Reviews

Some bad, but mostly All Good!

The FL quits her job at an IT firm after being shamed for reporting sexual harassment. She becomes an entrepreneur, learning to navigate all the ups & downs. She accepts the financial investment of a powerful CEO who happens to be a college classmate she hasn’t seen in 10yrs. As they work together, their bond deepens & romantic sparks fly. Will they find love amidst the attempts to sabotage them?

This isn’t a fluffy drama. It focuses on starting a business, finding your niche, dealing with rivals, & earning your place. But there’s humor, sweetness, & love too!

I adore the female besties. They never fight, have stupid jealous fits, or make catty remarks. They have the friendship where they compliment one another’s gowns & fix each other’s crowns. 👑 They’re strong women chasing their dreams & finding love along the way.

Now for the Leads… they (of course) had a communication misunderstanding which lead to them having no contact for the past decade. That made a negative impact on their opinions of each other, but neither of them use it as some excuse to vilify or torment the other.

The ML is aces & I love him. He liked the FL in college, but duty took him away before he could confess. He’s never forgotten her, though. He’s devastated when he learns she’s in a long term relationship, but after their painful & unexpected breakup, he gives her time to heal & move on before confessing.

He’s still very attentive & does all he can to be with her, though. Him waiting to confess does not mean he isn’t slowly & subtly pursuing her. And when Ms. Delulu tries cr@p, he shuts her down quick. I LOVE how he cut ties with her - a true “mess with my woman & I’ll mess back” type. 🫠 I swear I could just gush about him for awhile!

The FL is just as great. She goes through a LOT but it all makes her stronger. Through all the sly & underhanded attempts to foil her business’ success, to the personal heartbreak she experiences, & with all the new things she’s needing to adapt to & learn in this new career path she’s chosen - girl is a total boss & never lets anything give her a victim mentality. With every setback & hardship she faces, she perseveres & proves herself worthy of recognition for all her hard work. She truly grows to be the ML’s equal in the corporate world. And her affection for him is precious. She’s intent on never doing anything that’d harm him, neither professionally or personally.

Okay, having said all that, I do feel I should point out a few issues I had -
1) Whyyyyy would she go to her exes wedding? Not only that, he’s marrying one of her previous best friends! Totally broke the girl code there. Neither of them were honest with the FL about it, they just expected her to accept it after they were already together. And she did! I just didn’t like that. Wish them well if you must, but boundaries, girl!
2) Communicate! Their heartbreak could’ve been less harsh if they’d just been honest with one another. ML should’ve come clean about the business stuff before they started dating. FL should’ve spoken to him rather than breaking into his safe (especially since what prompted that was words from people she KNOWS want to hurt her.)
3) Act your age. Be mad & hurt & all the things, but don’t let it make you stupid. After all you’ve done to grow your business (not to mention all the hard work of your colleagues!) don’t make rash decisions in the heat of the moment as payback against your partner. Honestly, her decision didn’t damage him, it damaged her. And he totally saved her butt in it too by getting her business back from their rivals. Why do people turn to the known “villains” in those moments? Can we say petty & childish?!
4) Wardrobe. It really bugged me how much skin the FL had to show. Is that normal in China, for business women to wear what amounts to a shirt to the office? Can they not cover their legs or wear longer skirts/dresses? I always feel like they’re being made to use their bodies to help advance their careers, as if their brains aren’t enough. Can we like, stop normalizing that, please?! The guys are in multiple layered suits. If they can succeed while being fully clothed, don’t ya think women can too? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Okay. Done with my rant, haha! That list made it seem like I don’t actually like this drama but that’s so not true. I LOVED it!! I know others have different opinions & I’m completely fine with that. And it’s totally cool if you think differently too! 😉

Back to the Leads. I honestly love them. They’re perfect together, despite their mistakes. They both learn & grow from that experience, recognizing the things they did wrong & determining to do better in the future. When they come back together, they have an added layer of maturity to them, as well as a new level of devotion for & cherishing of one another. They’ve experienced what it’s like to be apart & they know it’s not something they ever want to face again so they put in the effort needed to maintain a healthy relationship. The ways they love, support, & protect one another are total couple goals. 💚 The ending is sweet yet leaves an ache. Definitely watch a bonus episode! It’s a HEA, but it’s THE END & I’m simply not ready to let them go yet…

