Great cast, but...
This show started out well. The main leads had terrific chemistry together. I loved the ML's character, the FL not so much. This was a character that seemed to feed off of drama that was going on around her, and if there wasn't drama, she would create it. Though she was the older of the two, she was so immature compared to the ML.The FL's mother - oh my gosh, just the worst! I know that Korean culture places high importance on respect for your elders, but there has to be a line somewhere. To just let your mom walk all over you and decide your future, that's just wrong.
Costuming was good. I especially loved the cream-colored wool coat he was wearing in the rain. Why was I focused on the clothes? Apparently, I wasn't loving the direction of the writing.
Great music, but it didn't fit in with the drama at all.
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The way both main characters were portrayed just made it so easy for the watcher to enjoy it ... enjoy love .. enjoy the feeling of being in love.
There were many aspects that I loved in this drama because they relate to life in general, the first being overbearing and controlling parents who think they have the right to be in control of their Childs life just because they gave birth to them .. It's a simple subject yet somehow this is the first drama that did it in such a real way to the point that it hurts. and resonates with the watcher, instead of other dramas that constantly make it seem like a cliche.
Going back to the main couple, I just like how strong they both are and how the writers were not afraid to show how different they are ... Sometimes they couldn't understand each other but that was okay because thats how reality is ..
If you are into fast plots and detest slow moving story then I wouldn't recommend this.
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I’m impressed with performance of the lead actors - they don’t need much of words to show us chemistry between them and beauty of feelings they have for each other.
I’ve watched a lot of Korean dramas and this one is my number one. And I’ll definitely rewatch it soon
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This review may contain spoilers
If the second half was like the first I would have given it a 9.50, and I didn't give CLOY that. My favorite director, plus SYJ made the role so relatable and realistic. But then the writers did her dirty with the psycho mom taking over and destroying everything. I also didn't like the same song being played over and over again. But the end of episode 3 is probably the best thing I've ever watched on T.V. This is a deliciously angsty relationship, and we're talking about real angst (fooling around with your friend's sibling, without them knowing anything) here. Pity they later downgraded it to 'my mom doesn't approve and at my age I only do what she wants'. However, it's the first kdrama I've ever watched, and, again, the first half was absolutely brilliant.
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Sunshine faded to dreary rain
My recommendation is enjoy the first 8 episodes and then skip to the last one to finalise.Jung Hae plays, 24 yr old, Seo Joon Hee convincingly as the besotted younger lover. He shows cuteness and strength of character that is very appealing. His romance with Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin) is sweet and believable. As the older lover Jin Ah is lovely in the beginning, however, the writer/director input to her character fails to keep this drama on track. Filler issues are over the top and frustrating for the viewer - the ex boyfriend turned dangerous stalker, the bullying abusive mother and the toxic workplace environment leave a very bad taste in my mouth as the hapless Jin Ah remains passively observing or avoiding or deliberately lying to keep reality at bay.
There is a repeated OST that becomes as annoying as the situations depicted.
I felt that the watcher is pulled along and not invited to learn any of the backstory or what drives the decisions being made.
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Potrays incredibly complex human emotions but overall feels incomplete
This drama made me feel so many things! The complexity of the emotions that are potrayed here is truly commendable. Both leads did an excellent job and I absolutely loved their chemistry! I understand why Jung Hae In recommends this drama during his interviews. However, I was really sad that the ending felt so incomplete - no satisfactory closure about the workplace harassment, the mom’s 2 minute self reflection/apology wasn’t even close to what should’ve been and the leads barely got 5 min of a happy ending. However, I would still recommend this drama purely because of all the things it makes you feel!Was this review helpful to you?
It was a great start, it was cute seeing Seo Jun Hui (Jung Hae In) crushing and having a hard time saying his emotions to Yoo Jin-Ah (Son Ye Jin) and Yoo Jin Ah being confused to her feelings. But when they start being together, I found it boring and a lot of dragging scenes. I did find their relationship bit weird at the start especially that Jin Ah is the older sister of Jun Hui's friend. They look cute together but somehow the chemistry between them is lacking. Other than their wide age-gap relationship the other problems tackled in this drama was great, like how women are treated in the workplace, family problems, etc.
Overall I'll just rate this a 6/10. Out of all the characters, I only find Seo Jun Hui memorable. In my opinion Jung Hae In carried this show.
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Decent, but one of those "could've been a masterpiece".
Advice:For those that like how the show starts and how the relationship develops, you can skip and just watch the endscene(last few minutes) of episodes 14,15 and 16 and around 90-95% of the scenes with the work colleagues after the first few episodes.
It's a decent drama that could've been one of those "must be watched"/"masterpiece"/"groundbreaking", but failed because of the lack of vision.
