Crash Landing on You

This is a masterpiece! It's the best thing I have ever watched in my entire life, it will forever have a special place in my heart! I have never been so emotionally invested in any other series, movies etc. Everyone from the cast was awesome and they executed their respective roles perfectly, for me this drama did NOT have any flaws not a single one...it was just pure perfection. I will never forget this and I wish all the actors, screenwriters, editors and everyone who had a part in the creation of this masterpiece a happy and successful life!!! It was such a roller coaster of emotions, one minute I was crying and feeling sad the next I was happy thanks to the wholesome scenes infact they were so wholesome that I cried on many of the happy scenes as well and I am still crying as I am writing this because of how much I loved and how much I am going to miss this drama...

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Late to the CLOY party, but in Awe!

EDIT: I've re-read my review after 6 months and it honestly doesn't do justice to this series, simply because I relied heavily on AI to put my observations and thoughts in to words. So I've decided to re-write my review in my own words. I'll keep the original one. If you're interested in reading that, you can scroll all the way down. ( But be prepared to cringe a lot).

06.2025

I watched CLOY for the first time in December 2025. My K-drama journey had just begun and I was still dependent on Netflix for recommendations. But something in the CLOY previews they kept pushing on me was off-putting, so I kept clicking next and wasting my time with other fluff. Eight fluffy dramas later, I was scrolling through the catalogue when a CLOY preview started playing automatically.

As if someone whispered in my ear to “just do it”, I clicked play and never ever looked back. I went in with zero expectations and finished it a day later, surrounded by snacks, tissues, and snot. What a masterpiece of a series this was.

It started quite tame with the introduction of the smart, beautiful, and a bit arrogant chaebol heiress and then the introduction of the highly skilled, handsome, but (seemingly) ordinary soldier. It honestly felt a bit mweh and I almost dropped it. But then came the crazy paragliding accident and I felt the déjà vu hit me like a brick. Could this be the Korean Outlander-ish type of drama? Who doesn’t love fantasy romance with a hint of impossibility?

Of course I knew (even with my then limited knowledge of K-dramas) this would be a very different series because Outlander is a highly sexual and gory watch. Still, the parallels made me stick with CLOY, and friends, I’m so glad I did.

If you haven’t watched CLOY yet, beware of spoilers; it’s impossible to rave about this series without revealing a bit. I won’t get into the story too much, because a lot of other reviewers have done that already. I’ll just stick to the things that stood out to me.

1. The chemistry. This thing between Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok is the real, real deal. I mean, they did get married irl, right? The moment they met on screen, I knew this was going to be good. At first, he came across as this stoic and aloof soldier, but the first epilogue shows us how mesmerized he was by her. Se-ri is a rich heiress, but still so bubbly and easygoing, it honestly isn’t that hard to like her. I mean, the ducklings were in awe of her also, except for Chi-soo, but he’s like that one crazy uncle everyone has, nothing to take too seriously.

What I loved about their first meeting is that you could immediately see what kind of man RJH is. Very principled, but caring. Even though they were in a tight, crazy spot, he made sure to try and help her. We’ll never know if he’d make the same choice if he wasn’t hindered by the landmine, but still. YSR on the other hand, was so unserious I couldn’t help but laugh, especially when she told RJH they should meet after reunification because he was just her type. Crazy woman, you just landed in NK and you’re joking about trivial things. But I’m getting too much into details, so back to the review.

2. The experience. Even at the first watch you notice that the world the writers created was a rich and detailed one. The few dramas I had seen at this point stayed superficial. But CLOY did a thing to try and portray life in NK as accurately as possible. After watching, I dived deep into the CLOY rabbit hole and found out they interviewed deserters to get to that level of accuracy. It wasn’t only about the buildings, but everything was thought out, from the wardrobe to the dialect to the everyday life of the village ahjummas. I honestly felt like I was experiencing it myself. In the second episode I loved the shower scene, where RJH was telling YSR how to create a sauna-like experience. These are things we aren’t thinking about in the modern world. This also showed the resilience of YSR. She didn’t really accept her fate, but she wasn’t acting overly spoiled either. I mean, she’s a billionaire chaebol heiress, yes she was bragging about it, but there weren’t any extreme expectations from her part. He told her how to assemble the thing, she just did it. Also, the writers did a great thing showing us early on that she wasn’t a helpless damsel, but also not a coldhearted self-sufficient woman. Her breaking down after he brought her the “wrong” candle is proof of that. I often wonder how any other woman would’ve handled the situation. But here I am, once again going into detail.