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- F(r)K : 22 💋
- 2G : 24 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BU : 31 💔
- B2G : 36 ❤️‍🩹

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A very different tale than usual melancholic dark dramas. Acting was so perfect, well you don't expect anything less from these actors.
Cinematography and directing was an art. The mystery around murder itself was handled very gracefully. Usually when there is non-linear story telling, it tends to overdo itself and we keep jumping the time to lose focus on the main aspect of the story. This wasn't the case here and you don't lose the anticipation and grip of main story flow. Characters being consistent, plot being equally paced, it gives sense of a well made and thought drama.
The story of healing of the characters from their past is done well but you only end up sympathising with them as the backdrop of these dark past is so bizarre you hardly co-relate. Nevertheless, it felt natural in this plot dimension itself.
A worthwhile watch, a fresh concept and equally fresh execution.

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Amazing Couples

such a beautiful drama! the chemistry between the leads was so insane,

some people did not like the politics of the show but I LOVED it, it added more to the main leads story and we got to see more evil villains!

the romance was so beautiful, I cried at every scene bc I was so happy for them! when they cried I cried!

I love how everyone supported her and did not take her to be “weak” she is such a strong female character and we need more of these! and the male lead was so smart, and such a green flag!

please watch this drama! I promise it’s so good, the ending is so good and worth it! this and the long ballad are my fav dramas iv ever seen in the cdrama world!!

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Twists abound on this journey…

A boy with the power to sense other people’s secrets with a simple touch. A girl who will do anything to hide a traumatic secret. Both dealing with past traumas in their own ways. What happens when these complete opposites meet & their worlds collide?

I really enjoyed the relationships in this show. The ML { Jin Young } & the FL { Shin Ye Eun } have great chemistry & share a wonderful bond. It’s a unique situation due to the ML’s abilities, but they navigate it well. I mean, think about it - you’re falling in love with this great person but you have this huge secret you’re not ready to share because of how others who know the truth have treated you in the past. But this person you’re falling for will be able to know all about it with a simple touch between you. Would you have the courage to continue to fall for them?
And from the other perspective, you know the person you’ve fallen for is holding back from you due to a secret - a secret you could discover just by a mere touch. Would you be patient enough to wait for them to tell you while continuing to stay by their side? They hit a few snags along the way, but I think they handle this whole situation rather well.
Watching them grow closer as they work to solve the case is a journey I liked witnessing.

The second couple,( ML’s best friend + FL’s best friend, both since high school I believe) are a nice bonus. Him { Noh Jong Hyun } with her { Go Youn Jung } son is absolutely precious. What a total green flag!! 💚

I also liked the bromance between the ML & SML { Kim Kwon } so the ending was bittersweet, imho. I don’t want to give too much away, though, so I’ll leave it at that & let you make your own judgments 🤭

The Leads get their HEA so that helps make up for any lingering feelings of drama trauma I felt 💕


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- F(r)K : 8💋
- 2G : 9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼
- BU : Almost, but no 😅

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A pain-free fall into Love

Away from home & stranded in a snowstorm, the FL { Zhao Jin Mai } receives help from a kind stranger. The ML { Leo Wu }, took one look at her through a window & felt his world shift. Little do either of them know how this chance encounter will change their lives forever.

Winter may be white, but this couple is pure G R E E N 💚💚💚

She’s a rising star in the world of professional billiards (& yeah, that’s a thing! 🤷🏻‍♀️) Years ago, he was a true genius in the sport, basking in the spotlight. But he left, both the sport & the country, after a scandal with no plans of coming back. As they spend time together, though, she inspires him to return to the world he left behind. And the whole journey is a delight to watch.

The ML is total boyfriend material. From that first glance, his entire being focuses on her. And it’s not in an unhealthy way where he lets everything else in his life fall apart, but rather in the sense that he now has a new purpose & drive to succeed in all his endeavors - so he can give her the very best version of himself. He’s very attentive & affectionate. He prioritizes her & does all he can to make her feel secure in his feelings for her. He’s all in & he’s not afraid to let the whole world know.

