One Spring Night

✒ ⚖ Jung Hae-In VS Good-Girl-Disease ↔ (Again) From, Kim Eun & An Pan-Seok °7.6° °VG°

OSN was brought to us by the same team that gave us Something in the Rain-8.6: Director An Pan-Seok & writer Kim Eun. The two series have so many similarities that it's impossible to review OSN w/o looking back at SITR. OSN is SITR-lite, like a stamp that has been used a 2nd time so the imprint is more faded. They have the same ML and the same actress plays the mother of both FLs. Both are slow paced and build methodology while slow, sultry 🇺🇲music strums in the background. Slow doesn't mean boring. Both are great watches (though SITR started breezy and then ripped my heart out w/o fully putting it back together). As a stand-alone, OSN doesn't have much worth. Its rating and its value are inseparably part and parcel of SITR.

Ji has been dating Gi-seok/Gi (her father's boss's son) for years. Everyone else is used to Gi. Dad is getting close to retirement and his boss has mentioned getting him a job at the foundation (gasp!). Dad is absolutely salivating over the idea. The moment Ji meets Jo she realizes she can't take Gi for another moment. Their relationship had turned stale and moldy when no one was tending to it. The "bad” thing about Jo is that he has a son. The mom took off. Jo seems like a bad bet & Ji falling for Jo threatens to turn the family upside down.

“What if I was about to do something that would turn everyone against me?” Ji asks her friend. Lee Jeong-in/Ji is played by Han Ji-Min. Ms Han can be so cute. She's great in Our Blues-8.5 and she really shines in The Familiar Wife-8.5, which was surprisingly excellent. Ji's stubborn and she will see things through to the end. Yu Ji-Ho/Jo is played by Jung Hae-In. W/o a doubt, he's a nice lookin guy. His appeal goes beyond mere looks. He's not likely to be picked as a top-10 from a lineup of the many exceptional Korean MLs based on looks alone, but he is a top-10. Probably a top-5 for many. He has a manner, and he has liquid-like eyes that just melt the viewer. His parents watch his son while Jo lives near his job. He's been living lonely while alone, Ji's been living lonely while amidst others. Jo finally opens up a wee bit: “I had to endure to survive. If I didn't suppress this anger and emotion, who knows what I would have done?”

OSN is a 2019 release that is rated 83 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 16 60-minute episodes. It didn't tear my heart out and stomp on it like SITR did. I like the characters, but my blood pressure didn't spike when they met adversity. Each series looks at oppressive, controlling parents and restrictive society from different angles and involves FLs who are under pressure to date a certain way. While I loved SITR, it was painful - very painful - I wanted to slap the FL more than once. OSN is so similar - I wasn't sure I was up for the pain.

Both FLs have a touch of good-girl disease and go through a fair amount of dithering. It can be unnerving. In SITR, the FL is expected to date only in the upper social strata, while in OSN, our FL is pressured on all sides to maintain a long term relationship so that everyone /else/ will feel at ease. It's the same issues but OSN has a different FL - a stronger one who is more impervious to coercion, yet still bogged down by a society that sucks at the feet, fighting every step forward. SITR features a toxic mother and OSN bring us imperious males. (The mom in OSN is lovely, and the same woman (Gil Hae-Yeon) plays mom in both shows. That's what /acting/ looks like). If one looks at the two shows as volumes of the same book, they fit together perfectly. Both of them feature quiet, everyday drama. Around ep7, I started to get nervous that this would be 9 more episodes of dithering over pressure asserted by friends, family, and society. The vacillation finally dies out and gives way to decision.

