Poetry Books made as drama
This drama has the most poetic script and I'm sucker of it. Even the cinematography is poetic. Yet I didn't think this one is for everyone, but I swear if you're part of this semi-niche market, you will love it to the core. This feels very raw, kinda egoistic, also quirky, a very unrealistic way to achieve the most realistic needs. But despite quirkiness, idyllic is also big part of this drama.And for the cast, I think Jung So Min is the perfect one for this. This one is really her vibes.
Ah, and I just realized that I already rewatched it at least 3 times, maybe more. The drama speak deeper to me, I think.
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was way to slow for me!
ok like. i tried so hard to like this one, bcus people SWEAR by it. however, it was so damn slow in the beginning and i literally felt no chemistry between the leads until like the 10th episode. tell me why i was more invested in the second leads. however, the chemistry from like 10-14... woah. WAS AMAZING. like genuinely i was hooked and needed to finish asap. there was soooo much going wrong in the last two episodes though, i do not understand why ji-hoo just dipped and they divorced, was entirely stupid... how about we just talk next time? also... wish we saw more on won-seok and rang's relationship cus girl... it was really destined to end and not sure how they magically made up.Was this review helpful to you?
Still Very Good After Re-Watching
This was one of the first K-dramas I watched (back in 2020) and I liked it so much I re-watched it in 2022. I still like it a lot, and understood a few more words!Starting with the good, and why I think this drama is well worth watching: There are three couples with different types of relationships, the main leads with the fake marriage, the second couple with the casual relationship and the third couple who has been dating for years. All three types of relationships evolve during the course of the show and are portrayed really well. The characters are very likeable and the acting was top-notch. I especially enjoyed Esom as the fiery second female lead.
What I also liked was the depiction of current issues like expensive housing, discrimination at the workplace, a “me too” moment where the girl is just supposed to just let it slide, and the overall problem of living in a patriarchic society as a woman. There is some wry humor, too. The show overall is light-hearted but with some depths as well.
The not-so-good: The show kept a good pace in the first few episodes but then got a bit draggy. Several dialogues went nowhere and I just wanted to yell at the characters to spit it out already. The female lead in particular was a bit vague, which led to misunderstandings, which took a while to clear up and caused the male lead some unnecessary suffering. But this show definitely has so many strong points that it can easily be forgiven when it drags a little. I certainly enjoyed watching it twice.
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- LOVED the female friendships. - Lots of thoughtful lines about love and sense of self e.g. marriage being a major way one is confronted with what one really wants, or needing to choose how to live on one's own terms rather than looking at other people's lives (at times), or how in final analysis every life is ordinary, or the titular sentiment of how we're all figuring out how to live this life for the first time.
- Loved the themes of exploring what marriage and love really mean to a person. The main character's conclusion on marriage at the end was rather cynical, but I suppose they went ahead with it in the end?? Then again, if "marriage" is defined as it is by Korean society (that sort of transactional relationship involving push and pull between in-laws, the toxic indirect communication, etc), then perhaps it's perfectly justifiable to be cynical about it?
- I actually thought that final construct where the two leads end up coming full circle and living in the same space again unexpectedly was very cute. I just think the way they made it happen could have been better done, the moves didn't quite hit authentic to me.
- That said, I get that the final episodes are (I believe) generally meant to represent Ji Ho's maturing into her own person and doing marriage/love her way, and Se Hee's maturing into someone who can be vulnerable. And there are times when a person needs to be pushed and cracked open... it just all felt a little garbled to me? That whole thing about him beating up the assistant director went completely unnoticed by the person he was doing it for. Or was that meant to show that, you can do extremely out of character things like this but you still need to use your words to tell someone you love them?
- LOVED Soo Ji's story, perfectly rounded off with that very natural transition to being the boss of a lingerie company. I also loved that her character growth (and subsequently story arc) was supported and provoked by the people closest to her (as opposed to Ji Ho, who seemed largely driven by her own internal reasoning e.g. it didn't impact her that her mum told her she was talking crap. Good ol' mum.)