3. The characters. Every character was fleshed out and had a story. I loved that. It’s as if I fell into an existing world and got to know everyone. Of course YSR and RJH are my absolute #1s but Pyo Chi-soo is a close second. That man is hilarious. His constant indignant bickering with YSR. Through him and his indignation we actually could see RJH fall for YSR. My number 3 is Dan’s mom. She had me cackling like a crazy chicken. Her antics were so much fun to watch. I especially loved the makeup scene, where they went to meet up with RJH and his parents. Dan’s face had me howling. The writers did a very good job picking the actors. All of them seemingly worked well together and the chemistry between all of them was great. I hated Dan, but I absolutely despised Cho Cheol-gang. What a nasty, slimy, unlikeable asshole that was. The show wouldn’t have been as good had not everyone just excelled at their parts.

4. The story. Yes, it had a few tropes. Yes, I did discover some minor inconsistencies. Yes, there were some parts I liked less. Even so, I still think it’s a masterpiece as far as romcoms can be one. It had drama, it had humor, it gave butterflies, it made you cry and it was finished. No plotholes, no idiotic and unnecessary plot devices, just a well-written and well-executed story. I loved the pacing, I loved that everything was related, there were no filler episodes. In fact, I think they could’ve gone with two more episodes to properly finish the story. As most dramas, the ending felt a bit rushed, but maybe I just wanted more of these two. I often tell others I’d like to have a mini series which fills in blanks, like the epilogues did in a way. I’d like to have seen the first moments after YSR crossed the border, how did she get home? But also a bit more details on RJH after he was back in NK after living with her in SK. How the hell do you get back from that? It’s only wishful thinking though.

5. The romance. I love me some romance and to me this one was the best of all. Normally in dramas I’m wondering why the leads fell for each other, especially in chaebol dramas. In this one however, it was so organic that you just had to believe it. They were so careful with their love. The yearning was top tier, everything they were supposed to feel for each other was transmitted to the viewer. A few of my favorite romantic scenes are: The bike scene, back from the birthday party, the clam scene, where they’re stealing glances at each other, of course the candle-market scene. This is where I locked in even more. The scene in the field waiting for the train, the chicken and beer scene, their very first real kiss at the hospital, their very first hug in the snow, his confessional monologue at his parents’ place, their teary goodbyes at the border and there are a few more. But my absolute favorite scene is the ring scene on her birthday. Just wow. It made me tear up, while laughing at YSR’s antics once again. My only grievance with this drama is the lack of intimacy. I found out it was due to the timeslot and also the PG12 rating. But come on. How could they have given us such a beautiful and realistic love progression and no hint of intimacy? At times these two were standing like 2 meters apart, it made me want to yank my hair out.

6. The comedy. This was maybe the best of all. The writers inserted the funny moments at exactly the right time. I hate slapstick or just dumb and clumsy humor. In CLOY it was just witty and funny. A little example is when they boat mission failed and she was so disappointed, she was ranting at RJH, accusing him of this and that, I loved how dumbfounded he was. His expressions were everything. But the best of all is the awards scene. I hadn’t laughed that hard in a good while. YSR was so smug and RJH once again dumbfounded, aghast even. Pyo Chi-soo also delivers his crazy comebacks in such a natural but funny way.

All in all, I can’t stop talking about or recommending this drama. You just have to watch it for yourself to understand what I mean. Of course this show won’t win awards for accuracy. But it does what it’s supposed to do. Make you feel butterflies, but in a mature and muted way. It’s not flashy and it’s not overly stylized. Everything was just in balance and felt refined. I truly hope to come across another drama which leaves almost no stone unturned like this one. To date CLOY is my only 10/10 and I wish I could watch it for the first time again and again.

Thank you for reading my review. If you need more insights, or would like to read discussions regarding CLOY, please check out the CLOY subreddit on Reddit. We are pretty active there.

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Old AI review:

Crash Landing on You is only my eighth K-drama, and I was not prepared for how deeply it would affect me. I watched it in one go, cried through most of it, and when it ended, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I am now on my second rewatch and already know a third one is coming. Honestly, it has ruined other dramas for me for now. This is not a series you finish and move on from.

Here is my honest review, even though I'm late to the party.

What makes this drama so powerful is not just the premise, but the execution. The writing trusts silence. Again and again, the most important moments between Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri are carried by pauses, by looks, by what is not said. The stillness between them is never empty. It is heavy with feeling, restraint, fear, and love. That choice alone elevates this series far above many others.