Poor losers. That's theme #1. “It's why I can't let this go. I don't want to look like a pathetic loser,” Gi moans. Gi's enormous ego led him to treat Ji as less - he took advantage of her - and when she leaves him, his ego can't take the “L. Gi refuses to break up with her because he doesn't want to lose - and he /really/ doesn't want to lose to Jo. I've known people who remain bitter for years - decades, even - after a divorce (the hurt may never go away, but this discussion is about allowing hurt to turn into bitterness, which is something different). The sense is that the bitterness is more about anger over losing more than anything else. Everyone must lose at some point. The fact that a person can't get beyond a loss, but rather opts for bitterness, means s/he is even more of a loser. Keep moving forward; work on yourself. Anything else is loser mentality. Every decision Gi makes, makes him more of a loser. Pride is a sneaky destroyer, yet we house it and nurture it until it infests every part of our lives. Pride is also Gi”s biggest motivator. It's what motivated him to work all the time to the neglect of his girlfriend. More than love, pleasing his difficult father (being validated) motivates Gi. That is why he never even introduced Ji to dad. He was worried she wasn't good enough. He took her for granted and thought he could make anything & everything up to her later - she would put up with it all. He had just heard from Jo: “You looked down on me.” Now Ji turns around and says the same thing; “You looked down on me,“ and “I was stupid to put up with it,” she adds. Yep, Gi is over the top, but I know a few Gi’s, and worse. Dad is worse. He only sees his daughters as pawns to bolster his image. Compare him to the ML, whose son is the world to him.

The fact that Jo has a son is a huge (YUGE!) obstacle, culturally. This goes against deeply ingrained traditions. Traditions usually start as something good, but people twist and corrupt everything. After awhile we get to the place where parents say: ‘You: Stay with the abusive husband,’ and, ‘You: Marry the cold guy who uses you because the man who loves you has a child.’ After awhile, traditions make no sense and do more harm than good as they morph into the opposite of what was originally intended. We need to examine our presuppositions every now & then.

Men treating women like property is another theme. “You should be ashamed that you're a shallow minded father who's more concerned with what other people think,” says mom to dad. The father sees his daughters as collateral. There's two relationships in which the man will not agree to a break-up, Ji with Gi, and her oldest sister with her abusive husband. In each case, the motivation is love - love of themselves, or pride. Neither cares much about the woman. “Do you think this is about love?” Ji's friend asks. When two men fight over a woman, it's usually about their pride, not the woman. The women know it isn't love, but they are trapped.

The way Ji has such a hard time making a clean break is one of the themes: Duty vs heart. There are duties that are infinitely more important than what we want, but some “duties” aren't duties at all: They are just a form of useless, meaningless control. Wisdom is knowing the difference. Ji is told that she shouldn't break-up with Gi as feelings come and go. She's treated with disrespect merely because she realizes she doesn't love her bf; she doesn't even /like/ him. He's just a /bf/ that she let hang around for too long, not a husband or even a fiance. Everyone acts like Ji's love life is their business. They keep asking if /Gi/ has /agreed/ to break it off (like that matters). Her sister is pushed to stay in a mistake-marriage with the claim that feelings come and go. This is true. Feelings come and go. However, most of the people (dad, especially) making this statement have a pride agenda. They don't want to look bad. There's a collection of things that dad is getting from his daughters’ relationships. He never gives a thought to what they are getting back, though. He has no inkling of how much he has distanced himself from them because dad has one great love affair in his life, and that's with himself.

It's not just Dad, mom, and Gi that Ji's trying to balance. Her co-workers’ curiosity is inflamed and she wants to win over her sisters to her side as well. Her sisters are navigating similar gauntlets (though in typical birth-order fashion, the youngest sister isn't struggling over pleasing any parent). Ji's friend may not agree with her decisions, but it's always good to listen to a contrary view, especially since her friend has no agenda other than wanting the best for a friend. Before long, though, Ji feels at home nowhere but in Jo's arms. Everything has been turned inside out.