The FL is just as enamored with him as he is with her, though she’s a bit more hesitant to act on her feelings. He makes it safe for her to do so, though, so she jumps & joins him in the free fall to love. She’s mature for her age in the ways she doesn’t whine or try to manipulate him into doing what she wants. She’s willing to face any obstacles with him rather than demanding he just make them all disappear. She’s respectful of his goals & encourages him to chase his dreams, promising to be a source of unending support for him. And while her familial situation causes them to keep their relationship a secret from those outside their close circle, she’s fully devoted to him & makes sure he knows it.

I love this for its total lack of any drama-trauma. No rival interference, no jealous teammates, no stupid breakups - it’s a story full of love, respect, trust, support, & chemistry. Oh my wowza - their chemistry is both sugary sweet & smokin’ hot. 🔥🫠 They personify the saying, “the eyes are the windows of the soul”. The things they say with just a glance or gaze… it makes you believe the actors aren’t just acting!

I could gush over this so much, but instead of reading more of my opinions, you should just push play & enjoy the absolutely beautiful & precious story for yourself! 🩵💛💜💚


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- F(r)K : 9 💋
- 2G : 9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BU : Nope 💍

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One of the best; my favourite BL this year

"I hope the boundary between me and you will fuse and disappear..."

Now, THIS is how you do the bad x good person trope! The storyline is nothing unique or unheard of, yet still manages to captivate you, make you feel, laugh, and cry. 🥰

Minase Jin is a top student from a wealthy family, already facing a prosperous and successful future, lots of career opportunities. All he has to do is to be a "bystander", focus on his studies, and not get into trouble. However, all changes when he accidentally discovers that the deliquent of his class, Hirukawa Haruki is being abused by his father. He smokes, hangs out with shady people, barely attends lessons, and couldn't care less about his grades - not the good type of people to befriend. At least, so does Minase Jin think, yet not matter how hard he tries, he finds himself falling deeper and deeper for Hirukawa. Until the house of cards he carefully built falls apart.

There are many things I love about this drama - the list goes on and on. But two things I'd like to point out are the pacing and the characters. Everythings just clicks so nicely. Altough some find the pace a bit too fast (compared to the webtoon it's based on), but I think it delivers perfectly. Sometimes it's a bit faster, but when needed it slows down, taking its sweet time with meaningful silence, longing gazes. My heart flutters everytime these two look at each other! OMG, what a great couple! Also, the cinematography is beautiful, very Japanese like - minimalist but clean, not too bright, not too dark. Just perfect! 🇯🇵

HIRUKAWA IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS EVER... He is written so well. A complex character! He is not the typical "bad guy", a nonchalant bully. Rather, he is filled with love, yet lost and lonely. Nobody really cared about him until Minase gave him a shelter in his own appartment - damn, I feel why Hirukawa can't hold himself back from kissing him. The fact that this is their first love makes it even more better. Two people who are polar opposites falling for each other, despite all the hardships and prejudices. 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Minase is such a nice person. At first, he comes off quite bland and awkward, but as the story goes on, you realise that being simple isn't that bad after all, and he has a heart of gold. Everybody tries to tell him not to befriend Hirukawa, and he tries, but clearly can't stop. From the moment their eyes met for the first time at the water fountain, he was done for good haha. The series is still on going, so I'm curious how the conflict between him and her mother will turn out...

Minase gave a safe place, a home to Hirukawa, meanwhile Hirukawa now became the meaning of Minase's live, the motivation to be himself instead of trying to impress others, especially his mum all the time. ❤️

So far, this is all I wanted to yap about. More's upcoming once the series finished airing. If you read this whole pharagraph, thank you very much, ILY <<33

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Funniest kdrama - absurdity + lots of heart

Gaus spoke to me from its first scene. It begins with an existential internal monologue from Kwak Dong Yeon's sweet, earnest, but inept dork Sang Shik... and I do not want to spoil the reveal of where/how he's soliloquizing.

If you are a fan of American TV, Gaus is spiritually similar to Community: it can lean hard into the absurd but is (occasionally) grounded by a very lovable gang of underdogs performed by a cast with top-tier comedic chemistry.

