YOU ARE MISSING ON A LOT IF YOU SKIP THIS !!
I had been skipping this drama for long and I don't even know why, maybe I thought it will be dark which btw lives up to its expectations. The cast is amazing, the osts are perfect, the emotions you'll feel are unprecedented, the supporting characters are pure gold and know what they're doing. First drama where I clearly did not have to skip through scenes. Absolute gem. The story is beautifully unique, paces you through very calmly but you'll keep feeling a certain ache inside. What I loved the most was that there is no person in this drama who is wrong or right black and white. There are flaws and for a change THE CAST DOES TALK ABOUT IT AND RESOLVE THINGS IN THE MOST MATURE WAYS. The places where it's been shot will give you a fresh breath of air no doubt. You'll cry a lot though. HEAVILY RECOMMENDED!However, you would not want to rewatch it because some dramas are simply not meant to, not because they are not good but because those emotions and flow sometimes have to keep treasured.
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Why don’t you cut your heart out instead?
This drama, I don’t know if I’ll ever do justice describing what I feel for it. When I began the drama, I knew it would be angst, but I wasn’t prepared for how much of it would play a part throughout the series. Even until the end your heart is in constant pain because of what the leads go through. What sets it apart is how brilliantly it’s depicted. The characters are going through traumas of their own, born of a shared traumatic event, and their way of dealing with it similar and yet different. After nearly a decade, they are brought back together to face their fears head on. The kind of events they go through, the pain, at times it feels so overwhelming that you need a break. In form of Moon So and Gong Doo, we see cute romance under whose layer lies a backstory that can both make or break you. It was their beautiful interactions that kept me going because at many points the angst felt too much.The cinematography of this show is beautiful. So much is said in scenes which have no dialogues (I love it when dramas do this!) the OST is something you can listen to on repeat long after you’re done with the show. The story is so well written, the characters are perfectly flawed, the supporting characters grow on you and everything about this draws you in. I hope I’ll be able to go back to this one day and rewatch it.
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Lee Junho’s Lee Kang Doo is one of the most amazing heroes I’ve seen to date. To watch how his integrity and brash honesty changes those around him and all that without him even realizing how important he’s become and to how many people is a thing to behold.
The acting is simply phenomenal and I really hope that Lee Junho sticks with it. Not that he isn’t a great singer but I think he really found himself as an actor and I can’t wait what else he has in store because so far, all his series have been big hits for me, personally.
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The plot was refreshing and really well developed. I was impressed by how the backstory was used, not only to add depth to the characters, but also and essentially to serve the plot. Most (not all of them, thankfully) of the dramas I have seen only gave them a painful backstory so that we could either understand why the main guy was being so mean to the girl he liked, or why they were destined to be with each other.
In this case, what happened to them still had significant consequences. One of the reasons I liked this drama so much is that these consequences were never really solved, which makes the story more realistic. Going through something traumatizing does leave an imprint on you, the aftermath can be devastating and it doesn't just go away, as it is too often depicted in Korean dramas. It wasn't about being completely healed, but more about getting better and learn to cope with it. The main characters viewed the world differently because of it, and they understood each other in a way that probably no one else could. They stuck to each other in the hardest times, even when the other pushed her/him away.
Junho was a revelation in this role. He was really impressive, the way he portrayed Kang Doo's pain and distress left me in awe. He conveyed such strong emotions while keeping a blank face, I didn't even know it was possible. I feel like the drama wouldn't have been as good without him. Like, really, he was MADE for this role.
And Kang Doo will probably be my favorite character of all dramas. He was broken from the beginning and went through so much (okay, I may have a thing with problematic guys and painful pasts, I don't know why it just draws me in... And let's be honest I'm not the only one here...). It really made the story complete, because he dealt with things differently and didn't know how to love someone when his life and his mind were a complete mess.
In conclusion : if the depth of this drama isn't enough for you, then Lee Junho will make you fall in love with the drama for sure.
