Editorials 
More than a lost opportunity
I see so many people saying that they dropped this drama but I can't for the life of me see why? Sure, it's simple, but it's also unbelievably emotional and an easy watch.I love that the romance isn't the main focus of the drama, but rather the friendship and dynamic between the ml's. A lot of people are disappointed that this isn't a bl, which I get because the two male leads had amazing chemistry, but that doesn't take away from the great dynamic that the ml's have platonically, and I don't think that people should just regard the drama only as a lost opportunity and a let down, thinking of what could have been and what was 'taken away from us', but rather as a story of growth, found family, and finding comfort in those you would least expect.
PARK JIHOON the actor that you are today, he really knows how to portray his characters perfectly. This was my first drama of his that I watched, and it's unbelievable that I can say that he's only gotten better since this (see whc1). He's become an actor that will make me keep up with whatever project he does next.
The main couple, although not very popular as I've long since found out, is cute, and I like their dynamic. AGAIN, I really don't agree with people taking their obsession with the ml's (romantic) relationship and using it to disregard this couple, even though I can see why people may not be thrilled with them, as I think that a lot more could have been done to make the viewers more attached to them and show us more of (particularly the fl's side) what they're thinking and feeling about each other.
Even without the ml's getting together, this drama is still really really great in my opinion and focuses on a LOT more than just that, so all those only talking about this subject and calling the drama a let down simply because of this, we CLEARLY didn't watch the same drama. This drama isn't necessarily revolutionary, but it is special.
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Let's all hug Joon
Some say less romance, some say it's fine. I like romance, so if a story has a bit much of it, I don't mind, if it's a good romance. In this one I think everything developed well, it could have done without the romance, but I also don't think the romance really hurt anything. The trio fit so nicely together, and Joon grew and opened up through both characters in his own ways. I think that was very important, and he deserved a romance and a great new friend. Why do viewers want to take that away?I think this had a lot of dark with a lot of light. I was frustrated at times that Joon didn't open up sooner with Soo Hyun, not doing so lead Soo Hyun to have so many wrong ideas.
I really just feel this story was completed really well. I think the one thing I could get rid of is the professors. I skipped over there parts because they seemed pointless to this story. I'm excluding Joon's brother in this, because he is clearly very important.
This gave me all the feels, and that is all I ask for in a drama. That and keeping me wanting to binge it, and it did just that.
The heartache I felt for Joon and a bit for his brother. I can relate to how Joon feels, and it is a terrifying, heartbreaking, confusing thing. The fact he could even portray himself as cheery and also be cheery was a huge feat. We need to give him all the hugs and all the credit he is due!
I also loved his hair in this.
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I cried.
This story was fascinating and interesting to watch. I ended up binging the whole entire series in less than a week because I was so hooked on it! Im not really much of an emotional person in general but this series made me cry ( in a good way!) This series really touched my heart and discusses real issues that young adults face in today's society. I loved how they dove into topics like social anxiety, dysfunctional families, emotional abuse, physical abuse, wanting to fit in, financial struggles, friendship, and college culture. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who has watched My ID Is Gangnam Beauty and liked the show! This show made me feel tons of emotions and I was able to relate to every character in one way or another. I loved that this show highlighted how important friendship is and what true friends are. Definitely going to rewatch it!Was this review helpful to you?
My baby Park Jihoon is in a romance <3
I watched this for Park Jihoon originally and really ended up enjoying it! I liked the characters and story a lot. The characters all had good chemistry with each other too both romantically and platonically. The story was a bit of emotional roller-coaster in the best way!Loved seeing my pookie (Park Jihoon) play this type of character! He killed it! Loved that we got to hear him sing in this as well!
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Its way more exciting than I thought it would be.
At first I thought this would be a pretty classic kdrama where to boys become friends but then end up liking the same girl. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch it. But I soon came to find out that this had so much more than just the classic storyline. It touches topics like home violence, poverty and anxiety.The actors acts this out to perfection.
I really recommend this if you want to watch a little more serious series that still have the funny, happy and maybe a little goofy elements.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not my type of drama....
