While You Were Sleeping

The story had a nice flow (couldn't detect any plot-holes, did not have any draggy moments), the actors were all good, loved the music. But somehow wasn't invested in the couple at all... I like LJS and don't mind Suzy as well, so i have no idea what happened there with me... Buuut the plot and the characters were interessting enough to make this watch and enjoyable experience, which flew by fast. It did get way better on the second part, in my opinion, so I'm glad I didn't go searching for any other dramas, while this was airing, and didn't keep it on-hold for too long.

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A loving, twisting drama.

I will always enjoy a drama, that has it all. This drama was THE drama of all time. The cases we meet throughout the episode put this drama on a whole new level and make the drama more interesting. The Main characters interact with each other and how their past intertwined with each other. This is the second time I am watching this drama. I thought why not make an honest review? To be honest, the main couple was not the couple I was looking forward to, but rather one of the support roles. This became my addiction after the 5th or 4th episode. It was really good, with the suspense and somewhat of romance.

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I really enjoyed this drama but most of the time because of Wootak. I loved this character. I'm a big fan of Jongsuk's work but I have to confess that even though I like his character here, he didn't caught me as much attention as Wootak. He really caught everyone's attention, obviously because of his character, and especially because of Jung Hae In's perfomance.
Speaking of acting, I think everyone was apprehensive when saw Suzy in the cast, but she proved that she could be a good actress. Suzy played her character very well, she did a good.
Well, let's talk about this drama.

Story: (8.5/10)
It's  very interesting. I was intrigued by what was going to happen and why Suzy had those dreams.
I found the story quite different and interesting but, yeah,  had some holes. That's why i didn't give a very high score.

Acting / Cast: (9.0/10)
All of the cast did a good job. Jongsuk, well, we couldn't expect less from him, he nailed it as usual. Jung Hae In was very good to and so  Suzy. The special characters that were appearing in the drama were very well interpreted by their actors and actresses.

Music: (8.5/10)
I loved the music! I'm so addicted to Suzy's song.

Rewatch Value: (7.5/10)
The drama is good but I think it's because it's interesting and intriguing in the first time you watch. I don't think it would be THAT interesting and cool if you watched it more often, so I gave this score.

Overall: (8.5/10)
The story is interesting, the characters are cool and well played. The drama contains several different characters, each one with their own story, some more interesting than others. He loses a bit of rhythm in the middle of the drama but overall, While You Were Sleeping manages to hold you to the end. I recommend :) :)

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Sadly, this drama was full of wasted potential. I liked it overall but I wouldn’t rate it anything above my current score.

Positives:
1- The OST: This drama has one of the most outstanding pieces of music I’ve ever heard. It also helps that the music was properly used, enhancing the tone of each scene incredibly. Enchanting is the word I’d use to describe it.

2- The Cinematography: The camera angles, the filters and the flow between scenes really stood out. The visuals were coherent with the mood of the screenplay.

3- The Supporting Cast: Mr. Choi and Wook Tak carried this drama for me. Interestingly enough, they stood out more than the leads.

Negatives:
1- The Plot: Although the concept was very interesting and you can tell effort was put into it, the story wasn’t articulated properly. It was all over the place. The writing was in desperate need of focus, direction and impact. The flow of the plot was jarring and didn’t connect well at some points. It also didn’t help that the drama became episodic in the middle, with a villain of the week kind of concept.  

On the other hand, It felt like we were subjected to more filler than actual meat. The fact that the leads got to know each other as a couple through their dreams and not through actual interactions didn’t really help their relationship.

Sadly, Mr. Choi’s and Wook Tak’s pasts were dismissed too quickly. Proper focus on them was needed but the producers prioritized filler scenes over them. I wanted more.

2- The Leads:
-I’m a huge LJS fan. In fact, I watched this drama because he was in it. It saddens me to say that this was not his best performance. Did he feel…bored?, he clearly wasn’t putting much effort into it. I’ve seen what a great actor he is and this really felt flat. It could really boil down to the director not knowing how to exploit his potential.

On the other hand, it doesn’t help that this is like the millionth time we’ve seen him in the same stereotype of character. He really needs to get out of his comfort zone acting wise.

-Suzy’s acting is simply not my cup of tea. She doesn’t know how to connect with the audience nor with her character. She’s stoic, monotone, distant to the character she's trying to portray, unnatural and emotionally armored.

3- The Chemistry:
This is a character driven story so choosing the correct cast was crucial. The story relies on the romance aspect but the chemistry between Suzy and LJS was nonexistent. Both of them are responsible for that. To explain my point further, after watching so many LJS dramas, I’ve come to realize that his romantic scenes are carried by his counterparts, not by him. His peak in chemistry was with Han Hyo Joo and it was because she was the one openly and naturally expressing herself, and as the receptive one, LJS responded accordingly. With Suzy, they seemed awkward and distant. Neither of them looked interested. At some point, I even thought LJS was not the main romantic interest and Wook Tak was going to get the girl in the end. They both need work in that aspect.

Overall, I think the story has entertainment value but it didn’t come close to previous works such as Pinocchio and I Hear Your Voice.