We, in the West, can point fingers at 🇰🇷 and deride them for this awful behavior all we want, but we have the opposite problem. We've become slaves to our capricious, untrustworthy feelings. We throw out our duty, loyalty, and obligations all too easily. We indulge every whim yet are not satisfied, and our culture is increasingly enraged. The truth is often in the middle & the right answer is always a tailored fit; it cannot be found on the rack. Some marriages cannot be salvaged (Sister's marriage looks hopeless), but there's plenty of people who have worked on their failing marriages in earnest and have come out happier. One of life's secrets is that always indulging one's feelings and giving in to anger will never produce a happy life. Gratitude and contentment will. Anger is too frequently used as a veil to cover up our own deficiencies and inadequacies. If we are focused on another person's misdeeds, we never need pay mind to our own. Not only will this not work in the long-term, but it will also canker every relationship we have. Anger and hate eat our souls. So, while feelings are important, they aren't the most important thing. Treat them like a child: Nurse them, care for them, train them, but don't overindulge and spoil them or they will become ravenous monsters.

The first kiss should have been better. Perhaps they wanted it to be matter-of-fact, but waiting 9 episodes for that was a letdown. The first time I teared up wasn't for them, it was when two women sat on a bench together w/o saying a word. It's one of the best scenes in the show.

As the relationship with Gi falls apart he starts to see Ji with new eyes. The more she slips away, the more he falls in love. He's devastated when his own father, who had previously disapproved of Ji, actually compliments her. He had dismissively felt he owned her, and now that he's losing her, his own father seems to have more respect for /her/ than /him/! He could have gained points with his father by marrying Ji! Instead, dad looks down on him even more for blowing it. He makes a final play based on friendship - after a while the ardor may fade, but their friendship remains, surely? At the same time, Jo rejects the idea of friendship. He says he could never look at Ji in that way; she means too much to him. A self-absorbed person is incapable of being a good mate. Gi offers loveless, passionless “friendship.” Jo offers passion, devotion, adoration… Jo offers commitment - for every spring, summer, fall & winter's eve. Every good girl deserves to be loved like that!



QUOTES📢

Why do relationships always have such $h!++y endings?

Instead of holding back to protect someone, wouldn't you regret it less if you showed how far you're willing to go for that someone?


〰🖍 IMHO

📣7.7 📝7.6 🎭8 💓7.8 🦋5.5 🌞5.3 🎨6 ⚡2 🎵/🔊7.4 😅3 😭3.8 😱2 😯4.8 😖0 🤔7 💤2.5 🔚7.6

Age 15+
Language: $h!+, b!+ch, pr!ck


Re-📺? This one's in the good-to-pass-the-time category, but I may never pass this way again….

In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:

Modern Day:
Mad For Each Other 7.8 ~silly fun;
My Secret Romance 7 (if you ff thru overdone flashbacks);
A Witch's Love 7.8;
Love to Hate You 8.9;
Her Private Life 8;
Touch your heart 8.2;
Romance is a bonus book 7.9;
Boys Over Flowers 8 ~ melodrama to the max;
Crash Landing On You 9.1;
Oh My Ghost 10;
It's Okay Not To Be Okay 9;
Love Struck in the City 7.3;
Hospital Playlist 9;
My Mister 9.5;
More Than Friends 8;
I'll See You When the Weather is Fine 9;
Something in the Rain 9

Historical/Period:
My Only Love Song 8.7 ~ excellent comedy;
Live Up To Your Name 7.6;
Mr. Queen 8.5;
My Sassy Girl / Yeopgijeogin Geunyeo 8.5;
Saimdang 8.5;
The King's Affection 8.3;
Mr. Sunshine 9

Try a Chinese historical fantasy romcom: The Romance of Tiger and Rose 9.8

Action/Sci-fi/fantasy:
K2 8;
Private Lives 8.1;
Sisyphus 8;
Tunnel 8.1;
Signal 8.6;
Black 9;
Squid Game 8.4;
Kingdom 8.3;
Sweet Home 8.4

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE DRAMA

Do you know when I knew that I was going to like this drama?