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Lee Jun Ho *claps loudly*
Story: I'm giving the story an 8/10 because there were things that felt unresolved for me by the end. Plus, there were some scenes that lacked impact (particularly ending scenes on episodes) and it would just cut to the next scene weirdly. This isn't an editing issue, but a writing issue. However, with the negatives out of the way, I loved the story overall. Obviously, as a melodrama, it was quite the tear-jerker and played my emotions like a fiddle in a way that left you thinking about it. If you've read any of my other drama reviews, you'll know I'm a sucker for themes of friendship and family. Especially when those relationships are developed in such a beautiful way. I love sismance and bromance dynamics and this show had both. I also loved the developing friendship between the ML and a certain female character (that's not the lead). I appreciate what the writers did with her character and how they didn't make her into the classic "evil female" character. She was never threat, but rather a helpful pusher. That's all I'm going to say about the story, otherwise I'll walk too far down the spoiler city. OH wait. one more thing; I LOVED Gang Doo as a character. He's so loyal, sincere, lives with raw emotion, determined, hard-working, selfless, and caring. I loved how honest he was about his feelings and how determined he was about them if Moon Soo tried pulling away. He had some amazing lines. Moon Soo was also a pretty solid character with great qualities, but she did get on my nerves sometimes.Acting: First thing's first, I need to talk about Junho's acting in this because WOW *chef's kiss*. I honestly couldn't fault it and I'm very critical when it comes to acting performances. I've acted before and grew up acting in drama class too, so naturally, a drama or movie can be easily ruined for me if the acting doesn't feel real. Thankfully, I didn't have that issue with this drama whatsoever. I didn't find myself analysing the casts' techniques or possible awkward gestures, simply because if there were any flaws, I didn't notice them. And Junho in particular was fantastic. Every facial expression, enunciation and gesture was perfect for the line and scene. I feel like I should note that I wasn't a fan of his before watching this drama - I don't listen to 2PM and I haven't watched Wok of Love (or anything else he's been in). Therefore, my review of his acting is completely unbiased. I'm so excited to watch his future works and maybe his past ones; can someone tell me if I should watch Wok of Love? I really don't like love triangles so I wasn't planning on giving it a try, but now I'm wavering because of Junho.
Music: Great soundtrack! I love when kdramas have a fitting soundtrack that you remember, it makes the experience so much better than if it didn't.
Rewatch Value: I rated this low because I don't rewatch things often anyway, but if I did, I wouldn't rewatch this. Mainly because it's a melodrama. I love melodramas and would rewatch them, but only if there was a good mix of comedy in there or something to make it worth the rewatch (e.g. It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Goblin, etc). Plus, this drama is 16 hours long so I don't think I would want to.
In conclusion: I recommend this drama and thoroughly enjoyed it <3 especially Junho's acting. I don't think I would have enjoyed it this much without him.
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Healing comes to people at different times and in different ways. Pain is real and needs to be faced at one point or another. Yet, life is still beautiful to live by.
Kudos to the director, staff, and all the actors.
Oh, the OST is perfect.
I wish more people will watch and appreciate it. Enjoy watching!
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Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, i do, because "Just between lovers" hit me right to the heart from the very fisrt scene of the trailer. I felt like i was bound to it by a steel wire. "Just between lovers" is THE drama: the story and the development is so realistic and well written that you could think that is a true story. Every actor wasn't an actor who was playing a role, it seemed more like they were truly themselves, in particular Juh No, he entranced me and touched my heart to the core. His character is the most heartwarming, frustrating, sad and loving character i saw in a drama. The pace of the plot is a bit slow sometimes but for me it is the point that made this drama so realistic, because the bonds between people and the relationships take time to be built and to become strong. You have the right amount of time to felt deep in love with characters and story. The melodrama in this show is truly heartbreaking, nerve wracking and breathtaking all in one, the sadness and the despair are so deep that it seems you could touch them, but in reality the drama is not about suffering and despair, in the contrary is about life, love, strength, hope and justice. It talks about how to return to live a normal life after a very bad moment, it tells you not to blame yourself for all the thing that happens in life, because most of the time the things just happens and it is nobody fault. It tells you that the ultimate meaning of our lives lies on what we do after things happen: to accept the imprevedibility of life and live every moment trying to be as happy as possible, to accept that to feeling happiness even after a tragedy is not a fault but a bless, to understand that it's never too late to change ourselves and turn our lives in better ... all this is "Just between lovers". Watching this drama is a very deep and emotional experience that could change the way you look at yourself, the others and the entire world.
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2. Good ending that finishes up the story well.
3. There is no perfect character, all the charcters were realistics each with their faults and strengths which is realistic and how characters should be.
4. Great soundtrack that fit scenes well and the show also used silence really well in key scenes which needed it.
5. cinematography was done really beautifully.