Gaus is packed with jokes and brilliant physical comedy. And their hair, makeup, & costume crews deserve the world--the attention to detail! Plus, lots of little easter eggs; I catch new things with each rewatch.

It also throws in some great references & trope satire for us kdrama lovers. But even the not-kdrama-obsessed people I've made watch Gaus love it.

If I haven't made it clear, this is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen! If you like smart-but-also-dumb comedy, it's probably also for you.

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The storyline was very interesting. but would not expect nothing less coming from this writer Sammon. I was loving the idea of 4 minutes , all thought we all know that Sammon stories are confusing at first, i still love watching them. The whole storyline
past, present, future make the whole story exciting and new. all though it was a tad confusing some of the English subtitles where i watch the show from where not the exacted word that they actually said but good thing i new a little bit of thai to understand. The acting was really good the hole cast was really good i like to highlight one actor though for i been watching him in other series shows as well Fuaiz Thanawat Shinawatra was really good in his role he portrayed all though this was a series that starred bible and Jess the series seemed more based on and made the actors playing Tonkla and Korn and win were very emphasized. it really made the story stand out more towered them as they were the ones more in the story then the main leads which is a little different for me.
The mood and darkness and the music included was okay all though for this series i dont even think music needed to be included as it was always full of action.
In all very worthwhile and also deserves a rewatch

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Headache-inducing heartbreak but sooo worth it!

I have a headache, I cried so much. At first, I didn’t even cry, but the last 10 episodes hit me as if a train and truck and bus had run me over. I thought I was okay in the last episode, but then they had to kill the 13th brother too… my heart hurts just a little bit 👌🏻.

To be honest, I wasn’t crazy about the romance because I found 8th prince’s advances … not that cool lol: he wants the throne AND his sister-in-law? Like, let’s not be greedy, you have her sister already, and she doesn’t even like you, bro. But, in comparison with the 4th prince, later emperor, the 8th wasn’t so bad, I guess. It was at least a lot more peaceful lol.

My poor Ruo Xi looked so… drained, tired, and exhausted from the second half on that I just felt so bad for her. Just like her sister, she longed for freedom and not for palace’s restraints and the prince’s schemes.

I really enjoyed the political intrigue and scheming of the drama; the storytelling and pace were great too, there was never a boring episode! Especially in the later episodes, I felt tense and I was anticipating the next plot… I really LOVED the costumes/styling and the music a lot too.

Anyway, I’m sad now and need a no drama-drama to heal my heart💗🧍🏻‍♀️. Might (probably) rewatch once I feel delusional again.

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Give it a try, especially if you liked KinnPorsche but thought it was too emotionally draining

I loved this show, the actors did an amazing job, it was my first time watching a drama featuring YinWar and they did not disappoint. Their acting skills are really up there, especially considering the standard set for BL actors.
This is less a BL and more an action/drama, with some of the best supporting characters I've seen.
You either hate or love every person you see on the screen, ranging from morally gray to straight up morally black characters. You become invested in them.
Lastly, just from a production standpoint, a stunning piece of cinema, from amazingly choreographed fight sequences, to wardrobe choices, to the shots that are just simply pretty to look at, despite being set in the slums.
Just great!

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Two Broken Souls, One Healing Symphony.

There are moments in life when art transcends entertainment and becomes a raw, almost sacred experience. My Mister is one of those rare gems—a drama that grips you by the soul and doesn't let go, leaving you both shattered and whole. To call it a "masterpiece" feels almost reductive; it is a symphony of human emotion, a mosaic of pain and healing woven together with meticulous care and haunting beauty.

The narrative of My Mister is a marvel of restraint and authenticity. Unlike many dramas that dive into theatrics for shock value, My Mister thrives in the mundane, in the quiet spaces where life truly happens. It doesn’t shout; it murmurs, inviting you to lean in and feel. You become a silent witness, a fly on the wall peering into lives teetering on the edge of despair. This grounded approach makes every scene deeply believable and achingly real. The struggles of Park Dong-hoon and Lee Ji-an are not exaggerated but distilled to their purest, most human essence.