When I saw Kim Chang Wan. Just kidding, but it`s becoming a habit to like everything this man picks, I don`t think I saw one bad project of his. On a serious note, it was when I skipped over to the last shot of the last episode, hearing Carla Bruni sing "Spring Waltz" and seeing a couple go in and out of the frame, laughing and kissing.

In a pharmacy of all places. If I had to use one word to describe this drama, it would be `natural`. Just most things about it feel natural. The music choices(even though I adore all the songs they used and have them on my phone as I type this, they do get repetitive), the acting, the way almost every shot is composed, even down to the actual locations, which are set up perfectly and when you see dramas with such fake sets, you come to appreciate this attention to detail a lot more. I went into this drama not knowing nor expecting a whole lot, since I haven`t seen "Something in the Rain". I also couldn`t draw any conclusion from the poster alone. The title sounds unassuming. In fact, I didn`t even read the synopsis. And in hindsight, I think that`s the best way to approach this drama. Let me warn you first though, it`s SLOW. Locations rarely change, there`s no exciting actions nor dramatic revelations. Which can turn off some, but it was such a welcomed change of pace for me. After a slew of dramas incorporating memory loss, childhood friends finding each other again, stupid, easily solvable misunderstandings and more, seeing actors portray characters that act like PEOPLE, like you and I and many others off the street, was borderline exhilarating.

And I didn`t even start talking about the actual show yet. First off, the acting. What acting?These actors ARE their characters. The things they talk about, the way they make small gestures, it all counts for something. If you can`t find anything else to enjoy in this drama, be assured that you`ll at least love the acting, because it`s that good. I`ve skimmed through some of the reviews for this drama, and while some are more than valid and helped me understand why it`s(in my opinion) underrated, some were downright confusing, citing lack of chemistry and acting. Let me elaborate. With a script and pace like this, you have no other alternative but to depend almost exclusively on the chemistry and banter between your actors. To put it bluntly, had that really been the truth, this drama, with all its potential, would have gone down the drain. In fact, someone used this as a negative but I would wholeheartedly use it as a positive. They wrote:"This whole thing feels like an improvisation."And I agree. It feels real, not clumsy. Even when some questionable plot points are brought up, the way characters react to them is not good or bad, it`s just real. And they all have flaws that can sometimes even be glaring, making you forget that hey, they do have some merits as well. Jeong-in is smart and cunning, but she`s also overbearing and rash. I heard that this role was first offered to Son Ye-jin, and boy, am I ever so glad that she turned it down because this is Han Ji-min`s character through and through. She plays the jaded, at time lifeless, drudging along life Jeong-in like a pro. Same goes for Jung Hae-in, whose Ji-ho unanimously reminds me of "It`s Okay to Not be Okay"`s Gang-tae. He suppresses his thoughts and feelings for both his child and to not be hurt emotionally again. It`s believable, frustrating and, at times heartbreaking. Their relationship isn`t perfect either, like they usually are in dramaland, until some big twist occurs.They don`t agree on things and argue, but they do it in such a way where you almost want to be like: "Hey guys, it`s fine." And they`ll reconcile. I`m a big fan of such portrayal. I really connected with them and am so glad that they got their happy ending. It almost felt like bidding goodbye to good, old friends, knowing that they`ll be happy for sure. Don`t be mistaken however, the rest of the cast does its job exceptionally well. Especially Lee Moo-saeng, whose role of an manipulative and abusive husband of Seo-in, Jeong-in`s older sister, is so convincing that I felt creeped out. The way he changes his tone and facial expressions from pleading, affectionate to pure, white rage, is beautiful, in a twisted sense. It`s disgustingly realistic. Same goes for the character of Gi-seok, who started off as someone worthy of some sympathy and ended up being someone so calculating and pathetic, that you just wanted to squash him. Bottom line is, all of these characters feel alive and like someone you know.

