not lifechanging or anything that I would've given it a 10.

Rewatch value
I don't really know if I'd rewatch this after the ending. However there are some great scenes that I would like to see again at any time. I might also rewatch the first episodes, since those were definitely just incredible, from the cinematography to the sadness and all the laughs in between. However the second part just felt so rushed and with such a sad ending, I don't think I will ever rewatch it entirely.

Overall
Like I said first, I really do feel conflicted about it, but that is as reader of the original story. I just know that it could've been so much more and that is the biggest issue I have with this drama. However the story remains as beautiful as ever and I would totally recommend this to someone who has not read the webtoon. As for the webtoon readers: watch it if you can keep those two separate, it's still an incredible feeling to see the characters come to life. Don't watch it if you feel like it might ruin the story for you. It truly failed as an adaptation, but it can definitely stand as a drama itself. After all it is a great watch, with a great story, great casting, great chemistry and great music and it is definitely not something one should miss out on!!

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