What becomes especially clear on a rewatch is how carefully this story is constructed. The creators pay close attention to detail, planting moments early on that quietly gain meaning later. There are visual and emotional echoes throughout the series that only fully land the second or third time you watch. It creates that rare feeling where you suddenly understand why a moment mattered, why a line was delivered a certain way, or why a scene felt heavier than it seemed at first. This is a series that genuinely rewards attention.

At the same time, the show knows exactly when to let you breathe. The humor is smart and well timed. It is never forced, never childish, and never breaks the emotional flow. The comedy grows naturally out of character and situation. You laugh not because something is exaggerated, but because the writing is sharp and the timing is right.

Casting is a major reason why this series works as well as it does. The characters are well written, but they only resonate because the actors clearly understand what the story asks of them. The creators have described Crash Landing on You as a pure romance, and that choice is reflected in the restrained performances. The distance between the leads is physical, not emotional. Their feelings are fully visible, but touch is held back on purpose. Behind-the-scenes footage only reinforces this, showing how strong the chemistry actually was. On screen, the actors rely on silence, timing, and eye contact rather than physical closeness, which gives the romance its depth and emotional weight.

The supporting characters are just as strong and never feel like filler. Seo Dan and her storyline add real emotional weight and contrast to the main couple. Her arc deepens the themes of duty, longing, and loss without pulling focus away. Family members, authority figures, and rivals are written as people, not just plot devices. Sometimes they are frustrating, sometimes unexpectedly kind, but always believable. That makes the world around the main couple feel real, not staged.
Then there is the community around them. The ducklings are genuinely funny and warm, not slapstick or forced. They become a chosen family, adding heart and humor in a very natural way. The village women and everyday moments bring grounding and texture to the story. Love in this series is not only romantic. It shows up in care, protection, shared food, teasing, and loyalty. That sense of community is a big part of why the emotional moments hit as hard as they do.

All of this builds toward moments like the ring scene, for example. That scene works precisely because of everything that comes before it. It is quiet, intimate, and understated, yet emotionally overwhelming. There is no big speech or dramatic declaration. Just thoughtfulness, mutual recognition, and a shared moment that says everything without spelling anything out. It stayed with me long after watching because it captures the heart of their relationship.
The only critical points I have are that I would have liked to see slightly more intimacy, not sex or explicit scenes but more physical closeness through touch, hugs, and presence, and that I missed more acknowledgement of Ri Jeong-hyeok from Se-ri’s world, where he is introduced as a bodyguard despite clearly being far more, and where subtle recognition would have added emotional closure.

Even though the series ended a few years back, the community around Crash Landing on You is still active. People continue to discuss details, scenes, and emotions because the series resonates on a shared level. If you love this drama, you tend to recognize that love in others without much explanation.

Of course, there are small flaws, and you notice them more the more you rewatch. Normally, I am very critical of those things. But with this series, I accepted them without resistance. That alone says everything. I fell completely in love with the cast, the setting, the story, the music, and the emotional world it created.

Crash Landing on You is not just a drama. It is an experience. It shows how powerful love can be, how deeply people can change each other, and why connection matters so much in this world. For me, this is a solid 10 out of 10.

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Perfect Crash landing on you

I finished watching this drama a few days ago and I still don't know how to start this review. I'm happy and sad and amazed and grateful that I was able to watch this beautiful drama.

Crash Landing On You is the story of a South Korean heiress Yun Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), who ends up in North Korea after a paragliding accident. She is found by Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok (Hyun Bin) who decides to hide her and try to get her back to South Korea safely.
I think it was pretty obvious from the start that this drama would feature an emotional love story between Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok

I loved how this series handled friendship in a funny, touching, and sympathetic way.
Most importantly, it was present with Jeong Hyeok's crew. They were definitely the most endearing part of the drama for me. They brought humor and were often the comic relief, but I think they also brought emotion. They are loyal to Jeong Hyeok, but they also develop a brotherly relationship with Se-ri.

They say that crying doesn't necessarily mean you're sad, it just means you're overwhelmed with emotions - no matter what those emotions are. And that's exactly how I felt. I was so overwhelmed that I cried even when it was sad, romantic, and funny.

As a fan of kdrama, I am deeply moved by the masterful storytelling and stunning cinematography. There are so many beautiful scenes, like all the snow scenes, the night of the train breakdown, and all the scenes in Switzerland, and the OST is perfect.

So, if you're just wondering whether you should watch this drama or not, this is definitely a drama you should watch. .