To be honest, I really couldn`t shake the feeling of being a voyeur almost, spying on these people and their conversations in secret, feeling the spring air envelop my body in a comfortable cocoon. The shots breathe, they are handled with care and are sometimes impressive. The writing is rather average, but there are some notable moments, like the "Don`t cross the street" scene and such. Also, and I didn`t see anyone else mention this yet, but the humor in this drama is spot on. I would by no means call it a comedy, but the lines of dialogue that should be perceived as funny, are, in a realistic, dry sense that I find amusing. Again, this is my review after all. And the jokes that land, do so on the back of relatability. We`ve all gotten drunk when we shouldn`t have and we`ve all been teased by our friends for our dating choices. And it still comes off as funny, that`s what I like to see. Now for the drawbacks.

I have to thread lightly here, as many people have so many cons when talking about this drama, but I only have two. Characters won`t get as much character development as you think they would, and the things you want them to solve, probably won`t be solved conclusively. What I mean by this is that we love to project our hero complexes and like to expect positive results from drama characters, stemming from expectations we imprinted upon them. It`s inevitable and we all do it. So don`t be disappointed when things don`t go your way, even though they should. I won`t spoil anything, but you`ll know what I`m talking about when you experience Seo-in`s storyline. Also, and I can`t stress this enough, be prepared for a lot of lingering shots of people doing everyday things. Be prepared to see a lot of mundane activities displayed and, even though you may think that they are showing you something pointless, this is also how you can let your audience in the minds of your characters.

In the end, "One Spring Night" is definitely not for everyone and you do have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it, but at the same time, I feel like this is one of those dramas which will get more recognition as time passes by. I eagerly await that spring day when I can recommend this drama to someone and to hear a reply like "Oh yes, I watched it. It`s a classic."Because I think it just might deserve it.

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Great drama for grown ups

I read the other reviews with high scores and now understand better why I like this drama. It is probably the first and only K drama where Korean stories are told with sincerity, no silly fun, with grown ups. I guess that the drama shows today’s dating culture, family life and social issues realistically. I have the impression that this is with grown ups for grown ups. Therefore, very educating and interesting. It is also very entertaining as it is well written and produced. I agree with the other reviews that the acting was great. For unknown reasons, the FL is quite annoying thus the lower rate. Actually she is a phantastic actor but here her role could be a bit toned down. Overall a lovely drama to watch multiple times

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Heartwarming to the core

This drama was so heartwarming that I could not put it down and was up till 03:30 after beginning it just so I could finish it in one setting! I was skeptical at first to start this as I find young child actors can ruin a drama due to inexperience and it also seemed a bit cliche but after the first couple of episodes it blew all my worries out of the water, it was amazing.

The story at first seems a bit cliche but it varies quite a bit with all the sisters stories, even having the male have the child instead of the female is a refreshing change. It shows you some of the struggles a single parent can have trying to find love again and how situations can make you a lot more skeptical.

The romance between the main characters was cute! The way the female lead was so warm towards the son just made my heart melt. I enjoyed watching the younger sister for her spunkiness and the older sisters story was very interesting but also very saddening with the situation she had gotten herself into. The were so caring and worried for their son and how they did not want him heartbroken again and the typical parents dictating the females romance life for the daughters that is found quite common in dramas.

I would recommend this to anyone and everyone! Its too beautifully done to miss!

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Magic with Real Spark and Melodies to Melt Your Heart!

The story introduces a flawed but endearing single dad and a woman in a frustrating relationship contemplating marriage. The narrative delves into the challenges faced by the couple, from societal judgments to family complexities, especially considering the single dad's past. The contrast in parental challenges adds depth to the story, with the FL's mother's evolving and supportive role standing out.