Lee Sun-kyun's portrayal of Park Dong-hoon is nothing short of breathtaking. He embodies a man whose decency is slowly being smothered by the weight of life’s unrelenting burdens. You see his exhaustion in every sigh, every hesitant smile. He doesn’t just play the role; he lives it. His performance is a masterclass in subtlety, a portrait of a man who holds the world on his shoulders but dares not let it crush his soul completely.

On the other side of this emotional spectrum is IU, delivering a career-defining performance as Lee Ji-an. Her deadpan delivery, so meticulously restrained, becomes a canvas on which her torment is painted. Her eyes, hollow yet blazing with muted defiance, reveal a soul fractured but not yet obliterated. IU’s portrayal of Ji-an is like a whisper from the void, a reminder that even the broken can survive, and perhaps, heal.

But My Mister doesn’t hinge solely on its leads. The chemistry between every cast member is electrifying in its subtlety. Dong-hoon’s brothers—flawed, comical, and heartbreaking—add rich layers to the story. His wife, the bar patrons, the office colleagues, even fleeting characters—all feel like fully realized people with lives beyond the screen. This ensemble creates a web of interconnected pain and resilience that feels alive.

What makes My Mister particularly brilliant is its use of subtext. Critical plot points happen both in plain sight and in the shadows, urging viewers to piece together unspoken truths. The storytelling demands attention and rewards it generously. This is not a passive viewing experience; it’s an invitation to engage, imagine, and feel. For those who aren’t vigilant, the labyrinth of quiet nuances might seem confounding, but for those who invest, the payoff is pure gold.

The soundtrack is another triumph. Sondia’s Grown-Ups lingers like a ghost, perfectly encapsulating the bittersweet melancholy of the story. The music doesn’t just accompany the scenes; it breathes life into them, amplifying emotions that words dare not express.

If there is a flaw, it lies in the drama’s slow-burn pace. My Mister unfurls deliberately, patiently. Some may falter before the story's heart truly reveals itself. But for those who persevere, the experience is unparalleled—like watching a sunrise that starts as a murmur of light and crescendos into blinding brilliance.

In the end, My Mister is more than a drama; it is a once-in-a-lifetime narrative experience. It raises the bar so high that future stories may struggle to touch its shadow. The word masterpiece is overused, but here, it finds its rightful home.

This drama doesn’t just set a standard; it defines one.

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INCREDIBLE SHOW

Okay we definitely more GLs like this. This is the content that I didn’t realise I needed and have been so badly waiting for. The setting and storyline is so good that it keeps you totally hooked. Normally I restrain myself with new shows and only watch once they’ve finished airing or midway through but I couldn’t help myself a few minutes into this- and binged all episodes that were out instantly.

I love the acting of all the characters so far and the drama is at bare minimum which is such a positive point for a Thai GL. I seriously can’t fault it even a little! IQIYI take all my money and keep making such content please!

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The BEST KBL IN 2024

This was the best KBL of 2024! Praying for a Season 2 in 2025—fingers crossed! I’ve rewatched it countless times, yet it still gives me kilig every single time. No matter how many times I watch it, I’ll never get tired of it. Hoping the story continues and we get the sequel it deserves!

This was the best KBL of 2024! Praying for a Season 2 in 2025—fingers crossed! I’ve rewatched it countless times, yet it still gives me kilig every single time. No matter how many times I watch it, I’ll never get tired of it. Hoping the story continues and we get the sequel it deserves!

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A mirror of the present day scenario