- Actually wished Ho Rang had remained broken up!! Or that there had been a better sense of growth in the two of them actually facing the reality of their situation. talking through it and deciding.
- Overall quite a beautiful series, I felt! The beautiful seaside scenes, that lovely poem and other literary references..
- I'm not sure how difficult it was but I appreciate how Jung So Min must've practiced Ji Ho's hometown dialect!
- Crushed hard on Se Hee's ex!!
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2nd half: Drama
Ending: Somewhat Happy
Recommendation: Watch it
This is a slow burn slice of life drama revolving around the main characters' marriage contract plot, included in the story are two other couples (their friends) and their everyday lives and how they go about it. This won't make you laugh or cry, instead this drama will make you think or feel for days to come. Episode 1-3 were fine but episode 4 to episode 10 was really slow (at times boring) and this is where the bulk of the slow burn is at, it got better for me at episode 11 onwards until the end.
I usually finish a drama within a a day or two of binge watching but this one took me around 2 weeks (too slow for my taste hence almost dropped it many times), but I'm glad that I didn't because what kept me around were the stories of the secondary characters which I genuinely enjoyed. Despite the difficulty in watching it, I have no regrets and I have enjoyed it a little bit although this isn't something that I would watch again but is somewhat memorable.
Overall, if you have limited time like me and have to go through dozens of other dramas in your list then I suggest that you skip this one otherwise if you have a lot of free time and nothing better to do then I think you should watch this drama and it should have a lasting effect on you.
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It is Relatable
The story plot is relatable in terms of the daily life struggles in finances, relationships, societal issues, and self-improvement. The convenient marriage was a bit much for me that Lee Minki and Jung Somin could've dealt their financial problems in another way but it wouldn't be a thicker plotline. As of the other plots of the story, I really liked the portrayal of Esom and how she dealt with societal issues in her workplace, her relationship, and her self. The way Esom confronted her male co-workers about her no-bra. HELLO!!! For every women, it's a big conflict we face whatever the size is. Later on, she decides to get custom-made bra was great idea that Esom's character's self-improvement in harassments and gender inequality of the society.Was this review helpful to you?
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Highly recommended to watch, and it doesn't even matters what kind of genre you are looking for. Even if you think, you don't feel like watching this, you should watch.
This was one of the best character developments I've seen in Kdrama. the way main leads and the supporting couples transform to their true selves was one to look for.
this base story is typical contract marriage because of conditions and main leads falling in love and of course smb with tragic past. but this is where it stops.
the drama is a bit monotonous at first glance and if you are not in mood for wathcing something about life, inner peace, personal growth, thinking about what is important in life, what is love, friendship, families and what can be called love then this might seem abit dragged as there are many discussions touching this topics. but if you are all for it, then this is for you.
frankly, when I started watching I wanted to watch something light, but without realization I started to get drawn in this drama and was enjoying and relating myself very much. It did manage to deliver the feelings and warmness and harshness of this world.
I would have give 10/10 but would have to take away some ponts because last 3 episodes seemed a bit dragged for me. OST was on spot and well aligned as it would start and stop at the right moment. Everybody working on this drama did good job.
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Blah, blah, blah. I can go on about this drama sounding like an infomercial, but that will be boring. JUST WATCH THIS! YOU'LL SURELY LOVE IT. Come on! It stars Lee Min Ki. LEE MIN KI! Enough said! Muahahahaha...anyone reading this can surely tell I'm a LMK fan. Jung So Min, Esom, Kim Min Seok, and Kim Ga Eun are also awesome actors. AND Kim Min Kyu with his adorable dimples.
Anyway, I really digressed there. This drama is a must-watch.
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I did not know the shows premise when I started watching.
Watch this show~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The best series
This is a romantic series that will warm your heart the most. It's awesome in every way. I love Sehee and Jiho the most. They are My Safe Zone.You will fall in love A cute story, beautiful songs throughout. Ji Ho's gentleness and innocence, Se Hee's cold but crazy love. You will feel happiness the entire time you watch it. And when you finish watching it, you'll smile and have a good night's sleep. It really heals your heart.
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