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OMG I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW GOOD THIS DRAMA IS AND HOW MUCH I MISS IT!!!!! I have completed this drama and I'm so sad that it has come to an end. I kept up with it since it was released and let me tell you. THIS DRAMA IS WORTH IT!!!! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it had me with suspense, its just an overall amazing drama of all times. You will not waste your time watching this drama. Most say the ending was not that great because they wanted more to it but that just shows that it was an amazing drama. I know I'm just repeating myself but all I want to say is, who ever is reading this, please do yourself a favor and watch it. I 1000% guarantee that you won't regret it.

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....I would make the same choice and rewatch this drama.

Goodness. This review is full of spoilers. The only thing you need to know is that the drama is amazing and worth a try. If you enjoy it, that is wonderful... if you do not, that is alright as well. If you are the type to read spoilers and not be discouraged, then go ahead... if you want to watch the drama someday and cannot stand spoilers, stop reading after the next three sentences.

This drama is amazing, I hope others will think so too and it is best to have tissues ready for those emotional goodbyes. If you leave on the way, I hope you come back and complete the journey. This drama is worth it.

Now for spoilers.












These awards are for all the dramas I have seen for the first half of 2020.

Award for BEST KDRAMA SECOND LEAD'S MOTHER goes to..... Go Myung Eun (GME).
She supported her daughter in every decision she made. She did everything she could to protect her daughter's reputation, speed-up the wedding date and help her live a comfortable life in the village, because she thought Seo Dan (SD) wanted to marry Ri Jeong-hyeok (RJH). As soon as she released RJH was not what SD wanted anymore, she did not pressure her. When SD was moving on, GME went with the flow and investigated Gu Seung-jun (SJ), incase she was dodge (he was). She did not push SD into anything she did not want to do, i.e. wanting her to use talismans to find a husband three years after SJ's death. If only more second lead KDrama mothers were more like GME. *sigh* She was one of my favourite characters. Everytime she was on-screen, I could not help but smile.

This leads to her second award...
Award for BEST DUO goes to.....
Go Myung Eun (GME) and Go Myung Suk (GMS).
This mom-and-uncle, brother-sister duo were a riot! GMS spoke with a constant foot in his mouth and GME was there to set him straight everytime. Whether she verbally scolded him or physically assault him, it sure was hilarious to watch GMS try and fail to be a good brother and uncle. He did do his best. I, especially, enjoyed their last scene on-screen. Brilliant performances 'til the very end.

Award for MOST SMUG-POUT goes to....
The Fifth Company Master Sergeant, Pyo Chi Su (PCS). ( ^ - ^ )
The transformation from a smug to a pout was one of his best attributes. Every word that cane out of his mout h was riddled with ridicule towards South Korea, capitalism and 'that woman' (Seri). However, it was clear to us (the viewers) and his comrades that... those three weren't that bad （⌒▽⌒）As he got to know them, he grew to tolerate, understand and care for them, respectively. Although, he would never admit it. The smug-pout was a staple on his face whenever he dealt with anything beyond his scope of comprehension. *happy sigh*

And finally
Award for BEST SECOND LEADS goes to...
Seo Dan (SD) and Gu Seung-jun (SJ).... because THEY MOVED ON AND FOUND LOVE ELSEWHERE! Unfortunately, SJ did not make it 'til the end ( T - T ). All I have to say about them was said in the episode review, but I will still add this:
SJ was so bad-ass was a bad-ass who went out with a bang (painful pun intended).

End note (and deepest wish):
- If DAVICHI and YOON MI-RAE could please sing the soundtrack of my life, I would very much appreciate it.
- If HYUN BIN and SON YE JIN were to appear in another drama together and KIM JUNG HYUN were to get his HEA, I would also appreciate that too.

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Mostly spoiler free thoughts!

Woah, there's so many things I need to say about this.
I'll start by saying that this is the first drama in which I actually cry. This means that the drama is really good; I never react this way with movies or TV shows.

I'm happy that we're getting a drama with older people as main characters. Seri and Jonghyuk had really good chemistry, they looked super gorgeous together. Seri is such a strong character, she's so confident of herself and doesn't stop until she gets what she deserves. Second leads were amazing as well, specially Seo Dan, which brings me to the next point: relationships between female characters.

Finally, we get a drama in which the main women don't hate each other over a man, lol. Seo Dan lives her life despite she knows her love is unrequited, and is not mad at Seri's for that. I have to praise the writers. I'm such a fan of her ending, she deserves the whole world.
We also have the group of North Korean ladies; at first you'd think that they were just the bullies of the neighborhood but it's beautiful to see how their relationship (with Seri, too) grows and becomes something beautiful, it made me very emotional. [Spoiler, don't read] I was so proud when they realized that Seri released products with their faces on them.