I don't know if I'm the only one, well whatever i just not fond of the ML acting, i think that it was soo bad.... I'm confused what feelings he wants to deliver to the audiences, he wants to deliver sad but he's face looks tired, and he looks more in love with the SML than the FML. Besides, i can't feel the love between the ML and FML. I knoww they are based on a BL webtoon but they should really just choose one between bl or normal romance. The ML sudden shouting was also ANNOYING!! Arggghh I hope next time he gets a shouting scenes, pleaseee make it less annoying....The plot: i think it's just typical types we've seen, childhood trauma, sad past, ect...(nothing really special). Talking about the plot i don't get why the ML tells everything to the SML instead of his girlfriend (FML), if you can't rely on or trust each other about your past, i don't get why you guys are together. Instead, both guys care and depend on each other, eventually change each other's life for the better...(like I've said, choose one, do BL if you want to)
The music was okay i guess...
I definitely won't rewatch this...kinda feels waste of time (i would have drop this drama if I'm not watching with someone else) but this is just my opinion
There are people who like this drama too, maybe they can see what i can't from this drama so if you're thinking of starting this drama after reading the review, enjoy watching!!
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the best characters development in kdrama
I'm super impressed at the good characters development writing and it's super natural , not over the top! I do kinda hope NSY show more affection towards YJ but then it will be against his character too much but i'm so happy with everyone characters development! it's really a light romance slice of life drama , to be honest i kinda like watching the bromance and brother complex more than the main couple XD and i just noticed Na In woo in this drama and OMG that eyes!!! he's so good in portraying the character you can feel the pain and sacrifice in his eyes. I don't know but the OST by PJH kinda annoyed me at first hahahah but Rothy song is good here. The story is good but for me i think it's kinda weak in the end..
Rewatch value? maybe none but i do will recommend it to my friends , It's a good light drama to watch since most of kdrama these days are quite heavy. A good drama to take a break in life once in a while.
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Life, Youth, Living
Friendship, youth, and school dramas are my cup of tea. The story’s plot and flow is just the right pace and direction but I would want to see more of the two male main leads’ friendship/bromance than the romance part of Yeo Jun and So Bin, so there are times that I skip the couple’s romance parts because their chemistry isn’t my cup of tea. Nevertheless, the story is realistic and tackles real life issues that relates with youth, school, adulting, harsh truths of life, and the nature of friendship. (Park Ji Hoon’s acting is wayyyy too good he deserves more lead roles, his back must be heavy after carrying the heavy load of acting in this drama)Was this review helpful to you?
At a distance spring is green
Park Jihoon is not only a very talented idol but also amazing actor. He played his role perfectly. Unpopular but I love main couple and their chemistry, they were so cute together. Most characters in my opinion are easy to like.At first I really thought that this drama will be a bubble, happy one while it containts many important and sad topics - I do believe it is worth watching.
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A Strong Story Elevated by Excellent Acting
I really enjoyed the performances of all the lead actors, especially Park Ji Hoon and Bae In Hyuk. The story was very well written. My only criticism is that I would have liked to see more depth in Yeo Joon's story with his parents and brother. Otherwise, it was an excellent K-Drama which makes you realise that behind smiles, but above all behind a cheerful person, there can be real “darkness”, and not only behind a visibly sad and apathetic person.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
faltou
Bom, definitivamente não foi um dos melhores kdrama que assisti, mas também, não foi o pior que já vi. Foi escrever apenas o que eu senti vendo toda essa história ao longo dos 12 episódios feitos.Primeiramente eu acho que a história não foi desenvolvida o suficiente, não houve um grande aprofundamento nas histórias isoladas dos personagens. Eu senti que tudo ficou superficial. Vou começar pelo protagonista... pq não mostrou mais coisas sobre a família dele? Pq raio todos odiavam ele? simplesmente pq ele não era bom como o irmão dele mais velho? É isso?... não sei, achei superficial tudo isso. Outra coisa, o irmão dele estava tentando protege-lo todo esse tempo, porém a forma que ele achou foi dizendo para o protagonista que ele não tinha família, ou seja, traumatizando o protagonista e fazendo ele pensar que ele (irmão mais velho) é seu agressor... sério isso? que porcaria de proteção é essa que faz o protagonista sofrer a vida toda, além de que, essa família deveria fazer uma terapia e o pai ser preso.