You got Jung In, our independent girl, and Ji Ho, the down-to-earth single dad, making their love story feel all grown-up. At first, I was like, "Why isn't she breaking up with her not-so-great boyfriend?" But as the plot unfolded, I was like, "Ah, got it!" It made the relationship changes more valuable. I appreciated the gradual transition, making the eventual changes in the relationship more valuable. The nuanced approach to addressing the complexities of infidelity and its impact on the new relationship added depth to the storyline.

Together, Jung Hae-In and Han Ji Min create a harmonious and electrifying dynamic on screen. The chemistry between their characters evolves organically, reflecting the challenges and joys of a mature and realistic romance. Their interactions, whether filled with tender moments, laced with tension, feel authentic and draw the audience into the emotional journey of the characters. The success of their on-screen chemistry can be attributed to the actors' ability to internalize their roles, bringing depth and authenticity to their performances. Their shared scenes, marked by subtle glances, genuine smiles, and heartfelt dialogues, contribute to the overall appeal of "One Spring Night" as a love story that feels real and emotionally resonant.

The supporting cast plays a crucial role in enriching the overall narrative, contributing to the depth and authenticity of the story. Each member of the supporting ensemble brings a unique and compelling element to the drama, going beyond the typical secondary roles seen in many shows. The bond between the three sisters adds another layer of warmth and support to the narrative. Unlike some dramas where supporting characters may serve primarily as plot devices, the supporting cast in "One Spring Night" is seamlessly integrated into the narrative. Their stories, challenges, and growth arcs feel organic and contribute to the overall realism of the drama. The characters, whether parents, siblings, or friends, are portrayed with nuance and depth, enhancing the viewer's connection to the broader world of the story.

The OST of "One Spring Night" plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. While not numerous, the selected songs are carefully curated to complement the scenes and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the drama. One standout track is Rachael Yamagata's "No Direction," which left a lasting impression on me. The song, with its melodic and evocative qualities, seems to seamlessly blend into the story, creating a memorable auditory experience. The use of music in this drama is not just about catchy tunes; it's about selecting pieces that evoke the right emotions and enhance the viewer's connection to the characters and their journey.

In summary, "One Spring Night" stands out as a multifaceted and emotionally resonant drama, skillfully balancing a mature romance, a rich supporting cast, and a thoughtfully curated OST.

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Do not miss out on this drama, it's pure perfection

It's a drama but not to dramatic, it feels like your friend telling you her love story

The cast has played their roles v well and they make you care for them. It's a simple love story that delivers deeper message with respect to society.
It's beautifully writen and even more beautifully narrated .

The male lead makes you yearn for him by his sincerity and love. The female lead is an epitome of a modern women.

I absolutely fell In love with kdrama thanka to this gem of a show. I am constantly on lookout for more such drama "s.

Ps this may not be for those who enjoy tooo dramatic shows, it's a simple slice of life drama

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Do you ever feel that you don't want a kdrama to end, like ever? You feel satisfied by just watching the show characters going by their life with no sophisticated plots and events worth mentioning. This kdrama gave me these feelings. A huge part of it was the chemistry. Not only between the FL and the ML but between the sisters, friends, and parents as well.

At first, I was afraid that this is going to become a cheating/affair kdrama. And as many see it this way I don't. Yes the FL did have some curiosity towards the ML while being with her boyfriend. But this doesn't mean that she was emotionally cheating on her boyfriend cause she did tell the ML about her boyfriend and offered him a friendship instead. The second thing is that the intimacy between her and her boyfriend was already fading away and it had nothing to do with the other guy, she was going to leave him sooner or later.

What I liked about the FL is that she didn't settle just because she had to. And as she mentions multiple times throughout the show, "I don't want to marry someone just because I'm a suitable age for marriage" and as a woman, I couldn't agree more. She made it clear that she wasn't thinking about marriage and didn't manipulate her partner.

Many people thought that the drama started very slow and complicated, but this is how adult relationships are like, you don't just meet someone, and boom you're dating and they're your soulmate. When you're mature enough you'll know that even when it comes to love and relationships you'll have to do some thinking.