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This story has so many twists and turns, it'll make your head spin; but if you keep steady, you'll get a fantastic tale. The idea of "pay it forward" is subtle but constant throughout. Karma and life lessons are also important ideas for both the characters and the varying subplots. The primary plot doesn't involve only the main characters though. Every named character seems to have some influence over the entire storyline.
I drew a chart to show how each character introduced was associated to another character either more or less significant. The chart has lines and arrows all over the place. :)
The OST used fits each scene well. The scene editing is slightly confusing, but is often explained later on. There are many "Ohhh, that's what that was about" moments. The acting is good. You can see which actors are more seasoned, but the younger actors hold up well also.

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Awesome

Awesome
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A bit the heavy on the drama, but satisfying romance with Happy ending

I liked that although there were tropes in this series, they were really done well. I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but the way they were done & used here won me over. Poor Lee Jong-suk did SO much crying, which was a bit much for me but I was impressed that he had the acting ability to pull it off well. I liked that the suspense and the heavy drama parts were quickly resolved for the most part. I liked that the resolution for the love triangle was so amicable and that the guy who didn't win the girl's heart was just as good a guy as the other guy, but there was not conflict of interests for the viewer. Leads were good but did not have over the top chemistry (blame it on the way the female lead was written I think) satisfying romance with Happy ending.The premise of the dreams being central & not just limited to one person & the specifics behind that plot devise was really well done. The lack of irritating parents in this series was a relief ! I will definitely rewatch. I prefer romantic dramas & even though there was plenty of satisfying romance so I gave this 1/2 star less for being a bit heavier :so some days I took a break from it as I needed something fluffier at the end of a long day

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One of my favorite dramas and not just because of Lee Jong-seok

This is probably one of my favorite dramas of all-time.

Okay, so I am a person who will stop wactching a drama even if I really like the actors. So keep that in mind.

The story line of this drama was really beautiful and I like drama's that take place in a legal/police industry so this was right up my ally with that. The plot that followed the main leads was interesting because there was an overall plot that didn't just focus on the main relationship. That is something that keeps a drama more interesting than just seeing a couple get together.

I will say that the dreams become a less important role throughout the drama which was okay but I felt like that was something very stressed in the synopses I read before watching it. Granted, it does have a lot to do with the story line, but the dreams themselves become less prominent.

I really liked Lee Jong-seok's character's development throughout the storyline especially in the end. This dram was able to pull emotions out of me in the end (if you've watched the show you probably know what scene I am talking about. The main lead had finally been able to connect parts of the story and discovered things about other characters but then is got so sad (sorry fro being vague, trying to not put a spoiler)

The ending is pretty happy if not a little too good but it made me happy none-the-less hehe.

I hope that you give it a chance!

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Personal Favorite! Lost count of the number of times I have already rewatched this.

Jung Jae Chan is so damn adorable and Nam Hong Ju is more so. They make a lovely couple and are such a treat to look at. I just love the idiotic things Jae Chan does, the casting directors did such a wonderful job with all the characters, especially Lee Jong Suk . He brings life to characters that are a little weird. Bae Suzy looks so damn phenomenal with her short hair, I know, right now, I'm focused on the visuals but dammit they all look fabulous.

Coming to the story, I love it. I mostly skip the scenes with the flashbacks, because there are a some that were not needed. The creators should have tightened that part of the story. The rest was amazing. This is one of the dramas that I return to when I want to feel good and have a few laughs.

Did anyone notice the lottery numbers on the TV when they were investigating? I so wish Jae Chan would have turned around at the time, I just wanted to see his expression.

The best part about this drama is that the embarrassing moments that would in other dramas give us second hand embarrassment just make me laugh and appreciate the eccentricity of the characters. Each and every character in the show is also well written, be it a dramatic scene or a comedic one. The only dark spot is the death that I know of now but didn't see coming when I first watched the show.

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"Being greatful could be sense of life"

Contain only general structure spoilers but flag it anyway.

As I consider lovely runner almost perfect kdrama because drift away from fatalism and Korean sadness of unchanging fate, into agency of changing it. Yet it didn't end as satisfying for me as it could.
While you were sleeping is biggest antithesis to Korean "han" (한). Scenario presents many cases of changing fate, dreams about future, even nesting in each other before completion - making decision based on dream, can be included in prophecy. This show that changed future as happening simultaneously. Or cases of plain decision point where you have two different versions of future or even make own original path (why it's so rare in scenarios?). Writer showing us that we forge own destiny, in moment it making decisions we create new fate, that can be altered again. This feat alone makes this drama truly revolutionary!
Really liked morning breakfasts, communication and support instead misscommunication. It's first drama I've watched where second ML don't make ML anxious/jealous, all are adult about they life priorities and considerate about each feelings. Showing that being greatful that we are alive is more powerful than ego needs.
New case every few eps make whole script more dynamic there isn't any drag out or "separation downtime" around usual 12-14th ep. This scenario is a masterpiece, and all other aspects with music and acting is on highest tier.
What is also rare it's ambiguous morally, openly deliberate on what I wrong and good in consequences without predetermined mindset which is always better for the plot and character growth.
For me it's first kdrama I can put on perfect 10/10

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