Angels fall sometimes tells the story of a young, enthusiastic, hardworking,Lin Tuo,the son of a surgeon and a nurse, who is in search of a job after graduating from university.He has a younger brother who is interested in music.He crosses paths with An Zhique,a hardworking girl who lives with her father.Soon they fall in love and Lin Tuo finds a job in a furniture company.But his life turns upside down when he is diagnosed with ALS and all his aspirations and happiness are shattered in an instant.
The life of Lin Tuo is like a mirror to the life of many people in the present day scenario.A person's greatest fear in his/her life,IMO,is definitely regarding health.
Lin Tuo's character is an epitome of the feelings,angst,fear,tensive,sad,depressing moments one has to face when they know that they have been diagnosed with an illness/incurable illness.
All the people around him,though afraid of losing him,try their best to keep him happy and create memories so that he never feels lonely or depressed.
His parents who were career driven once,change their ways after they learn about their son's diagnosis.The transformation into their attitude and roles was good.
Lin Tuo's friend ,Chen Guangpu,is one friend every person needs in their lives.Their friendship is one of the most outstanding asset of this drama.
An Zhique,is a supportive fiance and I liked how she stood by him in his difficult times.
His senior,boss and all his colleagues also help and support him in his depressive times.
Overall it is a very good drama that showcases all our contemporary lives.
Maybe sometimes,the best medicine for a person to heal is not a oral medicine but to support them emotionally and mentally.
All the actors were good in their performances.The story was good.
A good drama to watch though it is very realistic in its approach.

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Was it ever settled, Was it ever over, And is it still raining, Back in November

The two best friends, the aspiring architect Yeon Seo and the scientist researcher Gyoo Eun (respectively Jung Ryeo Won and Kim So Yeon, both very excellent and gorgeous), by a strange twist of fate, and, ignoring randomness, they find themselves meeting and dating, at the same time, the architect Yoon Jae (Oh Ji Ho, excellent) who, like in an Eric Rohmer movie, with playful complacency, unwittingly flirts with both of them, but ends up choosing the more passionate Gyoo Eun;
Yeon Seo, despite her disappointment at the coincidence and relative ‘sentimental defeat’, accepts their union, in the name of the very strong friendship that binds her to Gyoo Eun, but a very tragic accident, during the honeymoon, will disrupt the lives of the three protagonists forever, bringing about dramatic and lacerating changes...

“TRY TO REMEMBER WHEN LIFE WAS SO TENDER WHEN DREAMS WERE KEPT BESIDE YOUR PILLOW.
TRY TO REMEMBER WHEN LIFE WAS SO TENDER WHEN LOVE WAS AN EMBER ABOUT TO BILLOW.”

As a product of a unique and, perhaps, unrepeatable season, ‘Autumn Shower’ is a beautiful and heartbreaking melodrama, marked by an underlying realism and a profound understanding of human frailty, capable of avoiding any easy moralism, circumventing the dangerous meshes of simple manichaeism, thanks to a remarkable script and an exemplary staging, capable of preserving such an equidistance that each (beautiful) main character in the story is confronted with his own weaknesses and his own reasons, in accordance with a deep understanding of human dynamics and, above all, of his own mistakes...

Ideally structured in two distinct segments (there is, of necessity, a ‘before’ and an ‘after’), with a first part of uncommon intensity, at times unbearable for the level of suffering represented -physical, of course, but also psychological - we are shown how a dramatic event - the incident and the coma - destroys the life not only of the victim, but also of the people most directly connected to her, with Yoon Jae, her husband anguished by guilt (he is directly responsible for everything that led to the incident), blamed by a livid Yeon Seo, but in fact ‘dumped’ even by his own family, who, in a moment of chilling selfishness, even proposes that he ‘abandon’ his wife (the marriage has not yet been officially registered) and immediately find for himself a new partner!

Love, duty, loneliness and repeated difficulties, even at work (total dedication to his wife, to the detriment of his own profession), on the shoulders of an all in all ordinary man, forced to face what is in any case considered a huge mistake and where the unpredictability of life can trigger a chain reaction, for which the moral condemnation is very little compared to the suffering already endured...

What may originally appear to be the ultimate act of unconditional love towards his bedridden wife, i.e. the subsequent registration of the marriage (‘Gyoo Eun, we are now officially husband and wife’), as well as the realisation of the dream house, will, on the contrary, represent a sort of ironic contrappasso in the development of the story...