For the ML, I did like his personality as well, he was nice, caring and, understandable. However, what I didn't like that much about him, is that he wasn't being completely true to her. When he got drunk and expressed his fears that was the moment when he was fully honest. I know it's difficult to talk about your fears especially in front of someone whom you admire, but still, in order to have a healthy relationship, you should express your fears and let your partners become aware of them, which eventually did happen so I have nothing to complain about regarding the flow of the show.

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One Of My Fav

Watch it at leat 5-6 times and thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Solid story telling of falling out and into love and fighting for relationship against odds.

Subplots added realism and blend well to show relationship amongst sisters.

It showcase very real life situations and expectations like a retiring father looking to a position, societal pressure on divorce, single parenthood etc.

I enjoyed the support and fight lead couple had for each other. Their friends also provide support and it was gratifying to see them together.

All casts portrayed their characters solidly and as one reviewer mentioned, there is no real evil characters.

One of the best.

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I love this movie. The scriptwriter portrayed very well the anodyne things in life. In both of her movies, she wrote stories that are fresh and very different from the boring copycat nowadays productions. One spring night storyline in the ending is better than something in the rain, but both are very good movies.
The soundtrack in this movie is great and fits so well in the different scenes. I especially love the scene where the music fits so well when the ML is walking in the library. ..The director did a very good job in editing, etc...
The ML is so good. hopefully we will see him again with the same scriptwriter and director. The actors are so good and fits so well in their respective role.
Overall I gave it a 10/10 as the scriptwriter and director did a great job in describing an everyday life with all the normalities and abnormalities in life. It felt like a prose when watching it.

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Great!

I loved it too much! I felt really sorry for Jung Hae in's character, because of the prejudice that he was a single father. How come this still exists, Korea? The boy is a great person, hardworking, a good father and son, and they played in the face that he is a single father! It doesn't enter my head. It's very 60's! Other than that, prejudice, her boyfriend is unbearable! I want to hit him! haha Jung-In, how cute, asking if the boy wanted her to be his mother. Wow, even I cried at this part, because Hae In cries and hugs her. The series rolls a little, but it's beautiful! Hae-yeon Gil is forgiven after this series, as in Something in the rain she is unbearable, but in this one she is a loving mother! The entire cast of Something in the rain is in One Spring Night. All of you are wonderful!

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A calm redemption

Oh Jung Hae-In, I love you so much.

If you've seen Something in the Rain, it is impossible not to draw comparisons. The team clearly learned their lesson: we got wonderfully empowered women this time, as well as the mom's big redemption (I like to pretend this actress is playing the same mother... haha!). At the same time, this show continues to deliver behaviour in line with my expectations — artsy cinematography (tbh sometimes too much division / foreground-background nonsense), a slow pace, super realistic / relatable scenarios, and the same few English songs on loop (but at least I like the one about seasons changing, albeit it's a bit on the nose). It doesn't quite reach the heights and chemistry of Something in the Rain though, unfortunately. The highs aren't as high, but the lows CERTAINLY aren't as low. Thank goodness.

Top highlights: Eunwoo, the giggly cute lovey-dovey scenes, the emphasis on books!, the wonderful friendships and strong sisterly bonds. I really enjoyed Seo-In's situation, and I wish we got a bit more detail there. I'm glad we got to witness Ki Seok's slow descent into madness. He started off as a bland, inoffensive guy and turned into a stalking monster with a vendetta. This got old pretty fast; at some point he was more like an annoying gnat that I wished just went away. The eventual soju/restaurant scene was sad, but HECK, THEY DESERVED IT.

The show unfortunately dragged in the middle. I think a 12-episode format might've worked better, or a couple of additional plot points would've made things more interesting (like a direct confrontation with the mother). Still, the writing didn't fall off a CLIFF in the second half, and I got the chance to stare at Jung Hae-In a bit longer, so that made it a win for me.

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