First off, I can be considered a westerner(EU native), but I understand most of the cultural things presented. That said, I couldn't understand many decisions plotwise regarding character decisions and how the story was presented regarding the workplace "issue", holding on, relantionships and all. Because of this I asked friends that are from that cultural group/place and that have lived there to see if it was appealing from a korean pov and they said the same thing as me:
Workplace:
- plot covers some discussions, situations but nothing regarding the actual resolution so it was poorly written on this part
- workplace colleagues, situations and reasonings are somewhat just about there without an actual substance because it's written/made to feel like one of those "you know what happens"/"read between the lines", but it's bad and even if it's just a filler for the whole show since the relantionship is the main act, it brings it down. Nevertheless it's so bad that when it interacts with the relantionship and the female lead "development"/decisions that it leaves you sense of "wtf is this?" It just hovers over grey lines without going to a resolution.
Relantionship:
- it is presented and done realistically and sincerely great for the first 2 thirds to say so
- the questionable decisions in these 2 parts can be reasoned in many ways so they give a more realistical feeling to the show, but are simply horrendous in the last part
- like the workplace stuff, in the last part of the show it just hovers on grey lines, questionable decisions without reasoning(the only reason that would make sense is that the FL is a masochist/wants to be sad and gloomy, but it isn't that so it's just conflicting with the whole story presented as it is)
The workplace stuff is just purely filler with no substance and because of how much of the show is workplace related, it's mostly a waste of time.
Relationship starts of great, but ultimately leaves you a feeling of "emptiness" because of how bad the plot unfolds(FL decisions without a proper substance behind them; partially the fault of how the workplace stuff is presented and how in the whole show they say one thing and the actions present something way different).
Gave an 8 overall because it kept me for the ride, but the last part of the show is complete crap with a "happy ending" done in like 2 minutes after 3 hours of unwanted and unreasonable emptiness/gloominess that brings nothing to the story. To explain it shortly, the FL is presented and "fighting", but in reality does nothing of the sort and towards the end they wanted to emphasize that she's "holding her ground"/"making though decision(s)"/maturing, but nothing of the sorts occurs. Sincerely it felt like a lack of inspiration either from the script or from the production team for not expressing anything there.(they ran out of work fillers and just prolongued the story with a relationshiop filler)
It just feels like someone that gets a lottery ticket with a medium(but very substantial prize) and throws it away because it doesn't want free money or anything less than the grand prize while they are in a situation of sleeping on the streets and starving because of some questionable "pride motive". While this setting(of pride) works great in a captivating story with good reasoning behind, it's just poorly used in this drama overall.
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I really wish I hadn’t watched this
Pros:Jung Hae In - he made it worth every miserable minute I spent on this show.
In the beginning, the chemistry between the leads was off the charts. That is the type of relationship I have always wanted to have.
Cons:
The whole thing was filmed with some sort of drab filter. It was depressing. Most everything was in shades of black and brown.
If I hear “Stand by Your Man” one more time I think I’ll scream. It was played multiple times in a single episode. EVERY episode. Two different singers didn’t help.
Her mother was a HORRIBLE person. She is the most wicked of the wicked witches I have ever seen in a series. Once she found out about their relationship, the whole series turn a dark turn. Nothing about it was enjoyable. She just made everyone miserable including me.
The FL was great in the beginning and I like her as an actress. But, in this role, I ended up hating her. She was the most selfish person and treated the ML so badly when all he tried to do is protect her and love her with all his heart. But, she started sneaking around and lying to him. I was so heartbroken for him. Even though they got back together in the last TWO minutes of the series, I couldn’t be happy for them.
I just really wish I hadn’t watched this in the first place. It was depressing and made me nervous and upset just watching this stupid show. Why did the writers think this would be enjoyable to watch?
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I loved the male lead and his chemistry with his noona-got fluttered in the first few episodes and i cried watching the final episode. But why 7.5 ? There are a lot of repetetive scenes- too slow directing and too much cheesiness! Glad I saved myself from wasting some hours by skipping several scenes and ended up appreciating the drama still. I didnt want to blame it all on the flaws and chose to just watch the scenes that interests me withiut compromising my understaning of the story. Maybe because the actors are too adorable that I wanted to enjoy this piece of work they worked hard for
The wrtiter had some strong points and showed several real life scenarios - it is simple and natural - but there could have been hundreds of other scenes/scripts that are natural but flavorfull. Should have digged even deeper - and should have come up with a more interesting twist.
.*spoiler
I appreciate those hide and seek parts which reminded me of dating secretly - the break up and the pain of letting go - and thrill of reconciliation .
On top of that found my new oppa to watch for- Jung Hae In! Overall a good watch !
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Still - I would recommend you watch the first few Episodes because the Leads are incredibly cute together and their Chemistry is amazing as I said!
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Has your very common kdrama trope where one of the leads parents don't support their child's love interest (but with an interesting plot twist nonetheless) the entire cast in this show work so well with each other. I'd also say the pacing is just about right, they've given every character enough time to develop themselves into the story.
Definitely a good one to to add to your starter list, if you're just getting into Kdramas.
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