O personagem secundário (aquele que tem a franja reta hahah), achei muito mal desenvolvido e aproveitado a história de sua família. E a grande pergunta é... de quem ele gosta? Eu não li o webtoon, mas descobri que o personagem dele originalmente era gay (posso estar equivocada). O fato é que eu acho que ele gostava do Joon, do protagonista... mesmo que na roda lá do acampamento tenham falado sobre "gostar de menina" (nem tenho certeza se foi isso mesmo). Ainda acho que no fundo ele gostava sim do protagonista.
Por último vou falar sobre a protagonista feminina. Eu achei ela muito meio termo, não foi uma personagem boa nem ruim. Na verdade, eu esperava mais dela, no entanto não houve também um grande desenvolvimento sobre a personagem e ela infelizmente ficou só como apoio para o protagonista durante a história toda. Eu concordo com muitas pessoas que falaram sobre essa personagem, o quão mal desenvolvida ela foi. Enfim, quanto ao resto... resto é resto... não me apeguei a ninguém. Sobre o romance dos protagonistas... achei um pouco estranho mas eles são bonitos.
Tem muitas coisas que eu poderia passar horas escrevendo sobre esse kdrama, mas não vou me estender muito. Acho que assisti até o fim mais pelo Park Jihoon... amei ele em wero class.
É isso...acho q esse kdrama faltou muita coisa...os personagens não são muito cativantes nem marcantes. É uma história básica, que eu acho que tentaram maquiar como se fosse a coisa mais bem aprofundada de todas.
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Youth not being what it's cracked up to be...
The realities of life on a university campus, where the main characters struggle with their individual issues, misconceptions, relationships and futures.Well acted and a strong cast. There are some very abusive and parasitic 'friends' of character Yeo Joon and I have to say, apart from their personalities, the look of them really added to the level of disgust I felt at times.
However, in some ways, that is stereotypical, as people who use and bully others do not always look the part.
Park Ji Hoon perfectly portrays his role as Yeo Joon; a wealthy background, good looks, a bright personality and model student. However, unbeknown to others, he is estranged from his family and lonely.
This character was really brought to life by PJH ~ his mannerisms and ability to shine brighter than the sun one minute and have the saddest eyes in the most hurt face, the next, was captivating.
The relationship between Yeo Joon and the anxious, unsure Kim So Bin (another worthyy performance, from Kang Min Ah) was very sweet and the actors made it believable. They take a lot of strength from each other, which was so nice to see. I also liked that even though she is a couple of years older, she is happy to be lead as well as lead, and listens to Yeo Joon.
The relationship with his polar opposite, Nam Soo Hyun, was one of my favourite things, as Joon seemed able to relate to his frostiness more easily and I felt was drawn to the fact that his cheerful exterior and money could not buy Soo Hyun's friendship.
There is one sided love, with some friendships bordering on more, but the fear of loss preventing the move forward.
Adult responsibilities having to be taken on too soon, with the onus of providing for family whilst juggling studies, also features.
Jealousy, resentment and low self esteem are in some way part of several characters, with each reacting to these unpleasant traits in different ways and affecting how they perceive and interact with others.
There are some unpleasant and painful scenes in Yeo Joon's childhood and adult life, with the problem of violence in the home being tackled and pretty well, at that.
There are some laugh out loud moments too and some very warm moments, as barriers get dismantled and characters open up.
I also like that abusers didn't always get away with stuff and had to deal with the consequences of their actions.
The title eludes to the fact that youth is supposed to be bright, fun, carefree and happy, but up close, for too many, it is anything but.
When the young are betrayed by those who are supposed to nurture them, or forced to take on far more than they are mentally capable of dealing with, youth is in fact hell.
The drama also highlighted how wealth does not necessarily equal happiness.
The only aspect I found irritating, was how slllllllowly So Bin walks in it! Honestly it drove me nuts and once noticed, I couldn't un-see it, almost every time; and, whilst I liked the pop music score, I didn't like the mismatched violin and harmonica pieces. I love both instruments, but I felt that the pieces picked were too old fashioned sounding, for a drama of this era.
All in all worth watching.
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