Speaking about the second male, Seungjun, I was not a fan of his character at the beginning but I think it's a quite unique character. You never know if he has good or bad intentions. That, in my opinion, is very human and realistic. [Spoiler, don't read] He did not deserve to die, but well, he did it so he could save his SO. He did a good thing.

And of course I can't ignore the boys from Jonghyuk's unit. They were the funniest characters and wholesome as hell. Chisoo's theories about South Korea were so amusing, and the rivalry he had with Seri (as in South vs North) really made me laugh, lol. I'm a big fan of the beautiful friendship the four had with Seri..

Seri's family made me SO mad at the beginning, which means that they are good actors. Sehyeong's and Sangah.. were just.. so infuriating. The rest of the family where a bit more decent. [Spoilers ahead] I'm happy they (SH and SA) got what they deserved. I'm happy that Seri's and her mom could become a family again, I'm just so glad. Her other brother and his wife, they were so cute together, lol. It's good that they didn't follow the others' steps and could get on well with Seri too.

Overall, I recommend this drama if you're looking for a funny and romantic drama that also will make you cry at some point. It's 10/10 for me.

[END SPOILERS] THEY HAD THE BEST END POSSIBLE. I'm happy they got to meet each other again in Switzerland, I couldn't imagine a better finale. They deserve everything and I'm genuinely happy for them. I wish we could see more of their story some day.. ):

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It's been so long since I've watched a drama that has everything from great plot to amazing character development and immersive side stories for the side characters
The first half of the drama is set in North Korea and I thought the story would be depressing and gloomy but because the situation of the FL was pretty serious and things were tense the whole time but surprisingly, it had enough of comic relief to keep me from being anxious all the time for the main characters and just the right amount of thriller to keep you at the edge of your seat.
The second half of the drama was set in South Korea and was just as entertaining as the first half, with more warm and fluffy moments between the main characters.
one thing I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to watch this drama is to NOT binge watch it because the episodes are an hour and about 25 minutes long, I tried to binge watch it but at the last few episodes I found myself unable to watch more than one episode a day, so try to take your time with this drama, because even though it's long I promise you will enjoy every second of it.

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If you saw this review, it's your sign to watch/rewatch this Kdrama!

One of those rare dramas that perfectly balances everything. For me, it has the right amount of drama, the right amount of kilig (sweet romantic excitement), the right amount of laughter, the right amount of politics, and the right amount of pain. That’s exactly how I would describe this drama.

Even though I have already watched it three times, I still feel the same emotions every time I go through it again. The same butterflies, the same laughs, and even the same tears. The story is heartfelt, the acting is top-notch, and the chemistry between the leads makes it unforgettable.

It is not just a romance but also a story about courage, sacrifice, and love that crosses borders. Truly, Crash Landing On You remains one of the most rewatchable K-dramas out there.

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Never a boring moment in this drama, you’re always either in tears, laughing your guts out, or just completely in awe of Hyun Bin.
Despite the fact that this drama is about a South Korean woman falling in love with a North Korean man and all the struggles that follow, this was such a feel-good drama. The sweetest romance, plus the idea of forbidden love and some awesome side characters, and plenty of drama, this show just has everything your ideal perfect drama would have to have.
Having to watch this drama and wait each week for the next two episodes was really difficult, but you know the more difficult it is to wait, the more amazing the drama. Each episode had the perfect amount of romance, drama, comedy, and plenty of just feel-good aesthetics (such as Ri Hyuk’s beautiful piano playing on a gorgeous lake in the middle of Switzerland).
The soundtrack is beautiful, the locations and filming were absolutely stunning, and of course the acting just had you in tears most of the time it was so real. Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin are just incredible. Their characters shared so many coincidental/fate-like moments, they were so clearly destined to meet each other countless times no matter the circumstances. Endless cute moments that leave you crying over what you’ll never have. They really are just the ideal couple. Highly highly recommend getting caught up in this drama

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Instant favorite

New favorite series unlocked.

Everything is perfect. The acting performances, the chemistry both between the main leads AND the secondary leads, great secondary characters you get attached to and villains you love to hate, the wonderful OST, the overall tone of the show that is able to go from humor to sadness in a heartbeat without giving the viewer mood whiplash, the pacing of the story, how the series plays with the theme of family both biological and found one and the sense of longing and grief you can feel in many scenes.

This is totally the type of series that will stay with me for a long time and that I'll check out again now and then to relieve the emotions of my first watch or see again scenes that I loved and discover new details I hadn't paid attention to.

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