6. no cliche romance, no car crashes or amnesia etc. to build up tension.
7. it's daily life - nothing over the top, everything is realistic to even the smallest details like gang doo's phone and no stupid misunderstandings.
8. The plot was written really well and everything comes together perfectly.
One of the first dramas where there isn't a single thing which would only happen in drama land.
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I've never really written a review, but I thought this drama deserved it.
This drama is about broken people trying to heal together. Everything in this drama was protrayed achingly true to life. A sad, but beautiful story; a well thought out script, amazing actors/actresses, and the wonderful soundtrack that really tugged at my heartstrings. The OSTs really had a big impact on me.
This drama completely played with my feelings. As it is a melodrama, prepare to weep oceans of tears, and keep tissues near you - a whole lot of them.
Junho incredibly protrayed the character and captured the intensity of his pain. You can't help but fall in love with him. This my first time seeing Lee Jun Ho's performance on TV, and he is an amazing actor, and I'll definitely be watching more of his dramas, as well as Won Jin Ah's! Jin Ah is an amazing actress, one of the best I've seen. She will definitely not be forgotten by me. I laughed with them, and I cried with them. There are scenes in this drama that are completely heart wrenching. Overall, the acting was incredible, and I am so pround of the whole cast, they've done a great job.
Even though I emotionally suffered while watching this, I wouldn't hesitate to watch it again. And again. I can't believe this drama has ended, and I'm craving so much more. This drama deserves an award. Nah, not an award, but a whole lot of them. This drama is a MUST WATCH, I definitely recommend. The end of each episode leaves you craving for the next. I am so thankful that I came across this masterpiece.
Enjoy watching this drama, it is unforgettable, and truly the best K-drama I've watched up till now.
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This started out perfect but unfortunately, like a lot of other dramas, halfway through cliches took over and the main focus of the plot shifted towards the romance and added up struggles that I thought were unnecessary.
I wanted the plot to pay more attention to the menatal health aspects. What they suffered and went through obviously haunted them and affected their lives to great extents. But the plot, at some point, steered in a different direction and I was left hanging with no actual healing or acknowledgement of their state of mind.
The second lead annoyed me quite a bit. I had a hard time empathizing with him. All the other characters were better devolved than he was even though he was a lead. Makes me wonder if it was just the actor that wasn't able to deliver the part.
On the other hand Kang Doo was phenomenal. Junho is slowly becoming one of my favorites. Moon Soo was also amazing. At times she was a little frail but still. I don't think I came across a similar character in Kdrama. Kinda timid and cold, yet still passionate and courageous. The actress, it was her debut drama I heard, did amazing.
The grnadma, the Noona, the inn keeper and her son. Basically anyone associated with the main lead were lovable and beyond awesome.
Other than the second lead, all the cast was amazing and the chemistry was so natural. The characters were new and none of them fell under the cliche usual characters in Kdramas.
The romance was so sweet and I found myself hungry for the times Kang Doo and Moon Soo were on screen together. Other side plots were also exciting and interesting.
The cinematography was phenomenal. That rain scene with the two leads took my breath away. The special effects when that building fell down were a little meh but whatever . The music reached to the depth of my heart and clenched it.
This drama was set to be perfect and to a lot of people it was, but I'm very critical when it came to the things I like and and I can't let things slide easily.
All in all it was definitely worthy of all my time. I don't usually rewatch dramas, especially ones with such heavy plot, but Junho is really growing on me and I find myself wanting more of him.
Hopefully we'll see more dramas like this in the future. Ones that are more realistic and really delve into dark places. And hopefully next time around they won't shy away from seeing it through till the end properly.
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I thought that I wasn't going to finish it, because I already saw, but I was very wrong. In the very first episode I was caught by it, like the last time. It has such a heartbroken story, such good actors and the OST is breathtaking, it's all so well connected, it's true that is a little dark, but some moments will surely warm your heart. I realized that the first time you watch a drama, you don't take much attention to the little things in the story, so in the second time watching you will see things that you didn't notice before.
Overall, I loved this drama very much, it's one of those that you can watch as many times you want that you will surely become caught by it.
If you didn't give it a try, YOU SHOULD, if you already seen it, SEE IT AGAIN, you will not regret it.
Thank you for your time, and I'm sorry if it is not perfectly written, but is my very first time writing a review.
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