And it is precisely in this desperate context, in this juggling of love, melancholy, discomfort and duty, between the despair of a possible extreme gesture and the promise made to his wife (‘I will wait for you, I will always be there for you’), that Yeon Seo slowly slips further and further into his life;

A tormented character on the verge of self-flagellation, Yeon Seo is initially torn by despair at her beloved friend's plight, but then by the inevitable torment at the betrayal perpetrated against her; the Australian interlude, an impossible ‘escape’ from feelings, even from those towards Soo Hyung, the doctor friend who has always been hopelessly in love with her, is only a postponement of the inevitable, all the more so because the deception is manifold, for in addition to the liaison, there is also betrayal of Soo Hyung himself, disillusioned by a naive and impossible acceptance of his love, and the consequent betrayal of the friendship between the two men, the doctor and the architect, who had for those two years formed a fraternal friendship.

“WE'RE TWO PEOPLE CAUGHT UP IN THE FLAME THAT HAS TO DIE OUT SOON”

At the moment when passion can no longer be repressed, where the selfishness derived from the awareness of feelings and the attainment of happiness predates, the clandestine couple flees from the world and their responsibilities (‘If we cannot go back in time, we must only follow our hearts’).
Escape as a necessity of life, as an impossible dream of a new existence, of a possible ‘familiar’ alternative in a fishermen's village, almost a ‘two hearts and a cabin’, as in the Italian expression, perfectly representative of the metaphorical separation from the outside world, sublimated by the renunciation of their telephones, and by their sincere and mutual confession recorded on an audiotape.

It is in this whirlwind of emotions that, ironically enough, the ‘miracle’ happens; the awakening from the coma is also an awakening of the senses in the two fugitives, who see their dreams of happiness shattered in the face of their new awareness; is a relocation of the story's pawns in the chessboard of life, the healing spell ‘condemns’ the players to their responsibilities, the husband must fulfil his duties and the lover flees again, going so far as to exclude herself from the general newfound happiness, avoiding the best friend who, unaware of everything, repeatedly seeks her out...

It is the moment when deception and guilt become unbearable, igniting the flame of suspicion in Gyoo Eun, initially unable to comprehend what everyone -except her- already knows, and which will be confirmed in the most direct and cruel way...

Yoon Jae is slowly squeezed between the two extremes, which plunge him into a vortex with no way out; he has no freedom to manoeuvre, only the fear of causing pain to one of the two women (wife or lover), the male protagonist, unintentionally cruel, forced by cowardice and insecurities to hurt the people he loves.

The female counterpart is split into two opposing and complementary characters (is she, on the whole, the image of the ideal woman!?), the lover, fragile and lonely, the wife who is determined to save her marriage, even at the sacrifice of friendship...

Adding salt to the wound is the unexpected pregnancy that carries much of the narrative scaffolding along the second half of the drama, decidedly unconventional in the way it relegates the male character to the background, leaving room for Yeon Seo's existential subjectivity, and the drama of the abortion, evidently sparked off by the stress arising from the confrontation-clash with Gyoo Eun, who is also, at this point, marked by feelings of guilt towards her (ex!?) friend who, once again, condemns herself to a wandering, a voluntary exile reminiscent of the existential path of a heroine from an old-fashioned melodrama...

“I'M LOSING MORE THAN I'LL EVER HAVE”

Does time heal all the wounds!?
After all this tourbillon of emotions, the question arises, because ‘Autumn Shower’, at least for my personal taste, is an all-encompassing experience, a sort of umpteenth interior road movie that leaves more doubts than certainties; a delicate study of feelings, a metaphor of maturation and - once again! - end of youthful dreams, well exemplified by Yeon Seo's touching letter;

Probably nothing seems destined to last, but the memory of past happiness is still alive in her heart and she will not accept to let it go. Who knows, with the course of time, maybe...

‘I loved them both, I am sorry because I loved them. And I am sorry because I could not be there for them.’

Magnified in its beauty by an absolutely brilliant cast, perfectly assembled in all the roles, with the two prima donnas playing a giant role in a splendid competition of bravura, with an excellent soundtrack that is so ‘out of time’ it manages to describe a world that perhaps no longer even exists, with those showers of rain that accompany the most touching moments of the story, 'Autumn Shower' seems to reflect, perfectly, that idea of the caducity of life, a sense of poignant melancholy (it is impossible to think of the story in another season!), the ideal passage from the season of joyful and unbridled vitality to that of calm and reflection...

Yet another significant piece that legitimises the multifaceted greatness of the Dramaverse.
8½ / 10

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